Private Truth and Falsehood

[Cassian Abrantes]

Word travelled fast, too fast for him. While the mysterious behind his demotion were surrounded in secrecy. It just led everyone whom had once trusted in Cassian Abrantes for all intents and purposes....doubt him.

His ability to lead, character, morale and most of all his honor. They still believed in him, but one couldn't help but wonder as to why.

He hated this, he utterly hated it. With every fiber in his being he despised it. Yet on the outside he displayed no emotion about the matter. It was necessary for this to happen. He knew she was going to have questions. And he knew he better come up with a good answer.

She was smarter than him, and she wasn't going to put up with his falsehood.

Which was why it was to happen today.

"They are just rumors, Cassian. They will die down in time." Mr. Irons their trusted friend and confidante spoke up as he cooked lunch for the duo. Sibylla Abrantes was to be joining him for a late lunch, as he just returned from the RDF office. "Will Father and Mother be joining us? What about Elian?" Cassian inquired as let out a small sigh and placed the datapad down.

"Unfortunately not, they had a meeting at the royal palace and Elian is attending with them."

"Ah, its as well." It would be another fifteen minutes or so before lunch was ready. He reached for the small book sitting next to him and propped it open to the last few pages to read. As he awaited his sister to show up. House Abrantes had a wide selection of books in their registry, knowledge was quite useful. Although Sibylla did the reading more often than not, Cassian did enjoy a book or two.

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Cassian Abrantes ​

The sharp clip of her boots rang out over the marble, each step cutting through the stillness of the Abrantes estate like the measured strike of a gavel. Sibylla moved with purpose, the kind that made the Abrantes footmen flatten themselves against the wall and made servants suddenly remember errands in the opposite direction. Her lips were pressed into a fine, unforgiving line, her brow drawn low as her thoughts churned with the weight of the news.

At first, she had dismissed it. Gossip traveled quickly enough without her adding to the current, and she had no time for idle tongues. But the whispers persisted, curling through the halls like smoke until she had no choice but to reach out to those she trusted, pulling at threads until they began to weave a picture she could no longer ignore.

Now, she needed to hear it from the man himself, straight from the Gualama's own mouth.

She swept into the room without announcement, hazel eyes scanning the space in a single, assessing sweep before fixing on her quarry.

"Cassian Lucian Abrantes." The name struck the air like a formal accusation.

Her brother made the slightest movement, a familiar twitch that spoke of his instinct to flee before she could properly corner him. Sibylla took a step forward, her tone tightening like a snare.

"You. No. Don't you dare." The words left no room for negotiation. She knew his habits too well, well aware that her brother had the maddening tendency to immediately try and bolt whenever he knew she was trying to find him -- maybe even punch him - causing her to chase him all around the estate.

Whatever the truth was, she would have it out of Cassian before either of them left this room.

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

"Cassian Lucian Abrantes."

"That doesn't sound good." Caleb spoke up almost immediately as he finished preparing lunch.

Cassian twitched lightly as he turned to see his sister in all her declared status demanding answers from him. He closed the book lightly and set it down on the table, aligning it perfectly with the datapad before he looked back to her.

"Sweet sister, It's goo-"

"You. No. Don't you dare."

"Sister....I thought we might-" The former General spoke just briefly as he looked to the side, his face conveying a look of uncertainty. He was trying to find his words, but in truth he was checking his peripheral vision to see which was the best course for escape.

"Okay, here me out." And with that said, Cassian made a break out of the dining room, making a quick and very smooth break through the kitchen and out the door. He knew she was going to be right on his heels, as he stopped for a brief second and caught immediate sight of their family Garden maze and headed that direction.

He took the first turn and thus the game would begin. Oh man it had been ages since he had been in this maze, while it was kept up with. Nice, and properly managed, it had still been some time. He thought back to their younger days, many a times playing tag or just having fun and hiding from each other. Those days didn't seem so long ago as those moments flashed through his mind, moving about the maze.

He steadied his breath, coming to a slow stop.

If he could hear her footsteps.

Sibylla Abrantes

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Cassian Abrantes ​

The moment Cassian bolted, Sibylla's voice rang after him, sharp enough to cut through the marble halls.

"CASSIAN! YOU STOP RIGHT NOW!"

And just like that, the chase was on.

Caleb, ever the unflappable butler, merely arched a brow, the faintest ghost of a smile tugging at his mouth.

"I will inform the staff to keep the food warm and prepare a fresh pot of tea," he called after her, as if this were no different than watching two children race through the corridors thirty years ago.

Sibylla didn't waste time with dignity. One hand bunched up the heavy folds of her skirts, the other swinging for balance as she darted through the dining room, skimming past the kitchen's warm air and straight through the open doors to the gardens. She knew exactly where he was heading; of course he would choose the maze.

Ohhh, he was going to get it!

It had been their childhood battleground, a place of laughter and secret alliances, where they could vanish from the world for hours. She knew every curve of the hedges, every dead end, every narrow pass.

"Cassian, you are delaying the inevitable!" Her voice carried down the green corridors, her hair whipping against her cheeks as she took the first turn without hesitation.

Somewhere ahead, she could hear the faint rustle of his steps. He was running, but not nearly fast enough. The maze was hers. And she would have her answers.

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

"Cassian, you are delaying the inevitable!"

"You have to catch me first Sister, besides you may be smarter than me. But I am faster..." His voice lightly echoed across the area. Yet he then heard her footsteps nearby, he took a deep breath as he stopped still and managed a small glimpse of her at which she didn't see him. So he moved in the opposite direction, the overall map of maze refreshing itself in his mind as he made his way towards the center.

"Can you come to the conclusion that some things are best left unsolved, eh Sister?" Cassian voiced aloud with a small chuckled afterward, as he moved to another position. The fountain could be seen from his vantage point, so he was closing in. He stopped and knelt down to see if he could hear her footsteps once more.

He had gotten the urge to say something else, but doing so would give away his position.

Yet, he knew his sister was equally as sneaky and clever as he was. He hated to admit that she found him quicker than he found her several more times in fact. He would use the excuse that he let her win because she was younger. And perhaps he loved the look of happiness and proud smile she gave when she won. The playful flicks of water from the fountain that were tossed around at each other. Her cocky attitude and playful banter about bragging to everyone that she won the games.

She was, and would always be his baby sister.

Regardless of what he was going through, it made him proud and happy to be here with her. If he had to give the whole of his reputation and....even honor to see her happy. He would do so, no matter the consequences.

Sibylla Abrantes

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Cassian Abrantes ​

"Faster, perhaps," Sibylla's voice rang out from somewhere in the maze, low and sharp with the confidence of a hunter who knew the ground beneath her feet.

"But you always forget who knows this garden better."

Her steps slowed to a calculated prowl, her skirts rustling softly as she slipped between hedge walls, eyes sharp for any flicker of movement.

"You think some things are best left unsolved?" she called again, her words echoing across the green labyrinth. "Then you've forgotten who you are speaking to. I do not leave things unanswered, Cassian. Not rumors, not treachery, and certainly not my brother."

She paused, her hand brushing the hedge as she tilted her head, listening. The faintest smile tugged her lips.

"You cannot outrun me forever, dearest brother. I will find you. And when I do, you will tell me everything."

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

"You think some things are best left unsolved?"

"Then you've forgotten who you are speaking to. I do not leave things unanswered, Cassian. Not rumors, not treachery, and certainly not my brother."

The former General just smirked.

This one you might have too, sister. Cass thought as he looked down for a moment, angling his head to give him a better auditory perception. There was the faintest of steps, yet they were not too near, nor to far that he couldn't pinpoint their exact location.

Cassian then glanced down as he noticed a Pebble on the concrete road, that seemed to be out of place.

That's odd...

Whatever the reasons, it must have been there to serve his purpose because he picked it up lightly and his hand shot forward and the pebble skidded across the floor for a bit. It would cause just enough distraction for him to move positions again, still in sight of the fountain. It was anyone's game now, for he truly didn't know where she was.

"You cannot outrun me forever, dearest brother. I will find you. And when I do, you will tell me everything."

"Why don't we call a truce, lets say I win this round? And I will tell you everything that you need to know?" Cassian said with a smile, wondering what she would think of the deal. The key word in there was need, which mean he didn't have to tell her everything. His thoughts were turning against him now though, he knew he wouldn't like it if she was lying to him. This was Sibylla though, he couldn't keep any secrets from her. How could they function if they were not honest with one another. They were family after all, so it had to be said.

Sibylla Abrantes

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Cassian Abrantes ​

Sibylla slowed her pace, one hand still clutching the folds of her skirts, the other braced lightly against the hedge. Her hazel eyes narrowed as his voice drifted through the maze, her ear perking towards the direction. After a moment, she gave a slight cant of her head, closing her eyes so she could decipher the origin it came from.

"A truce?" she echoed, tone sharp but tinged with amused disbelief. Then, she slowly began to move, drawing closer. Two lefts and then a right, she told herself, her mind mentally mapping out which direction to go.

"Come now Cassian," she added, forcing her voice to soften just enough to carry the weight of her meaning.

"You are my brother. Do not insult me with half truths and bargains. I will have the whole of it, or we keep running until you are too tired to resist me."

Her steps resumed, quicker now, the rhythm of her boots promising she meant every word.

Oh, just wait until I get my hands on you!

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

"A truce?"

"Come now Cassian,"

His smirk returned as he heard the tone of her voice, he knew she wasn't going to let this go. This was too much of a blind side hit that she would. And he knew it was going to draw many questions from her.

A laughed came from him, as he heard the last few sentences come from her.

"Insult you, I would never dream of doing that." Cassian ducked back around, walking carefully along the edge of the maze, his back up against the maze wall but not not touching it. At last....he got her. He smirked as turned the corner to surprise her, but she wasn't there.

"Okay, you are getting better at this game. And we both know baby sister, that you always get your way." Cassian chuckled lightly, trying to hold his laugh in, as he teased her about being the baby.

"Sibylla, we can't get everything we want in life." He listened the for the rustling of her dress, trying to pinpoint where she had moved too. "If we did, life would be a bit to easy."

Cassian took a deep breath, closed his eyes and smiled. This was bringing back so many good memories, and he wished they did stuff like this more often. But sometimes, those things kind of got lost on them. They were both so busy, she was busy with the Assembly, he was busy with his own drama with the Army and now soon to be Intelligence Agency.

"I do miss this, I'm not going to lie. However I do have to issue a warning. If you happen to find me first, you are going straight into that fountain."

Sibylla Abrantes

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Cassian Abrantes ​

Sibylla crouched low behind the hedge, skirts gathered in her hands to keep them from snagging, trying very hard not to laugh at the dramatic way Cassian tiptoed along the maze wall like some great war hero sneaking through enemy lines.

He thought he was clever. He thought he had her.

Oh, he should know better.

There was a lightness to her expression and a rare, silly joy that seldom shone in the last few years. The ability to truly be herself had been slowly and surely whittled down until any public appearance meant that she had to keep her composure and reputation intact so as to be considered an appropriate candidate to be elected into a government position.

So despite the seriousness of how this chase began, Sibyllla could help herself when he threatened her with the fountain, muffling back a giggle and calling out in a lilting and sly voice.

"Then I suppose I'll just have to make sure you trip into it first, dearest brother..."

Her hazel eyes narrowed, a grin tugging at her lips as she carefully picked up a small pebble from the gravel path and flicked it against the opposite hedge. The faint rustle should be enough to potentially make him snap his head towards that direction, hoping that she could bait him into moving so she could trap him.

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

"Then I suppose I'll just have to make sure you trip into it first, dearest brother..."

"Good luck, baby sister, don't trip over your dress now." Cassian teased as he turned another corner just he heard the sound of the hedge moving. He was trying so hard to not laugh, as he heard her trying to hold in laughter. He could hear the slight break in her attempts and it just made him smile. They were having fun, just like they used to when they were younger.

He felt they needed to do this more often.

Oh I got you now. Cassian muttered under his breath as he followed the location but he figured she would have moved already. He anticipated this, however what he didn't anticipate was making another turn, following along the path and running right into a dead end.

"Chit....." He closed his eyes and let out a small sigh, which was followed with a small smirk. It was then he realized that he needed to spend more time out here and start enjoying the little things in life a bit more.

"Okay, you got me." Cassian whispered as he raised his hands like he was surrendering. He slowly turned to see if she was there.

Sibylla Abrantes

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Cassian Abrantes ​

Sibylla didn't wait for him to finish turning.

The instant his hands went up, she burst from the hedge like a starfighter breaking atmosphere, silk skirts and all, launching herself at him with a triumphant cry.

"Got you!"

Cassian barely had time to register before she tackled him full force, the two of them tumbling onto the gravel path in an unceremonious heap. Her circlet tilted sideways, hair spilling into her face, but she was grinning like a child who'd just stolen a victory sweet.

She scrambled quickly, ignoring the ridiculous state of her dress, and planted both hands firmly on his shoulders, pinning him down with surprising determination.

"Ha! You thought I'd trip over my dress?" she said breathlessly, laughter bubbling in her voice. "You underestimate me, Cassian! Never underestimate me."

She flashed a rare grin that reflected in her eyes, before the emotion waned and then she gave a soft exhale.

"Alright, you have some explaining to do."

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

"Got you!"

The sneaky little brat....

Cassian let out a highly exaggerated cry out as he was taken by surprise as they tumbled to the ground. "Hey!" He spoke in between the scuffle, as well, he wasn't exactly trying. But in all fairness, she did get him pretty good. So he couldn't take this away from her. "Hey! I surrendered!" Cassian exclaimed with a laugh as she pressed her hands against his shoulders and he went back.

"Ha! You thought I'd trip over my dress?"

You underestimate me, Cassian! Never underestimate me."

"Ha, You ThOuGhT I'D TrIp OvEr My DrEsS?!" Cassian whispered in a teasing tone, yet the laughter broke through again and he shook his head. "You are stronger than you look."

"Alright, you have some explaining to do."

"The only explaining I'm going to do is this!" Cassian pushed up, his hands reaching for her sides as he began to tickle her relentlessly. Oh she was done for now, she wasn't getting out of this. The inner child in Cassian showing through full force as he tortured his sister, reminding her who's really the boss.

"Say the words Sib!" Cassian laughed amidst her giggles and her attempts to breakaway. "Say I'm the best brother in the galaxy!"

Sibylla Abrantes

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Cassian Abrantes ​

Sibylla shrieked the moment his fingers dug into her sides, laughter bursting out of her in helpless gasps as she twisted and kicked against the gravel.

"Cassian--! Stop--! That's cheating!" she squealed, trying to grab his wrists but failing miserably through the fits of giggles.

Her hair was a wild mess across her face, her dress hopelessly wrinkled, but none of it mattered as she squirmed under his relentless assault.

"Never!" she gasped out between laughter, shaking her head furiously. "I'll never say it! You're insufferable!"

And then, with one last desperate burst of energy, she bucked her knee up to try and throw him off, using the same skills he taught her recently too boot, her breathless laughter spilling out in a near hysterical stream.

"If anyone's the best in the galaxy, it's me!"

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

"Cassian--! Stop--! That's cheating!"

"Oh! Like you have never cheated before?!" Cassian voiced in mock offensive tone as he continued his tickle assault. "And, your face is insufferable." Okay maybe that one, was a bit too far. The former General laughed at the sound of her high pitched squeals and he began to laugh even more, which threw him off. As he in turn tried to catch his breath amidst dying of laugher.

Okay, so she's learning. That's good...

The eldest son caught by complete surprise as her knee bucked, in an upward motion and before he had a chance to do anything he was already in motion. Gods, she's stronger than she looked. Forward momentum preserved him as he flipped over her landing on his back with a small 'oof' and completely out of breath. Yet in between the attempts to catch his breath he was still laughing all the same.

"If anyone's the best in the galaxy, it's me!"

Still laying on his back as he looked over to her and smiled, shaking his head. "I let you be the best, can't have you go cry to mom because I beat you." Cassian spoke in a teasing manner as he stuck his tongue out at her with a big smile on his face.

Sibylla Abrantes

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Cassia ​

Sibylla sat there for a moment, chest rising and falling as she caught her breath, hair sticking to her cheeks in loose strands. She leaned back on her palms with a triumphant grin, eyes glittering with the kind of unguarded joy she hadn't worn in far too long.

"Ha! Victory," she declared, pointing at Cassian where he lay sprawled on his back.

"Flipped fair and square, no crying to Mother required." Her cheeks glowed pink, the flush of laughter still lingering, and for once she looked every bit the eighteen year old girl she was instead of the composed cordial Ambassador of the High REpublic.

The smile over her lips softened, but it stayed stubbornly in place as she gestured vaguely at him with one hand.

"Sure sure, I win. We'll leave it at that." She let out a small laugh, shaking her head as if even she couldn't believe what just happened.

But then, quieter, the humor giving way to curiosity, she tilted her head.

"Alright… enough stalling. Out with it, Cassian. What is going on?"

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

Cassian pushed himself up on his elbows, brushing what dirt from his tunic with a half-smile. It wasn't too bad, these paths were kept cleaned for most part, speckles of dust here and there. He let out a happy sigh as his chest still rose and fell with the effort of their scuffle, and for a moment he let the silence hang between them, listening to her laughter fade into something more searching.

"Sure sure, I win. We'll leave it at that."

"All those lessons, you've learned a lot. I'm glad to hear it." he muttered, giving her a look that was equal parts amusement and resignation. He let out a short breath and ran a hand through his hair before meeting her gaze.

The sparkle in her eyes hadn't dimmed, but now it was sharper, curious, expectant. He shifted, pulling one knee up, resting an arm casually across it as if that might buy him more time.

"Alright… enough stalling. Out with it, Cassian. What is going on?"

Finally, with a low chuckle that didn't quite mask the weight behind it, he said, "You're not going to let me wriggle out of this one, are you?"

From the look she gave it was enough for him. Cassian's smile faded, replaced with something more earnest. His voice lowered, no longer carrying the playful cadence from moments before.

"There are things moving beneath the surface, Sibylla. Maybe not here, with us but out there. If so it could threaten to make its way into our lives. The kind of things you can't put into a report or a briefing. I've been drawn into them, whether I like it or not."

He hesitated, jaw tightening as he searched her face. "I didn't want to drag you into it. Not yet. Not when it could still be stopped. Father suspects that Republic Intelligence Service has been compromised, there have been data leaks and persons of interest. Suspicions but there isn't anything concrete and solid to go on. If I were to just get transferred over, perhaps they would suspect something and any leads could disappear."

Cassian sighed, shoulders loosening as if in surrender. "They would need something a little more....dishonest. Like the demotion of a Good and Noble General. With no reasoning why, or what the circumstances where. It would make it seem like I was dishonest, and it would draw them to me. People will talk and the rumors will write themselves. Maybe I was doing something of an unlawful nature. If the Honorable Cassian Abrantes could be bought, perhaps they, whomever they are... would bring me in. And from there we can stomp out that leak and secure the Republic Intelligence once more.

"Father wanted me to keep this from you. But I couldn't, I can't. Your not just my sister Sibylla, you are my greatest and closest friend. My best friend..." he admitted quietly with a easy smile. "Father does think I need to let you be and quite coddling you." The Former General chuckled and shook his head. "My fear of losing you just overcomes me at times. I will try...to be better at those things."

It wasn't easy for him to go through with this, she would be able to see that clearly. But it was something that he would have to do for their family. Sibylla made sacrifices, he needed to as well.

Sibylla Abrantes

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Cassian Abrantes ​

Sibylla sat very still as Cassian spoke, feeling as if her heartbeat was thundering in her ears while she listened to every word. The truth of it settled over her like a weight she hadn't expected; not that they were just the rumors, or whispers of dishonor, but the revelation that Cassian's fall from grace was deliberate. A ruse. A move on a board she had not even realized they were playing.

Did Aurelian Veruna know of this? He was in charge of internal affairs and investigations, and the extent of overlap with the Republic Intelligence Service was unclear; however, did he know of this?

Either way, Sibylla's hazel eyes lingered on her brother, searching the lines of his face, trying to reconcile the brother she knew with the man before her.

Cassian Lucian Abrantes, demoted General, the subject of court whispers and hushed Assembly conversations. Yet here he was telling her it was all by design, a sacrifice made not for his pride but for the safety of the Republic itself. It was noble. It was brave. And it was reckless in the exact way only Cassian could manage.

She felt a sting behind her eyes at the thought of how he must have carried this, alone, listening to his own name dragged through the mud, shouldering the doubt of friends and comrades alike. He had always been the one to protect her, to shield her when she was younger, to stand at her side when the shadows grew too close. And now, even in this, he had tried to keep her apart from it, as if she were still the child trailing after him in Dee'ja's mountain passes.

Her hand moved almost without thought, resting gently over his where it lay against his knee.

"You shouldn't have to carry this alone, Cassian," she told him at last, her voice low but sure as she gave his hand a squeeze.

"If you're walking into danger, then you'll have me beside you. Always."

The words came easier than she expected, pulled straight from the marrow of who she was. Sibylla had stood in council chambers, sparred with Mandalorians, stared down assassins, but it was this moment, seeing the burden Cassian bore for the sake of family and Republic alike, that reminded her where her truest loyalty lay.

Her lips curved in a faint, but resolute smile, the kind of smile only he could pull from her.

"And as for coddling… well, you'll never stop being my brother. But don't forget, I've grown too. You aren't the only one who can make sacrifices for this family."

Inside, she promised herself something else too: if Cassian were to play this dangerous game, she would not let him play it alone, no matter what Father thought.

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

Cassian's throat tightened as she spoke, her hand warm against his, her words anchoring him in a way that no medal or commendation ever had. For a moment, he forgot the careful armor he wore, forgot the mask of cynicism, the feigned detachment that made his ruse believable.

He looked at her, really looked at her, and the edges of the image he'd been holding onto, that little sister trailing after him in Dee'ja Pass as it blurred, replaced with the young woman before him. Not fragile, not someone in need of sheltering, but someone who stood on her own ground, who chose to share in his burden instead of being shielded from it.

Cassian's jaw flexed, emotion pressing hard at the corners of his composure. He let his hand turn beneath hers so that their palms met, his fingers curling around hers in quiet acknowledgment. "You're strong." he admitted softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite the weight in his chest.

For a heartbeat, he was silent, studying her hazel eyes with that same searching intensity she had just fixed on him. Then, more quietly still, he added, "Knowing you're beside me, Sibylla… that lifts this weight on me tenfold. Thank you, sister." His voice trailed off, swallowed by the possibility he could not bear to put into words. He gave her hand a firmer squeeze, a soldier's gesture more than a brother's. "If this is to be done, we do it with eyes open...together."

His smile, faint and wry, returned after a pause, though his eyes still held their shadow. "Just promise me something, no matter what happens, you will always be there to remind the Assembly that honor isn't just a story we tell ourselves."

Sibylla Abrantes