Private Veruna's Gift

[Ella Nova]

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Naboo, Parrlay, Mid Rim systems;
The Rainspire, Seat of House Veruna.
Tags: Aurelian Veruna

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"...By the time Aurelian Veruna will inherit it, The Rainspire will be not just a home. It was a throne-in-waiting. Every room is curated to suggest power without pleading for it. Every hallway is a lesson in survival wrapped in velvet and weaponized restraint. The structure itself is a ghost of Naboo's past nobility, remade into something newer, colder, and far more dangerous..."
-- Excerpts describing the Rainspire, the seat of House Veruna.

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The Moonwater Terrace, found in the eastern wing of the Rainspire, is a cultivation of rare Naboo flora, and on this particular evening, a proposal which possessed the potential to change the political landscape in both the Mid Rim and Outer Rim systems if it could be put into motion by the two traversing the hub of House Veruna's power.

To the left of Aurelian Veruna, walking in tow as they conversed beside the reflecting pool, is Her-- the head of a security subsidiary, found on Enarc, called the Tarsai Vigil (who were owned by the enigmatic, mysterious founder of the Five Veils Initiative: Wend Maricon) and whose links to the Imperial remnants were a potential interest to the interim Chancellor as he tackled leadership over the High Republic during their war with the criminal cartels found in the Outer Rim Territories.

"I have been monitoring the developments concerning the Republic and the cartels from Nar Shaddaa," Her explained to Chancellor Veruna as they walked together through the eastern wing of his estate. "Alongside the activities of the Black Sun, I have been closely following your politics and I was quite pleased when you stepped in to become the interim Chancellor. Today I am hopeful that my quiet support of your Chancellorship becomes something more impactful after tonight."

Earlier in the year, after political reforms on Naboo saw to the reformation of their government into the High Republic, a new act was proposed by Senator Sodi of Quarzite and subsequently passed into law which would allow refugees fleeing the Great Core Wars (and even those leftover from the Second Great Hyperspace War) to apply and become naturalized citizens of the fledging superpower which now reigns between the territories of the Galactic Empire, the Eleventh Sith Empire and the Black Sun Syndicate.

It was Joa Sodi 's Repatriation and Naturalization Act that was of great interest to Her and their quest to become a naturalized citizen. A successful application to become a full fledged citizen of Enarc (a star system located on the outer edges of the High Republic's domain) was the desire of the woman on Aurelian's left. If it could be accomplished then naturalized citizenship would give Her new avenues to exploit and use in their work as it would provide them with the safeguards and security afforded to those who were classified as Republic citizens, particularly, in the event of capture, arrest or political upheaval if their work went wrong in the Imperial Confederation.

The man to her right, who had stepped into to fill the premiership of High Chancellor, possessed the necessary political sway and influence to expedite the application process, and secure it's passage, to allow Her to become a Republic citizen in law. There were, however, concerns surrounding the woman behind the Tarsai Vigil that were currently blocking them from making such an application, and which would potentially dissuade interim Chancellor Veruna from interceding on her behalf if he could not be convinced to do so during their secret meeting today.

One concern involved an investigation into a missing star courier called the Larkspur Crescent, which had been opened by Ala Quin , and who alleged that the Tarsai Vigil (and their manager) were involved in a cover-up which involved the disappearance of the ship and it's crew. Although Quin had failed to convince and gain senatorial sympathy to authorise an official investigation into Her there were nevertheless the questions surrounding the Vigil's enigmatic manager which were blocking the naturalization process at this moment in time.

With scrutiny being drawn by the Jedi Grandmaster against Her (and with the ship still missing) it was unlikely that the High Republic would allow a potential criminal to become a naturalized citizen until such concerns were cleared up, particularly, given the crisis surrounding the Black Sun Syndicate and the criminal cartels in their employ. Anti-criminal rhetoric was on the high within the political dysgraphia and so it would not play well with those in control of the naturalization process, nor the interim Chancellor to her right, if they could not be convinced that Quin's allegations were untrue and false.

Another concern, of course, also surrounded Her and their ties to the Imperial Confederation. After the economic collapse of the Empire of the Lost, the Imperials banded together again to form a new government based on New Alderaan, which saw to the commencement of a second occupation in the Outer Rim systems. The ideals, philosophies and ties connecting the Imperial remnants to the Tarsai Vigil's representative within the Nabooian aristocracy were antithetical to the High Republic and their laws thereby creating another reason, or excuse, to prevent Her from becoming a naturalized citizen.

Although a current minor player in Republic politics and economics those who were aware of Her questioned whether or not she was a criminal due Quin's allegations regarding the fate of the Larkspur Crescent and the connections to an imperialistic superpower who had annexed several sectors in and surrounding the Tion Hegemony. As such a successful application for naturalized Republic citizenship was far from likely. Criminals, and in particular, Imperials, were not welcomed in the High Republic. That was, unless, Her could convince Aurelian to conspire with them against the august body he sat at the top of.

"I have yet to make my application under the terms of the repatriation and naturalization act that was initially proposed by Joa Lodi," Her continued to explain to Aurelian.

"It is my concern that if I were to make my application for citizenship now then it would be rejected despite no evidence that I was involved in the Crescent's disappearance. There is also, of course, bias against me due to my involvement in the commission for civilian interests in New Aldera. Whispers of Imperial spies are so common now after what happened to the alliance..."

"However, if you were to intervene and dissuade these rumours, then my application will not be subjected to such things. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my concerns. I do believe that we can help each other with our respective issues, Chancellor. We can change things when it comes to the Black Sun Syndicate if you were to help me with my application..."

The reflection pool was still, and reflective in the hour of dusk, as Her and Aurelian talked. It mirrored two snakes, who had found themselves in advantageous positions of power, both abled and capable of solving each others issues concerning the naturalization act, or the Black Sun Syndicate crisis, if a deal could be struck. But they both had a well crafted, protected image to maintain and protect themselves. Aurelian was meant to be the High Chancellor, and this type of talk aired the type of corruption that could end his political career if the wrong people were to learn of it, and who was Her to suspect that he was the type of man to do such things in the first place?

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[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Rainspire
Tags: Her

Aurelian slowed his steps, letting the cool indigo gleam of the reflecting pool catch his eye. The Moonwater Terrace always made him appear serene, even monastic; a useful illusion when the things he said here were the complete opposite.

"Naturalization is a delicate subject this season," he murmured, his hands clasped behind his back. This posture looked statesmanlike, but it was truly just to keep him from fidgeting. "Half the Senate is afraid of ghosts, the other half is afraid of headlines. And you, my dear, seem to inspire both." He glanced her way, his expression calculating. "If I move your application forward, I will have to silence the rumors about the Larkspur Crescent and ensure your Imperial ties don't explode in my face. That is... quite an investment."

Aurelian stopped at the pool's edge, turning to face her fully. He looked every inch the young Chancellor, and every inch the boy who had learned too early that power was a blade best used before it was used on you. "What you're asking isn't impossible," he said, his voice dropping low. "But it is expensive. Not in credits, but in consequence. And if I'm to risk my position to shelter you under the High Republic banner, I need something substantial in return."

He stopped at the edge of the terrace. "And you didn't travel from Enarc to tell me what the Committee already sends to my desk in weekly reports." Aurelian turned fully toward her, his posture loose, deceptively open, as if discussing the weather. "So," he said softly, "what is it you're actually offering?" This was an invitation.

"My influence is not infinite, and I don't waste it shielding ghosts or gambling on strangers. If I move the weight you're asking me to move, it will cost me. Politically. Personally." There was a moment he let the silence linger. "I assume you came prepared to make that cost worthwhile."

​

 

[Ella Nova]

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Naboo, Parrlay, Mid Rim systems;
The Rainspire, Seat of House Veruna.
Tags: Aurelian Veruna

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"I assume you came prepared to make that cost worthwhile."

"Yes," Her replied to Chancellor Veruna as they paused their walk to turn and look at each other fully. As she regarded Aurelian, Her confirmed things that she had seen or heard about him back when Aurelian had played dinner host at the silvered shores of Kadaara, and also during his public engagements as the interim Chancellor as Veruna negotiated the political landscape that were mired by the increasing criminal activity wrought by the Black Sun Syndicate and also the looming threat of the two dark-side Imperialist powers who surrounded the High Republic in both the Core Worlds and Outer Rim Territories.

Aurelian was a shrewd operator, and nothing got past his desk that was worth not knowing. At least that was what he wanted Her to think as he took the time to consider her proposition in person. The Larkspur Crescent allegations had been made several months ago, back when the Five Veils Initiative had been the Republic's verse in the political hemisphere, before the Black Sun begun targeting them. Whether or not Aurelian had been tracking the situation for quite sometime, to be used later when Her came to him to discuss business, or if she had just reminded him and he was now cleverly reacting to her explanation, remained unclear at this time.

One thing remained as clear as it had been on the night Her had quietly watched him from the side-lines of his dinner banquet among the Nabooian aristocracy he was sat on top of.

Aurelian would not be an easy man to play with.

"Recently the elected sitting Empress for the Imperial Confederation was removed from power by the current Imperial Exarch," Her explained to the interim Chancellor as she begun crafting her proposal. First, she would give him context, and then secondly, an idea that could be to his benefit.

"The decision has opened up scrutiny and an idea that a coup d'état has occurred. For me it revealed an opportunity that I would like to make available for you today..."

Taking a step to Aurelian's left, Her caught a glimpse of themselves reflected in the water and quietly chastised herself. She shouldn't be here trying to spin an elected, prominent politician at the head of a galactic superpower to fit into her own schemes. This wasn't what Sochi Ru had trained her for. But in this life, when you are walking down the path, you have to do bad things-- terrible things-- in order to finish the work.

Her could spend the time loathing herself later, in those quiet moments of solitude between the planets, as she set course back to New Aldera enarmoured with what she entered into the Rainspire to deal and collect with.

"There is currently an investigation into the special measure that von Strauss initiated to remove Deschart from her office," Her continued to explain to Aurelian as she turned her crimson gaze back to him to provide further context for the proposal she was crafting. "I initiated that investigation because I know things about the man that can easily be fitted into my findings that would create political unrest among the Imperial remnants if they were to be revealed. Things that I would be willing to keep out of the I.C.D's findings if he were to play ball with me."

This woman is as corrupt as she comes. Her doesn't speak like an Imperial nor an aristocrat. She sounds more like a gangster who seems to know far too much and appears willing to use them to their advantage. Is she the type of ally Aurelian wants, or a foe to keep at bay, and to destroy, before she comes for him next?

"I can share that the Mahporieem have already threatened to leave the Confederation, as a consequence of the investigation, after one of their representatives in the Imperial armed services were listed as a person of interest and was subsequently detained for a day without due process. Political pressure on von Strauss and the COMECI is currently at an all time high..."

Although Her had not been forthcoming to the interim Chancellor (with the secrets that she knew about Karl Von Strauss ) it was nevertheless clear that she believed, at the very least, that Her had in their possession enough things to exert political pressure upon the Imperial Exarch in order do what?

And what did this have to do with the Repatriation and Naturalization Act?

"I firmly believe that there is now an opportunity for me to convince von Strauss to do the unexpected. As a member of the Imperial Ruling Council he has the ear of Marlon Sularen, the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Confederation's armed forces, and who has enough sway to move the Imperial remnants towards an attack on a star system currently in the hands of the Black Sun. The agricultural world of Alee, for example..."

Now it made sense and begun to click. Her, as well as the face of the Tarsai Vigil, was also the Warden Primus of the Imperial Corrections Directorate under the umbrella of Exarch von Strauss' Commission for the Establishment of Civilian Interests (COMECI) on New Aldera. After announcing their investigation into the Exarch's decision to remove Liraeth Deschart from the office of Imperia Empress, Her believed that she could now exert enough political pressure to convince von Strauss to use their own political capital to launch an attack on the Black Sun Syndicate.

"My colleagues on New Alderaan have been well aware, since at least Atrisia, that the Black Sun deployed their agents to work on behalf of the Dark-Imperials. They have effectively placed themselves as enemy combatants against the Imperial remnants who considered their former associates on Coruscant traitors and zealots after they were debriefed about an attack on the Cademimu system which saw to the extermination of several Imperial strongholds leftover by the Dark Empire."

"So, the investigation into von Strauss, combined with the Black Sun's alignment to the Galactic Empire, would give me the necessary levers to pull the Imperial Confederation into targeting the Alee system. Reasons for their attack would include the deprivation of agricultural supplies to numerous star systems in Hutt space that are currently under the control of criminal cartels supporting the Fossk regime in the Core."

"Another would be direct response to the Black Sun's participation at the Battle of Atrisia, where the Death Star threatened to destroy the Imperial remnant strongholds, just like what happened to Cademimu, and lastly, von Strauss' desire to remain a free man, with a career unblemished by accusations of a coup d'état, who I can exonerate as I am the head of the investigation into his decision to remove Liraeth Deschart from power."

Turning her gaze away from Aurelian and back to the water, Her quietly finished crafting her proposal with a reminder as for what she had come for. "I can convince the Imperial remnants to attack your enemies, Chancellor Veruna. To critically damage, and perhaps even destroy, the Black Sun Syndicate. All that I ask for, in exchange, is for you to assist me with passing the naturalization process in return..."

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[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Rainspire
Tags: Her

Aurelian's brows lifted despite himself at the mention of a coup. That earned her a heartbeat of his full attention. He did not interrupt. He listened, hands still folded, gaze drifting back to the water as her words settled into place.

When she finished, he exhaled slowly, more thoughtful than amused.

"You're proposing to light a fuse inside the Imperial Confederation and aim the blast outward," he said. "Toward my problem." His eyes flicked to her reflection beside his own. "It's clever. Brutal. And far messier than you're letting on."

He turned back to her, the dangerous smile absent for once. "I won't pretend I know the inner workings of this Confederation. But a coup is never clean, and investigations never stay contained. If you pull too hard on von Strauss, the whole structure shakes. That kind of instability doesn't stop at borders."

Aurelian paced a step, then another, thinking aloud. "An Imperial strike on Black Sun space would hurt them. I won't deny that. Alee matters. Supply lines matter." A faint shrug. "But war is already inevitable. Black Sun will come for them whether the Imperials move first or not. They always do. They don't have loyalties, only margins."

He met her eyes again. "And criminals do not get eradicated. They get replaced. If Black Sun falls, something uglier crawls out of the void to take its place. So I won't sell my soul for the illusion of a cleaner galaxy or less problems at my border."

There it was. The hesitation she'd been waiting for.

"What interests me," he continued, quieter now, "is leverage. Timing. Control. If the Imperials and Black Sun are busy bleeding each other, that buys me room. Space to consolidate. Space to win."

His gaze sharpened. "But that still doesn't explain you."

Aurelian tilted his head. "Why naturalize? Really. You already operate above borders. You wield influence without flags or anthems. Republic citizenship doesn't make you safer. It makes you visible."

A smile returned, thin and curious.

"So tell me," he said. "What do you gain by standing under my laws instead of outside them. And why should I believe you won't turn that blade on me next?"

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[Ella Nova]

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Naboo, Parrlay, Mid Rim systems;
The Rainspire, Seat of House Veruna.
Tags: Aurelian Veruna

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Her folded their arms into either sleeves while admiring the reflection of Aurelian in the water. Veruna was a young man in a world for old men. Most did not enter into politics until their latter years in life when they had something that they wanted done themselves, or for other, ulterior motives that usually led to a money trail somewhere. Yet Aurelian spoke with the tact and decorum of a seasoned politician. This was a man who had been taught and raised from birth to deal or act politically. It was why Her had picked him. Not just because of his position as interim Chancellor of the High Republic, and current sitting monarch as the King of Naboo, but mostly because of his age.

Her could work and conspire with a man like Aurelian for years if things worked out between them. She just hoped that he would more favourable to her schemes unlike the lost Tapani exile Her had tried to bribe and manipulate in the past.

"Why naturalize? Really. You already operate above borders. You wield influence without flags or anthems. Republic citizenship doesn't make you safer. It makes you visible."

"So tell me... What do you gain by standing under my laws instead of outside them. And why should I believe you won't turn that blade on me next?"

"What does it matter?" Her replied curtly to Aurelian as he tried to get to the bottom as for why this stranger from Enarc had come to him leveraging an apparent insurrection in Imperial space in exchange for naturalized Republic citizenship. "You are the one holding all of the cards."

Her turned her body back around, away from the pool, to settled their crimson gaze upon the interim Chancellor as he wrestled with her cryptic response. She explained: "Take responsibility for arranging negotiations with the Imperial Confederation that led to them taking Alee from the criminal cartels, or, remain quiet and leverage it another way to benefit you politically if you do not want to be linked to the Imperial remnants in public. A man like you, I imagine, there are a lot of ways you could use an Imperial incursion into Hutt space. The choice is yours as to how you use it to benefit the High Republic or, indeed, your own political career and aspirations."

"A man like you could orchestrate my naturalization without it ever leading back to you," Her went onto explain. "No fallout or backlash needn't be felt on you for your assistance with this matter. You would only stand to gain from this arrangement, and as easily as you made the arrangements for me to become a Republic citizen, you can also take it away as well. As you have admitted to me I would be liable to your laws and legislation. You can easily give as you take away..."

Allowing her words to trial off, Her averted her gaze back away from Aurelian to look into his reflection cast into the water. First had come the proposal, and now secondly, came the honey. Lowering her tone to one that she felt was soothing, Her attempted to lull Aurelian into a false state of security.

"I imagine it has been difficult. Climbing up through the Nabooian aristocracy and dealing with rivals who ought to have been more like friends or family than the rivals that they became. They should all be supporting you and yet I have seen first-hand that most of them do not," Her lied through their teeth as she juxtaposed her limited grasp of Aurelian's relationships with the other Nabooian royals with help from the guidance and feelings that she could feel through her powers in the Force.

"After all, they are of the same homeland as you," Her went onto say. "You stepped up to lead Naboo during a time when it is at it's most vulnerable. When it is at war with the criminal cartels from Nar Shaddaa and as it is surrounded by two Empires antithetical to the ways of the High Republic. You are the only one who wants to stand up to them and yet I have felt the doubt cast on you from afar. I do not want to stab you in the back like others have, Chancellor Veruna. I would like to help you as I am trying to now with this situation in Imperial space..."

"Allow me to help you by delivering on my proposal, and when it is done afterwards, we can evaluate our relationship to see where it leads us next. You are the one in control here. Allow me to manoeuvre the Imperials to strike the Black Sun Syndicate on your behalf discreetly and help lift this heavy burden from your shoulders."

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[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Rainspire
Tags: Her

Aurelian listened without interrupting, though the corner of his mouth twitched at her flattery. She was telling him things he already knew. He had learned early which truths people offered when they wanted something badly.

When she finished, he looked back to the pool, considering his reflection as if it belonged to someone else. King. Chancellor. A young man playing old games with sharper knives.

"Of course I'm holding the cards," he said lightly. "That's not the question." He glanced at her again. "The question is why you're willing to sit across the table at all."

He stepped closer to the water, voice calm, almost conversational. "You're right. I could arrange your naturalization quietly. I could also make it vanish just as quietly if you became inconvenient. That part doesn't trouble me. What troubles me is motive."

Aurelian folded his arms now, mirroring her earlier posture without realizing it. "Call it personal curiosity. I like knowing why I'm extending favors to people with… complicated résumés. Especially when those favors could echo for years."

He tilted his head. "You assume you're my only option. That I won't reach out to this Imperial Remnant myself. We don't have a relationship yet, which means they might be eager to build one. They could offer me something cleaner. Bigger. Less deniable, perhaps, but more direct."

His eyes returned to hers, sharp and intent. "So if I'm choosing you as the intermediary, I need to understand the endgame. Yours."

Aurelian let the silence stretch before continuing. "I don't need every secret. I don't need names or documents. I need to know where this road ends. What you look like when this is over. Citizen. Power broker. Ghost."

He gestured faintly toward the gardens beyond the terrace. "As long as your ambitions don't cut across Naboo, I don't particularly care how you play the rest of the board. No harm, no foul."

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[Ella Nova]

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Naboo, Parrlay, Mid Rim systems;
The Rainspire, Seat of House Veruna.
Tags: Aurelian Veruna

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When you live a life built on top of lies it is difficult to keep track on all that you have said. What would Her tell the interim Chancellor in order to persuade him to do what she wanted? A long pause followed Aurelian's line of questioning, and it was obvious that this weird, enigmatic stranger of the Tarsai Vigil was thinking and deliberating on what to say to him next.

First Her toyed with the truth. There was a certain allure to the prospect of coming home. While the High Republic was not the Galactic Republic (or now referred to as the Old Republic) that she had served as a Jedi Knight (during the height of the One Sith Wars) it was, in many respects, an ancestral successor to the old government that Her had once believed in. In the intervening year since she had met Ala Quin there had been a temptation to return to the Jedi. Becoming a Republic citizen, in this new era, was another step towards that path of redemption, and so Her always wanted to keep her options open. Aurelian could certainly help with this by smoothing the naturalization process that Quin's investigation was currently holding up.

But then as quickly as the truth had come to Her she pushed it aside. The Jedi that she used to be had long since died. Her had killed them to become what she was today: the Sith Lord who stood in the Rainspire contemplating on how best to turn her host into a formidable ally in the pursuit of the work. It was Ayra who had taught her how to manipulate others. To present your ideas to them and in turn make them their property was one way. Another was to convince them to give you something that was important to them. Gifts often invited the subject to invest in what was given, Her knew. To make someone care about you was the best way to use them in accordance to your designs. But what was it that Her was crafting amid the likes of Aurelian Veruna or the Imperial Warlords out there in the Outer Rim systems in the first place?

Wasn't that the crux of what Veruna wanted to know from Her?

"As long as your ambitions don't cut across Naboo, I don't particularly care how you play the rest of the board. No harm, no foul."

"I am not currently a citizen of this High Republic," Her admitted again as she begun to answer Aurelian's questions. "My participation in the Five Veils was granted via a work permit which can be easily retracted under the purview of the committee assigned to the revitalisation of the route. At this time, given the scrutiny of the Larkspur Crescent situation, I could be fired by Wend Maricon, or my permit could be revoked by a member of the Five Veils committee. I would have no rights and appeals can be easily dismissed or denied due to my links to the Imperial remnants."

"Citizenship provides me with certain rights and protections against these possibilities. This is my main reason for wanting the naturalization to be processed without it being held up by allegations, investigations or connections which ultimately lead to nowhere. But I sense that you have seen some ulterior motives to this. I can come clean, Chancellor Veruna. You are right."

Her turned their gaze back to Aurelian, and with a sad smile, she admitted the truth. "I had an idea where the High Republic found themselves at war with the Sith, and I thought to myself that if I could position myself between both sides, I could arrange it so that your side found yourselves partnered with the Imperial Confederation at the time of war."

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[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Her

Aurelian listened without interruption, his expression unreadable as her explanation settled. A backup plan. That part made sense. In his galaxy, anyone without one was either lying or already dead.

He nodded once. "Self-preservation is not a sin," he said quietly. "Especially for someone standing where you are." His gaze drifted, thoughtful, then returned to her. "Rights. Protections. A place to land if the floor gives way. I understand that instinct very well."

It was the next part that caught him. At the mention of the Sith, his posture shifted, subtle but unmistakable. Interest sharpened into focus. He did not smile this time.

"A war with the Sith has felt inevitable for some time," Aurelian said. "We all pretend otherwise, but the signs are there. Pressure building. Old ghosts stirring." He exhaled slowly. "If that war comes, I would rather not meet it alone."

He studied her, openly now. "Positioning yourself between powers. Acting as a bridge when everyone else is building walls." A faint, dangerous smile returned. "That is… ambitious. And useful."

Aurelian turned back to the pool, collecting his thoughts, then faced her again. "You are an interesting presence in my Republic. One I intend to keep my eye on... You will have your citizenship."

He raised a finger slightly, the warning precise. "Make no mistake. That means you are a citizen of the High Republic. Subject to its laws. If I learn that your actions endanger my people, my worlds, or Naboo itself, I will not hesitate. I can give. I can also take away."

The words were calm. Absolute.

Then, just as smoothly, he shifted the board again. "I hope this favor proves worth remembering when the time comes to sit across from the Imperial Confederation. If introductions are needed, if trust must be brokered, I expect you to remember who opened the door for you."

His eyes held hers. "And should the Sith strike," he added, voice low, "I expect you to be exactly where you said you would be. Between them and us."

​

 

[Ella Nova]

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Naboo, Parrlay, Mid Rim systems;
The Rainspire, Seat of House Veruna.
Tag: Aurelian Veruna

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"I hope this favor proves worth remembering when the time comes to sit across from the Imperial Confederation. If introductions are needed, if trust must be brokered, I expect you to remember who opened the door for you."

"And should the Sith strike... I expect you to be exactly where you said you would be. Between them and us."

"Of course, my Lord. I am in your debt now."

Long have the Rule of Two courted with individuals, or organisations, who hold influence and power amid the modern day galactic superpowers posed along the borders of the Eleventh Sith Empire. As one arm reached out from Kalist-- to squeeze the Imperial remnants towards war at the Thandon Star Cluster-- another begins to exert itself upon the fledgling High Republic. Citizenship positioned the enigmatic Her between democracy and authoritarianism epitomized by both states seated upon Naboo and New Alderaan. Conspiracy now begins to coil itself into these southern systems.

It was as the interim Chancellor Veruna explained: war with the Sith was inevitable. Axiomatic. When it begun in earnest Her wanted to be the go-between as both the High Republic and Imperial Confederation states found themselves in the crosshairs of another Star War. In order to accomplish this she would require a man like Aurelian Veruna. His political career had already taken him into the heights of the Chancellorship, albeit an interim position, but if Her had their way then the guiding hand now at his back would take Veruna and his people towards another paradigm which would see the dark masters upon Jutrand, and the realms of the Stygian Caldera, returned back to the dirt like those red skinned aliens were by the Jedi of old. Would they remember Aurelian then as a hero, or the one who invited upon the catastrophe?

"In me you have acquired a powerful ally," Her explained to Aurelian as their meeting was coming to the close. "Certain events will now be put into motion in Imperial space. I will return to New Aldera and turn the investigation into the Imperial Exarch to our advantage. When I return to Naboo later you will need to be prepared to use Imperial intervention in Hutt space. I will have the Confederation readied to attack the Black Sun by this time but there will be certain conditions that will need to be met as the Republic is brought to the table with the Imperials. We will handle their scrutiny, and demands, accordingly when that day comes."

Her raised both hands to the cowl of their robe and lifted it over the head to conceal themselves beneath the hood. She said: "I envision that you will be acclaimed as the saviour of the High Republic, by the time war breaks out, for it will be you who will be deemed the architect who built the relationship between Naboo and New Alderaan to stand side-by-side against the Sith. When war does break out, and your people cry out for leadership, they will turn to the King knowing that he has been preparing for when the time came to act."

Stepping around Aurelian to make their way out of the garden, as she made their exit, Her added: "I expect that the Larkspur Crescent investigation will die after today, won't it, Chancellor Veruna?"

Klaaack, klaaack, klaack...

Boots treaded themselves upon the sacred ground of House Veruna to carry with it an enigma, and as the sound of her walk grows distant in the garden, to leave Aurelian alone with his thoughts of Her, the dark-side surrounds the interim Chancellor beset by politics, criminal cartels and complicated now by the machinations of a Sith Lord enamoured by both his practicality, and the underlying sinister intent of a man who seemed to do anything for power...

[ END POST ]
[ DIRT ]
[ OUTRO: Liza v Posteli - Poison Tree ]
​

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[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Her

Aurelian did not stop her when she bowed her head or when the word debt left her mouth. He only watched, eyes narrowed slightly, as if committing the shape of her shadow to memory.

When she spoke of saviors and legacy, of how history would remember him, he felt the familiar pull. Not temptation. Recognition. Everyone who came to him eventually tried to sell him a future with his name carved cleanly into it. He knew better than to believe any version that came without blood.

As she moved past him, hood rising, he turned just enough to keep her in his periphery.

"The Larkspur Crescent will stop being a public concern," Aurelian said calmly. "Investigations tend to lose momentum when they reach dead ends." His eyes flicked to hers beneath the cowl. "Do not mistake that for absolution."

Her boots faded into the garden paths, leaving only the water and the quiet hum of the estate. Aurelian remained where he was, hands clasped behind his back once more.

He stared into the reflecting pool, considering the board she had just expanded. Imperials. Cartels. Sith. And now, a citizen with sharp ambitions and sharper secrets standing inside his borders.

Interesting.

​