Ask Naboo Visitors

[Sandé A Veruna]

Naboo, Theed Palace
1015 local time

"- we empathise with the difficulties you and your guild have faced, and will do what we can to impress upon the Governor the importance of reopening trade between the moons." Sandé replied calmly, bringing an end to a very long discussion over the status of trade between the moons of Naboo. Brought to her attention a few days after her coronation, by one of the trade guilds, it had the potential to rapidly escalate into a wider economic concern in her dominion. Sandé had agreed to grant the guild leader an audience quickly, heading the issue off at its root. The meeting was one of many she had planned today, and one of even more than had been sorted for her throughout the week.

For the first few months of her reign, she was practically enslaved to the rigmarole of meetings, audiences and 'royal tours', her list of obligations to the people of Naboo, the myriad 'historic traditions' she was expected to uphold, keeping her attention focused to the palace, and a select few royal residences dotted across the wider planet. She had yet to actually do the work she wanted to do, which was why the next item on her agenda was one she was actually looking forward to.

As the audience ended, and the various members of her advisory council and the trade guild representatives left, Sandé was once again sat on the throne, with only her handmaidens for company. "Rabé," the younger of the two handmaidens, who was, therefore, the closest to her own age leant forward "- what do we know of this Senator?" she enquired, keen to see if they could get some sort of 'upper-hand' for their first-ever meeting with someone from off-world. "Not much your Majesty, and from what I hear it is Tristodd Brentoich who is attended, nephew we believe of the Ambassador for the world. His family has been influential brokers of power there for generations, with another member of their family serving as the planets Senator."

Sandé kept her focus dead ahead as she processed the information "And they only recently joined the ISC, is that correct?". "It is, Your Majesty." Rabé responded, before stepping back and off to one side at Sandés request.

Standing from the Throne, Sandé was met with an immediate rush of activity as the Throne Room doors were opened by guards, and she proceed into the hall where she would meet their guests. Dominated on all sides by assorted statues of former Monarchs, the reception hall was an imposing place, built to receive guests even whilst surrounding them with the art and sculpture for which Naboo was famed. Taking her position in the hall, she waited to receive her first off-world dignitary.

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Tristodd always considered Naboo a nice planet. Its idyllic pastoral atmosphere and beautiful lakes were like the physical manifestation of a romantical poem, perhaps because this literary movement first appeared on this planet. Anyway, it was a beautiful place and the Brentalaan would like to have a house there some day. Better retire to a place like this one, than to live at the dust ball that was his homeworld. He was going to bring Amaya and Izaya there someday, they would love this place.

However, today his visit to Naboo wasn’t for leisure. He was there to meet the recently elected Queen of the planet as the representative of Governor Sibyl Lassiter of Brentaal. Under normal circumstances, the Governor should be the one doing the visit, but Sibyl said that she was busy and sent him to her place. Tristodd imagined that she only didn’t want to come here because she hated this planet. The woman always said that this place stinks and she couldn’t tolerate the population, Gungans included.

It was her loss, Theed was a beautiful city, with an amazing architecture. Tristodd could spend hours only looking at them. While he waited for his audience with the Queen, the Brentaalan also took some time admiring the room where he was with other representatives. The walls were covered with paintings of former rulers of Naboo, including the famous Queen Amidala. He always wondered if her headdresses were heavy.

Hearing someone calling his name, Tristodd turned to see that one of the Queen’s aides was inviting to enter the throne room. The Brentaalan smiled at her and crossed the door, which was being protected by two guards.

The throne room, much like the rest of the palace, was also amazing. Seated there was Queen Réillata. Tristodd bowed in respect in front of her. “It’s a honor to meet you, your Majesty. Governor Lassiter apologizes for not being able to come, but I hope that my presence as her representative would be acceptable for this meeting.”

@Nor'baal

 

[Sandé A Veruna]

"He's younger than I expected." Sandé remarked to one of her handmaidens as Tristodd made the considerable walk down the lobby toward the throne room. She fell silent as he entered the room itself, the only noise being the snapping of boots as the assorted Naboo Guard stood to attention for the young man as he walked past them and up toward the throne itself. There was very little to hide the man's obvious awe at his surroundings, Sandé clocked his wide-eyed stares at the artwork and statuary, especially of the famed Queen Amidala as he walked in.

Naboo tended to have that effect on people. It was a world-famed the galaxy over for its artists, much at odds with the rest of the mid-rim, Naboo shone as an example of what a world could be, and in her view, what a world should aspire to become.

She remained completely still as Tristodd executed a well-rehearsed bow, showing as he did so that this clearly wasn't his first rodeo. "You honour the Naboo with your visit, and it is my pleasure to receive you. Bentaal and Naboo have much in common, and I look forward to learning more of your world, as you learn more of ours." the Queen replied, the worlds being delivered with what she liked to call her 'Queen Voice', without inflexion, in a measured tone. She had practised the welcome for days, aware that this - her first visit - was going to be seen as a test of her ability to reign.

"Your family has done much to spread the message of the Consortium, with Governor Lassiter having led the way in bringing more planets and systems into our ranks. We have watched the progress of that project with interest, and it is pleasing to see the ranks of the Consortium grow through peaceful means. Tell me, were you involved in the work Governor Lassiter and Senator Tendree engaged in?" she asked, genuine interest apparent in her tone.

Truth be told, Sandé saw the Governor that Tristodd worked for as something of a role model. Blazing a path for her world, and her family, through the quagmire of the Senate was something she sought to do herself, and anything she could glean from the 'Lassiter Method' was sure to be of use.

OOC - Referenced thread.

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Tristodd smiled with Sandé’s comment about Brentaal. “I always admired Naboo due to its culture and history. It would be wonderful to learn more about this planet.” his parents probably would feel offended if they heard her saying that her homeworld was similar to Brentaal. For them, all the planets beyond the Core were considered backwater places.

It was interesting how the Queen seemed to be interested in the work that Sibyl did to bring other planets into the Consortium. He even noticed a bit of admiration in her voice. He wondered if Sandé was a fan of the Governor of Brentaal. The Brentaalan woman would become insufferable if she discovered it.

“No, Your Majesty. I didn’t participate in the meeting that allowed the defection of several star systems. Senator Tendree and Governor Lassiter were the ones behind it.” when he heard about this massive defection, Tristodd was surprised; This showed how Sibyl could be persuasive when she wanted.

“I was on Thyferra, working with the ISCRA. We are planning to turn the refugee camp there into a proper town.” this would officially give the refugees the title of citizens of the planet, making things easier for them. “I heard that you used to be part of the ISCRA. I hope that you had a good experience with it?”

@Nor'baal

 

[Sandé A Veruna]

Sandé was quite impressed with the Brentaalian representative. She was not surprised that someone of his lineage and upbringing was well-versed in the expected etiquette of court, yet it was still refreshing to see it first-hand. His work with the ISCRA was something that interested her immensely, a shared passion between the two of them that would no doubt make the visit much more provocative. "I was fortunate enough to have been in the ISCRA for a few years, you are quite correct," she replied, steering the discussion on from Tristodds other family members so as to avoid appearing disinterested in him. "The work they and their volunteers do is an inspiration to us all."

Her time in the ISCRA had been one of the most rewarding experiences of her admittedly youthful life. It had taught him a great deal about service to others, and she had carried the lessons with her to this day. "It is one of the flagship aspirations of my administration that we could do more to support the organisation, especially with the tragedy of war striking across the northernmost reaches of the galaxy."

Sandé had been alarmed at the seemingly unending wave of conflict crossing the galaxy. Ferrero, Denon, Mon Cala and now Lothal - she was relieved that the ISC was not allowing itself to be drawn into such conflicts. "If I may be so bold," she could, after all she was Queen "- what recourse is there, through the ISCRA, for Governments such as my own to increase our involvement?"

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

"Indeed it's." Tristodd said. The ISCRA did so much for the refugees. It gave them new houses, jobs and medical support. The Brentaalan always thought that as a politician he would be able to help the people of the Galaxy, but he was wrong. He was doing more for them while working for the Agency, than he did during all this time that he worked for Sibyl.

He smiled when the Queen said that she wanted to use her rule to support the ISCRA. If she wanted to do it, Tristodd would admire her. There were so few politicians that really cared for the refugees, without seeing them as easy ways of making their public image better for the rest of the Galaxy. He wondered if Sandé also talked with the refugees as equals, like how he did with the ones in Thyferra.

The possibility of having Naboo as a direct exponsor of the ISCRA would be perfect. A planet like this one could offer many things to help the refugees. "Your Majesty, the ISCRA could always use more donations for the refugees. We accept money, medicine, clothes and food."

"Beyond that, we could also use some land to establish other refugee camps." the necessity of it was growing everyday. The conflicts that were spreading across the Galaxy were leaving several beings without a place to live. Tristodd believed that the ISCRA would soon need to ask other planets for permission to place refugees there. "Perhaps you would like to place Naboo in the list of planets where a refugee camp could be built in the next crisis."

@Nor’baal

 

[Sandé A Veruna]

There was a degree of disquiet from the assembled members of Naboo Royal Advisory Council, as Tristodd made his recommendation. Sandé knew what they would be thinking, could Naboo afford to make the care of others their primary concern so soon into her reign? She was not overly concerned with the whimsy of the Council however, she had been elected more recently - off of support for her vision, not theirs.

"We believe," she began, reminding those on the Council who would dissent from her view that she spoke for them all "- that such a proposal is worthy of greater consideration. Minister Thraxxan," she gently gestured with her right hand toward a bespectacled man in his late sixties, standing off to her right-hand side "- please have a draft of the proposal in my morning papers, by tomorrow."

It was a quick turnaround, but Minister Thraxxan was a capable man, and one of her supporters in the Council. "I am confident the resources can be made available, we are a wealthy planet and should be generous with the proceeds of our own good fortune." Sandé added, directing her remark at Tristodd himself. "I will have an answer for you in the morning, let us hope it is one both of us would like to hear."

Sandé waited for the grumbles of some of the council to die away, before she stood and walked toward Tristodd, extended her arm for him to take. "My Ministers have much to be getting on with, so I suggest we leave them to it, and I can show you the Palace?"

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Tristodd knew that asking to establish a refugee camp on Naboo would be something risky to say. Not all planetary governments approved the idea of having several outsiders settling in their territory. The reaction of the members of the Advisory Council showed they disliked what he had said. Perhaps he should have asked for some financial help.

However, it seemed that the Queen was interested in what he had said. She was the ruler and her opinion was the one that mattered for him. Even if she said that was going to think about it, this was still better than receiving a big no. “It would be wonderful! I’ll wait for your answer, Your Majesty.”

The Queen’s comment about sharing Naboo’s good fortune made Tristodd think about Brentaal. His homeworld was one of the richest planets of the Galaxy, but the noble houses would never allow refugees to settle there. Even if they agreed with it, the camps would probably be built in the deserts, as far away as possible from the cities. It was comforting to know that not everyone was egotistical.

“I would love that, Your Majesty.” Tristodd said, with a smile on his lips. From what he saw of the palace so far made him consider it one of the most beautiful buildings that he visited. It would be wonderful to be able to see this entire place.

@Nor'baal

 

[Sandé A Veruna]

"Well, let's get underway." she smiled, as she walked with Tristodd at her side and wandered toward the entrance of the throne room. "For over ten-thousand years, this throne room has played host to hundreds of monarchs, following in the footsteps of their predecessors to rule with the consent of the Naboo. You may already know this, but each Monarch leaves behind something new in the Palace, a tower, a library, a work of art, and much more." the Queen remarked as she gestured to the room around them.

"The hallway here tells the history of Naboo." she continued, as they walked into the grand hall connecting to the throne room "- over the centuries the same few families have consistently held the throne, various members of the same lineage assuming the mantle after years away. You see, here -" she pointed to a statue off to their right "- my great-great-grandfather, Ars Veruna, was King nearly one-hundred and seventy years ago, the last member of my family to hold the position. He, like all of us before and since his reign, was elected for a period of two years, renewable once."

She stopped and turned to face Tristodd "It provides stability, we believe, and our history has shown, to allow the people to chose their monarch, and over the time this builds a pool of people who are ready to step up assume the crown should the public support it."

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Tristodd followed Queen Veruna toward the exit of the throne room. He paid close attention to her explanation about the history and symbolism of this place. The Brentaalan had read how the rulers of Naboo would add structures on the palace to represent their rule. Some would say that they even matched their personality. He wondered what she was going to build.

While they walked through the grand hall, Tristodd admired its architecture. The elegant style used in its construction was marvelous and made him wonder if it would be possible for him to have a construction like that on the estate that he planned to buy on Naboo countryside.

His musings about the architecture were interrupted when the Queen mentioned the legacy of her grandfather. This talk made him think about his own family, how the Brentioch was one of the most important noble houses of Brentaal, with one of its ancestors having mapped the Hydian Way.

“I always thought that the electoral system of Naboo is fascinating. The way that each ruler leaves a legacy for the people, making them be respected and loved.” he had read how some queens were even offered the chance to stay in power because of it. “Legacy is also something important on Brentaal. For example, the mapping of the Hydian Way by my ancestor, Freia Kallea, was and is important for our culture.”

@Nor'baal