[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/nni7DKA.png[/img][/center]
[right][color=a1a1a1]The Citadel // Upper Residential // Mandalore - Noon[/color][/right]

[color=a1a1a1]It was just a short speeder ride out of Keldabe and away from the tension of that early morning conference, but it was one that the Arkanian found herself taking full advantage of to sort her thoughts and look towards the evening party. Well, it would have been a party under any other circumstances, in any other nation in this galaxy. She was quite certain the Corellians would see it as just that, for they had a habit of taking even the slightest excuse to hold a gala, but for her and the Mandalorians and other dignitaries attending… It was an equal part celebration of the founding, and business. The Empire was her biggest concern, what with that outburst between the Mand'alor and the Empress cutting things rather short and giving everyone an excuse to be somewhere else. Solace quietly ran a finger against the nail of her thumb back and forth, a subtle tic that she did when deep in thought and feeling a fair bit of concern. She was working out how best to defuse things between the two biggest military powers in the galaxy, to try and keep them on friendly terms without compromising the pride of either. Going over the docket for the party, that seemed to be a bit of a taller order than first thought. There were of course the three guardians who attended the Empress in the morning conference, but also an additional few guardians and a freshly promoted Vice Admiral. Supposedly that admiral had been appointed this duty as a punishment, but that was rumor from her few imperial contacts and nothing could be substantiated. Her eyes settled on one name in particular though, and it was hard to hide her disgust at such a person.

Sanri Alda, one of many Arkanians who had fled with the outbreak of the Second Arkanian Revolution, and just like many of the purebloods, a rather skilled geneticist. Director of the New Imperials project and affiliated with numerous organizations within the Empire, notably the Ministry of Imperial Truth. That had some interesting implications associated with it, and none of them palatable for a woman who distanced herself from her heritage as much as she did. Yet, she would withhold her judgment until actually meeting the woman, but it was still a concern of hers. There was a troubled history between herself, her sister and her family back home, one particularly tied to many of the issues of the revolutionaries and the Arkanian people. She could feel a tug of her attention at that thought, drawing her from her introspection just as the speeder landed in one of the upper ports in the Citadel. It was her sister sensing her discomfort and apprehension, giving a gentle nudge at her through their force bond. [/color][color=a187be]<I'm sorry Sena, I wasn't as composed as normal and let it affect you.>[/color][color=a1a1a1] Through their bond they had an innate telepathic link that let her 'talk' to her sister even as she took the winding path through the reoriented hallways of the Mandator Dreadnought turned Jedi Temple.

In those early days it had been a lot more haphazard and difficult to maneuver, but after twenty years it was less and less starship and more proper building as it fused into the cliff-face that supported it. At the very least there were fewer long drops from the formerly extension main halls that had gone from bow to aft. The two of them chatted a little back and forth as she made her way to her own quarters, a rather modest suite in the upper floors that had a view of Keldabe in the distance and all the accommodations necessary for a diplomat of her standing. Her sister had been feeling a little lonely today since she was back in the tank for the next week or so, her condition flaring up once more and making it difficult to be active. That was an issue she had been working on in her free time, glancing over to a workstation with a series of ongoing simulations working through a dozen genetic corrections. Her sister had initially been rather active like herself, but in the last ten years her health had deteriorated severely, apparently this being one of many issues with the offshoots. She would go visit on her way out of the Citadel, it wasn't too far down the hallway as accommodations had been arranged for the sisters to be near each other.

For now she busied herself with the offhand talk of their days, her sister being far more interested in the 'mysteries of the force' and the related so she didn't really follow too closely as discussion of her studies came up. It was much the same as she talked of the political machinations of the assorted people attempting to sway the Mandalorian government one way or another. At least her sister knew how much she disliked the Corellians and shared the sentiment of not looking forward to yet another long talk with that boorish envoy of House Erelen. Not even the duke himself, but a member of a cadet branch. At a certain point she was entirely unsure if it was a slight towards the Mandalorians that the duke sent a minor noble of his house instead of attending personally, or if this was some kind of power play by the man. With how strong he had been attempting to ply her, there was merit to the latter and to making sure she had her ring on. Though the Corellians had been a little less [i]forward[/i] after Sair Halcyon's youngest son made that mistake and realized the consequences of such actions.

As her thoughts spun towards the evening's festivities and that second conference she made sure to dress the part of a woman of her status. Long flowing blue dress with small flecks of Arkanian diamonds to give it enough of a sparkle, she went with a choice design that had a back to it in order to hide the small scar there. The Mandalorians saw it as a badge of honor, as did much of the Enclaves, but she felt it better to avoid it drawing attention and having to tell of that day instead of talking business. Then to keep it rather simple, just a pair of jeweled earrings that fit snugly over the points of her ears and hooked in, just enough ornamentation to look nice but not [i]Corellian[/i]. Now that she was prepared and bracing herself for the onslaught, she had but one last thing to look towards.

Just a few moments later and she was in her sister's room, the bright colors and plentiful decorations seeming more like a child's room than one of the more prominent consulars of the Enclaves. A scattering of lightsabers lay across a table, the ones she tended to keep on her for that rare occasion when someone felt like sparring with her. Holocrons were in varied states of viewing, one of them still on as if left in the middle of activity, but as she looked towards the bacta tank in the corner of the room, that was most likely. Mirasena floated there in the solution, a visor across her face that was specially built for submerged use, her normal blindfold laying on the end table next to the tank. Her Miralukan genetics cursed her with a lack of eyes, so she adopted that tradition from them, but still as Solace entered the room she slowly followed her path as if able to see her anyways. A hand placed against the glass from one side, met with another on the other side. It always hurt to see her sister like this, trapped by her own unraveling genetics and unable to use her own abilities to free herself from that curse. But their connection was stronger than ever, and just being there with her allowed her to find her resolve once more and commit to what needed to be done.[/color][hr]
[right][color=a1a1a1]Cin Vhetinla'braar // The Hall of Kings // Mandalore - Afternoon[/color][/right]

[color=a1a1a1]The three women walked slowly along the hall, the one leading offering an explanation of the figures depicted in the murals to the one at her side with enough detail to give an understanding but not so much as to dominate the conversation. Though considering it was most of the reason for her visit… Elara Renkar did not mind an extended history lesson from her Arkanian guide. [/color][color=a187be]"And here is Cin Drallig, who in his defense of the Jedi Temple secured the evacuation of some four hundred younglings who went on to become members of the Alsakani Judicials, the Enclaves and even your Shadow Council. For his defiance in the face of overwhelming odds alone, the Mandalorian Elders decreed him worthy, but it was his leadership of the remaining Temple Guard and the footage of him deflecting turbolaser bolts that made the nomination of a Fallen King ironclad."[/color]

[color=a1a1a1]Behind them only one of the Empress' guard was with them, the Kaleesh [i]Walks-Like-Thunder[/i] maintaining a respectable distance to allow them to converse more privately. And ahead was Cedthos, a particularly large but awkward Deathwatch operative. The only other one accompanying them in the hall was the third woman, a rather slight Arkanian that seemed to cower at every glance from her counterpart, and more fearful of her own shadow than any real threat. That was the one person that Solace found more distasteful than any Corellian, and it was almost palpable the tension restrained beneath the surface. But she was a skilled diplomat, and she kept it hidden, even allowed the conversation to drift towards a topic she would have rather avoided.[/color]

[color=a187be]"So, Elara."[/color][color=a1a1a1] The two of them were familiar enough over the last few hours and their previous correspondences that she didn't even attempt with referring to the Empress as her grace. [/color][color=a187be]"I understand that one of your New Imperials won the Keldabe River-Run, and by a fair bit as well."[/color][color=a1a1a1] It had been a rather surprising upset, but to the keener eyes that Imperial pilot had been nipping at the heels of her Mandalorian opponent the entire race through sheer natural talent. Where the race turned in her favor ended up being a rather harsh turn that forced pilots to slow down to a near crawl or find themselves either splashed against the canyon walls or turned to soup in their cockpit. Somehow that [i]kid[/i] had actually slammed into higher gear and hung a high-g maneuver that left the crowds stunned as she left a scorch mark across the hewn stone and screamed across the finish line with time to spare.[/color]

[color=7ea7d8]"Ah yes, that one."[/color][color=a1a1a1] The Empress returned, a slight hint of amusement there as she recalled the moment of victory and surprise as a mere girl of 16 had managed to win against pilots sometimes three times her age. But there had been a moment of true camaraderie between her and the Mandalorian pilot as they shook hands and exchanged congratulations, at least until the Imperial was ushered off to be evaluated by Imperial medics. [/color][color=7ea7d8]"Nova, I believe. One of our best pilots, though yours gave her a run of it up until the end. Sanri worked with her personally for her formative years, didn't you?"[/color][color=a1a1a1] A slight tremor gripped the other Arkanian as both women looked towards her, feeling pinned to the spot by the presence of both her own Empress and the diplomat of one of the foremost military powers in the galaxy. "Y-y-y-yes, m-my Empress." Sanri stumbled through her reply, but halted when a blue hand settled on her shoulder and eased her forward and supported her. "W-well, Nova is one of mine, yes… Though I had a hand in training all of them to some degree."

"The New Imperials are all allowed to choose their own paths early on, this one's passion led her towards piloting and starship design." She hesitated for a moment, lingering on a thought before once more she was spurred onwards to explain. "In truth, they are the future of the Empire. More than just the next generation of those born in the safety and security of the Empire, and more than just the most skilled and gifted in combat, but in everything that will be needed going forward. The New Imperials will not just be the striking arm of the Empire, but the backbone in the way administrators building better ways to govern more effectively on our countless worlds with a mind for efficiency and the well-being of their citizens. Scientists will lead us to becoming the bleeding edge of advanced technology, and engineers will build us everything from better, safer starships to everyday conveniences for all other Imperials. One day the average citizen in the Empire will be able to pursue their dreams as the New Imperials pave the way to that new tomorrow…"

Sanri trailed off as Solace scowled at her, feeling shame at the woman's enthusiasm for such a thing, and reminded once more of why she saw herself as more Mandalorian than Arkanian. [/color][color=a187be]"They're children."[/color][color=a1a1a1] She said simply, noting that all of the New Imperials were just 16, and many of them ignorant of what it even meant to be what they were. The very idea of some of them indulging in that first act of freedom and enjoying the festival was a sign of something distasteful to her, but the Empress was quick to intervene and shift the conversation, which she was thankful for.[/color]

[color=7ea7d8]"As I understand it, some have remarked of you being more Mandalorian than others here, which is curious to some like myself."[/color]