The Palace of Ta'nnaur'ad
Much had changed over the past few years. Claudias, however, hadn’t let that distract him from his duties. He’d done what any son of the House of Tannaras ought to do– maintain his family’s political and economic power, and work to expand it. Yet the passion for his position as ambassador had… waned over the past few years. He had thought that the influence that the position provided him could be useful to push Brentaal in the direction he wanted it to go in– one where the noble houses put the people they governed over first, and one where Brentaal would take it’s place in the galaxy as the enlightened champions of freedom and Republican values that it had always purported itself to be. Instead, his absence from Brentaal had left him almost completely unable to influence the decisions made in the grand commerce hall– from the integration into the ISC, to the banning of the Jedi. He couldn’t even publicly oppose the measures, as the Senator– and now, Governor– Sibyll Lassiter, had been the one to push these measures forward.
He had only been home three times over the past four years, and this was the third. The first had been to recover after his injuries at Firrerre, the second for his niece’s wedding, and now, for the celebration of the Birth of her daughter. With how rapidly the situation was changing however, he had a feeling that he’d be given leeway to stay for longer than a few weeks, especially with the ongoing talks between the President and Chancellor possibly being of great significance to the Brentaalan economy and astropolitical situation. That wasn’t really at the front of his mind as his droid pilot landed his shuttle outside the palace, but it always remained at least on the backburner.
The click clacking of his cane against the durasteel platform only grew louder as he arrived inside. Two droid guards gave him a once over, and a robotic, “Salutor, Militias Claudias” in the old tongue, walking alongside him as they entered. It wasn’t the main entrance into the palace, but nevertheless, the walls were still decorated with millennia old frescos of his now long dead ancestors. “Droid,” he’d ask, turning his head to one of the guards, “Where, p-pray tell, might I find the celebration?” He asked. “The pophrygenitine dining hall, Militias Claudias.” The robotic voice responded, this time in clear basic. “V-very well; I ask th-that you send a s-serving droid out to retrieve a gift I int-t-tend… to provide to the ch-child and her parents. D-deliver it to me within th-the hour.” He commanded, prompting a nod and a quick, “Your will be done, Militias Claudias.”
Upon arriving in the main atrium Claudias took a right, than a left, the increasing sound of chatter, laughter and music guiding him all the way. It wasn’t like he needed it– he’d made his way to this room on a number of occasions, be it the afterparties of both his sibling’s weddings, the celebrations of the births of Andronikas’ children, or any other event celebrating the expansion of the Tannaras’ family name. Ofcourse, such events weren’t always held in the pophrygenitine dining hall, as the celebration of his birth had occurred in another venue entirely.
Arriving inside, nobody seemed to address him at first. He recognized almost everyone immediately, but before he could greet anyone, a single voice boomed, “And there he comes.” Startled, the man blinked a few times, head twitching a little as his brother rose from his chair, crossed the room, and clasped his hand in his. Uncharacteristically, the people actually started to clap, Claudias’ eyes widened in surprise at the gestures of respect. “It’s been to long, Claud.” His older brother whispered. The younger smiled a little, nodding. “It certainly h-has… you seem to be in p-particularly high spirits, Andy– I mean, Domine.” Claudias replied, commenting on his brother’s lack of pessimism and the outward display of affection.
Andronikas’ smile widened at his brother’s use of their childhood nickname, and for a moment he looked as bright and excited as he had been all those decades before assuming his position as lord. “Why wouldn’t I have such high spirits today? I’m a grandfather!” He answered, letting out a hearty, booming laugh. Claudias’ expression was a mix of happiness and surprise– it had been decades since Andy had seemed so lively. “Where, p-pray tell, is Julia and A-andros? I haven’t spotted th-them, and I haven’t seen the ch-child either… actually, a n-number of people aren’t here, c-come to think of it.” He said, frowning a little.
“My daughter and son in law have spent the past month since the birth out of sight. This is going to be the first time I’ve seen them since the day before she left the maternity ward.” He explained. Claudias nodded, saying nothing as the two retrieved glasses and began to drink. Such practices were common, but usually births of such high profile were broadcasted for the whole of the public to see. “I c-can understand… I suppose th-that the pap-p-p… papap-ap…” He tried to reply, his ticking getting in the way of answering. Andronikas nodded. “Yes yes, the press is swarming outside the palace. I’m surprised they didn’t tear you apart.” The man commented, prompting a chuckle from his younger brother. “I’m n-not wwwoorth the effort. Besides, I arrived through one of the b-back landing pads.”
Andronikas nodded, “Your wits still seem about you at least.” He declared, prompting a shrug from his brother. “Wh-what of L-livilla, and her h-husband and children? I h-hear Reegius is being m-more difficult a-bout marriage than J…J-julias.” He went on, the smalltalk continuing as they sat, Andronikas at the head of the table and Claudias sitting by his left hand– across from where his mentioned nephew should sit. “They’re running late, and apparently it isn’t just Reegius. Livilla has been telling me that Tristodd isn’t showing much interest in any of the possible brides.” He replied, taking a sip of his wine. “R-really? That’s odd, he seems to g-get along with women quite well. I t-took him to the opera several years ago after a senate s-session, and he got along with this one woman in particular quite well.” He answered.
“Maybe so, but it seems that none have caught his interest.” Andronikas answered, before turning his eyes to Claudias. “And what of you? I had thought you’d propose to the governor by now; you’re both unmarried, and it’d be a convenient match.” His brother added, prompting Claudias’ cyans to practically bulge out of his head. “Wh- m-m-me and… Ss-Sibyll?” He repeated, having barely avoided choking on his wine. “P-p-p-pre-preposterous! I’ve b-been away from B-brentaal for y-years, her affairs and mine have h-had next to nothing to do with each other! It’d conflict with b-both our interests.” He replied, finding any excuse he could think of to justify what he’d said. His father and Sibyll’s had considered the match on multiple occasions, but thankfully, the man had gone and had a stroke before any deals could be finalized.
Andronikas shrugged, taking another sip. “Well, evidently she seems to avoid marriage as much as you do– as much as most do these days it seems.” The man went on, reclining in his chair. “People seem to be caught up in their obligations these days– or they ignore some over others.” He commented, before smiling a little. “I won’t pester you about yours again tonight, but I’d ask that you take some time to consider it. Julias seems interested only in acting like a fool, Livia is still busy with her studies… and Junias still maintains that degenerate obsession with the president.” he declared, visibly frowning at the last bit. “Just last week one of the serving droids found a pillow with his face sewn onto it stuffed in her closet. I had it burned and now she keeps screaming at me about it.”
@LouJoVi