#senya is v smug right now

[queen-scribbles]

Unbalanced

Finally wrote Endrali and Senya having a conversation that's been floating around in my head for longer than I care to think about. 😅(aka one of two scenes standing between Ardrali and the Unmasked Regret convo👀👀👀)

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Endrali had learned early and well after forming the Alliance to take days of peace when she got them. Even now, the larger dangers settled--Eternal Empire dealt with, Fleet pacified and under her command--there was still plenty to keep busy. From threats like Tassar or the Sith on Ord Mantell to people who simply wanted a neutral arbiter and sending aid to... everyone, her to-do list hadn't gotten any shorter.

So when a day like today came along, the whole thing to do as she pleased, she took it without hesitation. Most of this one was going to be spent with her flowers. The snow orchids were thriving in the beds that framed her personal landing area--she checked after meditating with Arcann, since she was right there. That had her in a good enough mood to be humming as she headed for the room off the Force Enclave she'd turned into a greenhouse for some of her acquisitions less suited to Odessen's climate.

She'd left the tending to droids for too long. It would feel good to get her hands dirty--perhaps literally--seeing to them herself today. This was one of the best ways she'd found to help her mental balance with all the demands on her time and attention. It was, she had to admit, also her favorite. Something about the connection to and care of other living things centered her better than just about anything.

There was someone already here.

Her stride slowed at the recognition, her senses reaching out to determine who.

An unnecessary effort, as Senya stepped around one of the large planters in the middle of the space. She smiled. "Hello, Commander."

Endrali matched the smile and greeting both. "Hello, Senya. I wasn't expecting to find anyone here."

"I can leave, if you were wanting to be alone," Senya said with a glance at the door.

Endrali shook her head. "Not at all. It's just I thought most, if not all, of the Alliance had forgotten this room exists. If you were planning to meditate or something I can be very quiet."

"I finished." Senya chuckled and shook her head. "I was enjoying the atmosphere." She reached to brush her fingers lightly along the petals of a Balmorran ashmantle. "There is a sense of peace here that has helped greatly... in the aftermath."

"I'm glad." Endrali shifted. "It provides the same sense for me."

Senya cocked her head. "Are you responsible for this, then? I do remember Lana mentioning you have a talent for it."

Endrali nodded, casting a fond look at the vibrant plant life that filled the room. "My favorite way to relax."

"Don't let me get in your way," Senya said, raising her hands apologetically and stepping toward the door. "I know how rarely you get a chance for that."

"Oh, you can stay, I don't mind," Endrali said quickly. "I'm happy someone else is enjoying it. Today's just the first time I've had in a while to take care of them myself, and it surprised me to find someone else here, too."

"I believe I'll take you up on that, then," Senya nodded. She smiled again. "Just tell me if I'm in the way."

"I will," Endrali smiled back, and turned her attention to the black and gold blooms nearest the door. They were thriving; she should split them or shift to a larger planting bed... The contentment of losing herself in her favorite hobby soon had her humming again, the same tune as before.

It was only a few moments before a flicker of emotion rolled off Senya, surprise mingled with something less tangible. Bittersweet and melancholy. "I... didn't know you were familiar with Zakuulan music, Commander."

"Hm?" Endrali spun in her direction, hair slipping loose of her stubby ponytail. I'm not, really...

"That song. It's a Zakuulan lullaby." Senya smiled despite the emotions Endrali had sensed and slowed by a tall plant with curling yellow petals. "I used to sing it for my children." She shook her head as Endrali opened her mouth. "It's a good memory, not a painful one. It just caught me off-guard here, from you. It's been awhile, since..."

"Ah. I... don't even know where I heard it, to be honest," Endrali admitted with a sheepish laugh. She paused to think as she fixed her ponytail, but the last few weeks had been absurdly busy; she'd been everywhere in the galaxy it seemed, except Zakuul. And it wasn't like Arcann was the type to sing to fill silence during the time they spent together. (Which was most of that running around.)

"A little mystery," Senya said, something mischievous or knowing at corners of her smile. She was silent a few moments, fingers running along leaves as she moved on, pacing by the the dark green gold-splotched fern, the climbing vines from Yavin 4, the drooping white bells of Leaders Heart.

Endrali worked contentedly in the silence. Some of the Felucian violets were starting to wilt, and a quick check of soil composition showed why. She'd just set about replacing it when Senya spoke again.

"I've been meaning to thank you, Commander--again, I know." She studied a shade lily in one of the recessed corners. "For trusting me. When we first met, and about Arcann, both times I asked it."

"Of course," Endrali replied (as she had before), tamping the fresh soil around the violets. "Everyone deserves a chance at redemption." Atonement. She snorted softly. "Even those who feel like they don't deserve it." Besides, Arcann was hardly the first she'd extended that mercy to.

"Still. I am aware it couldn't have been a... popular decision, even if you found it easy. And it warms my heart to see the faith you've placed in my son."

"He's earned it." Endrali brushed dirt from her hands as she faced Senya. "It was apparent he's changed, I'm happy to give the chance to prove it."

"Oh, you've done more than that," Senya chuckled. "Some would say anything short of execution was second chance enough; confined to Odessen in an advisory capacity, banished from known space, something... less pleasant. Not many would trust him with assignments, let alone watching their back."

Endrali briefly rubbed the scar at her ribs as she crossed her arms. "He's earned that, too." Smiled at the ironic truth of her next words. "There are few here I trust more." Even if he was trying to kill me less than a year ago. "We make a good team."

The knowing smile was back. "So I've noticed." Senya brushed aside a trailing tendril of ivy that draped against her shoulder. "You've been good to him. Good for him; helping bring out the man I knew he could be."

"I do enjoy making things grow," Endrali joked lightly, gesturing to the greenhouse surroundings. "And he's become a good friend, Senya." The warmth twisting in her chest made friend feel like the wrong word, but that's all... that's what they were. She cleared her throat and shook off the wrongness. "Aside from watching my back and saving my life several times, I like talking to him." She focused on picking dirt out from under her nails rather than Senya's smile that made her feel too seen. "Or, more talking at him. It frequently turns into him listening to me chatter, which I appreciate. I'm always willing to listen back; I know part of why he'd quiet is he's... carrying a lot, and not undeserved. I can pick up on it sometimes when we meditate."

There hadn't been any sense of that the last few times, however. Including that morning.

A glimmer of satisfaction--contentment--rippled from Senya as she leaned against a planter. "He knows he can talk to you," she said softly. "And trusts you enough to do so."

Endrali bit her lip to hold back a threatening grin, the warmth dancing in her chance again. "I'm glad."

Senya chuckled. "It's the mark of a good leader who can make friends out of enemies and gain their trust." She pushed off the planter and headed for the door. "I've taken more time than intended for what was supposed to be a simple thank you, so I'll let you go back to enjoying your free time." The shimmering satisfaction lingered as she paused in the doorway. "But as I said, Endrali; you're good for him. Thank you."

Thoughts knocked askew by the heartfelt emphasis of the words, Endrali managed a nod and murmured thanks of her own.

"He's good for me, too," she whispered to the Felucian violets, which nodded in turn from the rush of breath as if in agreement. It was a struggle to get back her equilibrium with the words ringing in her ears, but Endrali (eventually) shook it off and went back to tending her plants, humming under her breath once more.

"The burning star of Izax bathes the sea in light..."