THALIA
The Princess sat on the throne at the end of the long hall, the colours from the stain glass window behind her, casting colourful shadows on the sandstone floor. On her right was Perxseus, her trusted advisor and on her left was her droid, C6-LN or C6 for short, a tall, hand built droid whose sass had gotten her into trouble more than she was probably worth.
The Princess watched as the two Jedi made their way down the hall towards her, their hands clasped in front of them and their brown cloaks billowing out behind them. The older one, had long, straight hair, pulled back into a half ponytail and his accomplice Obi-Wan had short, spikey hair with a plait down one side and a tanned face.
This was what their first meeting had meant to be like, not meeting for the first time amidst a dashing rescue. But now it was time for proper introductions.
"Master Jedi, it's my pleasure to finally meet you properly. My name is Thalia." The Princess said, looking down at the two men.
"The pleasure is ours, your highness. I am Jedi Master Qui-Gonn Jinn, and this is my apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi." Qui-Gonn said, and Obi-Wan bowed his head.
"My advisor, Perxseus…and my droid C6." Thalia gestured to first the man on her right and then the droid on her left.
"Thank you for coming at this time. What do you propose we do?" Perxeus asked, getting straight to the point. Thalia had always admired his efficiency, but it did sometimes come across as bluntness. However, he did have every right to be worried. The Confederacy were after Thalia. Not only because she was sitting on the most powerful supply of crystals in the history of the galaxy that would easily increase the strength of any weapon ten-fold, but also because she was the leader of the Council For Neutral Systems. So, which ever side swayed her, they would have fifteen hundred more systems backing their cause.
"I'd suggest we stay here and do our best to keep the peace. However, if I feel the situation is getting out of hand, I'd advise leaving Troska for a while." Qui-Gonn answered, crossing his arms.
"And leave the people? What kind of example would that set?" Thalia asked incredulously.
"It would show that you believe in your cause so much that you would take self preservation to continue your campaign than to put yourself in unnecessary danger for your people." Qui-Gonn replied, and Thalia thought this over for a moment before nodding.
"Well, those matters aside, I suppose you'd like to see it." She said, glancing at Obi-Wan who gave his master a confused look. "All our visitors want to, but it's closed to all who cannot truly appreciate it."
Thalia smiled at the two Jedi before rising gracefully from the throne, her silver gown shimmering with the light cast on it through the stain-glass windows.
"See what?" Obi-Wan asked as the Princess lead them down a sandstone hallway that glittered with quartz.
"The crystal caves." Qui-Gonn replied.
As Thalia walked down the hallways, her pale hair, twisted around a silver, winged headpiece caught the light from the sconces on the walls. The silver drapes, flowing down the back of her gown shimmered as she walked.
She lead them into another building on the other side of the palace's courtyard, where at the end of a long hallway stood a pair of solid, mahogany doors.
"For security purposes we keep the caves locked behind a screen that only myself and Perxseus can access." Thalia said and pressed her hand against a scanner to the side of the wooden doors. The screen flashed green and the double doors swung outwards, revealing the beautiful sight that was the heart of Troska.
Beyond a glass panel, the size of the doorway, stretched dark, black caves as far as the eye could see. Inlaid in every inch of rock were tiny, blue crystals, about the size of your thumb and they glowed, filling the cave with a blue light.
"When Troska became neutral, we sealed the caves to prevent either side using them for their light sabers…no offence. But I believe the Jedi and Sith make things more complicated, and they often have their own agendas." Thalia explained, trying and failing to not sound rude.
"Not so big on trust, are you." Obi-Wan said, as he looked into the cave.
"No." She replied, folding her arms.
"This cave holds many memories. I remember coming here when I was a Youngling to choose my crystal and construct my own light saber." Qui-Gonn said nostalgically. "Of course, Kyber Crystals aren't just used to power lightsabers, are they?"
"No. Not much is known about them outside the mining families. But, to put it simply, they focus energy and amplify it's intensity. What was once useful for a Jedi's lightsaber is now ideal for laser weapons." Thalia explained, closing the doors. "The crystals are clever though..."
"Clever? Are they alive?" Obi-Wan asked.
"That's one way of describing it." She replied, pressing the palm of her hand back against the panel and the doors swung shut. "The crystals will not warm to inanimate objects, but if someone was to wrap their hand around it, it would warm. But only if that person was meant to receive it."
"How so?" Obi-Wan asked as the trio entered the bright courtyard once again.
"For example, when you came here to choose the crystal for your lightsaber, one would have glowed brighter than the others, yes?" Thalia explained and the Jedi nodded. "That meant that it was destined for you. And when you touched it, it would've glowed the colour of your lightsaber. Blue, if I remember correctly."
"Yes…So, if you take the wrong crystal, what happens?" He asked.
"I'll show you. Hold out your hand." She instructed, and Obi Wan did so as Thalia pulled the ring off her finger and placed it in the palm of his hand. As soon as it left her skin, the crystal dulled.
"Nothing. The crystal remains dormant until it's true owner finds it." Thalia answered. "They are force sensitive, so they connect with the force inside their owners, that's how they find you." She explained, holding the ring between two fingers and immediately, the glow returned. "Basically anyone who isn't force sensitive can't have one."
"So you're force sensitive?" Qui-Gonn asked, slight realisation lacing his voice.
"Yes." Thalia nodded.
"So, the force is with you." Qui-Gonn said, crossing his arms.
"Quite literally." Thalia smiled.