episode three — REAŘYS E STELLA
after : The Phantom Menace

Reařys e stella means Festival Of Stars. A huge festival celebrated from the time that first light set on the shores of Valérian — but even before that light, there were stars. The stars were used for everything, prophets, old stories told by parents to their children, navigation. Reařys e stella was a festival of goodluck, and new beginnings. The Valérian people had deemed it as  the birth of the new star — or as others would say, the new year.

The citizens believed that this was a doorway into a different universe, a new light, a different path. They placed four beacons of fallen stars that had hardened up from hitting the atmosphere, each beacon representing individual futures. Unfortunately, you would not know that future until it had arrived. It was a terrible downside to such a beautiful tradition, but still, the Valérian people had faith in their gods.

Lillia sat in her chambers, the sun had finally set, and her handmaidens lightly brushed her loose curls, letting them adjust to her new hairstyle. Her hair stood fully out of her face, but two thick pieces were braided back, holding a pearly chain to decorate the dark curls. Lillia wore a traditional Valéri gown — which was obviously more fit for a young girl of her age. Lillia was excited to grow into the 'grown up gowns,' as she had said to Soteria once.

The dress was black, with a gold trim that cascaded down the chest, and overflowed onto the rest of her gown. Small trinkets hung from her waist band, making soft music when the wind hit them. A head-dress hung from her head, dangling a piece of the fallen stars above her forehead. Lillia Val'eaon cared much about her appearance, she believed it was not only your actions that rule an entire system, but how you put yourself to those who take your favor. 

It was important that you present yourself with dignity and grace, especially as a princess. Traditional Valéri dresses were typically white with strong gold accents, but some came in black, or even a light blue.

"It is time for the festival, m'lady." Her handmaiden bowed, stepping away from her hair. Her handmaidens were fairly young, not as young as her, but they looked to be sixteen stars old, perhaps even older. Lillia smiled at her through the mirror, getting up and spinning to face her. The train of her dress getting caught slightly in the stool that she once sat in. "Beautiful." A voice chimed from the door, Lillia looked to see her father, Kier. She walked up to him with a smile on her face.

Kier cupped her face. "You are going to be an outstanding queen." He kissed her forehead, then patted her on the shoulder and hugged her. Kier had faith in his older daughters when they served, but somewhere in his heart, he knew that Lillia was born to rule. She always had an ambition to help those who needed it — to help stray animals, which eventually ended up in the palace as the "offical palace pets" Lillia had called them that, and Kier knew that it would take a village to force her to let them free.

Lillia had a heart greater than the galaxy itself, that's something Kier feared about her. He did not want people to take advantage of her kindness, but he was proud. He let go of his youngest daughter, smiling at her once more. "Are you ready to go out there?" He nodded toward the festival. "Always." Lillia giggled, holding her father's hand as they walked out of her room.
⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　　　　.　　　ﾟ .　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　✦ 　　　　　,　　　　　　　.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　　..　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　⋆✴︎　   　　　,　　　　　　　　　*　　　　　⠀　　　　⠀　　,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　 　　⠀　　　⠀.　 　　˚　　　⠀　⠀  　　,　　　　　　.

As Lillia and Kier neared the doors, Soteria and Perseus stood waiting for them, along with Helaena and Talia. Perseus was three years younger than Lillia, standing a mere six stars old. As siblings, they had obviously fought, but most of the time, Lillia would read to her younger brother. She would show him every history book ever made in Istores.

They lined up in front of the doors as they opened. "Their Royal Highnesses, Kier and Soteria Val'eaon, accompanied with their daughters and son , Talia, Helaena, Lillia, and Perseus." A Valérian knight shouted, his voice echoing to the towns people below, who each held a candle. The people had smiles on their faces, they were very excited to celebrate with everyone they had ever known.

That's why Lillia Val'eaon had loved this very night, she always had. It brought joy to see her people with smiles brighter than the sun. Reařys e stella was truly a night she could relive for ages.

Anakin and Obi-Wan stood alongside the marble platform that the family had walked onto. Lillia looked to Anakin, who nodded as she smiled. For once, he was not dressed in Jedi robes, but now in a traditional Valéri tunic and trousers. This time, it was not a light blue, but a royal blue. Royal blue had signified the stars — Lillia grinned, knowing he had done his research. The trousers were white, while the blue frock coat had gold swirls and vines that decorated it. Lillia thought it was strange to see him and Obi-Wan in something other than their Jedi robes.

Nonetheless, she was happy that they could make it tonight. It was an important one after all. Kier stepped up to the podium, looking at the huge crowd that gathered. "Tonight we celebrate Reařys e stella, the celebration of our oldest stars, we signify tonight as a new tomorrow!" His voice echoing into the air. The crowd shouted, words of encouragement coming back. "From this point on, we are new people, and it is time to celebrate!" The people erupted into their usual activities, running about to go to the various food stands, or start their beacons.

Lillia smiled blissfully, she took in the warm air, and the salty smell of the sea nearby. The stars twinkled even more than they did the previous night. She felt a tap on her shoulder, and as she turned, she saw the little boy that she had seen hours earlier. "It's a beautiful tradition." He sounded genuine, he was very lost in the beauty of it all. "You haven't seen all of it yet, I must show you!" She giggled, taking his hand and dragging him to every place imaginable.

The night was young, and Lillia Dione Val'eaon had ambition to show Anakin Skywalker her home — but Anakin Skywalker also had every ambition to follow her around, she was a new friend to him, and the first one he has made so far — besides Obi-Wan. Lillia Val'eaon was like a breath of fresh air, and Anakin Skywalker hadn't known that he had been holding such a long breath. It warmed his heart to be around such an incredible person.

The two sat in a field full of Vironia's, Valérian's home flowers. Lillia held a small bowl of fruit — one of her favorite things about the festival. Valérian fruit was truly addictive, especially during Aton. ( Valérian's cool season, otherwise known as Spring. )

"The stars are brighter here than on Courscant, It's a much better view." Anakin plucked some pieces of grass and small flowers. "I would hope so, Courscant is all city life, I wouldn't trade this for that." Lillia scoffed, but laughed along with it. "I don't blame you." He muttered. Lillia watched as he made a small gathering of grass and flowers, now tying it all together to create a miniature bouquet.

Anakin held it out to Lillia, "for you." He gestured for her to take it, Lillia laughed, accepting the gift happily. "It's quite beautiful, although you could work on making it less grassy, and more flowery." She joked, lightly tapping his shoulder with it. Anakin laughed, watching her as she laid back into the field, not caring as her hair met the soil. He laid back next to her, staring at the stars above.

"Does it ever get tiring?" She asked, not turning to look. "Does what get tiring?" He asked. "Moving around the galaxy so much." She finished. Anakin turned his head, her freckles lit up with the fire, similar to the cosmos. Her once neat hair was now messy and free, tangled and full of grass. "I mean, I haven't been around much, but I do hope to call somewhere a home," ha paused, looking back to the stars. "someday." He nodded. Someday he'd call something, or someone, Home.

"I wish to travel, but Valérian holds me to its vines, I am Valéri, I always will be." Lillia confessed. Anakin was surprised, she was so well-spoken at such a young age — but it was the perks of being royalty.

A loud horn blew through the air, and Lillia jumped up, looking toward the boy next to her. "Come on, it's time for the beacons!" She shouted, starting to run out of her fields and toward her family. Anakin ran after her, catching up quickly.

Each family member would do theirs first, and then Obi-Wan and Anakin. They were guests here now, and they could be apart of the many traditions Valérian had to offer.

It went though with the King and Queen first, then Talia, and then Helaena — it was now Lillia turn. She looked over the four beacons, each one wielding the same color — white. She pondered, gazing over each carefully. It was a difficult decision, as there were no symbols to distinguish it from another.

She walked alongside every one, looking at them — trying to understand their character. Soon enough, she settled on the center right one, she picked it up and held it to show her parents. Her smile brighter than the beacon itself. After Perseus chose his, it was now time for Anakin. He was excited, but nervous. Surely he believed in the trials of the galaxy, but little beacons to decide your future — it worried him slightly.

Anakin stood facing them, then looked back to see Obi-Wan nod. Turning back, he gazed at them, and then walked up to the center left of the beacon.

The family clapped after everyone had chosen their beacons. Reařys e stella meant good luck & new beginnings, Anakin Skywalker just wished that he chose the correct future.
⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　　　　.　　　ﾟ .　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　✦ 　　　　　,　　　　　　　.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　　..　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　⋆✴︎　   　　　,　　　　　　　　　*　　　　　⠀　　　　⠀　　,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　 　　⠀　　　⠀.　 　　˚　　　⠀　⠀  　　,　　　　　　.

It was now two weeks later, and it was time for Anakin and Obi-Wan to finish their training on Courscant. The family stood outside their ship, giving their goodbyes to the Jedi.

"We hope to see you soon, one of these strange days." Soteria smiled, holding two pins in her hand — Old Valérian pins that signified honor and respect. "We have a gift for you." She smiled as the Jedi stood in front of her, holding out the gold pins, she first pinned it on Obi-Wan's tunic. "A pin of honor & respect, to thank you for coming to Valérian." She muttered as she pinned in the other on Ani's tunic.

"We wish you a safe travel back to Courscant." Kier folded his hands over eachother. Obi-Wan nodded, watching as Anakin walked up to Lillia to say goodbye. "Surely you'll be at my Coronation?" She tilted her head, smiling at the boy in front of her. "Let's see if Obi-Wan will let me." He grinned, earning a giggle from Lillia. "Have a safe flight." She smiled once more, watching as Anakin turned to walk toward the ship.

Goodbyes were definitely not easy, but Lillia knew that this wasn't the last time they'd see each other. That day would come eventually, but for right now, Lillia Dione Val'eaon had gained a friend.

authors note. ACT ONE IS DONE!! So yes this was a short act, but it was really just to show their silliness when they were younger, especially Lillia's, because you'll see how different her personality is after ████████ 😣😣😣 I would also like to tell you guys how to pronounce some Valéri words! It's inspired by High Valyrian if you couldn't tell already hehe.

"Cãllat" Is pronounced exactly how it looks so: (Ca-lah-at)

"Iresta" (Iee-re-sta) You kind of need to roll your r's a LOT in Valéri

"Reařys e stella" (Rae-ee-s eh stella) Again, roll the r's :)

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed Act 1, and i'm so so excited to introduce act 2 to you guys soon 🥺🤍 Love you all!