Pooja Naberrie Lydonia

Introduction
Pooja Naberrie Lydonia was a human female from the planet Naboo. Born to the famous Naberrie family in 26 BBY, she was the daughter of Sola Naberrie and her husband, Darred Janren, as well as the niece of the famed Naboovian Queen, Padmé Amidala. Like her aunt, Pooja took an interest in politics at an early age. When she chose to enter the political arena, she assumed the name Lydonia as her name of state.

Pooja served Naboo in various positions until the age of sixteen, when Queen Kylantha appointed her as the Senator of Naboo and the Chommell Sector, the very same position Pooja's aunt had held until her death. Pooja held the Senate seat until the dissolution of the Imperial Senate in 0 BBY. Amidst great controversary, she and her people fled Imperial Center and returned to Naboo. After her return, she was instrumental in the efforts to provide relief to the Alderaanians after the destruction of their homeworld, taking in two orphans herself.

She retired from politics for several years, living quietly in the Lake Country until she was recalled to service after the fall of the Empire. The new king appointed Pooja to be their representative in the New Republic Senate on Coruscant, where she was reunited with her close friend, Leia Organa.

Early Life
During her childhood, Pooja lived with her parents and sister, Ryoo, in the capital city of Theed. Her earliest memories included the sporadic visits of her aunt, Padmé Amidala, as well as her Jedi protector, Anakin Skywalker. She also recalled her aunt's mysterious death and funeral, especially its effect on the family afterward.

Much of her childhood was spent at the Royal Academy of Theed, where Pooja focused on the political sciences. Upon her graduation from the Academy, she declared her adoption of the name Lydonia as her name of state. At age twelve, she was elected Governor of the Lake Country. Two years later, Pooja followed her governorship with a term as Princess of Theed. Many considered her as a possible candidate for Queen.

However, Pooja's path took an unexpected turn when Queen Kylantha appointed Pooja to serve as the Senator of Naboo and the Chommell Sector in the Imperial Senate in 10 BBY. Along with her Chief of Security, Captain Welck Peoly, her three handmaidens, Niaé, Meliaé, and Amarié, and her guards, she lived almost exclusively on Imperial Center. Her trips home to Naboo were almost always marred by tragedy, dealing with the deaths of her Naberrie grandparents.

Imperial Senator
While on Imperial Center, Pooja came under the wing of Bail Organa, the Senator of Alderaan and a former friend of her aunt, Padmé Amidala. She joined him on the Emergency Relief Committee, where the two grew close as mentor and protégé as they and the other senators on the committee struggled to bring some measure of assistance to the increasingly-hungry citizens of the Empire.

Another friend Pooja obtained during her time as Senator was Corr Lassiter, who eventually replaced Bail Organa as Chairman of the Emergency Relief Committee. He shared their desires to help the people, as well as their frustration in the face of the apathy shown by their fellow Senators. Unfortunately, Pooja also came under the attentions of Major Scrye Pavish, a member of Emperor Palpatine's staff. She was never certain if his attentions were romantic in nature or if he simply wished to watch her at the behest of his master.

In 1 BBY, Bail announced his intention to retire his seat and appoint his only child, Leia Organa, to his place within the Senate. Pooja was wary of this course at first, given Leia's lack of true experience, but quickly came to see the younger woman's political acumen and began to see her as a friend. Naturally, a year later, Pooja was quite concerned with Leia's intention to obtain a vital piece of information for the Senate, especially since Pooja was very much aware of her colleague's Rebel sympathies.


 * Author's Note: more to come soon.

Behind the Scenes
Pooja Naberrie Lydonia was inspired in part by her own aunt, Padmé Amidala, as well as the desire to see how differently Pooja reacted to circumstances than how Amidala would have reacted. Pooja's appearance resembles Sophie Marceau.

Appearances

 * Rebel Choice