Private A Veil of Curiosity

[Faith Organa]

Location: New Aldera, Royal Palace
Mood: Uncertain but curious
Interactions to be with Alwine Daye

The words of the young woman still haunted Faith's memory.

Words spoken with conviction words spoken as if taken from the very journals that Faith kept. She had promised the young woman a time to speak on the day that the Republic and the Imperium stood toe to toe discussing Kuat and Alderaan. What did she know about Alderaan? What did anyone really? So many of the older senators and rulers that Faith had known had either died, left their thrones, or disappeared into the vastness of space.

Becca stood watching her Queen she wondered what she was thinking

Faith could feel her aide's eyes on her, "I want to talk to her. I want to know.....what is different about those she represents compared to the Republic" Becca already knew who the Queen referred to, "The young woman has been sent an invitation to come."

Faith nodded still distracted by her own thoughts. Was this a trick? Had someone thought of a way to peacefully gain a hold on Alderaan, or was Faith just being cynical. She didn't think anyone could understand how she or the other Alderaani felt.

She certainly knew what Marina DeVoe and her family thought. She considered whether the diplomatic intern should be offered a seat at the table...

 

[Marina DeVoe]

It were a 3 hour flight to Aldera in her family speeder sedan from Mt Cetril, her family home and fortress atop the very same mountain.
House DeVoe were an old House, loyal to House Organa which had reestablished itself centuries ago following the transformation of a selected lifeless world in a single star system which had been brought to fruit by terra forming that rock to resemble that which had long been lost.

Following the mountain range South of the Aiden providence her speeder came out of the cloud cover and descended down the last slope to the valley where she continued on till she reached the capital.
marina weren't late this day but punctual, settling her family 4 door speeder in the front courtyard of the palace. An intern to her queen, she had been given an open landing pass.

"Good morning, Miss DeVoe." one of the palace sentry guards greeted her.
Marina were the second and younger of two daughters to Duke Kyle DeVoe and had not officially been titled Duchess, as her mother were the Duchess of Aiden providence, same with her older sister Kaite.

"Good morning Captain.
I understand her majesty is receiving guests today?" She asked, as she came up the main steps.

The sentry motioned with his hand, enabling the two ornate palace doors to part, inviting Marina inside.
"Yes. Her majesty is in the Great Room awaiting her guest."

Marina stopped a moment at the threshold, as Capt of the Guards had not stated whom her queen were expecting, as Marina hadn't herself been privi of it, but just the message that a guest were arriving under invite from the queen.

"Do you know whom is expected, Captain?" She inquired.

"No Miss DeVoe, her majesty had not spoken as to whom, only that it is a representative of The Agents of Chaos."

Marina's heart skipped a beat, almost coming to a stop.
"I see. " She swallowed.
"Very well, thank you Captain" She nodded, managing a grateful smile before continuing on to the Great Room.

 

[Alwine Daye]

Faith Organa Marina DeVoe

Her wrists still hurt from having been cuffed, and as did her neck. But Alwine, now free of her shackles, said nothing about it, even as her skin had begun to change color. She would not give her captors the satisfaction of learning that they had managed to hurt it, for the only thing hurt was her body. Her soul, her mind, and her pride, had remained intact. As it should be. She would dunk herself into a tank of bacta once she left this world. Nothing done to her had in any way been permanent.

And now… She knew what had happened. The cells had been abuzz with the news. Agents of Chaos, successful. Alwine didn't yet know how, didn't yet know why, but she'd understood that both the Republic and the Imperium no longer held a pretend to the ownership of Alderaan and Kuat, could no longer claim it as their own.

How long would this last, she wondered. Following a loss, however it was gotten, tended to bring about a time of relative peace and silence. But nothing lasted forever. Soon enough, the greedy and grubby hands of either the Republic, the Imperium, or others, would try to nab the planet as their own once more. How many hands had Alderaan itself traded in the short amount of time during which Alwine had been freed of the clutches of Stewjon? More than she could count, that was certain.

But now she was free. Well. Not completely, not yet. She had been invited to…

Alwine paused.

Invited to join the Queen of Alderaan? She didn't even know who the Queen was, much less why she would invite Alwine herself to join her anywhere. Was it a calm before the storm? Were the shackles that had been removed from her merely a ploy to get to relax before having her executed? Were she instead perhaps, as Madalena had been, a Prisoner of War? Alwine had no answers, and when she tried to glean the most basic of information from the mind of those who were leading her to the Queen, she learned that they knew nothing either.

Maddening.

But as on Stewjon, as earlier in the Museum, they would not make her bow. Alwine held her chin up, always the proud petite woman who could cast the presence of men thrice her size in any sort of room. If they wished to kill her, they would not find her scraping and begging. If they wished to humiliate her, they would find that she was beyond their means to so diminish.

So it was that she was brought in. Uncertain, but unwavering. Clueless, yet giving those around her the looks of one who knew exactly where she was. And still, she could not hide her surprise as her gaze fell upon Faith Organa . For it had been she who had been at the museum, and had never introduced herself, or been referred to as majesty while Alwine had been there, and so she had never had reason to suspect that the woman had been the very Queen of the planet she'd come to liberate.

Forcing a small smile to her lips, Alwine bowed her head to the Queen and curtsied at the same time. If protocol dictated anything else, she was unaware of it.

"I apologize, your Majesty," she spoke as she straightened again, looking straight at the woman, "when we previously met, I was unaware that you were the Queen of Alderaan."

Only then did the petite blonde notice the other woman, and this gave her pause. Was… Was perhaps the other woman, the queen? Had she just made an even bigger fool of herself? In her deepest of hearts, she wished that she had not.

 

[Marina DeVoe]

There had been much blood spilled upon the good earth, too much blood each and every time the Empire of Sith took to indulge in their rituals. Innocence, prosperity, perseverance they fed on, like wolves to a flock of sheep. It were as Marina viewed them and Imperials.
But it were this very perseverance that seemed to be synonymous with Alderaani that these predators could not fully devour, nor had the means to digest. Alderaan had for the last thousand years been on the edge of the knife and it had bled. Bled out once in a single moment, but never really died. For the empires of both the sith and Imperials could never kill the spirit. Alderaani spirit was stronger than anything anyone or empire could destroy.

Marina walked through the main entrance hall with this in mind and certainly in spirit. Agents of Chaos the Capt had said. Yes, her heart sank. sank to the very bosom of the earth upon which she walked upon, took breath, and where her spirit currently embraced.

Marina were not oblivious to the fact that this new regime had spurred from the very faction that they had once counted on as allies, the CIS. The CIS...Oh how it had turned a blind eye on her beloved Alderaan twice over.
Marina had been off world the first time, aiding Onderon during their civil strife, helping evacuate civilians to shelters in that campaign. News had reached her then light years distant that Alderaan, along with all of the Free World Coalition holdings were under attack from the Sith Empire. That was the first onslaught from the sith to silence, snuff out the light of Alderaan and what she stood for.
Who had come to aid them from the CIS? Just two souls... Muad Dib and Karlie Lynn Destat. And they had come after the dust settled.
And of the second and last attack/occupation that had just passed? None. The CIS didn't even look in this direction, much less even cared to blink.

Now a dissident offspring of the CIS were to come and beckon her beloved Alderaan with promises of liberation, alliances and aid.
Marina were not new to this political circus. Yes, she were just an intern to her queen. But she were the most loyal of subjects who breathed and lived Alderaan.
Marina approached her queen whom were with Becca, her friend and assistance to the queen.
Marina curtsied. "Your majesty" she bowed before her queen before making eye contact.
She had been informed several times that it were not required of her to do so, but it were one aspect of her degree of respect for her queen that she could not break. A real smile graced her features despite the pending agent that were soon to arrive to sell their ware to them. It were always a sunny smile to be in the presence of her queen.
"I have been requested by my father Duke Kyle DeVoe that we are expecting a delegate from the AoC. My father thought it best I stand by your side representing our providence, your grace."

Naturally, Marina was expecting several delegates from AoC arriving to sell their pitch. What she had learned of the CIS and of the dissidents that broke away from the body that there were little to distinguish one from the other.

Word then came from the palace announcer that the delegate had arrived.

A delegate, the herald were announcing? Just one, Marina thought.
Stepping over to the right side of her queen, she prepared herself to suffer through the empty promises this burly delegate of a man...likely another sith, if not another pompous force user, that'd be marching in like they already had her beloved world clenched in his fist. Alderaan was after all, still recovering. Marina closed her eyes a moment in prayer to Berkana. It were of one asking her Creator for strength for both herself and her queen. One to have them bear through what this precarious dissident of a former faction was here to propose... or threaten them with.

Then her eyes opened upon the first sounds of steps amid those of the palace guards. They were not at all thunderous steps at all...
She blinked, then looked past the young woman approaching. No one else were behind her. Was this the AoC representative? It were not at all what she had expected. Marina remained poised and proper besides her queen. She would not speak unless her queen spoke first...which of course would also include acknowledging the girl. Becca shot a glance over to marina...she could feel it. More so the fact she had excellent peripheral vision.

This AoC representative were no burly pompous man at all, but one whom Marina suddenly recognized with modesty. ...and she indicated she had already met her queen under unusual circumstances. This latter revelation could certainly break the mold Marina had formed of the AoC.
Again, she would follow her queen's cue and protocols.

Blue skies met upon earth browns, when their eyes brushed across one another like summer wind upon fertile earth. Against her rational judgement, Marina took kind to this young girl.
Could it be that this young lady were here bearing true intentions?

A tinge of a minute smile unconsciously took to surfacing.




Alwine Daye / Faith Organa

 

[Faith Organa]

The room one of Faith's favorites in the palace with the rich woods taken from the Alderaan trees, the furniture simple yet comfortable and the view of the mountains. Snow capped majestic and a great protector to the Capital. She wished at times she was as strong as the mountain but she knew her own limitations, but she also knew her strengths.

Captain of the Guard came in and stood beside the door, "Guests Mam."

"Let them pass Captain if they make any move for harm, do not kill, just injure." He smiled, "yes Mam. Injure. Got it." Faith laughed, "I don't think there will be trouble. The young woman from the museum and Marina."

"Ah Lady DeVoe, not Duke DeVoe?" He asked his voice rising slowly as he spoke.

"Nope. seems he may be grooming Marina to take his place on Council." All either could do was nod. Not that Marina would be bad on Council just not today. No she still had lessons to learn one day, but not today.

The two young women seemed to time their arrival for the same moment, as each passed into the room where she stood.

Well now very interesting Faith smiled at Alwine Daye "Welcome to the New Aldera Palace Alwine Lechner you made a very lasting impression." Faith caught sight of Marina DeVoe at the door.

"Ms. Lechner allow me to introduce Marina Devoe of House of Devoe. Their house protects our northern borders and they sit on Council. " Faith motioned for both to come closer even as she needed her head to each who had given her a traditional bow.

"No apology is necessary Alwine, do you mind if I call you Alwine? Are you an Agent of Chaos?"

Becca came from the left, "Do you want to hold service here Faith?"

"Yes Becca, bring the tea please. Ladies..come sit with me let's talk further." Faith curiosity peaked about the young woman as she looked her over she stopped a brief moment of red skin, "Becca bring a med kit too please." Becca looked at both women neither seemed injured did the Queen need it..."Faith?"

"I'm fine just bring the kit please."

"yes mam" She looked back again watching what had she missed.

 

[Alwine Daye]

Faith Organa Marina DeVoe

A smile. The Queen had given her a smile, which to Alwine, signaled that things were… Potentially all right. She was apparently in the Palace; a quick glance showed her that this would've been a much better place to hold any kind of summit meetings, especially compared to the museum, but she held her tongue regarding that. Perhaps, if things would work out well enough in this meeting, or the ones that might follow, she would be able to advice more caution and protection when Alderaan needed it next. And it would need it. There was little doubt that very quickly, grubby hands would vie for this place once again. But whether it would be the Republic, or the Imperium, or another, she did yet know.

Turning around as introductions were made, Alwine nodded at the other blonde woman, noting her name. Marina Devoe. House Devoe. Internally, Alwine kicked herself for not being more knowledgeable about the ruling houses and families of the planet, but the call of what was to happen on the planet had come so quickly that time to prepare had been too short. And with so many important planets… No. That was not an excuse. Alwine would be better prepared next time, would do better. Would not be caught ignorant on a major galactic player planet again.

"Alwine is fine," she replies, turning her attention back to the Queen, "And yes, I am an Agent of Chaos. I am the Head of Speakers, which means I speak with the voice of the Scintilla, our base of operations in the Unknown Regions."

None of that information was confidential, though most likely, it had not been important enough to be aware of before now. The Agents of Chaos' win on this planet and Kuat would mark a turn in tides regarding their importance in the galaxy, the meaning of their presence on any planet that was taken or was being attempted to get taken, in the Core and in other parts of it. But if asked, she would give all the information that was needed. There was no necessity in holding anything back.

Following the Queen to where they were motioned towards the seating, Alwine did as was expected of her. Every fiber in her being tried to fight it. She had been in grand lord houses on Stewjon, more than once. She had served there. Naturally, their splendor did not hold a dying candle to what the New Aldera Palace had to offer, yet the internal instincts of Alwine kicked all the same. But there would be no looking down at her toes now, no averting her gaze as her betters spoke. There were no betters, not in the sense that had been drilled into her at home, where the only prospects for someone such as she had been to be a servant or a harlot, and she would die before becoming the latter.

The Queen asked for a medical kit. Alwine noted that even her Majesty was being addressed on a first name basis. Perhaps… She hoped, she prayed, that this was proof that this Queen was not like all the lords that Alwine had met in her life. That there was merit to this meeting, that there was reason to smile towards the future. A free future.

Even seated down, Alwine held her back firmly straight, refusing to lean back despite the pain from her bruises. It was nothing, compared to more uneasiness she had endured in her life. The last time she had been imprisoned, they had broken her legs to try to get the demons and devils out of it. In comparison, she had been treated with truly gentle gloves this time around.

Looking out through the window, now Alwine could not hold her smile back. Memories sprang forward, of cold winters during which she had changed into the wolf within her and had run happily through the snows with Varick Lechner , chasing wild game and being wild and free. But she ould not see Varick anymore. Not for a long time. Her brother had vanished, leaving no trace that she could follow, and her other brother was a whole different kind of mess. The Lechner siblings had been freed from Stewjon's clutches, but with their newly gained freedom, everything else had shattered. "It has been nearly two years since I have had the freedom and pleasure to behold such a view," she said earnestly, "I did not realize how much I have missed it."

 

[Faith Organa]

Becca came back in kit laid upon the tray she carried. She did not know what to think or even understand. Many times over the course of her position with the Royal Household guests had come in. She laid the tray down and offered the kit to Faith.

Faith smiled again "Thank you Becca. Please make sure Theo is near by." She wanted her son to be close by not out of fear but because she would in time introduce him to Alwine.

Faith looked towards the mountains as her guests sat "The mountains always invoke a sense of peace. Giant guardians, strong unyielding yet able to take the worst that the galaxy has offered and still remain standing." It was how she felt about Alderaan no matter what was thrown at them they kept going.

"If you have never seen the wonder that is Alderaan then you are missing out on some of the most beautiful landscapes. The endless oceans on the coasts, the lush green of the jungles, the myriad of colors found in the desert, so much to appreciate."

"I don't know much about Agents of Chaos." She opened the med kit and took out the small container of bacta connecting it to the sprayer, "For your wrists and anywhere else you are sore or injured." Her Aunt had instilled upon her the value of helping others no matter who or what they were. For the most part Faith could keep that promise...except for a few who had destroyed so much of her family and home that forgiveness was not something she could give to them.

She poured the tea setting a cup before Alwine and then to Marina. She poured her tea the brew was amber colored, hot and soothing to her. Marina at least had been on time and so far had not said anything that Faith would want to gag her for.

Alwine Daye | Marina DeVoe

 

[Marina DeVoe]

She swallowed hard, but managed to contain her posture.
Theo...
Why in Berkana's name did the mere mention of the Royal prince drive daggers into her stomach? Marina had only met him once..maybe twice? Still, ENOUGH!..... She silently tried to curb those nerves acting up at the mention of the Royal prince entering the room.

She had to remind herself despite all that she felt, the man was still Royal blood. Theo was from The Royal House of Organa and Marina's family had a blood sworn oath of Allegiance and servitude to the entire Organa bloodline. Marina herself would die for Faith, for her kinfolk. But somehow or other this...this Theo were like plutonium...too raw, hot for her to handle somehow...it were like that.

They seemed to be like true opposite magnetic fields which somehow existed repelling one from the other. And what was un-explainable was that it had not developed because of any one or several altercations between the two, no. It just simply existed from the very first time they met. They were just abrasive to one another, period.

Naturally Marina kept that to herself as she wouldn't dare mention such a feeling to any member of her family, much else the queen, Theo's mother.

Marina felt a bit of perspiration. The chamber seemed to have risen in temp...however slightly. She reminded herself to vacate those feelings for now..block those thoughts of Theo.
Her attempt at following Faith's cue as to the visage out of the window did little to nothing to squelch the fires that were consuming her over Theo.
Theo, Theo, Theo.... it were all that was bouncing about in her head, crashing this way and that.
Nope, what ever she did to think of something else; Theo. The impending possibility of the Royal Prince joining them...in here...in the same room, were-

"er, what?" Marina were startled when Becca lightly elbowed her, seeing marina had somehow drifted off in thought.
"Oh... yes, I'll take that." She nodded, taking the tray with the med kit from Becca.

Shoot...the girl, her friend was beckoned by their queen to go find her son Theo. Marina's heart rate rose and she had little control over it. It had been a while, since she had seen the Royal prince.
Yes, yes, maybe things...feelings changed. She just may have grown out of it or..or finally developed an immunity to this allergy that was Theo.
Oh Berkana in the Highest...pleeeease... please give me strength and tolerance if Theo comes... Marina silently begged her Creator.

It were when her queen applied the bacta to the young woman, was when her eyes met Alwine's again. For a moment, Marina seemed captivated like she were a deer caught in headlights, Alwine's orbs. Only it seemed to calm her, despite their intense dept. Thoughts, apprehension of Theo just seemed to lift, like that of fog.

Marina continued to aid her queen, finally putting away the contents of the med kit away and putting the tray aside.
Again, Marina resumed her rightful place by her queen, following protocol to the 'T' and observing, learning as she were supposed to do. That is, until she were called on by her queen to do otherwise or join in the conversation. Marina had learned to not speak ahead of her queen. It were a habit she were still working on to repress, especially when at the Palace and with guests. Although her queen were very resilient with her, even when Marina did speak out of order...Marina was after all very spirited.
But the young DeVoe had learned that there was always a due time to speak one's mind and that was in due time.

Again, she assisted her queen in serving tea. More so in placing the spoons and serving napkins/saucers in easy reach of Faith.
The sugar and honey bowl, placed within easy reach...etc.
Ahh...yes, this took her mind off the prince.
She then came to notice the girl's wrist. marina blinked. Yes, she had spotted the injuries, had even assisted her queen with applying the bacta. So why were she now just realizing the poor girl's injuries? Theo. But somehow or other, the anxiety of Theo possibly joining them were no longer pressing on her mind.

"Berkana...who could of done this to you?" Yep, out of the blue and quite the next scene as the bacta was already working, Marina opened her mouth out of order.



Alwine Daye / Faith Organa

 

[Alwine Daye]

Faith Organa Marina DeVoe

The surprise on Alwine's was all too easy to read as soon as the bacta was given to her. She had not for a moment thought something like this could occur, but more than that, she had not thought she would show those wounds at all. She had prided on herself on her ability to remain still. And she had not been as successful at it as she'd thought up until a moment ago.

Still, surprised melted into gratitude, and she slowly accepted the bacta from the Queen of Alderaan. She received help from both her and Lady DeVoe, keeping herself, if at least not still, then silent. Until DeVoe asked her who'd done it to her. Alwine closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again.

"Alderaan Forces?" she asked, "Republic? Imperium? Who knows? I believe these were handed out when I was put in cuffs."

Had the man who had done so even introduced himself or had been referred to by name or title? Alwine couldn't remember that right there and then. Perhaps the Queen did. Or perhaps, she would find a way to get her hands on the footage at a later point, and see for herself.

"But I have suffered nothing compared to the citizens of this planet and of Kuat," she continued as she sat up straight, ignoring the state of her clothes and whether or not they had become disheveled.

"This what Agents of Chaos do," Alwine resumed, "All of us who had been there at the start had seen it… The large governments and organizations, taking over planets and for what? They never cared unless there was a personal relation of those on top. My own planet had been done as such, and I was brutally tortured and nearly executed by fire because of this.

We believe in freedom. We believe that planets – like Alderaan – deserve to exist without being the property of another, bigger government. Without being forced into giving itself like used goods, to be exchanged from one to another as had been done with Dathomir. Certainly, some of them at the moment have bigger armed forces – but if they were stripped clean of the planets they have no right to own, their forces would shatter along with them."

With a pause, Alwine carefully picked up her tea cup, and took a small and silent sip. She closed her eyes, letting the warmth of it spread through her body. It had a very welcoming feel attached to it, and when her eyes opened, a hint of a smile could be seen on her face.

"This is why we came here," she added, "We knew the peace meetings would happen. The entire galaxy knew. And we wanted to show you… Show everyone, that we could do it. I know that Alderaan is free right now. That is good. You are the objects of neither the Republic nor the Imperium. You have the freedom now to live without them, and be entirely free.

I believe our forces are already mostly departed from this place. If any remain, they will be celebrating in the cantinas before going home.

We have freed Alderaan.

And we will not remain here or demand ownership or taxes or any other benefits over it."

 

[Marina DeVoe]

Marina couldn't contest the poor woman's claim that it could have been anyone, including Alderaani forces that hurt her as such.

Alderaani could do this, yes.
Her heart dropped to her stomach as she recalled upon one of the sith's incursion on Alderaan when her brother Jerrid had mercilessly killed several sith soldiers.

It were of a shock to her, when she spotted her brother from her speeder, raising his sword and thrusting it down onto a wounded enemy soldier.
Jerrid were killing the enemy wounded! The ones still alive after he fired upon them from his fighter.
marina had been besides herself, rushing out of her speeder and shouting for her brother to STOP!
But her brother didn't. by the time she got to Jerrid to stay his hand, the last of the soldiers spurted blood from his lips. Marina had seen it first hand, running up to her brother. The wounded soldier was on his back, his hands up...begging...begging for his life. A life that her brother all too easily extinguished.

The moment her hand reached out to take hold and stay Jerrid's thrust (although too late), he had turned to her. She could have sworn over Berkana name that his eyes turned blue before her. But not before she caught sight of red within them, like the blood of the soldier flowing upon her beloved Alderaan...

A chill...
A chill ran up Marina's spine as she recalled that moment. It were a frightening revelation for her. One which she should never have discovered about her own brother. Jerrid could take life mercilessly... no different than the very sith which invaded their home.

What could she say to the young woman? That no, it couldn't have been an Alderaani that could have done this to her?
Marina didn't have to search too deep to see the pain suffered behind Alwine's eyes. They were right there in front of her. No, Marina had been educated that day by her brother.

But of this present incursion upon Alderaan...
Marina had not been here, but had been sent away by her father and Queen Organa herself. It had been an fleeing convoy, scurrying families, elderly and children to safe Havens. Her mother too had helped with the exodus. They had been prepared this time and many Alderaani were spared suffering under the boots of tyrany.
Her father, Duke Lyle DeVoe along with her brother Jerrid had remained to hold fast the Northern Providenses. And at great forfeiture of life they had. Mt Cetril held strong against the surge of enemy forces. And she were not allowed to return until all Alderaani off world could return.

So here she was now, standing next to her Queen. What little she had been allowed to do, in Marina's eyes had been very little. She had begged, pleaded for her to make multiple runs to Alderaan. But she found herself detained by orders and the men which followed them.

"You'll always be welcomed in my house Lady Lechner. We don't turn away those whom speak the words of friendship and freedom." Marina replied, shedding her anxiety over Theo dropping in.

She then turned to her Queen.
"Perhaps if your Majesty allows, Lady Lechner could lay rest at day's end at my family's home.
I could bring her to and fro from Mt Cetril to Aldera. I can use my ship, cutting the time to mere minutes....if your grace so wills it" She owed this girl for her bravery, plight and compassion that she bore for her people. It would be the least she could offer in return for her suffering and sacrifice given.



Alwine Daye / Faith Organa

 

[Faith Organa]

So much to process right now. She as a skilled diplomat watched the eyes and motions of the women with her. The spark of appreciation in Alwine Daye eyes but then when she spoke once again it was with the conviction on belief that another skilled at oration would know to emphasize.

Faith's own cup sat still as she took in the words. Marina always ruled by her emotions forgetting that as a diplomat she must learn to hide them a bit better. But then the Queen knew her all too well and perhaps she picked up on these things easier than others who were just meeting the young noble.

"Alwine your words could be spoken by any Alderaani. The citizens of this world have been used, abused, left to find for themselves, and at times abandoned to whatever fate may bring. But I suspect you have either witnessed this history or read it." The dainty cup in Faith's hand serving as a reminder to her to keep steady, learn what she must from the young woman.

There were also events that Marina was not aware of, "the man was not of Alderaan Alwine. Though I must admit to my own shortcomings at preventing his actions. A poor excuse would be that tensions were high and safety was their concern. I am regretful that you were mistreated at the meeting." Faith moved to put the cup on the table.

"As for what the Agents of Chaos wished to prove. is it not" Faith had to consider her words carefully, "Did it not provide an opportunity to make a mark in core for all planets who do not wish to come under the flag of another Republic, Imperium or government wishing to laud their rules upon us, use our resources or put their flag on our capital?" Reputation that was the word, by freeing Kuat and Alderaan the Agents of Chaos gained a reputation that they were quite capable of mounting offensives when and where they desired.

"Now as for Marina's offer, while I know she only wishes to show you the best faces of Alderaan. You are my guest here in New Aldera. You are welcome to stay until you feel up to traveling. Perhaps you would enjoy seeing Alderaan and what offers. While it is not sufficient to 'clear the slate' shall we say it is a genuine offer and I feel I owe you and the Agents of Chaos thanks for preventing our freedoms from being taken" Faith laughed, "as for her flying you in from the North I would....give pause to such an action. She has been known to buzz the palace from time to time. But to not dampen Marina's kind effort perhaps she would stay in the City serve as guide. As we continue talking about who the Agents of Chaos are, and if you would tell me more about yourself and how you come to such convictions" She smiled again.

Theo was not going to be happy about the way Faith spoke with Alwine but all Faith could remember at the moment was how much the young woman's words stayed with her.

Marina DeVoe

 

[Alwine Daye]

Marina DeVoe Faith Organa

Once again Alwine found herself on the less desirable side of being surprised. However, surprise quickly melted to gratitude as she realized the other woman had essentially offered her hospitality. The new confusion, Alwine managed to keep hidden beneath her skin. Why? Was this part of the planet's culture, or did the hospitality extended to her veiled something else, something different? Neither of the women in the room had given Alwine any reason for doubt since she'd been brought there, but… But there were great players in the galactic games of intrigue as well. And Alwine was in new waters.

Read history? Alwine had read. She was far from being an expert, and would be the first to admit that, but she knew of the giant wars, a few key moments in time and space. But beyond it all, she had lived it. She had lived the hard parts of the galaxy, an existence from which they had lied to her and told her there was no escape. There had been more than escape. So much more.

Listening to the queen speak of the opportunity, Alwine frowned. "Of course it was an opportunity to make a mark," she said with simplicity, "No one has the resources to take on the entire galaxy at once. We had to prioritize. After months of fighting the Empire of Rannon, our people looked with pleasure to the opportunity to come here. None of us are Scintilla-born, and many of us have homes in other places. I would guess that there are at least a few Alderaani or Kuati people among our citizens. It might be safe for them to return now.

Look to your injured people. It is not Agents of Chaos weapons that have done this to them. Look to your streets. There are no Agents of Chaos banners on any corner or window. Alderaan's would-be conquerors have been pushed back and out."

Taking another sip from her tea, Alwine nodded to the offers for a city tour. That could be nice.

"Your Majesty," she said after a pause then, "The slate is clear."

 

[Faith Organa]

Faith nodded as she considered the words spoken. It was unexpected that Alwine would 'wipe the slate' she felt that most would take advantage of having someone such as a Queen owing them favors. So...what type of woman was this sitting before her.

Each time she spoke Faith felt this draw to know more about her. She looked to Marina who was clearly excited by the prospect of escorting Alwine about Alderaan and since she represented the Agents of Chaos a desire to know about it.

Faith wondered were all the members of the Agents of Chaos of the same mind as Alwine. There was one enemy that Alderaan had, one who had come multiple times, one who had come and destroyed everything turning Alderaan into....something else. She would have to know how they felt about them.

"I appreciate the candor. So it seems, or how I am taking it, Agents of Chaos do not want a presence here on Alderaan. Is there something that they do require, or desire?"

Alwine Daye | Marina DeVoe

 

[Marina DeVoe]

Marina looked over to her queen.
No, she herself had not come upon any of the CHAOS people Alwine were speaking of. Of course that didn't mean that those whom came to the aid of Alderaan were not of CHAOS, nor that marina hid her head in the crevices of her mountain fortress, no.
Marina for the most part and during the invasion and the months following of sith occupation was darting in and out of the lines bringing needed humanitarian supplies to those in shelters and resisting the sith overlords. Mt Cetril which oversaw the Northern Providenses of Alderaan held its ground...or to put it in perspective; Duke Kyle DeVoe had withstood the sith siege on that Providence. The DeVoe norther defenses held.

Marina herself didn't engage in any fighting, but efficiently ran both planetary and surface blockades with her ship the Mariner IV. She were the underground, shuttling the wounded, sick and otherwise stricken Alderaanii caught behind the lines to safer havens and medical outposts. Her exposure to the fighting and those whom had come to aid the defenseless sectors of Alderaan, she had not encountered.

Marina couldn't say yea or nay to any claims for she had not bared witness to the fighting. It were the conditions her father set forth upon her if she were to help with the resistance. Humanitarian aid only and to stay clear of the fighting.
She had no alternative but to swear before Berkana to her father. As such, he released her ship and Marina took off like a dove from the heavens and answered the prayers of the sick and the stricken.
The few instances where her ship had been spotted, targeted and fired upon; impotency. The sith found themselves to be short of their virility to drop Marina to her knees....or simply put, blow Marina out of Alderaanii skies.

"Your majesty... if I may so speak." Always ask to speak, even if her tongue raced ahead of her.
"A good portion of the returning families that I had transported to safer havens have reported no foreign troops occupying their districts.
There have been instances of care packages left behind upon some of their door steps....certainly not from the sith." It were all that Marina could relay at this time, for such reports were first thought rumors until more returnee started to report them. At first they were thought booby trapped by sith; which of course they weren't.
Local authorities had a lot more to handle upon reestablishing order than to concentrate on these packages that soon proved safe.
Marina herself had no explanation as to whom had left them for the returnee. Now it started to shed some light upon that matter...those alms from heaven, as some referred them as.

"I'll see about getting more affirmative reports on those care packages...
But there are no mass troop encampments reported, your majesty. That much I know for my father would not have allowed me without escort to Aldera."


Alwine Daye / Faith Organa

 

[Alwine Daye]

Marina DeVoe Faith Organa

Was there something that the Agents of Chaos required? No. To that, Alwine could only shake her head. Their deal had not been a deal at all. They had come to Alderaan with a goal and purpose in mind, and now that they'd gotten that goal and purpose as wanted, there had been no reason for them to stay there. Donations, notes of thank you, appreciation, and investments for other such deeds on other planets would come of it, now that they had won. There were many more planets where other governments and organizations had to be brutally shoved away from. They would, somehow, get to them all.

Looking to Marina DeVoe though, Alwine caught herself before the very last second from blinking in surprise at those words. Care packages? That… No. That did not sound like Agents of Chaos at all. If it was them, no one had coordinated the move with Alwine prior to her stepping on Alderaan, and she could not think of anyone else within them that would've done so. Perhaps a new one, still with brighter eyes to the future? Perhaps not. There was no way to know.

But returning her attention to the Queen, Alwine nodded with a smile. Perhaps… She had worded her own thoughts wrong. A few small corrections, and she could speak.

"Our desire is to see the giants fall," she said, again with simplicity, as a matter of fact, "And we would ask that you, in return, do not set to create an Empire of Alderaan. We will continue to work, to free more planets, in the Core as well as in other parts of the galaxy. Cooperation will get us to our goal much faster than war, but we will go to all the wars that are necessary. If you wish to join our cause, you will be more than welcome. But we will never demand or expect it."

 

[Faith Organa]

Faith listened to Marina DeVoe as she brought up the care packages. She considered for a moment, "As long as the packages are not harmful Marina I don't think we need to investigate how they got there. Maybe a mitzvah for someone " It wasn't a terrible concern to have good be done and not know the responsible party.

The Agents of Chaos want nothing. She looked at Alwine Daye trying to control how she looked but most assuredly she would notice that Faith had been taken off guard. Not since Draco had offered to protect Alderaan had someone come and wanted nothing. "Well then." What to say to it?

"I would offer some medical supplies to them, it's really the least I can do. For me to do nothing seems ungrateful." Faith smiled, "I'm sure Marina DeVoe is fighting to show you around. I would however once Marina is done showing you about." Faith wanted Marina to be sure what was expected of her, "I offer my son Theo as guide for the Mountain Palace and Sanctuary City." Translation Marina don't go there.

A sound of footsteps echoed the hall, the flat sound of his foot she knew as well as she knew the others in her family. A few moments more, a whispered password between Becca and Theo and Faith's son appeared in the meeting area.

 

[Theo Vereen]

He entered the room his eyes on his mother first, and then to Marina...the PIA the strong willed, equally bad tempered blonde from the north. Then he looked upon Alwine a woman he did not recognize and he imagined that she was the reason his mother had asked for him to make an appearance.

He had not heard any of the conversation about who she was and what she represented but he did know it, the staff was a buzz with the gossip of it. He couldn't not know if he didn't want to.

He gave a smile to the ladies nodding his head to them, but then cross to his mother, "Mom" He leaned down and kissed her forehead. His mother always smelled so good to him she was familiar, comfortable.

He straightened and turned to Marina, "Lady DeVoe" His tone was un mistakeable, flat and seemed to have some hint of sarcasm to it. But he knew that if he did not stop it he would be reminded later of his duties. So he did his best. Thinking all along why was she here? She had no idea how to be a diplomat she was more about blabbing everything like nobody's business. What his mother saw in her he couldn't even imagine.

"Nice to see you" He removed the hints of sarcasm and left the lilt in his voice.

Finally he turned to Alwine, "Hello. I'm Theo welcome to Alderaan. You are?" He extended his hand.

Becca cleared her throat, Theo didn't move, "Ut oh that means you're important and I've committed a faux pas. My apologies"

Alwine Daye | Marina DeVoe

 

[Alwine Daye]

Marina DeVoe Faith Organa Theo Vereen

Alwine could only hope that the faint flicker of what she thought she'd seen was the queen being caught off guard. The Agents of Chaos really did have no personal investment in Alderaan, no need or will to claim it as their own.

Remaining silent for the moment, she looked as a man entered the room, only to greet the queen as his mother. The prince, then?

Taking his hand, Alwine smiled a little, unaware of the protocol that they were supposedly breaching in that moment. "Alwine Lechner," she nodded.

Someone important. That sounded nice. But what did it mean? What would happen once she stepped foot outside this place? She could not remain behind. The tour sounded lovely, and she wanted it very much, but…

"Simply a representative of the Agents of Chaos," she smiled at him.

 

[Theo Vereen]

Theo didn't wait for some sharp comment to be uttered by Marina and certainly did not glance over to his mother for any type of cue. He smiled. "Funny Ms. Lechner I never thought an agent of Chaos would come in the form of pretty blonde. Course I am using what I know of the definition of the word Chaos. Now if you had hair the shade of ebony you might convince me" He kept the smile yes it was meant to be a compliment, and at times a tiny flirt but it was meant to put her at ease and not stand on ceremony around him.

"I'm sure Marina is chomping at the bit to get out and about. But I look forward to escorting you to Sanctuary City and the Mountain Palace. I think you will find the City and its purpose interesting. The Mountain Palace is more historical than palace." He nodded to her and went to stand by his mother's chair.

Hopefully he had done what was expected. He looked to Marina, "Where will you take Ms. Lechner Marina?"

Marina DeVoe | Alwine Daye

 

[Marina DeVoe]

Her heart sank, as a wave, a rush of blood washed over her.
She had heard his footsteps..could have sworn he were stomping his boots down as he entered load enough for her to hear him. Well maybe not, but it certainly seemed that way to her.

Marina fell silent. Here she found herself now for the first time, between Theo and her Queen. She adored one and couldn't stand the other.
She piped up, not even eyeing the prince when he greeted her. It were not done on purpose, but from one who just closed her mind for a moment and thought of being elsewhere...on top of Mt Cetril... Mt Thul...anywhere but in the presence of Theo.

Unfortunately, she didn't posses the ability to teleport on will. Finally exhaling, she uttered "Prince Verreen..." Her eyes remained on the marble underfoot.
Berkana, why did he irk her so? ...and in the presence of her queen too.
She knew she mustn't give in to his taunts. And by Berkana he were pushing those buttons.

"Ahem..." She cleared her throat when he kept up his prodding.
"Forgive me, your majesty..." She looked up to her queen. Yep, she couldn't hold her trap shut.
" ...but If i may so address the Prince." Yep, she then turned to Theo. And no, she didn't wait for her queen's permission to do so.

"Prince Theo Vereen..." Oh she were very formal, keeping her poise and tone on the same scale..neutral and informative. "...if you don't mind. Please do not speak on my behalf or what my intentions and actions concerning our invited quest will be. -" Then suddenly piped up again. This of course was due to the fact that she realized she just gave away her dislike the prince, the queen's son.

But he irked her so and pushed her. She just couldn't help herself.
"Gasp...." There was no un-ringing that bell.
"I'm sorry. I'm out of line.
My apologizes my Queen..." She sadly looked over to faith before turning to Theo again. "...my apologizes to you Prince Vereen.... Lady Lechner..."
Yes, it were uncalled for, for sure. There were other pressing matters at hand to attend to, than wrestle in the mud with the future head of House Organa. What would her father think of it, of her? The DeVoes had been sworn allies of House Organa for as long as there had been a Royal House of Organa.
And the worst part of it was, that Marina knew she would die for this..this..this spoiled son of her beloved queen, Queen Faith Organa



Alwine Daye Theo Vereen