Foreclosure ... (Amalie Villiers)

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien looked aside as he passed Lord Villiers in the corridor. He was broken and Lucien reasoned that he was the last person that the lord wanted to see. He would likely be angrier still when he found out that Lucien had stolen away his daughter, or his shield. The two lords passed in silence a cold tension in the air then both had continued Lucien to continue his walk through memories and the other man to rejoin his family.

Lucien did not hang around to pry into the private moment. Lucien expected tearful good byes and a moment of nostalgia and he'd already seen too deep into their private lives. No Lucien was not about to suffer the discomfort of hearing them cry. He hoped however that Lord Villiers would at least apologies for using his daughter as a shield earlier. That had been bad form especially for a Nobleman. Lucien doubted it was reflective of his true parenting level. He had to hope that anyway, to think otherwise would knot his chest.

He moved downstairs with a soldier in tow. There only needed to be one or two guards on the family now. He pointed to the front door "I want that fixed before you leave, have it done" then he moved into the heart of the house remembering the image of the house in it's former glory. The memory of the houses old shine.

He continued to pace through the house whilst he waited on [member="Amalie Villiers"] to come downstairs. Arriving back into the foyer as she came down the stairs. The house remained eerily silent the only noise he could hear being his own steps and the wind whistling through the shattered front door.

He stood at the base of the stairs watching the girl with a sorrowful gaze as he was helped into his coat again. Her mind was blanketed in a soft static ring, the stress and enforced emotional distance giving him no indication of how she truly felt and he wasn't going to pry fully.

"I suppose we ought to go" He finally announced gesturing the girl to follow him as he stepped through the shattered door and leading the girl back to his motorcade. The door of his speeder opened for him as he arrived, he got in gesturing for Amalie to sit across from him "Do you need me to buy you anything before we go back to my house ?" He asked. No doubt coming out of poverty she will need some new clothing for high society. He could hardly teach her to be a proper Noble if she didn't look the part.

 

[Lief]

There had been no fond farewells, no exchanges, tears, affection... Amalie had simply left, and her parents had not followed after her. There was nothing to say, the decision had been made. It left an ache in her heart, part of her wished to rush back into her mother's arms, forgive her Father for all he had done, but she couldn't.

She was now in autopilot, striding down the stairs with a case in one hand and the teddy in another. The furry little doll seemed out of place in her placid, somber grasp. She held it just as tightly as she had Jacobe.

Lucien met her in the hall just as she stepped onto the floorboards, ahead of her she could see two men fussing over the toppled door yet she gave it just a moment of her attention before staring past it and beyond. There a speeder awaited, one of those which you sat inside and housed several people. They had owned one until not too long ago.

When the man spoke Amalie simply nodded her head in acknowledgement and made toward the door, carefully avoiding the splinters on the ground; her eyes drifted over her shoulder, soaking in the sight of her home, before a very slight sigh left her lips. Had she made the right decision?

Settling into the speeder, her eyes were torn from the sight and settled instead upon the Lord; she hadn't quite caught his name yet, a thought which puzzled her. She knew nothing about him, yet she was now to be his Ward. Did he have a wife and child to go home to? Was his livelihood as unstable as theirs had been? What would happen to her should he face the same as her parents?

That last thought had her eyes drop to her lap.

"I don't need anything, My Lord" she replied, still clutching what few possessions she had. Amalie was not greedy, she did not see this as an opportunity to be elevated back into the higher society of Skye. She could make do with what she had.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

[member="Amalie Villiers"] Was quite just as Lucien had expected clutching her doll to her chest and curled up across from him. He noted however that her face was absent of the tell tale signs of tears, her parents hadn't followed her and yet she longed for her mother. That told Lucien that she had fled without really saying good bye. Perhaps it was better that way.

Lucien felt he ought to distract the little girl He lent forward "What's your doll's name ?" He asked with a smile "My Son has a teddy bear he is never apart from , he calls his bear Darth Stuffty " Darien must have been close to Amalie's age. He hoped the presence of another child would make the little girl feel better.

He smiled softly again as Amalie announced she didn't need anything "Very well, If you come across anything you need tel me straight away and I'll see it is provided I want you to be as happy as possible" Lucien understood that the girl was unlikely to be truly happy having been ripped from her parents arms.

"Do you have any questions?" He asked softly. He wasn't much good at the emotional stuff. never was, it was safer that way. He missed Andra she helped him with the emotional mess. "I'm Lucien by the way " He smiled again he was smiling so much on this journey his face was starting to hurt.

How did one make a little girl happy?

 

[Lief]

Without much thought the child lay upon the seat and fought off a sigh. Perhaps she could do the childish thing and pretend this was all just a game? Like she would if Jacobe was here... Then again, what good was fooling herself? Her thoughts were broken as the man leaned forward and inquired of her doll, making passing mention of his son in the process. So he did have a family of his own... Didn't all of this frighten him about his own future?

Glancing to her doll, as if she had forgotten which she had managed to salvage, the little girl frowned for but a moment before calmly responding. "His name is Tored, my Lord." It had been a gift, one she barely recalled receiving, a wonderful little Tauntaun with fur as white as snow! Or at least, what she must imagine snow looked like.

Questions... Did she have any questions? "Do you live on Skye?" she asked, the world was a relatively large one, and the only one Amalie had ever known. It would be both a blessing and a curse to remain here, for while it may be familiar it might have the fault of being too familiar. He had said that Jacobe could visit whenever he wished, but she really doubted that when it came down to it she would be able to come very much at all. This man seemed to lead a very busy lifestyle if present affairs were anything to go by.

And finally he gave his name. Lucien. She didn't know what she had been expecting, but by comparison it seemed so... Ordinary. Perhaps he really was just another man in the Galaxy doing his job.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien constantly feared his way of life would come crashing down. It had happened twice before afterall first when he had been forced to flee the old empire after upsetting the wrong sith lord, then again when the fringe confederation had collapsed. It was his fear that had partially prompted his small mercy on the Villiers family. He hoped that should he ever fall so low similar mercy would be granted to him. Not that he'd ever fall so far.

Lucien nodded as she answered his question "Tored" he smiled "A strong name" He sat back in his own seat then "Have you ever seen Hoth my Lady?" Of course he already knew her answer "There are lots of Tauntauns on Hoth, I could take you to visit some day" Darien had always wanted to go, Talking of visiting the site of a battle of old. He really must try to keep his son away from the history books it only got the boy excitable and then he antagonised the household staff.

It seemed he was getting somewhere as [member="Amalie Villiers"] asked him a question " Among other places yes" He replied "My job keeps me on the move so I have homes in many place but Skye is special to me I used to govern it when the Fringe confederation was running, you may remember them " He owned many opulent residences but his skye home was one of his favorites, the breakfast room overlooked one of the deepest valleys on Skye and the views in late fall were among the most beautiful he'd seen. " I need to stay on Skye for a few days more then we journey on to Naboo, I could take you to see the queen if you like whilst we are there"

Lucien was just an ordinary man ... well relatively Ordinary. Ordinary for a wealthy bureaucrat.

They were pulling into the lift that would convey them up the mountain to Lucien's 'Lodge' as he called it. That made it sound normal it was far from normal a behemoth of a Lodge, stone edged and the height of opulence. In a few weeks the 'lodge' would be inaccessible for the winter season as the mountain froze up.

 

[Lief]

She had, in fact, never seen Hoth! Truth be told she had never really seen weather so cold that it warranted snow, either; sun, rain, there wasn't much else where she lived... Perhaps it was different elsewhere on Skye?

"I haven't, My Lord" she confessed, biting the inside of her lip, "I haven't traveled before."

Her gaze drifted to the window, eyes hungrily trying to take in the final glimpses of her home. Who knew how long it would be before she could return. Amalie could not help but wonder what the Lord's son was like. Would he be older? Or perhaps as young as Jacobe? What if he didn't like her? That thought left dread in the pit of her stomach.

"I've never seen a Queen before" Amalie whispered, more to herself than to Lucien, as they journeyed on through the countryside. Her eyes threatened to close the further into their journey they got, her hands remaining tight around the Tauntaun.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien hated the snow and cold but darien seemed to love it, any excuse to go out and get wet, muddy and or covered in snow and the boy took it. Perhaps it was best not to go to hoth. Darien might well lose himself.

He nodded unsurprised that the girl had never traveled so far afield "Well I'm afraid you will be traveling a lot more now, We have a great many places to visit over the next few weeks" People to meet with, people to extort and people to arrest ... busy, busy, busy.

He picked up on her secound whispered confession "They lose the excitement when you meet the fifth one" He chuckled. At loath to sound like he was boasting he went no further on the matter of queens opting instead to let silence settle in. The girl looked like she needed sleep .

Finally they reached the lodge Servants sprang forward to open their doors and lucien was quick to get out. "Take Lady Villiers to the Nursery , I assume Darien will be there , have luke introduce them ... put her bags in the green bedroom ...." He faded into the distance still running off commands.

Then a footman stepped forward offering [member="Amalie Villiers"] his hand "My Lady, If you'd like to follow me" He said softly with a warm smile. He led her up to the nursery "Master Cordel will no doubt be here in a moment." Then he too left. A distant thudding of running from the corridor suggested that Darien was on his way.

[member="Darien Cordel"]

 

[Lief]

Amalie frowned when he said that they would 'unfortunately' have to travel more; truth be told that sparked the smallest amount of excitement within the child, though she tried not to let it show. It was horrible to have such mixed feelings, on the one hand she had just been torn from her family... Yet at the same time she would be witnessing so much more of the Galaxy.

For the rest of the journey Amalie drifted in and out of torpor. She was utterly exhausted yet unwilling to let her guard down enough to rest. Tored remained in her grasp, but the rest of her belongings - the suitcase - now rested on the ground beside the chair.

So it was that when their transport halted and the door opened to the elements Amalie jumped in surprised and shivered at the loss of warmth. Her new Guardian was quick to flee the vehicle, leaving the young girl at a bit of a loss... But then someone stepped forward to take her and her things inside. There was no goodbye from the man, no acknowledgement, he was gone in an instance.

Amalie did the only thing she knew, she followed after the Footman who guided her from the speeder and up into the house. Naturally the girl said nothing, too afraid to even soak in her surroundings she kept her gaze down to the floor. The rugs seemed nice enough. But once inside the nursery she was once again alone. She stepped to one side and slumped against the floor. She was a whole world away from home, even if they happened to be on the same planet.

[member="Lucien Cordel"] [member="Darien Cordel"]

 

[Darien Cordel]

Darien came shrieking and laughing around the corner on Luke's back, to sword swinging around "That was the fastest yet luke ... it was just like being on a speeder bike they are fast right? " He chuckled. Luke smiled and lifted Darien off his back "Yes they are fast , now you've worn me out ... I need a rest " He sighed walking into the nursery.

"Ah My Lady I forgot you'd be here" Luke smiled, gesturing for Darien to enter "My Lord, This is [member="Amalie Villiers"]" He smiled "Your fathers new ward" Daien scowled. He didn't want anymore children around, they took his toys and his Papa's attention. "Lady Villiers Darien Cordel" Luke pulled darien around "Lord Lucien's son" He pushed Darien forward "Play Nicely Darien your father's orders"

Darien frowned "Finee" He pouted shuffling forward. He sat down in front of Amalie "Hello" He said a little cold and offered his hand "Let's talk"

 

[Lief]

All at once there came a ruckus from down the hall, and the young girl physically stiffened. Voices could be heard through the door, and while curiosity had her wanting to find out who was there she was practically paralyzed in place. She did manage to lift her gaze from the carpet to the door, however, so she saw as a man entered, spoke to her, and then gestured for another to enter. A boy around her age. She supposed this was Lucien's son.

"H-Hello Sir" she whispered, to the man, before glancing across to the Master of the House. She saw the scowl and shied back slightly. It was clear he had not been consulted, and he wasn't impressed to find her here. Amalie raised a hand and waved to Darien as he was pushed further into the room.

The little boy sat down across from her, and offered out a hand - though she could tell he resented every moment of it. Amalie just clutched Tored close, before extending out a hand to meet his. She had to be courteous even now. "Hello" she replied, watching as the man left them to it. Her attention was returned to Darien rather swiftly. Talk? She could talk...

"I'm Amalie" she said, as if the boy hadn't just been told as much already; rather hastily she added "And this is Tored." She lifted the stuffed animal - a tauntaun - up into his view, but kept a firm grasp on him. He was her only friend left now.

[member="Darien Cordel"]

 

[Darien Cordel]

Her hand felt cold and clammy, not like Mysa, her hand was warm and strong. Mysa was his friend this girl was just ... well just a girl. Darien was bored by boring girls. He still thought Mysa might be a ghost and she was cool. She spoke well though, posh ... perhaps she wouldn't turn out to be a thief. That didn't mean he much liked her though, she was still going to take some of his already dwindled father son time and he hated that.

"Ama...lie" he spoke over, learning the name. It was a posh name, not as posh as his name mind but it was good enough. He knew it already , the name, of course. It was silly to tell him twice but he could forgive silliness. Then she held up her toy, Darien smiled forgetting that she was a leech on his time with daddy. "Aww cool" he exclaimed reaching out to tap the Tauntuan's head "It's a Tatu ... thingie majig from hoth, cool " He smiled "Wait here ... I'll be back" he smiled and jumped to his feet before rushing out of the room.

He returned a moment later clutching his own bear in his hand "This is Darth stuftie he can do magic " he grinned holding the bear out in front of him. Then he knelt back in front of [member="Kyra Sol"] and leant in "I can do magic too, wanna see?"