Garden Party

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Audrey Thénardier"] [member="Maka Sumoto"]

Benedali smirked at the point that Maka made about the kittens. She was about to reply when someone said her name. Turning, she was greeted by a blonde woman. "Ah, hello Lady Thénardier." The Duchess offered up a warm, gracious smile. "Welcome to House Serrus. It's a pleasure to meet you, and our family extends our best wishes to you as well. But please, call me Benedali."

Benedali gestured to Maka with her free hand. "This is Maka Sumoto, one of my elite guards."

 

[Tiger and Lili]

(Hey guys this is just an ooc post since im on a LOA, do whatever you want with the cats, just treat them as NPC's)

Cats just being Cats doing Cat stuff with Cat things in Cat places

 

[Maka Sumoto]

Maka looked up at the new arrival, a woman in a men's business suit. She filled it out, too. Maka nodded at her, and grinned over at Benedali, interrupting, "So, I'm elite now? Thank you, lovely duchess."

Now, he looked back up at the woman, remembering something, "Miss Thénardier... What exactly are you the Lady of? I thought your family was killed off."

[member='Audrey Thénardier'] [member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

"As you prefer, Benedali." she'd said to the duchess. "Though I insist you at least refer to me as Lady Audrey." with a small smile. When her captain of the guard had spoken up about her family she shot him a slighty cold glance before answering "Not all of us, as you can see. But we used to be the ruling family of the planet Alzar before we were attacked by both the Hutts and the Alzarians. Though this was a few generations ago, so I'm not entirly sure what caused it. But now we're but a noble household on Naboo, while I also continue to run my great grandfather's shipping company. So you see I'm something of a finaical head as well as a noble one." From there she looked back to the duchess and asked "Do you mind if I smoke, your ladyship?"

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Audrey Thénardier"]

Benedali shifted on her feet until she was close enough to Maka to inconspicuously kick him in the ankle. Shooting him a warning look, she then turned back to Audrey. "Apologies, Lady Audrey. My guard here isn't always as fluid with words as he would like to think. And no, it's fine."

In truth, Benedali wasn't a huge fan of smoking, but until one of the guests raised a complaint about it, the Duchess would let it slide. It really wasn't worth a battle, anyway.

 

[Maka Sumoto]

Maka shot the warning look right back, continuing to stroke the cat in his hands. There were rumors about this woman. All of them were equally disturbing. But from the information he could compile, Maka knew that this woman would have killed every person in the courtyard if she thought it would give her more power.

He looked back to the so-called "Lady" Audrey Thénardier. She would bear watching today, and probably the whole time she was on Alderaan. But that was not a discussion to have when she was right here. He nodded, relpying, "So be it, Lady Thénardier. That sounds exhausting," he pointed to the well-furnished courtyard and the bar beyond it, "If I may be so bold, I suggest the bar here. Our cooks are excellent, and the bartender himself is Nar Shaddaan."

[member="Benedali Serrus"] [member="Audrey Thénardier"]

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

After the look given by the guard Lady Audrey only kept her dull, uncooth stare before nodding to the duchess for letting her smoke. She pulled out a cigar and lighter from the inside of her jacket pocket before liting it and taking in a small amount. Once she huffed enough in the let out a small exhaust of smoke up in the air as to not blow into anyone's face.

"Thank you." she said to Benedali once again. "I nasty habit, I'll admit, but one that's very hard to let go of once it takes a hold on you." Even as Maka continued to talk she only looked down at the cats in his and Bendali's arms before reaching out and petting the female behind the ears. "Cute." she said with a smile. Finally she acknowledged what Maka had said and responded "Thank you, Mr. Sumoto. I am feeling a bit famish from the trip, actually." She then turned and offered her hand to Bendali, as if like a gentleman, and asked "If I may speak with you though, duchess. I have an interesting propsition to make regarding a possible business negotiation."

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Audrey Thénardier"] [member="Arick Serrus"]

If it weren't for Benedali's rigorous self-discipline, she would have stuck her tongue out at Maka. I'll put a spicy liquid in his drink later, she decided.

As Lady Audrey offered out her hand, the Duchess could only offer an apologetic smile. "I would take your hand, but..." She nodded down at the female kitten in her arms, who was snoozing peacefully.

At the noblewoman's offer, though, Benedali tilted her head slightly, considering it. "Of course you may, Lady Audrey, so long as Mr. Sumoto is allowed to accompany me. There are many rooms within the household that we can use to procure privacy "

 

[Theodosius Organa]

“Your invita”, long blonde curls could not hide the surprise of the young woman’s face who answered the door. Thinking she was just going the great another guest she was clearly not expecting to great the Prince of Alderaan.

“My apologies”, down to one knee now the young woman was clearly embarrassed.

Clearly he was not supposed to be on Alderaan so naturally Theo did not have an invitation as he stepped through the door way. “I assume the lady of the house and her guests are where within the house or on the grounds”, Theo hinted at the servant to lead him to where the party was gathered. Theo had heard the anxiety in the young lady’s voice. It was not that he was unsympathetic to her plights. There was just a great deal of risk for Theo to be on Alderaan with the Sith where in control. He would clearly be a strong political piece to be in possession of, that is if the Sith had managed to capture him.

Get back to her feet she bowed once again, “Yes my Prince”, she gestured with her hand down a corridor to their left, “The Duchess Serrus and her guest are in the garden. If you would please I would be honored to escort Prince Theodosius.”

Theo nodded as if what was said was agreeable. It was all to be expected. It was also expected that one of the Duchess servants would come to her and whisper that the prince was just greeted at the door and was on his way to the garden.

[member="Benedali Serrus"]

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Theodosius"] [member="Audrey Thénardier"] [member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Arick Serrus"]

Lady Audrey had hardly been given enough time to reply to the Duchess' suggestion when one of the servants requested Benedali's attention. The servant, a middle-aged butler, whispered into her ear.

Benedali went pale. "Are you sure?" she demanded. When he nodded, the Duchess turned towards her two companions. "Lady Audrey, you will have to forgive me. I, ah, have an important issue that's come up and I need to resolve it. I am still interested in your proposal, so if it's the same to you..." The Duchess inclined her head to Maka. "Maka can be my stand in until I take care of this. If you'll just excuse me.."

Still holding the kitten in her arms, Benedali rushed to the door that led from the garden to the house. Seeing the Prince, she stuck out a hand, grabbed his arm, and made to pull him back inside.

"Your Highness, apologies for jerking you back in, but... With all due respect, what are you doing here?! It isn't yet safe for you and your family to return. You could be killed!" Seeing the exiled Prince in person -- especially on Alderaan, the one place he probably shouldn't be -- had made Benedali slightly flustered, and she kept snatching glances around them.

 

[Maka Sumoto]

Maka just shrugged as Benedali ran off after the man who'd merited the runner who came over. He had a sneaking suspicion who the man was, but his suspicions and warnings could wait, as they always did. He looked back up at Lady Audrey, and all pretense of polite questioning dropped away from his face. He said, "I'm glad my duchess was called away like that, because now I can address my own suspicions. You took power rather quickly, Lady Thénardier. Yet you managed to stay under the radar. You impress me, but I warn you not to try anything here. If anything odd happens to her, I will know who it was, and no amount of walls or guards will stop me and her brother."

He finally shook his head, and finished, "I'm sorry. Threatning you before you even talk to my lady is unprofessional. Let's talk about something else. Is Naboo still part of the Protectorate?"

[member="Benedali Serrus"] [member="Audrey Thénardier"]

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

At the first suggestion of having Maka join in the conversation Lady Audrey had replied "Of course. As your ladyship wishes. It's..." she stopped however when the servant had called the duchess away on some important manner. Understanding the need, if a bit annoyed that she did not have the chance to speak, Lady Thénardier bowed while saying "Of course, Madame Serrus." before giving a slight sigh of regret.

After that she turned only to be met by a threatening talk and tone by [member="Maka Sumoto"]. As he went on, mentioning her rise to power and yet staying under the rader, she looked at him with her cold stare, not flincthing or reacting to such claims. The cigar was still in her mouth as he finished by recooperating and apologizing for such words.

When he finished with his question about Naboo she puffed out a stream of smoke from her mouth before saying "You should watch what you say about things you have no idea of, Mr. Sumoto. It's not how a gentleman should act." her voice almost sounding threatening when she did. After that she simply answered "And yes, while Naboo may be under protectorate control not all of us exaclty follow under thier regime."

 

[Theodosius Organa]

There was no offense taken. In fact the passionate display answered a question to why Theo was here today. Hearing [member="Benedali Serrus"] anxiety in her every word help this to become a very straight forward honest conversation. There was no need to hide behind delicately painted words of a courtly nature. “There is no offense taken here Duchess”, Theo took the opportunity making sure he had direct eye contact. He just did not wish for her to hear the sensuality within his voice but to see it reflected within his eyes. “No not again. I did as my mother wished and was sent away before the attack. Never again. Not when our people need us. I promise you I will not die before I help to give our people the chance to brake free of this oppressive regime that daily destroys our beautiful world figuratively and literally. I pray dear Duchess Benedali Serrus there is still a breath of hope within the house of Serrus. Is there still alight of hope. Will you remember Alderaan?”

 

[Benedali Serrus]

[member="Theodosius"]

Benedali cast her eyes down the moment they made eye contact with the Prince's. Even though he and his family had been exiled (and the Serrus family was close to being their equals, status-wise), they were still ranked high enough to elicit proper protocol from the Duchess.

"My Prince," she answered, "The good of Alderaan is always on my mind. You'll always have the backing of House Serrus, no matter what. However, it is not yet safe for you or your family to return! What will happen when the Sith discover your return?" The Duchess chewed on her bottom lip, worried. She desperately wanted to haul the Prince back on the first flight to safety, but again, rank prevented her.

Instead, with a sigh, she asked, "At least tell me, Your Highness, that you are the only one here?"

 

[Theodosius Organa]

Would that not be positively delightful? Not that most would envision with clarity the dialect political moves he was making. Still yet part of what he was trying to do was inspire the people of Alderaan to keep hope and be ready for the day they would reclaim their home and their way of life. It had seemed their was a element of fear [member="Benedali Serrus"] was feeling. Theo could at least put some of those fears at rest.

“To my knowledge yes I'm the only one”, Theo seemed perfectly at ease. In fact extremely calm with the discussion of the Sith capturing him and or killing him. "What will the Sith do? I think they are will be tactful yet do the most savvy thing they think they could do. I think they would capture me alive and hope to use me as a pawn. It has been their tactic this far. If not they will make a very poor choice and kill me. Please do not fear of my possible death. At some point we all die. To die with meaning would be a far greater blessing then to die not fighting for what you love.”

 

[Maka Sumoto]

Maka nodded, not oblivious to the threat that was given in return, but rather unafraid of it. What would be done would be done, and he would be the one who it would be done to. Oh well. He looked around, trying to see what Benedali was doing. She seemed to be speaking animatedly to a new guest, and then Maka saw her cast her eyes down. He finally decided that he needed to know what was going on. He didn't like seeing Bennie getting chastised, even when she deserved it.

He put the cat down near Lady Audrey, and made a small bow, replying, "Sorry, Lady Audrey, but I better go see what the hell my lovely Duchess has gotten herself into now."

He walked over to Bennie and her new guest, and his eyes widened. The prince? What was he doing here? Getting his face back in control, he suddenly felt angry. Inexplicably so. He looked at Benedali and mouthed 'gimmie a sec', and then turned back to the prince, not even saluting him.

He looked at the prince, the heir to all of Alderaan, and said, "You're an idiot, Your Grace."

[member="Benedali Serrus"] [member="Theodosius"]

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

Given the sudden response by Maka Lady Audrey watched as he walked away from her conversation, and just as she was about to get into the important delings she had in mind. The fact that she'd been cast aside by both the duchess and her guard had started to annoy the good lady, even to where she was biting down on the end of her cigar.

She watched as he walked over to speak with the duchess and the strange young man who was also present. Curious about it Lady Thénardier continued to wacth the trio from a distance. Something about the young man seemed familiar. The more she thought on it the more her hidden criminal intent began to shine in her mind, mainly of the prospect if this was some secret that others would be willing to pay for. That all mattered on what this was about and how well some would want to keep it secret. Regardless she stood there, still smoking and watching with a glare from the light blocking her eyes from the surface of her glaces; adding an almost unearlthy owl-like stare to her.

[member="Maka Sumoto"] [member="Theodosius"] [member="Benedali Serrus"]