Public Homecoming King | Parade on Alderaan

[Amani Serys]

HOMECOMING KING
Setup: (Part 1) (Part II)​

The streets of Aldera were alive with color and noise. Crowds lined the promenade to watch all manner of parade attractions passing by. It started with a formal military procession, showcasing Alderaan's finest in ceremonial uniform. They were followed by an endless procession of bands, costumed dancers, and floats reflecting every facet of Alderaanian culture imaginable. The fervor with which they celebrated might have one thinking they solved Galactic Peace. But the subject of this parade was one man: Alicio Organa. The beloved King of Alderaan, brought back to his people at a time of great uncertainty. Today was a homecoming, and a welcome distraction from the galaxy's woes.

OBJECTIVE ONE - THE PARADE​

The Parade is today's big attraction. This massive procession is marching across the entire city of Aldera, so everyone can get a view. Take part in the many festivities, explore the city, sample local cuisine. There's something for everyone on Alderaan, especially on a day like this.

OBJECTIVE TWO - THE GARDENS​

If you're looking for a quieter venue, the Palace Gardens have been opened to the public as part of the day's celebration. Sip some wine, stroll through the flowers, get a glimpse of the royal life. Take advantage of this rare opportunity while you can. There's no telling what the future holds.

Spoiler: OOC

This is predominantly a social thread. I won't ban shenanigans outright, but if they become enough of a problem, expect appropriate IC response and consequences. Security is high at an event like this.

For those of you paying attention to the map game, while Alderaan is within TSC's cloud, IC they are not yet under any sort of Sith occupation or control. They remain independent but attempting to join the High Republic. Which means known Sith are not permitted on Alderaan. Any in attendance would need to be well hidden. Likewise, expect appropriate IC response and consequences.

 

[Amani Serys]

THE PARADE
"Alicio Organa" - Open​

Today was more than just a celebration. Today, the Organas were making a statement: Alderaan was still under their protection.

Whispers of mutiny weaved through the Great Houses. Whispers that stemmed from the forked tongue of the Sith. Their attempt to undermine Organa legitimacy had failed for now. Today showed the people of Alderaan still had life in them. Still had fight. But Amani knew the Sith better than most. This was a setback at best. They would find another way to get what they wanted. They would burn the planet down if it was the only way to say they won in the end. Alderaan’s only hope was to delay until they got the security they needed, be it from the High Republic or elsewhere. Beyond that, there was no guarantee of victory.

For once, it was the Queen who wore a severe countenance rather than the King. Amani was pulled from her brooding by the tug of Alicio’s hand against her own. It was still strange how real it all felt. He was waving to the people, his usual subdued self, but clearly basking in the moment. The joy of his people. The relief of his rescue. Good.

Amani put on a smile, and joined in the meet and greet. The monarchs were following the parade, mingling with the citizenry more intimately than usual. Amani thought it would do them good to see their leaders up close and personal. To show they were present, and they weren’t leaving anytime soon…

 

[Liana Organa]

​

THE PARADE
- Open -​

Liana was further up along the parade route than her parents. She may as well have been a part of the attraction, having climbed atop one of the float platforms, dressed up as her legendary ancestor Leia Organa. She blew kisses to the crowd, tossing flower petals and having even more tossed back at her. But not content to just sit around, before long the princess discarded her twin bun wig (literally tossing it into the crowd like a bouquet), and climbed back down to the street to engage with the sea of dancers and party goers.

It was not behavior suited to a royal heiress, but it was behavior suited to a kid. And Liana was still just a kid. With all the heaviness surrounding Alderaan as of late, she needed to cut loose as much as everyone else here did. For once, she didn’t feel the pressure of responsibility, the threat of fate come to unveil a dark future. She was living in the moment.

Tomorrow could wait. Today she was going to celebrate.

 

["Alicio Organa"]

Tags: Amani Serys + OPEN​

It was good to be the king.

Alicio smiled and waved at the people as they passed, his other hand firmly grasped in Amani's. She had seemed a little stiff at first, too serious for the occasion, though as the festivities proceeded she gradually loosened up, no longer clinging to him like she was afraid he would disappear. Couldn't blame her, really, considering the circumstances preceding the parade.

All those months away had taken their toll on Alicio as well. He looked healthier compared to his initial reappearance, his face no longer as haggard and his body a little less wasted. He was enjoying the parade - enjoying being home again. But there was still a haunted look in his gray eyes, the type that couldn't be faked.

This had better work.

Disturbed from his thoughts by louder cheers from a certain area of the crowd up ahead, Alicio's gaze was drawn to the sight of Liana Organa tossing her wig into the throng. He turned to Amani, raising an eyebrow. There was an urge to laugh that could be sensed in the Force, but the corners of Alicio's mouth didn't so much as twitch. Because Alicio probably wouldn't laugh.

At least, not as hard as Inanna would.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

OBJ 1 | Amani Serys "Alicio Organa" | Open​

Cora had always known Alicio Organa to do the right thing - so when the King returned to Alderaan after the Sith began telegraphing their intentions, she counted it among Ashla's blessings.

Clad in a delicate blue gown detailed with golden trim and hand- embroidered blossoms, the dowager Princess of Ukatis observed the crowd gathering adound the monarchs. Politicans, aristocrats, tradesman, and commonfolk alike clambered to make an audience with the King and Queen.

The sea of well-wishers wasn't going to thin anytime soon, so Cora slipped her way through the throng. Quiet, dignified, and undeterred.

"King Organa," she tilted her head in what amounted to a bow befitting of their relation; something like old friends, Alicio had come to size up the new king of Ukatis himself several years back. Organa wasn't a man for overtly grand gestures, but a certain level of respect was anticipated during a royal parade, and Cora felt comfortable with formality. "Queen Amani."

She straightened gracefully and offered them a warm smile in contrast to her stately posture. "I was very glad to hear of your return, King Organa. And perhaps," she added, with a touch of genuine mirth, "not surprised at all to hear that you were delivering aid and ferrying refugees when you ran into trouble. The galaxy is better for having you in it." Her gaze shifted to Amani, having never forgotten how the Chief Healer helped her through a particularly difficult time. “Both of you.”

She leaned a little closer, expression still polite and practiced even as her voice dropped into a lower register: "Do let me know if there is anything that I can do to assist in keeping your planet safe. Ukatis stands with Alderaan."

 

[Lodd Grimmin]

Corazona von Ascania Amani Serys "Alicio Organa"

The Trade Federation faced challenges in adjusting to the new realities of a galaxy at peace following the fall of the Imperial Confederation and the Diarchy. To address these difficulties, Trade Monarch Grimmin was appointed as Viceroy, with a primary objective of reclaiming the debts owed by the Planet of Alderaan, especially now that the King had reportedly returned from a mission in the Unknown Regions.

Lodd approached the King's Interview with skepticism,, having previously known the last Alliance Chancellor during his tenure as a senator. While the speech largely adhered to expected patterns, a significant omission stood out: the absence of any mention of SELCORE, the initiative that Alicio had passionately advocated for within the Galactic Alliance and regarded as his crowning achievement.

Additionally it was strange that the King neither mentioned nor clarified which Imperial Power had attacked him. The Galactic Empire was too distant from the Unknown Regions to pose a threat to the relief convoy, as their operations were centered around Balmorra and the Core Worlds. And the Imperial Confederation wouldn't have bothered given their goal of claiming the Sith Holy Worlds.

So he found himself intrigued by the entire matter enough to leave the security of the High Republic to attend the parade. As he navigated the festivities, he noticed Princess Corazona von Ascania engaged in deep conversation with Queen Amani Serys and King "Alicio Organa" .

"Princess von Ascania… I believe, yes, that the planet of Ukatis could provide… significant assistance to Alderaan. In my most humble estimation, of course. It is even… conceivable… that such cooperation might resolve the outstanding debts owed to the Trade Federation of Planets." Lodd offered a slow bow to the King and Queen of Alderaan in respect.

"House Ulgo… remains most displeased. The events of the coronation were… unfortunate. Deeply so. And we find ourselves… unconvinced… that neutrality can be so easily resumed. Not if His Majesty's return is to be… questioned." Lodd inclined his head with a firm, measured gesture, as the crowds parted to permit his entire delegations passage. House Ulgo still had the backing of the conglomerate and if the Sith didn't start a civil war, they would until the debt owed to them was repaid.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The small Nezumi skittered along the balconies and buttresses overlooking the main parade route, taking care not to attract too much attention from the 'too bigs' that had come in their multitudes to see the return of their king. Few would ever truly pay attention to a creature as small as the Nezumi, and this one called Latchghost had spent several weeks in Aldera City alongside a colony of fellow Nezumi operatives. Up until now, Latchghost had busied themselves with planting covert listening and surveillance devices across the city in walls, pipes, and anywhere the Nezumi could reach.

They had just finished seeding the thoroughfare when orders came down that Latchghost would be monitoring the king's parade. Latchghost nestled among one of the banner supports, raising a pair of miniaturized electrobinoculars to their eyes. The image snapped into focus, zooming down onto the king and his entourage as the parade wound through the Aldera streets. Latchghost adjusted the range-dial on the cybernetic implant wired into their skull, scanning through several overlapping frequencies until audio from around the king became clear.

"Do let me know if there is anything that I can do to assist in keeping your planet safe. Ukatis stands with Alderaan."

Latchghost focused on the speaker, Corazona von Ascania , the electrobinoculars recording her in high fidelity as she spoke. The image swept back to "Alicio Organa" and Amani Serys , facial recognition software built into the electrobinoculars mapping out detailed topographies of their facial features for later use. Latchghost watched them for several minutes after, but had to move to a different vantage point as the parade moved forward.

The small Nezumi scurried across the rooftops and balconies of Aldera City, a small, quiet invader of this celebration.

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Darth Carnifex | Varin Mortifer | Lily Rhodes​

Aldera greeted him with brightness, assaulting the senses with provocation. An act of defiance in Sith space, really. Jubilant sounds scraped against his consciousness; perhaps this celebration was just a futile attempt to drown the Covenant's ever encroaching shadows. Fear loved to hide behind spectacle.

The obsidian plating encasing the young Sith carried the void's cold. Distant music continued to grate at the ear, worse than fingernails on transparisteel. Lysander had not journeyed across the stars to sample their insipid cuisine. His sealed helm projected this truth alone. Breath echoed steadily through vocoder, counting down to inevitable violence. Both hands, instruments of death many times over, remained clasped behind his back. A posture that revealed nothing while observing everything behind a visor.

What moved far ahead was insignificant in size. A creature, perhaps? Not a threat… but not random either. The Latchghost navigated the crowd with purpose. Working closely with the Eternal Father in recent times had taught him to notice such things. How to hear what others missed, the silences between sounds, the intention behind every single movement.

They celebrate their own destruction, Lysander thought, watching the parade wind through the streets.. soon to be nothing more than ash.

There was no desire to hide his signature either. The Force moved through him like a current of ice water, whispering truths these people would never comprehend. Was he curious about the King's return? The question almost made him smile. What churned in his chest was one predator sensing another's 'territory', and the patience of one who also knew the kill was inevitable.

Varin stood beside him, a constant, the familiar weight of his brother's presence keeping him steadier than any mantra ever could. In his brother's shadow, he could almost remember who he was beyond the armor.. though such memories were dangerous luxuries indeed.

"Look how these fools adorn themselves with the Light," came a voice modulated through the helm into something far less than human. His head angled toward the other Sith. "Do you think they know the difference between a celebration and a funeral pyre?"

 

[Osiris Thul]

you should see me in a crown
"Alicio Organa" Amani Serys Corazona von Ascania Lodd Grimmin

"I believe what the viceroy means to say is that we are all most gratified to see the House of Organa restored," a confident voice interrupted before the neimoidian politician could press any further about credits, "But our king returns to us during uncertain times for the future of Alderaan."

If it were possible the Duke of House Thul looked even more handsome since Alicio's coronation. Perfectly tailored clothes in the latest Core Worlds fashion adorned an adonis who seemed bred to rule. Osiris acknowledged the Queen and her foreign lady in waiting with a courtly bow.

"Ladies."

He opened his arms to embrace the King of Alderaan, and when Osiris grew close his expression turned more serious.

"We should discuss matters of state," he said just loud enough for Alicio to hear over the jubilant crowd, "At a more appropriate hour."

Osiris waved to the people with one arm still around King Alicio so the holocams could capture the sons of Alderaan together. Then he turned to address Organa's bride and her entourage.

"Queen Amani, what a pleasure to see you again," he flashed the Jedi a perfect smile, "Won't you introduce me to your friend?"

 

[The Vulptex]

Tag: Lysander von Ascania Varin Mortifer
Names: Lyra, Samantha, Alex, Beatrix​

The GA was dead. Long dead.

But the embers of it still smoldered. Still burned.

The SIA was one of those embers. The organization itself might be gone, but it's agents never died. Just went underground. Some had left, some had become agents of other factions.

But these four were still loyal.

Crowds were easy. Once upon a time, these four had been pickpockets on the lower levels of Coruscant. Nowadays...

No one paid attention to a redhead in the crowd. But they had a target. Two identified sith who were among the crowd.

On one of the balconies, a blonde watched from idle binoculars.

Varin could feel someone bump into him. A boy, dirty blonde.

"Ope! Sorry, sir. I'm just trying to get a better look!"

 

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace | Cross Guard Broadsaber


Varin's gaze fell over the crowd around them, his frame and stature towering over most. His eyes followed the parade as it traveled, but his senses saw far more. People around him engaging in conversations of excitement and false hopes.

Lysander's voice caused him to turn his head to him. His question rang in Varin's ears.

“I believe they try to celebrate a falsehood to pull thick wool over their eyes.”

He paused as he watched the dancers in the parade pass by.

“They wish to distract themselves from the many wolves that wait just outside for them. Some have even forgotten about the predators lurking about.”

He wore his thick plated armor of black and maroon accent, signature colors of his family when they had liberated his home planet through smoke and blood.

Art his side attached to his belt was his saber hilt, hungry and waiting.

“And smart predators attack while prey believe they are safest.”

The slight bump caused his gaze to flick to the one who had bumped into him, the burning eye falling to the young boy as he spoke. He did not respond, just nodded slowly.

His eye scanned the area around them, taking in force signatures of those near them.

“However, smart prey will always have a lookout somewhere.”

His helm remained tucked in his arm as he stood his watch, surrounded by conversation of those who knew no better.

Lysander von Ascania | Lily Rhodes | The Vulptex​

 

[Gram Arranda]

Tags: Lysander von Ascania Varin Mortifer The Vulptex Darth Carnifex​

"Look how these fools adorn themselves with the Light," came a voice modulated through the helm into something far less than human. His head angled toward the other Sith. "Do you think they know the difference between a celebration and a funeral pyre?"

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean," said a voice directly in front of Lysander von Ascania shortly before Gram turned around to face him. The old man looked rather dashing in his blue and white suit, with his silver hair slicked back. "But I think I can guess what you're trying to say."

The Ambassador from Alderaan was back on his own turf for the first time in months. Attendance at the parade wasn't strictly necessary for him, but he wanted to be here. To observe his wild idea coming to fruition, and to set his feet on the soil of his homeland again.

While the Sith's armored companion spoke of predators and prey, Gram tried to imagine either of these two boys trying anything. If they weren't stopped by security guards, either the plainclothes agents hidden among the crowds or the snipers on the rooftops would take them down. And if that wasn't enough, Queen Amani Serys was a legendary Jedi Master. As for King Alicio... Well, he was nothing to scoff at either. They were more than capable of holding their own, and they had friends around ready to come to their aid at the first sign of provocation.

Studying them through black-rimmed glasses, Gram's expression was inscrutable. “If our entertainments are not to your liking, you are under no obligation to watch them," he said. "Perhaps where you come from, the viewing of state propaganda is mandatory?"

 

[Anet Raine]

OBJECTIVE ONE
Lodd Grimmin | Corazona von Ascania | "Alicio Organa" | Amani Serys
Mentioned: Lysander von Ascania | Varin Mortifer
​

Anet Raine arrived as Senator, representing Belazura, her perfect little homeworld in the High Republic. Thankfully, without her mask, even the wisest Jedi Master would not sense the Force on her... Save for that which marked all life.

She hoped her Sith compatriots, at least two of whom stood among the crowd, would know better than to approach her casually.

'Don't say or do anything stupid,' She thought.

The half-pantoran stood not far from her distant colleague, Lodd Grimmin, and the others he spoke with. Faces she recognized enough but had never familiarized herself with.

She decided to approach the gathering of nobles and politicians.

"I always find it rather interesting when we declare the support of one entire world for the whole of another." Provocative entrance as always, she wouldn't be Anet Raine otherwise. "The whole of Ukatis for the whole of Alderaan..." She mused and clarified her meaning.

Then, she passed a cryptic glance at the blonde Jedi in their midst. Until now, she hadn't had the pleasure of meeting Lysander's sister in the flesh. She seemed quite different than the Golden Boy, rising star of the Covenant. There was an air about her that Anet didn't need the Force to notice.

But of course, her lazily venomous tongue turned to Lodd next.

"Debt collection at a parade, really, Viceroy? But I see I'm outdone in inappropriate introductions, my apologies..."

With her hand on her chest, Anet bowed respectfully to the King and the Queen.

"Anet Raine, Senator from Belazura." She made sure to emphasize that distinction, for she was not the whole of her homeworld.

 

[Eloise Dinn]

Tags: OPEN
​

Upon completing her second round of the royal palace gardens, Eloise heaved a sigh and lifted a hand to the comlink in her ear. "Still nothing."

She had volunteered to patrol this space, figuring it would be a nice change of pace from her usual type of mission. But so far, it had proven a lot more boring than she imagined. For one, she was pretty sure she was the only person in the gardens—she hadn't seen a single soul other than the palace gardener since she stepped foot on the white stone pathway. Not that she minded the lack of Sith, but there was only so many times she could smell the same flowers before she started wishing something would happen.

It didn’t help that she was all dolled up with nobody to show off to. Clad in one of the fancier outfits Braze had gifted her, she was supposed to be disguised as a palace courtier. Pausing at a fountain, she sat down on the rim and yanked off her shoes with a wince. Heels had been a bad idea.

She had been hoping to at least meet somebody exciting. Maybe a cute guy who liked flowers. Or a cute Sith guy who liked flowers. A cute Sith guy who was destined to be lured back to the Light by the love of a tall, strong Jedi girl. Or at least have the Dark Side beaten out of him by her fists.