Character
Caius Arden stepped down from the shuttle and hit the duracrete harder than he intended, a dull shock running up his leg that made him shudder before he could stop it, an old injury that never quite healed correctly reasserting itself as he sped off toward the embassy.
Alderaan was beautiful. There wasn't a lot of urban sprawl like back home, a lot of the architecture seemingly more in tune with nature. The lines were clean, sightlines clear and even the traffic seemed to be just a tad bit more pure than other worlds. Although he was walking fast, he did appreciate the artistry of the world around him, hands clasped behind his back beneath the fall of his cape, aides desperately trying to keep up. Noticing the lack of urgency displayed by his underlings, he adjusted his stride slightly into something they can manage.
"We got a last-minute confirmation, Senator," one of the aides offered, slightly out of breath. "A senior representative of the Crown just like we asked."
"That's wonderful news!" Caius said, not looking back. Slowly but surely, he was starting to walk fast again. Rendili did not send supplicants, and in Caius Arden they had chosen a representative who could project along with the best of them, a man who understood that respect was most durable when it was mutual and most persuasive when it came with money or supplies.
As fate would have it, he came to Alderaan with both.
Alderaan wanted to join the Republic, Rendili wanted to reassert its position in the galaxy. An alliance between the two worlds would be mutually beneficial! On that thought, he cracked a toothy grin as he entered the embassy. His staff, having finally adjusted to his pace, were not far behind and immediately went to schmooze the receptionist. Caius, on the other hand, went to take his seat, reviewing his data pad and making sure the gifts he'd brought the crown were in transit. The details were already fixed in his mind. Whatever representative awaited him beyond that door would find him prepared, composed, and entirely unwilling to waste the moment. He sat, and he waited.
