Rhun-struck

[Claire Organa]

Claire was headed to Rhun as first an envoy from House Organa of Alderaan, and second as a business woman hoping to open another store. She hoped.

Faith's ship, the Endless Light was carrying her to the planet she made sure to have her business plan completed and outlined for quick reference, as well as a link to her new line of clothing for men and women. She was trying to do some research on the Lord of Rhun and found bits and pieces of information but nothing that told her what kind of man he was.

She would have to be very mindful and aware of how she spoke, and choose something professional and yet reflected her status as a noble of Alderaan even if a minor noble of Alderaan.

She groaned slightly being drawn into family politics weighed heavy on her she wanted to do it right, and be sure she represented them in a favorable light.

"Countess we will arrive in a few hours, we've called ahead for clearance, and landing procedures"

Claire nodded, "thank you Captain, I'll be ready"

She began to understand why Faith gave her such a hard time about what to wear, now faced with that same decision, she was lost. Looking everything over she finally decided on something she would dress one of her clients in.

[member="Valentinian Alexandrus III"]​

 

[Tanith Alde]

The ship would be directed to a landing pad upon one of the Shadow Hall's upper spires, with ample room to land. Present was a small honour guard to escort the lady in, a dozen men in total, in parade dress.

As the ship set down the word would come for them to move in and form a line by the landing ramp "Come Now! Move with me" The sergeant ordered neatly marching his men down the line forming up six a piece on either side of the landing ramp. It was a smart little display, a show of precision and training, not a bad sight really. The men that made the honor guard were chosen for several traits, namely their ability to move in precise formation, as well as their generally tall and pleasing physique. They were as much greeting commity as guardsman.

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

Claire nodded to the contingent of guards lining the walkway, her gaze moved forward to look ahead to keep up the appearance that she knew what she was doing, how she was doing it, and that she had all the formalities down to a science.

A few members of the Alderaan Royal Guard walked behind her this was Claire's first visit with nobility outside of Alderaan. "Greetings Countess Organa, we are here to ensure your safe delivery to the Lord of Rhun"

"Thank you, I do not wish to keep the Lord of Rhun waiting as it was my ship was slightly delayed" Yes there were a little behind schedule this was something that Claire did not enjoy she liked being on time"

Claire was escorted to stand outside the grand entrance hall, one of the pages smiled, "Countess Organa of Alderaan welcome, wait here while I inform Mi'Lord that you have arrived, and see if he still has time to speak with you"

Yeah there was that little nudge to remind her she was late, yeah...yes I am...I will deal with it, she thought to herself.

[member="Valentinian Alexandrus III"]

 

[Tanith Alde]

As the door swung open, the Imperial Royal band begann to play the national anthem as the visiting noble received the chance to walk down the hall toward the throne

Let Naboo boast of her gay gilded waters
Her vines and her bowers and her soft sunny skies
Her sons drinking love from the eyes of her daughters
Where freedom expires amid softness and sighs

Rhun's black mountains wild where cliffs are piled
Towering in grandeur are dearer to me
Land of the misty cloud land of the battle loud
Land of the brave and proud land of the free


Enthroned on the peak of her own highland mountains
The spirit of Rhunia reigns fearless and free
Her white banner waving over black rock and fountain
And proudly she sings looking over the world


Here among my mountains wild I have serenely smiled
When armies and empires against me were hurled
Firm as my native rock I have withstood the shock
Of Sith, of Republic, of All Others and the world

But see how proudly her war steeds are prancing
Deep groves of steel trodden down in their path
The eyes of my sons like their bright swords are
glancing Triumphantly riding through ruin and death


Bold hearts and nodding plumes wave over their bloody tombs
Deep eyed in gore is the white banner's wave
Shivering are the ranks of steel dire is the horseman's wheel
Victorious in battlefield Rhunia the Brave

"Welcome To Rhun my lady Organa" The voice of Valentinian carried through the hall "Approach, and be recognized" He bade her, standing up from his throne to walk down the steps and accept a ceremonial band from a nearby page, presenting it to Claire. It was an old tradition among the nobles of Rhun, presenting such a gift to a visitor. It represented friendship , and a promise that no harm would come to them aslong as they resided within the halls as visitors.

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

Claire approached moving with the surety that came from practicing over and over, "Thank you Lord Alexandrus, Lord of Rhun. Queen Arianna and all of House Organa thanks you for such a warm welcome and for allowing my visit"

Claire gave a curtsy, ensuring she didn't fall over, and as she stood she reached for the band, "lovely thank you mi'lord, and from all across Alderaan please accept this basket of wines and delicacies " Claire could not hold the basket on her own with three bottles of wine, several cheese, fruits, crackers, meats, it was a meal fit to take on a picnic any day or night.

"Mi'Lord it is hoped that this opportunity for friendship will only be a starting point for a long and enduring relationship" She smiled and prayed that she made the right impression upon him.

[member="Valentinian Alexandrus III"]

 

[Tanith Alde]

"We take this with great appreciation" The lord said with a small smile, a page moving forward to take the basket, placing it in the lord's chambers for him to look over later.

"If you are so inclined, might I take the liberty of having a page show you quarters where you might refresh yourself after your journey? We may speak of business over dinner, or in my study if it is pressing, is that allright with my lady?"

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Valentinian Alexandrus III"]

"There is nothing so press mi'Lord dinner would be perfect and most welcome" She smiled again now that her nervousness had passed she looked at him closer the fine lines around his eyes, the length of his dark hair, the intent and purpose that radiated from him as he moved the Lord of Rhun was a handsome man, and had been born to lead. Those around him stood silent knowing that their Lord felt safe here their stronghold, their palace.

There was a single throne in the room did that mean he wife did not bear the title of Lady of Rhun, or was there no Lady of Rhun. She had not thought to look relying upon discussion to lend her information.

She nodded, and tilted her head down, "Until dinner then" She looked toward the paige who would escort her to her rooms. She had brought clothing for a dinner with him she only hoped that it was not too formal.

 

[Tanith Alde]

[member="Claire Organa"]

The Lord of Rhun looked after her for a few moments, pondering. She was an attractive woman but, he shook his head. Now was not the time to think of such things, his focus had to be on his homeland and those that depended upon him, he did not have the time to commit to courting or such pursuits.

With a sigh he sat back in his throne, glancing about the mostly empty hall. Eventually he rose, and made his way to his chambers, where he prepared himself for a dinner. A bath, a visit by the royal barber and then finially his trainsitioned into a finely tailored Black leather boots, black trousers and white tunic, all three trimmed in silver constituted the main part of his outfit, the tunic emblazoned with the device of Rhun, the Raven. Overall the outfit bore a quite striking resemblance to the Banner of Rhun, as was it's intended effect.
Once the barber was through with him the young lord rose and clothed himself. Around his neck a silver pendant was clasped, and a thin Crown of black iron and silver rested upon his brow. The sword of secrets, symbol of the heir apparent, rested once again on his hip as he exited his chambers, and strode toward the dining hall.

 

[Claire Organa]

She looked at the dresses, and her business attire. the black was very formal very dance party, and the other was suitable but still a bit over the stop. She did not wish to appear frumpish or that she lacked a sense or protocol.

She did afterall wish to see if he would be interested in allowing her to set up a store on Rhun, and perhaps show him a few suits. Business, she had to remember this was a business trip, not a courtship.

Claire disappeared into the refresher and within the hour she was ready, the attentive once over from the paige told her that she had made the right choices she entered the room where they would be dining and wondered for a moment was anyone else joining them? she had not thought to ask. Before she could utter a sound she was offered a glass of wine which she gladly took it would help to drown the mynocks fluttering in her stomach.

She smoothed her dress it was a wonderful color, she looked about for her host.

[member="Valentinian Alexandrus III"]

 

[Tanith Alde]

Valentinian sat at the end of a few meter long table, there was place for roughly a dozen at it in total. It was in a smaller side hall, usually reserved for private functions such as birthdays or other such things. Today Valentinian had had it decked out for a private dinner between him and the vising Lady from Alderann. He smiled as she entered the room and he stood up to walk over and pull out her chair for her , offering her his hand to help her "My Lady"

Once she was seated Valentinian took his own seat across from her, raising his glass with a friendly smile "To your health, My Lady Organa"

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

She walked carefully towards the Lord of Rhun breathing effortlessly, and then when protocol dictated she extended her hand, "Mi'Lord Alexandrus" She looked around it would seem it was only them this evening.

With a sweep of her hand she pulled her skirts beneath her, and eased into the chair. Wine immediately filled her glass and he was making a toast, "Thank you mi'Lord, my Rhun know a thousand years of blessings" Claire sipped her glass, oh this was very good. Not dry and brutal on the tongue, but sweet and caressing to the taste buds. She was pleased.

"I'm so pleased we have been able to meet, perhaps in the future you will consider coming to Alderaan." She smiled, "The Royal Family I'm know looks to have a relationship with Rhun" She had said that earlier but it did bear repeating.

"Mi'lord are we dining along this evening?"

[member="Valentinian Alexandrus III"]

 

[Tanith Alde]

"I do believe a trip to Alderaan is well within the realm of possibilities in the future" Alexandrus considered with a small smile, before nodding

"Yes, we shall be alone this evening, I figured it would be best, this is only the second occassion that we've hosted nobility from another realm, I need the practice" He winked, before chuckling at his own joke.

"Tell me a little more of yourself, my lady, and of Alderaan"

He suggested, as the appetizers were brought in. Most of the food on Rhun was imported off world, do to the primarily barren nature of the land, however wine was one of the few naturally produced foodstuffs

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

Claire nodded suddenly nervous that she might say the wrong thing, she smiled. Talk about what she knew. "Alderaan is beautiful and green." She looked over at the appetizers taking a few.

"There are many points of interest, Cloud Shape Falls, New Crevasse City, The Royal Museum, The palace all wonderful all beautifully designed." She bit her lip as she controlled her nerves.

"As for myself, I own a Clothing company, and lived most of my life on Balmorra." She didn't want to go into all the other details of her life, they tended to make her melancholy, "Were you born here on Rune Mi'Lord?"

She would direct the conversation back towards him, let them discuss each other.

[member="Valentinian Alexandrus III"]

 

[Tanith Alde]

[member="Claire Organa"]

"I was Indeed, as you may have been able to tell, Rhun isn't exactly a place that promotes immigration, though, with recent times that may change, for better or worse"

"Though we as a people are exiles, Rhun was not our first home. The stories say we were driven by invaders from our home, users of dark forces.....If you wish to hear more, I'm certain I can arrange for a storyteller to explain it to you but, lets not ruin this fine evening with such talk"

"Mayhaps I can show you around our world in the morning?"

 

[Claire Organa]

"I understand being driven from your home, Sith came to Balmorra and " her voice trailed off she lost her parents and she still hadn't decided how to handle that. Decided she laughed at herself, like she could just decide yes today no tomorrow it was evasion no matter what.

"I would enjoy a tour of Rhun" he was every bit the noble, but was there more to this man and she had to choose the right moment for offers. "Mi'Lord doesn't really seem to need practice for entertaining, were you just playing with me sir?"

She smiled was he toying with her?

[member="Valentinian Alexandrus III"]