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Jul 27th, 2006, 07:28:36 PM
#1
Ubiquitous Intrigues
The events following the "lady in black" using the Force at the Royal Masquerade tightened up on the already rigid security. No one spoke of the event, but it was on the minds of many. The air was thick with suspicion and concealed trepidation. It was as if everyone kept waiting for the next event to take place..
Razielle, never an early riser, was making her way down to breakfast with the Queen and whomever else elected to join them at a late brunch outside in the sunshine. A far cry from her scandalous behavior at the ball, she was the very image of ladylike perfection in a deep blue dress and heeled sandals. Seeing that her friend was already seated, Razielle knew that she was late.
"Sorry Majesty.. One cup of stim didn't get my lazy self out of bed right away." She picked up a plate and piled it high with sliced fruits only, then took a seat in the shade near the Queen.
"Seems quiet out here for a royal breakfast. Usually the whole court would jump at a chance to breakfast with you. Maybe they are slugabeds as I am..?" She picked up a slice of fruit, held it between her fingers and took a bite, leaving her fork on the table as an ornament.
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Jul 28th, 2006, 09:28:16 AM
#2
Adraudia sipped at her coffee, her mood turning irritable when mention of the Court. "Perhaps."
Knowing her luck they were probably weeding out prospective suitors from the Ball last night.
"How are you feeling this morning, your Highness?" Her voice held concern. The Princess was quite enamored with the bottle after leaving her room last night.
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Jul 28th, 2006, 07:14:30 PM
#3
Victer woke slowly. He didn’t have a hangover, but he was a little dehydrated from the wine. He opened his mouth a little and winced one eye shut at the taste of dry mouth.
“Bleh.” He walked to the unfinished vanity, and rinsed out his mouth several times, and then washed his face. A brief shower later, and he felt wholly sociable again. Victer pulled on some casual but nice clothes because he fully intended on getting breakfast somewhere decent. Satisfied with his looks, he grabbed his sunglasses and put them in his breast pocket. A note hung from the door. He pulled it off.
Captain Dejan, the Queen Invites you to Dine with Her upon the Morning for Brunch in the Courtyard. The excessive capitalization amused him enough to get him smiling.
After security checked him over, he was released into the courtyard, where the Queen and Princess were seated, poking at fruit.
“Good morning, Queen Audraudia and Princess Razielle. May I have a seat?”
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Jul 28th, 2006, 09:12:14 PM
#4
She was not rudely interrupted, but interrupted nonetheless. To her surprise, the man before her was the same one that had danced with Razielle last night! He even tried to help the Queen out of the mess she had found herself in, but was it to impress the Cap’n and Luci or did he do it out of good will. Still, he was a ruggishly handsome man.
"Please." Adraudia motioned to an empty seat with welcome. "I saw you briefly at the Ball last night though never received a proper introduction."
She wondered who he was to shed some light on why the Princess had offered him an invitation to the Ball.
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Jul 29th, 2006, 07:52:10 AM
#5
She managed a grumble in reply to the Queen's inquiry as to her health. In truth Razielle had felt better, she was not in the habbit of drinking so much. Tossing what was left of a piece of fruit she could not finish back on her plate, she tried to scoot further back into the shade, the morning was just too bright.
She smiled in greeting as Victer joined them. "Allow me to introduce Captain Victer Dejan, who was singularly helpful in delivering the specialty wines I ordered.." She cleared her throat and sheilded her eyes a bit..muttering the last "and without him we would have had less fun, but we could still see this morning."
"Victer, may I formally present Her Majesty, Adraudia Basillie, Queen of Onderon and my best friend among other things." To emphasize her closeness to the Queen, Razielle grabbed her fork, leaned over and stole a berry off the Queen's plate with a grin.
"Did you sleep well..?"
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Jul 29th, 2006, 10:42:28 AM
#6
Victer hid a yawn before answering.
“I did, thank you, milady.” He bowed. He moved to take a seat near the two of them, and when he had no disapproving glances, he took a seat across from them. He quickly filled the plate in front of him with a crepe and stacked it full of fruit.
“I’m surprised there are not more people here.” He said between bites. To keep himself from staring at either Razielle or Adraudia, he finished most of his crepe.
“Perhaps you both tired them out.”
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Jul 29th, 2006, 10:50:16 AM
#7
Curious. Most would love the chance to sit next to the Royal Family. For that alone, Victer seemed interesting because the Queen placed doubt that the Captain was shy.
Adraudia laughed and then sip at her coffee. "Well, it was quite a long evening full of much dancing and merriment. But I do thank you for the wine. It was exquisite."
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Jul 29th, 2006, 11:19:04 AM
#8
"Lazy all of them.. See how we set a shining example?" She grinned, but at the mention of anything shining, she winced.
"Although, I think I may swear off drinking, for a while at least." It was a bald lie and everyone knew it. She had quite enjoyed herself and the consequences weren't that bad.
"Of course, on the other hand.. things are so much more entertaining when you have little inhibition. A dangerous combination indeed, me and wine.." She popped another berry in her mouth and munched.
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Jul 29th, 2006, 12:07:17 PM
#9
Salem was somewhat late to arrive to breakfast, though not due to having slept in. In actual fact, he had been up for quite some time – and this was evidenced in his appearance as he approached the Queen and her company. His attire was much more casual than usual, due to the fact that he had just completed his fitness reigime workout. He wore a white tank top and some black casual slacks. On entering the courtyard, he was 'greeted' by a number of courtiers, attempting to bombard him with various reports about the previous evening. He accepted the data-pads without a word and, after collecting a plate of fruit, took a seat a short distance from where the Queen and her guests were talking.
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Jul 29th, 2006, 01:33:11 PM
#10
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Jul 29th, 2006, 06:50:14 PM
#11
“You and wine are the height of delight and terror.” He agreed with a laugh. He was having a hard time deciding which of the two Royal ladies he found more attractive. However, the new arrival did not go unnoticed. He seemed somewhat anti-social, or perhaps he had his reasons.
“Is that Mr. Ave?” Victer asked.
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Jul 29th, 2006, 07:28:17 PM
#12
"Indeed.. and yes he is always this cheerful." And if my eyes weren't so damn sore I'd be staring..
Pouring herself another cup of caf, she began to feel awake at least and less like the walking dead. She knew Salem was nothing short of furious with her. In truth she was actually sorry. She had not meant to put the Queen in danger, or to give him cause to think she didn't know what was at risk by their discovery.
A sideways glance told Razielle that Adraudia was stewing about something more than the ball last night. She knew her friend was troubled by the countless reminders that she needed to wed and produce an heir for Onderon. It was not a pleasant thing to be reminded that it was your duty to do such a thing, not your desire.
Twirling a finger around a raven curl, Razielle tried to think how best to cheer her friend, without trouble. Well.. without much trouble. Her gaze settled on Victer. The man could charm the key out of a lock, she knew that first hand. Perhaps a few moments left alone with the smooth talking captain would sweeten her Monarch's disposition, not to mention give her an excuse to talk to Salem..
"If you'll excuse me, Majesty? I will be back in a moment, if you will both pardon me. Don't talk bad about me while I'm gone." She gave a jaunty salute and rose, taking her cup with her and moved closer to Salem.
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Jul 29th, 2006, 08:45:01 PM
#13
The Queen's eyes flexed on bewilderment but once she realized the direction in which Razielle was heading, her motives for leaving were made perfectly clear. She only understood their relationship from the Princess' point of view and eagerly awaited a chance to speak to Salem about it.
"Well, Captain Dejan?" At least her friend was kind enough to not leave her alone while following her desires. "Is wine your only source of cargo or do you ship other goods throughout the system?"
Perhaps Onderon could find some use for Victer that would profitable for them both. Being so secluded from the rest of the planet, her people relied on merchants like Dejan to keep Onderon fully stocked of food, weapons, and supplies.
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Jul 29th, 2006, 09:09:03 PM
#14
“I see that your friend is still here,” Salem remarked as Razielle drew near. He did not look up from the report he was reading, though casually plucked, with one clawed hand, a segment of fruit from his breakfast plate.
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Jul 29th, 2006, 09:22:12 PM
#15
Sitting down, she rested her cheek on her hand and smiled. "Mmmmmhmmm.."
She refused to be glum this morning. Saying nothing for a long time she just stared, completely content with the silence. "I expect Captain Dejan will be staying for a while. "
Wanting to talk to him, and yet feeling completely discarded after last night was a horrid feeling for Razielle. It didn't seem to matter with Salem though, the more he seemed aloof, the more she wanted to cause any kind of reaction from him.
"Have you even been to bed yet..?" It was a completely inappropriate topic, she didn't care.
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Jul 29th, 2006, 09:33:07 PM
#16
“Of course.”
Salem had only partaken of a glass or two of wine, and in spite of going to sleep somewhat vexed, had rested well enough. Unlike Razielle and her guests, a long lie-in was not necessary. While the royalty might have had ample time to recline in the shade, nibbling on exotic fruit and exchanging witticisms with dashing space captains, Salem had work to do.
There was a silence, and when nothing was said the Arkanian cast his gaze upwards.
“Did you want something in particular?”
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Jul 30th, 2006, 09:27:47 AM
#17
“I can get just about anything. I haven’t had any routes to Onderon before, but I picked up this job because it was interesting. It’s not often someone orders several thousand bottles of very specific wines. If you can get me more specific lists of goods, I’m certain I could arrange several routes.” Victer offered.
“You know, the galaxy at large isn’t very aware of Onderon, mostly due to the nature of the system. It’s not right on any trade route, and real estate is impossible to come by. It’s a place people have heard of, but they don’t know anything about.”
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Jul 30th, 2006, 10:09:00 AM
#18
Dalamar went straight to his quarters after his meeting with Lil. He donned his armor that allowed him to move freely in the sun.
The vampyre went about belting on his swords, polishing his silver spurs. He ordered his appearance for duty. On the Mantle his mask with two red lines like tears of blood coming from his eye's.
Lowering it he snapped it into place with practiced precision. Pulling the hood up, he entered the hall. First, to check on the Queen. She and Razelle would be breakfasting by now. Always first the Queen then the rest of Onderon. He approached the main hall the echos of his boots sounded down the hallway. The words of his former master burning in his brain. "Dalamar Salem is a force user."
Yes, the Dark Lord now knew there was a spider in there midst. Standing in the shadows weaving his webs of betrayal and deceit. A black taint on the Queen of Onderon. Something to strike at the heart and to kill the people.
He remembered his word to Lil. He wanted to honor his word but the more his thoughts turned to Salem hovering over the Queen ready to strike the more he seethed with his promise.
The image was clear in his mind as if he could almost really see it. Large and black Salems underbelly shiny with wetness from the kill of fresh victims. He could see people from all walks of the kingdoms tied up as his victims. As the Spider pranced around in his web thinking himself untouchable. His fist clenched in ever growing fury he stopped. He had reached the main hall. He calmed himself he did not want to give the Queen any cause for alarm. He would just say "Good morning" and check on her then he would be about his morning duties.
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Jul 30th, 2006, 10:20:17 AM
#19
Just you.. The words hung in the air, unspoken. Useless, redundant, unwanted. Razielle shook her head, her black hair swishing back and forth. To conceal what she had to say, she swiped a linen napkin from the table and made a pretense of dabbing at her lips.
"I just wanted to say that I am sorry about last night and that it won't happen again." She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. She wasn't talking about the ball.
"Compliance and obedience, that's me." She stood, ready to return to the Queen's side, but didn't move immediately. Something didn't feel right. She looked around, her eyes scanning the courtyard, the rooftops, she saw nothing and no one that seemed out of the ordinary. She had no intention of using the Force again or of opening herself up to it so publically after last night, still.. Something was amiss.
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Jul 30th, 2006, 10:28:45 AM
#20
"And when they do, those that wish to evade war often overlook our system." She stated pointedly. "Only nearby systems are willing to risk coming here because they want the Mandalorians defeated just as much as we do. The only other brave souls that come here are people like you, Captain."
With that she smiled. "As you now know, Onderon has much wealth to share for those people willing to take risks. Even for the average space farer that stops in port to simply refuel.
But you are right, Captain Dejan. The galaxy doesn't know Onderon. That will change." She set the cup down and took a bit of her fruit. Her ambitions were far greater then simply winning the war and bringing peace to Onderon. Those were her immediate concerns and took precedence. Anything that dealt with the safety of her citizens took precedence. "I'm eager to listen to what trade routes you had in mind."
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