Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

Once she had recovered enough, Zeno had Ziandra put in their room for bed rest. He was exhausted and had finally put the girls to rest hours ago, but did not sleep himself. He simply continued going through reports and data about the attack, giving the occasional order, and in general keeping the house in running order alongside Xero's efforts.

Now resting in her bed, she stirred and said, “Where am I? The girls! An attack? My head is a bit jumbled.”

Her stirring drew his eyes up, and he practically leaped from his chair. "You're safe, the girls are safe, everybody's safe," he says as he moves to hug her, gently.

He takes in a deep breath, smelling the lingering scent of kolto and her hair. He had been mentally aware that she was safe and would be fine. But deep inside, that territorial and protective part that made up most of his mind, had been terrified that he might not hear her voice again.

"You're safe," he repeats... his voice cracking a bit. And then the tears started. She had seen him cry plenty of times. He doesn't tend to hide how he feels from her, saving that for public. But she felt him start to shake a bit. He had been far more stressed than he had been showing, bottling it up for the girls.

"You're safe," once more. He tightens his hug, but loosens it right away hoping he did not hurt her, but still does not let go. The feeling of relief seems to melt him, and the exhaustion makes him slump without the nerves keeping him wired.

She felt much relief and then said, "What have I missed?"

He takes a moment to let himself calm, taking a few breaths. Well, as calm as he could be. Then he lets go and separates so he can talk to her, sitting on the side of the bed. The tears were still there, his eyes still shimmering with the threat of more.

"The attack on us was part of a greater insurrection led by Bouris. It was perpetrated by Rist and Ulgo splinters. The Royal Family and our family were targeted for assassination, but all failed. The attempted take over of the palace was foiled and Bouris surrendered," he explains, giving a very brief overview.

"And you were hit, badly. Blai Frayus saved your life so we owe him," Zeno states, taking her hand. "But this may take a bit of getting used to." He lifted her hand to his lips to kiss it.

“It feels different,” she said wiggling her fingers.

“Well, I am not going to say it was unexpected but the scope of it was unexpected, I had thought he would wait till things were finalized but In a way that was a clever move. It could have worked, but it didn’t, and I assume the Queen and her children survived? That would be the primary targets of course, break the line of succession then step in and seize control. Organa would whine that things are not done properly and try to oppose in the courts which would be controlled by the King.”

“Never mind, it failed. I will take the victory and not question it,” she finished.

"Yes, all of the heirs are fine, as is the queen. A bit banged up from reports, but back to walking around and healthy now," he says setting the datapad down before climbing onto the bed to lay on top of the covers next to her.

"If you wish, I can see about arranging a meeting with the queen. We sent word of our situation so she will likely wish to check in with you. I don't know when she will be speaking, but I'm sure it's coming soon," he says, assuming that there will be a speech emphasizing unity and admonishing tyranny. He didn't even know if it had already happened, he had been so exhausted and drained.

“I am in no rush, maybe this evening… it’s been an exhausting week,” she said trying to stretch. “I need a vacation.”

"You will have one," he says with a smile at her.

"Not that dealing with an insurrection is ideal, but one positive thing does come from it. Finger pointing from them should finally stop. They won't be able to claim any moral high ground for a few generations. So we won't have to worry about them trying to invade our lands when we take a vacation."

He brushed his hand against her cheek.

"You know I'm going to be clingy now for a few days," he says, quirking the corner of his mouth. "Gotta just let it run it's course, no matter how crazy it drives you."

"I can agree to those terms," she said laughing lightly at the absurdity of it.

"You were a so close to the edge in that moment," he says, his tears coming back. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "And it was the intervention of a man I don't even know that saved you. And they shot at our daughters, tried to kill them."

He opens his eyes again. "There is no appropriate justice for this. The worst thing that I can imagine would be too good for him..." He imagines Gerald Hin's tortured death, and the eventual suffering, which he did regret to a certain extent. "... far to good for the man that tried to kill my children. But that can be dealt with in time. He's not going anywhere."

"Are you feeling any pain right now? I've got more pain medication for you if you need it."

“Well we can work on a proper comeuppance in due time, he won’t be going anywhere but a prison on Delaya most likely. We will have plenty of time to plot a proper reward for his actions,” she said kindly.

He kisses her on the cheek, agreeing with her assessment. "Yes, proper reward."

"I plan on trying to bring other houses together to form a task force to hunt the conspiracy that enabled all of this. I don't know if they'll cut their losses and leave Alderaan alone, or if they'll continue their activities. But I don't want to be caught unprepared ever again."

His hand sought hers and intertwined fingers.

"I will see what I can set in motion in the next day or so. But I'm not going to keep us from our vacation time together. You let me know where you want to go and I'll see to it. I'm tempted to just be done with the festival now and just stay in bed with you the rest of the day, start the vacation a little early."

"Good idea, at a minimum, knowing what signs to look for even if they do run would be helpful," she agreed.

"They will likely be all but impossible to truly catch at this point, but time should make it more possible. I think that it will help if there are people out there that know what to look for to interfere with their efforts."

He then shifts gear to other topics he hopes to address. Even as his fingers play between hers.

"That Blai Freyus... he seems particularly fond of the thranta. Perhaps we might get him one as a reward for his help? He really didn't need to but he did. I owe him more than a thranta could repay, but that might make him happy."

Ziandra considered that, and said, “I think we can do that, since you seem so concerned. I will contact House Frayus to make sure they have the means to care for one.”

Zeno nods in thanks to his wife. "It could go a good ways to improving relations with yet another house as well," he says. "I think in a few months with some work and PR we'll be seen as we properly should be."

"I already made peace with House Lanar, and arranged a future marriage with a House that will be watched by many," she said.

"You know I love it when you make it look that easy," he says with a smile. "Recovering in bed after an attempted coup, and 'by the way, I've straightened out another house'."

“Wait till the other Houses start lining up to be our friend, with Ulgo’s fortunes ruined for the moment and our actions during the insurrection, even Organa will find it hard pressed not to want an invite to our parties and gatherings. We are in a strong position, Zeno,” she said proudly.

“Losing a hand for what we have gained is a small price to pay, though I shan’t pay with limbs in the future if it can be helped.”