Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

Despite last night's excitement and near-assault on the Royal Family, Kat had still risen early and was seeking an audience with prince Gaul. While she appeared outwardly calm, there was still some weariness to her features... or maybe she hadn't slept well after what happened.

Gaul was having breakfast and looking over reports having an holo-call with his office on Coruscant when they brought Kataryzna to his apartments in the palace. He rose, excusing himself saying, “That will be all for now, get some rest it’s late there team.”

“Good morning master Jedi, is the world ending again?” he joked.

"Good morning, your highness," Kat bowed as was proper for him, being a prince and all.

While her calm self, she couldn't help but to mentally kick herself for having botched their previous meeting with all the serious talk. I really need to learn to switch off. "Hopefully not. I just came to personally deliver all the information we currently have on the situation discussed yesterday..."

A breath. "... And I am glad to see you are well and unharmed, after last night's events."

"Jedi fighting Jedi, how ignoble. I had no worries, seeing you in the field. Thank you again for protecting me and mines," he said warmly.

"I do not think that person was a Jedi. At least not judging from their behaviour when confronted... I should find time to speak with the arrested ones later today, particularly that one."

But her concern was at least less for a little bit, thanks to his warm tone. "Putting myself between you and danger, it's the least I can do, considering I'm terrible at spending time with you on my own going by yesterday's performance with the wine."

Reaching into a pouch on her belt, Kat withdrew a data-chit.

"I didn't think they were, but glad to know for sure that was an imposter. You think this all ties into your conspiracy?" he asked looking at the data chit.

"I do. According to my fellow Jedi, this is part of the work of a group that seeks to eliminate the Jedi Order. Destabilizing Alderaan, and the Republic would help to weaken our already injured Order, I think."

She handed the datachit over to him. "This is everything that I have on the matter as of this moment. I hope this information can help the security forces in the investigations, but also... I hope that it can shed some light on recent activities. These people are using misinformation to manipulate us all, we must fight them with knowledge and truth."

"Are we sure that this isn't some Sith and Imperial plot against the Jedi?" he said accepting the datachit.

"I would very much like it for it to be so, but... I trust my fellow Jedi when they say that this group is also interested in removing the Sith as well as the Jedi. For now though, our concern is with what they are trying to do here, rather than thinking of the entire galaxy."

It was easier to focus on one planet than all the planets.

"But if the Empire and the Sith are running interference too, I wouldn't be surprised. We've just not seen any trace of them, apart from Lana Beniko, but she has not done anything that has warranted our attention."

"Were you expecting otherwise of Miss Beniko?" he asked curiously. "She is Sith, but I suppose my history with her is longer than most on Alderaan. I do not trust Sith on principle, but she has saved my life."

"To be honest, I do not know what to expect from her, but I also expect her to be reasonable as a representative on what is technically an enemy-planet," she said honestly, which was even a bit of praise for the woman.

"I didn't know she had saved your life before though. I'm surprised, but pleasantly so."

“Oh yes, it was what I would learn to be the last day of the Immortal Emperor was slain by agents of the Dark Council or new Empress… but whatever the case everyone on the planet went crazy and tried to kill everyone else, and very few of us were not affected by this malady. She was one of them and defended our Embassy for hours until I suppose he was dead. It was… one of the most terrifying days of my life,” he said honestly.

“It was humbling to know that a Sith was the only line between me and certain doom by the crazed masses. I still have… unsettling dreams from the ordeal.”

Kat listened, with a sense of sympathy for what he must've endured then, in such a frightening time.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that. It must've been... frightening. But I'm glad she protected you, and that you're here now." Kat let the warmth in her tone hint more at her growing fondness for him.

"Would it help you to speak about these dreams? Or perhaps try some meditation?" Realising what she suggested, she smiled a bit bashfully. "... A very Jedi-like offer, I know."

"It's... thank you but I am not a meditative person, I will manage. I just told the story to give some insight into her character," he offered.

"Of course."

Damnit Kat, that wasn't smooth at all.

"Thank you for sharing it. It's appriciated. Ah, I... probably should let you get on with your day. No doubt lots more important meetings and what-not." She nodded to the datachit. "Let me know if you have any questions after reading that, and... I hope it will be a step to getting the houses to come together, to work together. I believe you and your family can make that happen."

"It's an uphill battle with everyone hating everyone else," he said cheerfully.

"It is. But a battle worth fighting, I believe. If there are members in the houses you trust to put in a good word for this, I think it would go a long way in bringing everyone to the table, so to speak."

She sighed a little. "I do realise Ulgo might be a challenge, after all that's happened."

"Maybe a summit of leaders, to get people to talk and hash out our differences," he said thinking.

"Yes," she said, nodding.

"The grounds of Elysium, though damaged from the recent war, in the past has served as a neutral meeting ground between the houses. A symbol of unity."

"I will pull some strings and get all the major folks to the table... even Ulgo," he said confidently. "A Jedi presence acting as mediator could go a long way, Tethys Carrack would be my first choice."

"I mean you would be great too, but some folks might see past Ulgo."