(D4 ME) No Mountain, No Starship

[Cynella Andrim]

Cynella smiled. "Excellent! I wouldn't have been pleased if you were willing to abdicate, and not just because of political arrangements." She tugged at the Prince of Joral's arm, her grin growing. "A noble must remain committed to their duties, though as we've already covered, there's always room for extraneous activities. All people, regardless of circumstance, deserve their rest and relaxation."

But as for her victory, the Kuati lady seemed to be over the entire thing. "I do think I passed over the line, though I'd say it was after the ball had left my hand. It's not worth asking to compare any footage." She patted Aurilie on the shoulder and retook her position opposite of the basket.

"I agree that there are many other booths to visit. That being said, if you are so seeking a prize, I'd say that such things are more easily bought at a store than earned at the fair."

[Aurilie Alde]

"I'm glad to see that we're of the same mind regarding royal birthright. It wouldn't bode well for everyone if I were to turn my back on the throne." She smirked at the tug on her arm, which perhaps caught her by surprise enough to make her lean her way before she regained footing. "As for Lady Cynella, do you think you'll take well a life of overseeing the rural regions of Mount Joral or serving politics among the Alderaanian nobles?"

She would have to assume so if Cynella had her eye on Prince Joran but it was always good to hear directly from her date.

Putting their business with the ball-can game behind them, Aurilie was already guiding them away from the wretched business. She supposed there was some victory found already in watching Cynella outdo the wretched carnie, even if they didn't get a trophy out of it. "I suppose that much is true and I imagine that most of the prizes were worth a few credits at most. Still, I think it would have been more delightful to win the prize than buy it."

She gave a shake of her head, putting it behind her as they walked and she scoped their next prospect together. Her gaze did go toward the game where some attendees were using miniature rifles to shoot darts. That was perhaps in her element but she had enough of shooting for one day. There was a hall of mirror mazes at a large tent but did they really need to retread on the same ground again? She found herself squinting her eyes elsewhere, a nerf petting zoon...really? "I could swear I saw a merry-go-round around here..."

[Cynella Andrim]

"Ah yes, I suppose it would be more suitable if I married into House Alde instead of the other way around if this union is to be," Cynella said. She took a breath, her expression remaining passive as the scenario ran through her mind. "It'd take some adjustment to be so isolated at your mountain. Then again, I've yet to visit it and am unsure how, well, vibrant it can be. As for the nobility, you've said it yourself, haven't you? I've had to adapt!"

She smirked as they left the booth behind. "I told you that such a place wasn't worth the effort. However, I did still enjoy myself. Next time, I'm sure you'll listen to my wise counsel!"

At the vast amount of options available to them, Cynella simply raised a brow. "They really went all out for this. Tell me, prince; do you enjoy petting animals or only hunting them down?"

[Aurilie Alde]

"A prince must remain close to their kingdom, no?" She brought up in response to who would be marrying out in such a union. "I'm confident that you will be able to adapt if you've taken well to the splendors of House Panteer's kingdom here. Admittedly, we do see a lot of snow on Mount Joral, almost half the year but the first thaw has already begun when I made my preparations to attend the Festival. Of course, I'd rather my perspective spouse adapt than barely tolerate. It would wound me if she, or he, found Mount Joral miserable. I could talk about my kingdom all day but I do think at the end of the day, it may be best to see it for yourself. Somehow, perhaps sparing some time for a day trip, hm?"

She let out a short shy and smirked back at her. "My sincere apologies, my lady. I suppose I had it in my mind that we could both outdo the carnie and come out victorious. Perhaps, I've allowed their subterfuge to cloud me while you've been able to wisely see the intent from the presented challenge."

"I hope Lady Cynella doesn't see as a cruel hunter," she said as she cast a sidelong look at her. "I can care and nurture them, much like our mutual thranta friend. Our estate still keeps a number of messenger birds to this day, actually."

Nerfs, however, she was less sure about.

[Cynella Andrim]

"Indeed. As I am not inheriting much within House Andrim, it would only be sensible," she said with no resentment on the matter. "Snow, well, we don't get much snow on Kuat. It might take some adjustment but I've been told I'm surprisingly capable of weathering through the cold. Might be all of the muscle or something." Or fat but she hadn't gained that much weight here, right? "A trip to your domain, regardless if a marriage is down the line, sounds lovely. I'll want to see it at least once in my life, if not more."

Cynella laughed once over the booth and shook her head. "On the contrary, I think it was all luck. I approached that with no other strategy than to just throw the ball." She pursed her lips. "That being said, I kind of pictured it like throwing a grenade. I haven't thrown a live one before, mind you, but I took that up in case I ever did get a commission in the military."

She looked at Aurilie with a blank expression and then smirked. "Yes, it just wouldn't do if you couldn't be nice to animals. I'm not sure if I'll ever understand hunting. It's by no means a horrid atrocity to me but I just don't see the appeal."

[Aurilie Alde]

"I do recall that you did mention that you were the jock of your family. I imagine that the jogging trail might take an entirely different meaning up and down the mountain, more so during the snowy months too." She smirked. "Of course, the rest of Alderaan isn't too far from Mount Joral, especially if we consider some potential Kuat involvement in transportation. In ships, not furnishing steeds, to be clear. But I'm glad that you're agreeable to the idea, perhaps we could consider that as a potential date? I could show you the estate, have you for high tea, or a stroll around the countryside if you'd rather."

"Ah, there's probably where I was at a disadvantage," she said with a few nods as she conceded to that impression. "I can't say I typically throw too many grenades when I'm on the field. They do make a rather large mess of both the target and the environment. Not very elegant weapons."

"It's understandable if you don't ever take to hunting, Lady Cynella," she nodded with a small smile. "Spouses don't always share the same interests and hunting might be considered archaic to some, especially in places where we no longer have to hunt by necessity. Bounty hunting seems to be strangely more popular if anything. It's something I practice as a tradition, occupation, and leisure. So I understand that there's certainly a foundation for it in my family but of course, hunting is just one of the many facets of House Alde. I'd say that more importantly, we conduct ourselves as advocates of peace in the galaxy and keepers of history where possible. As I hinted before, politics and diplomacy likely play a larger part in the family."

"...would Lady Cynella like to visit the petting zoo?" She asked carefully.

[Cynella Andrim]

"I would admittedly be off-put if there's no suitable trail at all," Cynella said. "Surely there must be something though. But yes, perhaps a suitable cold-climate design would do well. That or we'll have to heavily commercialize the thranta industry," she said with a warm smile. "But ah, do you mean during the festival itself or later for this visit?"

She shrugged. "Yes, I suppose it's not a great hunting weapon, nor are they elegant. However, I'd say that warfare often relies on the most effective of weapons. Otherwise, I'd have likely taken up the bow. I certainly have the strength for it!"

On that note, she pretended to hold out her free arm to draw the string. "It'd be a classical hunter weapon, that's for sure. Though, mind you, I hope you know that we have not been wed yet. Time has yet to reveal who is most suitable for my hand in marriage, both to myself and my parents." More emphasis on the latter. It was, after all, so political for her.

But it was clear that she didn't want to linger on that. "Yes, it'd be quite nice to pet some of the animals. I wanted to collect some in my youth but my parents never let me."

[Aurilie Alde]

"There is a trail, I can say at the very least. I don't think we wouldn't be able to function or run the kingdom at all without any semblance of roads to work with." She chuckled as she carefully balanced the basket on her wrist and gave her a pat on the back of Cynella's hand. "I shall leave it up to you, my lady. I was originally thinking during the festival but I understand that your agenda might be filled during the week. There are a few modes of transportation we could consider to get there and back in a reasonable manner without taking us away from the festival for too long."

"I personally think it would be delightful to see you try your hand with a bow, just for target practice like we did a few days ago." She on the matter of marriage, she gave an understanding nod on the matter. When it came to people of importance, there were usually several elements in play before a decision could be made. "Of course, Lady Cynella."

"Animals do require a lot of responsibility. Honestly, my parents felt the same. Well, perhaps more regarding the small and cute pets. They don't seem to do very well when you have the wilderness as your backyard." She said as she guided them toward the corral that was set up for the petting zoo. Needless to say, there were a lot of children but a few adults who took an interest in the young animals, it was likely they were some of the few. Various infant nerfs were merely grazing on the feed that was put out on the edge of the pen.

[Cynella Andrim]

"We'll have to see if there's time in the coming week," Cynella said with a faint smile. "After all, I don't know how long I can be without some event that I must attend. It just wouldn't do if I didn't show up to court, for example."

She giggled at the idea of being an archer. "Oh you have so much faith in me. I suppose having the eye for hitting a target is all well and good but I hear that it's an entirely different skill from, say, a rifle. I'd say also that I have a better grip on my pistol anyways." While a precious item, she'd left it locked away for the time being. It wouldn't do to take her pistol with her afterwards to the dinner.

"It wasn't necessarily the responsibility," Cynella said, shaking her head at her childhood self. "When I say I wanted animals, I wanted large ones, like that nexu I rode one time. I'm sure you can imagine the sheer cost it'd take to own a personal zoo."

[Aurilie Alde]

Aurilie would smile back at her and nodded in acceptance."Of course, just an idea for your consideration. By no means do I mean to monopolize your time. When you find the time, either during or after the festival, we'd love to have you over."

"I think you that you may do well if you tried." She said on the matter of the bow, hardly expecting her to take up the weapon, or even go hunting with it in the unlikely case she changed her mind. "Bow and the like are actually a traditional weapon of House Alde. Well, perhaps traditional in the sense that they pre-date even the founding of Alderaan. Something that our precursors might have used when they were pioneering a world before this one. They are commonplace in our work of art and I even found myself wanting to give it a try in my youth, as daunting as it might have been. Naturally, my parents did their best to dissuade me. Saying something about shooting my own eye out."

"A menagerie even...hardly a casual hobby for those who could afford it, especially if you're looking to break other species from different worlds. Some adapt well enough when transplanted in similar conditions but I imagine others would need very controlled facilities with artificial environments. I don't suppose the Kuat ever made such ships for transport?" She asked curiously as she cautiously offered a hand to the little nerf in front of her. While cautious at first, the nerf did manage to catch the prince's scent of sandalwood and approach closer to find where it was coming from.

[Cynella Andrim]

"Well we do have an entire cruise to attend, don't we? Yes, it'll have to be sometime when there isn't a lot happening. And thus far, Her Majesty has been keeping us quite occupied, hasn't she?"

Cynella smiled. "Yes, there is a certain artistic appeal to the bow and arrow. It takes much more training than a mere blaster, so I'm told, just as a sword is supposed to be harder than a spear. I've never had skill in either of those but I think I'd favor the latter. More distance between me and whatever nasty thing is on the other end of it, hm?" She tapped her lips. "Though I am wondering how you'd shoot your own eye out with a bow."

The topic of the menagerie brought a little flush on the Kuati lady's cheeks. "Ah, these were fancies of a young girl. I hadn't the faintest idea what housing all those animals would be like. I just wanted to pet them." She watched the nerf on the approach, restraining herself from lunging at it for sweet cuddles.

[Aurilie Alde]

"Queen Solara is a very good hostess and keeping us with a full schedule, which is for the best. Of course, potentially keeps some of their guests out of trouble." She chuckled, half-wondering if she found herself among those guests who found themselves in trouble despite the best of her intentions.

"That's a good question with the bow." She looked thoughtfully on the matter. "I imagine it's just a conjured excuse to keep me from considering getting a bow of my own. Their difficulties have done little to diminish their romantic appeal, however. I guess it only makes sense when they are often seen in the hands of commanders, heroes, and adventurers where their skills likely compensate all concept of style."

As the nerf approached, Aurilie found herself tensing up slightly. There was something about these animals, maybe it was the smell but clearly, their cuteness was still appealing to draw in visitors. She gave a small scritch on its furred snout and the infant nerf grunted before giving a lick on Aurilie's palm. As best as she could, she couldn't hold herself from wincing. "Yes, they are adorable when they're this small...

[Cynella Andrim]

"Yes, though I suppose all the politics combined with the festivities has made it more complex." She sighed. "Just as well that I didn't come during a simpler time. Then again, perhaps you can tell me: does such a time exist on Alderaan?"

Cynella smirked. "Ah. Well, perhaps it's all the same like me and my petting zoo. Parents have certain expectations and it's up to us to live up to the ones that are reasonable."

Unlike the Prince of Joral, she was absolutely infatuated by the nerf. She still kept her hands by her side, wanting the little guy to be as consoled by Aurilie as possible. "Eee."

[Aurilie Alde]

"Personally, I'd say it did, but that might be a matter of bias as someone who was born and raised on Alderaan. The recent Empire incursion and the return of the Thul have made things more than tense, perhaps sparking a change to the world that we don't often experience. Seeing as we're set in our ways, it will be a while until the ripple still and crinkles flatten. However, we can't be entirely sure with House Thul." She shrugged, not too pleased about it but she wasn't going to dwell on that now. "I'd say that in times of peace, Alderaan becomes more comfortable arguing about ancestral land ownership and making a large fuss of who wore what at where. Funny those were simpler times."

Aurilie smirked at Cynella. "I'd like to think that I accomplish most of what I set out to be, at least in spirit. Of course, I could consider taking up archery too and set up a traditional archery field in my estates to facilitate it."

Slimy... The prince thought to herself as she felt the lick. She tried to redirect and move her hand to pat the nerf on the head. However, the nerf seemed to have caught sight of something glimmering, the cufflink on her sleeve. It raised its head to make it difficult for Aurilie to reach. "...he's really affectionate, I see..."

[Cynella Andrim]

"Yes, I imagine it's much nicer when it's court gossip. Of course, it's not so pleasant in itself. Kuat still has that going on, along with industrial espionage and the like." She shrugged. "That's just how nobility goes, doesn't it?"

Cynella smirked. "Oh? Beyond hunting and managing your familial estate, what else do you set out to do? I'd very much like to hear more examples!"

The grossness of such a slimy lick didn't phase her at all. "Of course he's affectionate. He's very young and, well, he's been raised among people hasn't he? Yes, yes, who's a cute little nerf?"

[Aurilie Alde]

"Probably more so a people issue than a nobility one." She smirked on that note. "But I suppose nobility do have better topics to be petty about, although it is still all petty in the end. They are more harmless than those with actual real stakes involved and the barbs are more damaging than a real cut. Likely something I'll have to look forward to when I spend more days in court or manage one of my own. I'd like to think that Mount Joral tends to have more real and practical affairs than other courts."

Aurilie chuckled at the question. "I might risk getting ahead of my plans, there's a difference between wishing and doing. Well, we do have a semblance of a winery on the mountain with an orchard too. I find myself wanting to diversify our local offerings. Certainly, we have the taste for it but we must import everything and they come in shorter supply on Mount Joral. The orchard is small enough as it is and there isn't much land to push further, so it'll take some ingenuity to manage the space, likely take down some unfortunate tree. It will also require some research too, given our altitude and climate, to facilitate other berries and grapes. So, that's been another project I've been considering."

"It's good that he takes well to people...I could imagine the situations here if he wasn't so genteel." On that note, the nerf got close enough to the cufflink and attempt to snatch it away with a chomp! Aurilie luckily pulled her arm back in time and looked bemused at what just happened. "...If a little hungry. I get the feeling we're taking him away from his dinner time, maybe."

[Cynella Andrim]

"On the contrary, I'd say that I've seen the common people have more... grounded qualms with one another. They do not cling to the same generational and familial strife that is rife among the nobility." Cynella smiled at the mention of the Prince of Joral's territory. "Ah, but I suppose the farther one goes, the easier it is to avoid such squabbles."

Cynella nodded along to Aurilie's pursuits. "Ah, that much explains the wine you've so thoughtfully gifted to me. And you've put so much thought into it too! Certainly it isn't as simple as just planting some grapes as I'd thought it to be."

She leaned over, tilting her head as she marveled at the creature. "Well, I also wonder if he might be teething, like a human baby would."

[Aurilie Alde]

"Well, I'm sure Lady Cynella is right about that." She chuckled on a rueful note. "Here I was hoping to paint us on a higher note. We couldn't very well have generations of wealth and birthright without some price attached to it, right? I suppose we should have to see them with some element of pride when they are something that is inherited, albeit there is nothing pleasant about them. You are right to say that the mountains remove us from some of them, although I think there is some cost to that. I don't think I've adapted well to the recent fashion trend."

She gave a glance at her suit, recalling that apparently robes and cloaks were in, apparently.

"The very best from Mount Joral. And no, it isn't as easy. There's a sort of science and alchemy about it when it comes to raising grapes and other fruit to be cultivated into wine. That's even without dwelling on the winemaking process. Our mountain's valley berry thankfully its a resilient fruit but again, we could stand to have some more variety. At least around the estate, if not the county. Maybe consider a greenhouse of sorts. We have a conservatory but mostly reserved for mother's flowers."

Aurilie ran her thumb over her fingers, the calf's lick still on her thoughts. "That might explain a bit...I believe they do lose their teeth shortly after they are born and they grow back sometime later. He doesn't seem that onery if that's the case..." she murmured as she had her hand approach again but thought twice on it.

[Cynella Andrim]

"I am of the camp that the nobility must have some sort of humility attached to it. Otherwise, the inheritance that comes with it leaves too much to chance." She smiled ruefully. "After all, I did nothing to earn the wealth I've enjoyed all my life beyond being born. That and, well, I suppose I've done well enough to not be exiled from House Andrim."

Cynella eyed Aurilie's outfit and then her own. "I can't say I've attached to that trend either. I know some who've ditched their entire former wardrobes based on a whim. I, for one, am glad that we've settled into a consistent dress code for ourselves."

She smirked. "So not only are you a master of fauna but also flora? I suppose such things do tread the same ground. And surely a greenhouse would be easier to create than a child's fantasies of a menagerie!"

Speaking of animals, Cynella continued to behold the infant nerf as if before some grand altar. "I imagine they choose which ones to bring based on their temperament. And this one is... rather well-behaved."

[Aurilie Alde]

She nodded in agreement on that. "You are right that nobility and inheritance shouldn't be taken for granted entirely. There might be something to do with luck when it comes to being born into a royal family and we do have the power to help others. And that is something we acknowledge in practice with the Festival, I'd like to believe. While we are pleased to have such fine and upstanding company such as yourself among us, it also gives the nobles of Alderaan a chance to meet others as well and share some of our wealth, so to speak. Personally, I find it hard to imagine that Lady Cynella would get exiled from House Andrim by being yourself."

"Something tells me that I probably wouldn't have changed my wardrobe even if I knew about the trend long in advance." She chuckled. "There is a tradition found with consistency, which is what House Alde practices. Of course, I imagine that Lady Cynelle could manage to look good in any fashion she chooses to practice."

"Flora can be admittedly easier to take care of than fauna, although they do require a great deal of care and attention when some species can be adaptive with the ability their ability to migrate and travel. A future menagerie isn't impossible on Mount Joral either. Although something like that might do better on the valley, where most of the settlements are found, than higher on the mountain itself."

Aurilie was considering distancing herself from the nerf but noticed that perhaps the nerf had managed to captivate Cynelle with his cuteness and teething dilemma. "Would you Lady Cynella like to greet our nerfling? He might be curious to...make your acquaintance, yes."