Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

The sprawling fair grounds were quite a signt. It always amazed him, the absolute difference in cultures between the Empire and the Republic. He still thought that it was too relaxed and easygoing here, but he had come to appreciate certain aspects of it. Like the more varied culinary options, the different entertainment, and less obvious propaganda. He held Kasha and Opila's hands at his sides as he walked with Ziandra.

Ziandra was in a beautiful ensemble, a traditional Alderaanian gown. She paused by a stand for some treats and said, "Each of you can get one, that means you too." The last bit she said gesturing to Zeno with a kind smile.

The girls slipped Zeno's grip and moved to the stand, excitedly looking for something to pick out.

Zeno stepped close and kissed Ziandra on the forehead. "Just one?" he asks. "I'll have to go wwwiiiith..."

He sucks his teeth. "Such a hard decision. What do you think I should pick?" He asks, squatting down next to Opila. "Maybe I'll have an Opila!" He starts play-nomming her shoulder while tickling her, eliciting a happy yelp and giggles. "Or maybe a Kasha?" he says, repeating with his other daughter.

He stood up and let them calm down so they could pick. He got something that he knew Ziandra liked, but different from what she got. That way she could steal some or all of it if she wanted.

Ziandra appreciated the gesture and said, "Thank you dear, you are so thoughtful. Did you know there were common folk rioting at the spaceport during the Queen's speech?"

In their wake followed two members of the Blackguard.

"I only just saw it on the news a little while ago. I'd been watching while I was waiting to meet with Lady Koor," he said with a nod. "People that would rather see an independent Alderaan I believe." She knew that he wouldn't mind that, but also that he would go along with most plans she set.

After the girls got their treats they rejoined their parents walking on either side of them.

Zeno Thul wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 16, 2021 10:16 am

"I only just saw it on the news a little while ago. I'd been watching while I was waiting to meet with Lady Koor," he said with a nod. "People that would rather see an independent Alderaan I believe." She knew that he wouldn't mind that, but also that he would go along with most plans she set.

After the girls got their treats they rejoined their parents walking on either side of them.

"I am not sure which I prefer, but being bullied into by commoners is detestable," she said in reply.

"There are proper channels and ways for them to make their concerns known," he agrees with a nod. "And they likely don't even understand what independence entails. You lose the protection of being in one group, and what other groups will come for you? I'm not against the idea, but a plan is required to make it happen."

"The Empire you knew is not the one that currently exists... and I am unsure of how much we can rely on them... or for how long," she said honestly.

"We need friends on Alderaan."

"Yeah... I only just put together some things not long ago. About the Empress. More of a private conversation thing honestly," he admits. "I apparently knew her mother. But while we may not be able to rely on the Empire as a whole, there is still my connection to Deathwright."

"We will have to consider what that future should be then and quickly," she said honestly.

"Honestly," he says with a shrug. "It could swing either way, could it not? If we try to pull away the Empire might cling if they want to keep a foothold, or they may abandon if politics there become insular. But there are a million ways things could play out. You see all of that stuff better than me."

Zeno Thul wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 16, 2021 5:30 pm

"Honestly," he says with a shrug. "It could swing either way, could it not? If we try to pull away the Empire might cling if they want to keep a foothold, or they may abandon if politics there become insular. But there are a million ways things could play out. You see all of that stuff better than me."

“You do have a voice here, Zeno, sure when I married you that may not have been my first reason to have you at my side but you have qualities that I am not sure even you realize. You can be more than just a hammer,” she offered.

“You are more than just a strong arm, you're a husband, father, and valued member of our House.”

Ziandra continued, “What happening here is going to affect us both, and as much as I want to rely on those ties we have to live here on Alderaan. Our children are Alderaan children, this will be their life and we have to make sure the family endures.”

"I..." he pauses for a moment as he thinks. "Extricating ourselves from being tied to the Empire and finding allies in other houses while trying to find a way to appease and assuage those that would harm our house. I think that is what would best protect our daughters' futures. But it risks making enemies of current allies while they live in our home. Betraying my word to anyone..." he sighs heavily. "My mind rails against the thought of it. I would do it for my family, but I know that I would hate myself for it. I'd need to convince myself of it, force myself into it, tell myself it's the only option."

The unspoken words being that if someone else convinced him, he'd likely hate them as well. And he did not want that.

"I am not asking you to betray anything, only see that our arrangement is reaching the end of it's life," she said honestly.

"The Empire provides less and less support and have left a token amount of people. They expect us to fend for ourselves. I prefer it, we are allies, not pawns."

"I know. But all of my alliances or relationships have ended with death or betrayal. Even when I came here and was removed from the Sith order, I was not branded a traitor but it came on the heels of assisting a comrade when he betrayed his master," he admits. "Simply letting go... I've never actually done that."

“We have a saying on Alderaan, don’t say goodbye simply wait to say Hello again. I am not asking you to break any ties, and in truth they may want to renew the relationship in the future but in the short term, our loyalty needs to be seen as to the Queen first. Organa will stop at nothing to destroy us, Ulgo only wants the Throne, if we gave him support he might even take it… but I believe in Panteer, and they better align with my long term… our long term initiatives,” she replied.

He nods at that. "Even with that I am not a politician. I am trying to improve and hold my own in that arena, but I don't have the mind or eye for optics you do. I... can maybe try to become closer to Joran. But it's a difficult prospect for me to try and befriend any military minded Republican. Many of them look at me and see a historic enemy and an outsider," he replies.

“All it takes is someone to see you as more than a threat to bridge the gap, love. Thul is a name that is spat on by many, perseverance is key and to know when to quit wasting resources. We don’t need everyone to be our friend, just the right people. You are already doing what is needed by helping with the killiks and being seen,” she offered.

“Besides, we always need some enemies and we are both excellent at doing that. I trust you, it is one of your many adorable qualities.”

Zeno smiles at Ziandra. "Well, it's true that I make enemies pretty easily. Being what I am and was, it makes it easy for folks to disdain me while feeling okay about themselves. An extremely useful talent."

"Now let's find a place to get some lunch before the girls get cranky," she said.