Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

Ashlin closed her eyes for a long moment as she sat on one of the benches in the flower gardens. She leaned back until the back of her head was resting on it, the slight slide needed rumpling her noble regalia a little. When her eyes opened, they were greeted with the flowers hanging down from the lattices, seeming to make fun of her. Flowers didn't have to act to be poised. They were just perfect all on their own.

Well, she knew where her value was. There was no reason to think that she shouldn't be who she was. She was just a little out of her element.

Oh, well. She straightened and shook her head, trying to clear off the cloud from earlier. It would be fine in the end.

The man relaxed as he walked down a path of the gardens. His fingers loosening the clasp at the neck of his noble regalia. The Cascader flipped off, his features now showing the harsher edges, the signs of age beginning to show. A hand, long fingers, running through his silver-white hair.

Durasay took a relaxed pace, stopping every so often to look at the flowers, to take in the moment here. Hands clasped behind his back, he let his mind wander. Taking the time to simply exist, without the expectations of what needed to be done.

Ashlin stretched as she heard someone approach. Was it going to be someone she would have to be proper and poised for? She hoped not. The appearance of a Pantoran was surprising but not shocking. Lots of people showed up for the festival.

"Evening," she greeted simply.

He turned to look over his shoulder, amber eyes catching the sight of the human woman. Stepping to turn more fully, his smile was warm, nodding to her.

"Sorry, didn't mean to intrude on someone else's thoughts. Felt like a walk after a grand gala would be a good idea."

"Honestly, you really weren't. I kinda had the same idea. Too many people for me," she admitted with a shake of her head and a rueful smile. Then she extended her hand toward him to shake. "Ashlin Organa. Nice to meet you."

"Durasay Mixo. A pleasure." He took her hand, shaking it firmly, yet with a certain practiced elegance to not squeeze her hand too tightly. "It's draining, to be around so many." The Organa surname was certainly noted, but this was a much more casual conversation.

"Your family's estate is quite nice. I've only gotten a chance to explore the spaceport, but it is lovely. Thanks to you and them for the hospitality."

She had no such elegance in her shake - it was firm regardless of those she was dealing with. Oddly low-key and practical in nature, with the calluses on her palms to back it up. "We're happy to offer. I know the spaceport best myself, but if you ever wanted to see the rest of it, let me know. Mind if I join you if you're planning to walk the grounds?"

"I don't mind. Please, join me." He kept the smile on his features, making room for the woman by his side.

His hands remained loose at his side, shoulders back as he moved. Clearly no longer 'on' for the day, Durasay was more himself than the formality of the occasion needed.

"So..." She said as she started walking, seeming to consider how to put the next question. "Here for the festival? Or the political who's marrying who nonsense? Or some combination?"

"A combination, you could say. Business, really. But being here during the festival seems like a good way to relax. And there's an opportunity here, to help relations between your people and mine." He replied, casually yet warmly. He kept his pace to match hers, not needing to make anyone keep up with him.

"Feels like the place I needed to be at this time, if that makes sense. Other than being from here, are you having a vested interest in the potential wedding situation?"

"Business? What kind of business?" She asked curiously, tilting her head. "My family basically has me participating as a representative. As far as the marriage part goes..." She shrugged. "... They're cute, so I can't say it's totally irrelevant to me, but it's hardly a compelling political proposal."

"That makes sense to me. Sometimes you just know where you need to be. That's why I became an engineer."

"We'll see. From what I understand, trying to find a trade agreement between our two worlds. Could be as simple as shipping and manufacturing. I'll know more when I actually meet with my contact." He smiled, listening to Ashlin's words.

"You'll have to see my friend's ship sometime. She looks like a regular freighter, but... the Turtle is the stuff of legends."

"That makes sense." The talk of the ship obviously got her notice. "Oh? How so? Light freighters can be really adaptable."

"Shot down by the invaders over Bankor. Built back stronger than before. Fastest ship in the quadrant, tough as nails, and easy on the eyes. She's... she's special." He nodded.

"Our mechanic has put some special modifications that really makes her stand out amongst the rest. She looks like she'd fly like a brick, but she's poetry in motion."

"That does sound special... I want to see her someday." She said with a sigh.