Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

Cynella, for all her hiking, realized that she wasn't quite a trailblazer. In fact, she was mostly good at following predetermined trails no matter how difficult. How am I supposed to get out of here... goodness, I have hours, but at this rate, I'm going to be late for the main event!

Just as Cynella was trying to make her way out of the hedge maze, in strolled someone who had just made her way inside the maze. She was dressed in a brown tweed suit alongside a patterned tie to complement her pants. The lady strolled in casually, looking hardly distressed or perhaps someone who had planned on potentially spending the afternoon in the maze.

She raised her brows at the other woman when it looked obvious that she wasn't a local, even if being royalty from another world. However, she presented a bow of greeting with her hands at their rightful places on her back and front. "Good afternoon...I'm Aurilie Alde, the Prince of Mount Joral. I hope I'm not intruding..."

"Oh! I didn't expect to meet someone here of all places," Cynella said, returning the bow. "I am Cynella Rhiannon Esmetrice Andrim, though Cynella works all the same. A pleasure, to be sure. Anyhow, you are by no means intruding on my leisurely stroll here." She fluffed out her jacket and glanced over the other woman's suit. By the glint in her eyes, she was clearly impressed. "Have you done this maze before?"

Aurilie tilted her head slightly as she gave a glance at the walls of the hedge maze. "I could think of strange places where you could meet someone. I partially expected the maze to be teaming with guests and perhaps some of the palace's servants trying to find said guests who have spent too long here. Supposedly, people venture into the maze to not find a way out but try to lose themselves in the best spots. It's good that I haven't intruded on you, that would be most awkward, depending on your intentions here."

"As for me," she said to bring attention back on herself before Cynella could ask too many questions in return, "I probably haven't done this maze in, oh...probably a decade. It looked far different in my youth and I'm looking at these walls with wholly different eyes."

"What ever could be my intentions here?" she asked, pursing her lips in thought. "Regardless, I expected that people would choose to bring someone with them here instead of meeting someone new." Her eyes widened though she didn't blush at all; she thought of something people did.

"Ah, well, we're off on the same footing then. Perhaps you'd like to lead the way though?"

"Oh, of course," Aurilie said stoically on the matter. "I imagine that all secrets or conspiracies must take at least two people to fulfill a contract. There was always the possibility that you were expecting someone else here. Admittedly, visitors to Alderaan seem to bring in ideas of their own."

She nodded once at the offer and began to lead the way through the maze. Presently, she wasn't exactly looking for an immediate way out but perhaps to drink in the surroundings of the maze. It had been a while and as a child, she would merely run through these mazes without regard. The weather here was far warmer than her home, the settlements of Mount Joral were still seeing the last cold resistance of the season while everything here was summer already. To rely on the local weather enough to maintain such a maze was indeed a luxury she wasn't used to. She would bring them to what seemed like a spiral finding a break in a pattern as a potential exit. "Could you share a bit about your world, Lady Cynella?"

"No, no, it's just me. Otherwise, perhaps you would be intruding upon my day," Cynella said with her signature wink.

Unphased, she followed the other woman into the depths of this maze. If they were to be lost forever in here, then perhaps this lady wasn't the worst person to be stuck with. Besides, that was a hyperbolic situation! "Kuat? What's there to say?" Seemed like she needed to prepare a primer about her home planet at this rate. "There're lush forests, perhaps a tad warmer than the ones here on Alderaan. Our primary export is ships, though I suspect you're already well aware of that."

The wink did manage to coax a faint smile from Aurilie. She didn't know the other woman very well and perhaps the gesture caught her a bit by surprise. She nodded soundly to file that moment away in her thoughts. It was likely a silly assumption to be making in the first place.

"Kuat, of course," she nodded at the mention of the world and that was likely all she needed to know. Cynella was rather elongated and perhaps if she was more versed in the noble houses, it would have been more obvious. "In that case, I'm a bit surprised that your popularity would allow you to wander these mazes alone. There is a lot of rebuilding on the minds of Alderaanians and their allies."

That perhaps wasn't entirely true when supposedly there was the fear of an impending conflict in the air. Ships were good for ferrying goods but they were also vital to war. "The territory of Mount Joral is a bit remote admittedly to be involved in active trade. My mother did come from a background with some interests in ship engineering, she does have some cousin ties to the Corellian noble houses."

The faint smile, well, Cynella didn't think much on it. Affable as she was, she usually expected as much!

"Ah! Well, I am without any of my friends from Kuat," Cynella said. "I've yet to amass a following of the caliber you're suggesting. I suppose if I end up living here for the rest of my life, then I best get started." She folded her hands in front of her lap, the speech practiced so thoroughly already. "It should come as no surprise that I'm here for your planet's lovely festival. You speak of rebuilding and my planet would be an excellent candidate for such matters. My hand in marriage is, well, a symbolic gesture of my House's desire to set up a lasting relationship."

At the mention of Corellia, Cynella smirked with a tinge of smugness. "Ah yes. I like to think of them as better pilots than ship engineers, though I'd admittedly place one of House Andrim's starfighters in their hands than one of our own." She tilted her head. "Mount Joral, though. Surely a pilot could head over there... unless the weather makes traffic difficult?"

Aurilie continued to lead them through the maze at a leisurely pace. She would take a curving path out of the spiral before finding herself at a crossing intersection. Looking on the ground, she could see the faint traces of steps that looked like it was made by the same flat-heeled leather shoes she was wearing. It was peculiar that she didn't recall finding herself at such an intersection before. Taking what seemed the obvious route, she went with the path without evidence of her prints.

"It's only the first day of the festival and things can change in a few short days. The Kuat industry does hold a notable reputation and if you are indeed one of the few or the only Kuat noble here, it would only benefit you." She cast a sidelong look at her before turning forward again. "I don't know if I would hinge my interest on Alderaan solely based on whether or not you'll be living here for the rest of your life but perhaps I'm a bit biased when it comes to my world. You shouldn't overlook Alderaan either way. You're not only here as a suitor, are you?"

She would frown faintly at the question before answering. "At this time of the year, the weather is typically cooperative. Most of our visitors prefer to fly than brave the long and monotonous roads on the mountain, it's faster and easier. than going by land There might be some lingering resistance from our long winters. Any pilot will need to be diligent of that possibility before venturing up the mountains."

Cynella, having placed all of her faith in the other woman, didn't notice the similar-feel of any surroundings and especially not the similar prints.

"I suppose another Kuati could come, though they'd be fashionably late." And if any were already on the planet, she assumed she'd at least have heard of them through her House. "I did not mean to imply, though, that I was only thinking of my own living arrangements. House Andrim would not be reaching out to Alderaan if we did not believe there was something to be gained." Ah. Capitalism at its finest. "So despite the loveliness of this festival thus far, I don't believe I would have come here if I wasn't seeking a marriage. Although I aim to be wed to the prince or princess, it is imperative that I not leave this planet without a betrothal. Any Alderaanian noble would do, truly," she concluded with another wink.

Talk of a harsh winter was seemingly new to Cynella's sensibilities. That and, well, travel difficulties. "I wonder why your ancestors chose a place to begin with," she said. "Perhaps it was the remoteness itself?"

"Any Alderaanian noble would do?" She repeated Cynella's terms with a bit of amusement in her tone. "Well, I would assume that by the end of your stay you'll be swimming in options that you wouldn't find yourself with the decision made for you if that's your only criteria. Thankfully for you, the festivities have brought a good share of nobles from all over, many of who have the same intention as you when it comes to finding themselves with the prince or princess. As you must have heard, there are a lot of stakes here than just the prosperity of two families."

"I do wish for the best for House Panteer, even if I haven't chosen to be a part of the following of suitors. Both twins are spoiled by choice. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to have the spirit of the festivities to give me ideas," she said with a small smile.

Aurilie nodded once on the question. "The remoteness has some part of it, yes. The founding of Mount Joral began with an expedition sent by House Alde in an attempt to chart out the Juran Mountains entirely. The expedition would find itself quickly overwhelmed by both the natural barrier of the mountains and the inhospitable region, especially during the colder months of the year. Some unexpected casualties and tragic wayward turns later would eventually bring them to Mount Joral. At first, it was merely meant to be a temporary fort but managed to slowly grow to become a kingdom."

"Perhaps 'any' is a bit hyperbolic. I'd of course want him or her to be someone I can get along with. Fortunately, I seem to get along with many sorts of people, though feel free to disagree." Cynella, for all her joking, turned serious. "Though I'm wondering more about these stakes. As an outsider, I can't say I'm well-aware of the political situation here on Alderaan."

She pursed her lips. "Oh yes, I'm sure it'll be quite fun for them to have their picks. Though I'm curious what ideas are going through your head, darling."

On the history of Mount Joral, she nodded along. "I see. I suppose that such things often happen due to unplanned circumstances. How do the thranta do with traversing such terrain? I just thought of those myself." She pulled out her datapad real quick to check the entry in her manual. "Hm..."

"They say that getting along is easy but hardships are perhaps the real test of any relationship. However, it might be difficult to put those to the test when you're trying to build those relationships and any early strain might sour a pairing from happening in the first place. The twins haven't been a stranger to hardships, especially with how their arrangements fell through. It doesn't bode well, especially during these turbulent times." She gave a small shake of her head with a look of disdain on the matter.

"The House will have to tread carefully to avoid potential war. To be honest, my outlook might be a bit optimistic, if not by much. It seems rather unlikely an all-out war will break out from the proceedings but years of bad blood that follow it might do irreparable damage in the long term." She sighed on that note before continuing foraging a way out of the maze.

There was a small smile that appeared on her lips once more, perhaps a bit caught off guard by the question and Cynella's boldness to pry her thoughts. "...Those ideas are still in their infancy, Lady Cynella. If you must know, I am considering my own marriage. It seems only normal, considering the festivities here. The family here have enough prospects to include me in them and it's not my wish to out-stage them in the slightest but I will keep that possibility in my thoughts."

She crossed her arms when Cynella produced her datapad, wondering if she was taking a survey. Surveys were rather foreign concepts for nobles. "The thranta do surprisingly well with the strong winds, it's just the heavy snow that makes it inhospitable for the graceful creatures. I've found that hosting them is also difficult, especially how ornery they get in our stables."

"I don't suppose this festival will be full of these hardships that you speak of. Contests, assuredly, but nothing like what a relationship would entail." Cynella smirked. "Oh I don't believe commoners play at these games the same way. I envy them in that regard."

With the talk of potential civil war, she couldn't maintain the same levity. "What would they need to do or not do in order to avoid this situation then?" She left it unsaid but she was glad that this somewhat dour lady had an optimistic opinion regarding the matter.

"Your own marriage! Why, I think you would make an excellent candidate if you were to make your debut tonight. Although, I suppose the less competition, the better, for me." Cynella, recalling the smile, proceeded with, "But if your mind is set, do keep in mind what I'd said earlier about my own goals."

Rather than linger on the suggestion, she pounced on the idea of the thranta. "Perhaps they are not meant to be caged! Such is a reminder that beautiful things ought to be free to roam."

"I imagine that the Panteers will be able to keep any drama here at the minimum and everyone will be on their best behaviour." She assumed things will proceed swimmingly at least but perhaps it made her consider the royal festivals she had attended in their entirety in the most recent years. As a child, they were long formal slogs but what things will she notice as an adult?

"I'd like to think that if they wish to correct themselves of their misstep, it's just a matter of the twins seeking an engagement and getting married." She said as a matter of fact. Despite being so simple, it sounded like a difficult chore and especially when she thought of all of the complications that could happen. "Of course, I'm sure the queen would like to orchestrate something favourable for the House in the long-term. House Ulgo isn't exactly too pleased with what transpired regarding Crown Prince Gaul Panteer and like all Houses here, they could use some staunch allies. I'm sure there are many who have swooped onto here hope to court the House when they are most..."

She paused for a moment, perhaps stopping herself from using the first word that appeared in her thoughts. "...pre-occupied, let's say."

"Of course not," Aurilie said as she looked at her with a curious glint in her eyes. "It doesn't seem fair if I were take you away from your involvement with the festivities here, Lady Cynella, especially if you and House Andrim have an intent eye on dealing with House Panteer. However, if you wish to consider the alternatives...I would like to think that courtship should start as soon as possible, don't you think?"

With that, it seemed Aurilie lead has suddenly brought them to a dead-end in the maze and a clear look of annoyance crossed Aurilie's eyes. "Well, some thranta would be of convenient use right now...and you would be right, it's just sometimes keeping tabs on them is a bit difficult on the mountains."

"I would hope so. Otherwise, it'd call into question how they'd managed to maintain the peace upon your planet for, well, since its conception!" That was, of course, erasure of the killik population beforehand. But she didn't exactly know about all that.

"House Ulgo," she said, tapping her lips in thought. "Yes, I heard about what transpired involving Gaul. Could you tell me more about them? I hear they are one of the most influential, rivaling House Organa and the like."

Cynella smiled. "Oh I don't want to believe that I will not be wed to the royal family. To do so, well, that would spell certain doom for my pursuit of the prince or princess, would it not? That being said, I don't believe it'd be prudent to solely invest in such matters." She offered an exaggerated shrug, including her hands. "Those two will have many suitors to choose between. It's only fair if I am on the same footing, is it not?"

At the dead end, she seemed nonetheless undaunted. Seemed like she was still totally content with leaving it to Aurilie. "Same with a starship, though I think that would just level out the maze entirely. I've heard that the thranta are quite useful, though, for limiting pollution. Are they... easy to tame then?"

If only Aurilie's gaze could burn a hole through the hedges. She gave the area a look over and conceded her spiritual assertion on the dead-end as she gave a casual few steps back before smoothly pivoting to walk back where they had come from. Her confident body language tried to suggest that the detour was planned all along, she merely wanted to see what a dead-end would look like here so she could avoid it in the future.

"House Panteer wasn't solely responsible for maintaining peace on the planet, admittedly. The roles of each House have a way of changing throughout history and at different eras. When Alderaan was founded, it was actually House Alde that laid the foundation for much of the government we see together and we did broker one of the first peace between the Houses today. I suppose that House Panteer might find itself with slight difficulties at the moment but there's no doubt that some of the Houses will aid to ensure there is a smooth process in governance here, such as House Organa and their allies in House Alde." She nodded confidently on the matter.

"While House Organa is influential, House Ulgo does have many ties to the military and the defence of Alderaan. It's no surprise that many of the world's officers come from that House and even maintain a respectable force themselves. Such home armies are perhaps a bit extraneous in most circumstances, especially the history of peace on this world but House Thul does complicate that matter in more ways than once."

"Oh, of course," she would say with a smile on her lips. "At the very least, I'd say that everyone's time is of equal value, even if we don't share the same responsibilities. I won't take offence if you wish to continue to keep your options open and it would be only right that I keep my mind open as I continue to entertain the possibility of getting married outside of my parents' machinations. In that case, it's only fair that we should perhaps plan another outing together in the future. Hedge mazes are fun to spend with good company but I'm sure there are other places where you'll like to be at your best, Lady Cynella?"

She turned to look at her with a direct gaze, curious about her answer.

Perhaps this was indicative of how their potential marriage would go: Aurilie, pretending everything was fine, and Cynella following along, blissfully unaware of any issues. Wasn't so bad for the latter.

"The etymology behind Alde and Alderaan does check out," Cynella said with a slight smile. "House Ulgo may be another I must speak to, though I imagine that I could do so after I secure that marriage alliance I had mentioned before."

She pursed her lips. "Yes, I suppose private militias are a bit troubling when the political situation is so tense. Still, I believe that it keeps the nobility from worrying too much about how the planetary forces are arranged." Cynella shrugged. "I am curious, though, if there are other Houses that you think I should be aware of. The minor ones, as it were."

To be on the same page was a beautiful thing. "Yes, I suppose another meeting, one planned this time, is in order. I recall hiking being a suggestion, though there is much of the festival to be seen." A smirk. "Who knows? I'll always have time to hike once I'm wed here but the festival? That's only for now," she concluded with a wink.

"Given their militant history and inclinations, I wouldn't be surprised if they at least sought you out for a talk, leading to either marriage or a business contract," she said as she led them back to the crossroads. Her gaze went down to the tracks she saw earlier and frowned to herself. Maybe those weren't really hers, to begin with. While she didn't like following in the footstep of others, she ultimately decided to go with where the tracks were going.

"There is comfort in security...after the recent Sith unpleasantness and their bold venture into Coruscant, I think we're thankful for some means to prevent the same occurrence from happening here. Still, some House may not entirely be content with just having something as a preventative measure when they could stand to be more proactive. There is the recently returned House Thul too, as I mentioned. It might be best to stay away from them entirely in my opinion." She offered her a glance, trying to get a read of her opinion. Ultimately, she couldn't stop Cynella from associating with them, especially when she didn't have too many stakes in the world yet. "Likely they might bring more difficulty than attempting to train your own thranta, who can be gentle creatures, all depending on how they are raised."

"I was planning on venture more into the wilds, actually," she said with a smile while giving a glance upwards, "to get a sense of the surroundings and potentially consider any game I might try to tackle on a later date. Of course, that might not be for everyone and I have heard that there's a bit of amusement to be found on the fairgrounds we could consider in the future?"