Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

After dinner, Jocasta felt the need to take a stroll. The food at her family's estate and at the Sunhill Hall was a great deal richer than the food she was accustomed to eating nowadays with the defense forces. Deciding to kill two killiks with one slug, she visited the Alde Royal History Museum.

She hadn't been here since she was a little girl and her mother would walk her through the exhibits while her father met with other nobles to discuss House business. Jocasta had left her ruck and uniform in her suite after checking in, opting for more casual and relaxed civilian attire.

Walking along with her datapad out, Jocasta followed the guided holotour through the exhibits, reminiscing over childhood memories.

Aurilie was also milling through the halls of the history museum in the evening. There was another lady and she was dressed casually by her standards, wearing a grey three-piece tailored suit.

She would be found browsing the exhibits relating to the early history of Alderaan when the world was first colonized in what must have been eons ago. Considering the time since then, she didn't think there hasn't been that much considerable change to the world, except for perhaps a few details she glossed over. It was quiet in the museum right now but she imagined that would change once more visitors to the world flooded in.

As Jocasta made her way from the Battle of Alderaan exhibit, a fan favorite situated near the front of the museum, she ventured into the area covering the founding of Alderaan.

Looking up from the holotour, she spotted another woman browsing the exhibit. She wore a bespoke grey suit and held herself with confidence, likely a noble, especially considering her presence here before the start of the festivities. If Jocasta were a vain woman, she might feel awkward in her plain tan slacks and yellow floral blouse, an outfit, like the majority of her civilian wardrobe, picked out by her younger sister. It was all she could manage to restrict her sister to subdued natural tones.

Contrary to her nature, Jocasta decided it would be beneficial if she made more of an effort to socialize during the Festival. She approached the woman and drew her attention, "Would you like to share the holotour? It is a bit touristy, but it is actually quite informative. My name is Jocasta, Lieutenant Jocasta Teraan."

Aurilie raised her brows when she was approached by the woman. She might have mistaken her for a tourist but she felt that there was something garish amiss that would complete the package. Perhaps, if Jocasta had been wearing a fanny pack or if she was far keener on taking continuous pictures around the museum.

She gave her an appreciative nod. Jocasta was a member of the military, after all. "Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant Jocasta. I'm Aurilie Alde, prince of Mount Joral."

Her gaze went to her datapad for a moment. Aurilie had opted out from the datapad tour herself when she entered, choosing to see and get a sense of everything on her own. It was touristy, as mentioned by Jocasta. However, if Jocasta was going to be the one taking the tour then a bit of second-hand knowledge wasn't going to hurt her in any way. "Of course...I might have strolled past registration when I entered here. It's years since I've been here and they have moved a few things around."

"An Alde, and a prince at that. Then you must have a very personal connection with these exhibits... You can probably tell me more than what's on the standard tour." Jocasta was a bit flustered at having offered guidance to a woman who shared a name with the museum they were in.

"I'm not familiar with Mount Joral, but I did run some training missions with a Joral Alde at Fort Alde. He was an excellent commander. A fine specimen of Alde leadership."

Aurilie offered a glance to the exhibits, namely the one that caught her eye looked like an archaic snow sleight that was likely pulled several hounds or similar creatures. "Hah, I suppose I do," she said on the matter. Her tone would indicate that she was proud of that but admittedly she wasn't here to boast her family name. The historic exhibits and figures could do that on their own without her, she was just here to browse.

"Admittedly, I'm less of a historian like my kin who maintain this fine museum and ensure that each worthwhile moment in history is recorded in these emulate halls. I'm more of a frontiersman like the first Alde who stepped foot here. Admittedly, not exactly but much of the land remains stubborn. I have spent my youth in these halls and my parents were sure to drill some facts into my head. We can see if they've been successful," she said with a faint smile.

"Yes, noble cousin Joral," she gave a few nods at the name with a hint of envy. "Admittedly, he wasn't the first Joral Alde. The first Joral Alde was an explorer and commander. His expedition was first tasked with mapping out the Juran Mountains ever since it was first claimed by our House. It wouldn't prove to be an easy task and the journey was filled with complications. The expedition would push deep into the remote reaches of the mountains in hopes of making their way back and found themselves in what would become Mount Joral today."

Jocasta looks dreamily at the snowy exhibit for a moment. "I must admit, I envy the people like you and your ancestor. He took the chance and pitted himself against nature and fate, digging out a place for himself and his descendants. As a frontiersman, you must follow his lead, fighting not against people for some contrived and egotistical doctrine, but against the very forces of creation. If I had my druthers, I would have become an explorer, travel to the Outer Rim, discover new planets and new species, maybe even make first contact with a sentient. Forge a new path. But reality is what it is and here we are."

Aurilie would approach said exhibit to take a closer look at the sleigh. Despite the best preservation methods in the galaxy applied there, there were some elements that had to be reconstructed to make the artifact looking pristine. There were some bags and bundles of cloth that were added to make the sleigh ready for use if it was taken out of its glass home.

There were some other objects close by that belong to the same era that told a different tale, cracked snowshoes and surveying scopes that were bent beyond use. There were left as is to display the hardships encountered and the lives lost. Aurilie gaze seemed to lose itself in these objects before turning her attention back to Jocasta with an appreciative look.

"...Thank you, I have to admit that I never considered the prospect of exploring and pacifying nature to be something that would have the envy from an honourable officer such as yourself," she said before there was a faint smile on her lips. "I would have thought that many consider our ways old-fashioned and even a relic of the past. It is an idea that barely makes peripheral of people's thoughts here."

"I did attend the royal officer's academy once," she brought up and perhaps using her word intentionally. Some nobles would likely embellish such membership with the same standing of being a decorated hero or a tactical savant. "But I suppose it wasn't quite meant to be and I found myself guarding the frontier of Alderaan and pushing others as well. What you do comes highly when it comes to safeguarding the planet and I know for certain it's not an easy responsibility."

"It seems to me, that you are being true to yourself. If that is considered old fashioned or a relic of the past, then we are losing focus on what is important. We are abandoning a part of ourselves for the sake of appearances. We should all strive to answer our own callings."

As they reached the next exhibit, the holotour began a small commentary. This was of The Day of Demand, wherein the exhibit showed the scene in which a young heir would announce themselves and declare their three challenges, of the Body, Mind, and Heart to prove themselves worthy of the Crown.

After the commentary had finished, Jocasta spoke up, "Do you imagine, when our ancestors settled Alderaan and created this ceremony," she says, gesturing towards the exhibit, "that they could have foreseen their descendants arriving where we are today? And if they could see into this future, do you think they would be pleased with our current state of affairs?" Jocasta stood in silent reflection.

"If those are your feelings on the matter, I suppose I can't disagree," she said with a soft chuckle before walking on to the next exhibit with the guidance of the holotour. While touristy, it was perhaps refreshing to go through the exhibits without either her parents or tutor hammering certain points of responsibility and burden over each fact.

She gave the thought a moment's consideration before slowly shaking her head. "I don't think they would be disappointed...Seeing as Alderaan was practically the birthplace of politics and likely instrumental to the democracy enjoyed by the Republic today, I imagine that even in its infancy, the founders were already used to the galaxy being mired in the complicated affairs of politics. Perhaps they would have thought themselves savvier and navigate through current affairs better...but the ones who are best prepared are indeed the ones currently in power. We are in place to right any wrongs if we choose to proceed carefully."

"You defend our generation by falling back to the achievements of our ancestors... I am sure they faced their own problems, likely similar to own.

Perhaps I have a streak of cynicism, but it is how they faced their problems and how we don't face ours that concerns me. Do you believe this treaty is viable?"

Jocasta took a moment to consider her next words. "Let me ask you, if there is a beast that attacks when its prey turns its back, who is to blame when you turn your back and it attacks you? Would you bring this beast into your home and bare your neck for it?

Alternatively, let's say that your brother or sister captured such a beast and brought it home. Would you warn them of the dangers and keep an eye on the beast, or would you attack them for their actions?

Personally, I would sooner face the beast and deal with it than to bring it into my home. And if my brother or sister insisted on bringing it in, I would do my best to help them tame the beast, make sure it could do no harm, and be prepared for the inevitable attack.

I do think you are right, we are in place to right the wrongs as long as we proceed with caution."

Taking a tour of the museum and learning through the pad's offered infotainment took a backseat in Aurilie's attention as she focused on the other woman. She crossed her arms and gave a few nods at the points she was given. "You are right, in regards to the beast. Personally, I haven't had too much experience when it comes to taming any beasts I encounter. There are just too many uncertainties and depending on when they are brought in, it could be just a relationship of convenience. Things will only be pleasant if the masters in this case continue to feed and provide for the beast. Admittedly, it's far easier to put down the beast and forget about it. It can be rewarding to tame it..."

She gave a shake of her head and out a small sigh. "Sorry, I digress, I might be dipping too much into my field..."

After refocusing, she attempted to work on the topic once more. "The reality of the matter is that most of the pieces have already fallen into place, whether we like it or not. Those who associate so closely with the Sith Empire, especially at such a time, have some rather controversial opinions. I'm putting this delicately, of course. I personally do find the position we've found ourselves in to be inconvenient in more ways than one. This treaty seems like a necessity, whether viable or not, what can only be changed is where we go from there."

Jocasta and Aurilie walked and talked, each giving the other time to formulate and express their thoughts.

"You bring up some very interesting points. I suppose it is my nature and my training to choose the option with the most assured success, but there can be a greater reward given a bit more risk.

And I agree entirely regarding the reality of the situation. I made a similar argument earlier today regarding the value of debate at a stage where we are mere observers until our time to enact change arrives."

Suddenly Jocasta realized they had walked through the last room without listening to the commentary or paying the exhibit any attention at all.

"I should apologize, I'm usually more sparing with my words. I had intended to take a calm stroll through the museum tonight to collect myself, but the Festival has me a bit riled up. Plus the debate I mentioned from earlier today was rather stimulating... If you would like, we can go back and enjoy the rest of the holotour from where we left off."

OOC: Choose your own adventure: A. /scene and we walk through and enjoy the holotour guide. B. We continue our conversation on a topic of your choice.

"I believe your career and experience do bring you to the forefront of such concerns. Far closer than the royalty of some faraway land on the Juran Mountains, that's for sure. I think I'd be interested to know your intuition on the matter, especially as it's still developing right now as we speak. I'm admittedly a bit more optimistic here but things do have a hard time of staying the same in such an era."

Aurilie glanced back with a small smirk on her lips and gave a few sound nods. "No apologies needed at all. It is perhaps the sign of a good conversation. However, I think you'll have more than enough time to stress about many things later. Sure, let us return to the museum for a closer look. We'll focus on enriching, rather than entangling, ourselves. There are more than a few things here that could use to revisit too."

With that, she turnaround and gesture to return to the museum properly.

/scene

OOC: Sure, /scene with the impending Day 2. Thanks for the scene!