Artistic Appriciations (D5, EE)

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

"So smut, basically." She didn't seem very amused by the idea, or thrilled. Though the dislike didn't seem personal.

Kat looked around them, and it seemed the others dancing were caught up in the music and the mood. "Remember what we talked about yesterday, how we can't hold groups responsible for the acts of individuals?"

[Zeno Thul]

He was still entertained, by the music, the dancing and the conversation.

"Yes. And while we might tend to hold to that, it's not an uncommon mindset for others to hold."

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

Moving to dance closer to him, he could sense that what she was about to say felt very important to her.

"One of those who had a hand in incriminating your family is an agent of a shadowy organization who has agents in various of the noble houses here on Alderaan. This group is trying to instigate and influence Alderaan to collapse into chaos, through falsified information and riling up the protestors we saw. I don't know what was given to Panteer to cause this move against your family, but if the duchess could find out and pass that information on, we could perhaps find a way to prove it false."

While it sounded maybe far-fetched, Kat was honest. There was no deceit in her emotions.

[Zeno Thul]

He nods, and while she explained she sensed a territorial, protective sensation in his emotions. Honesty, they felt a little animalistic in nature in general. Not les complex, just like the person having them didn't care to bottle them up and preferred feeling them naturally.

"I have potentially heard something along similar lines tonight. I suspect the investigation will be cleared up soon, as I've gotten encouraging messages from my wife as she deals with it," he says. "But the other person I talked to tonight wanted to keep it subdued. Perhaps we should all speak someplace private soon."

Her closeness really kind of went unnoticed to him. Other things drew his attention, true, but there was absolutely no stirring or hunger of a carnal nature. Just that dark hunger that would consume anything if given the chance.

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

"Yes. A proper conversation should be had. This is not the place," she agreed, easing up from the closeness. Not that it was a discomfort for her, but she had seen that holo of Layne and Niall and didn't feel like giving people too much fodder.

"I just wanted to let you know."

[Zeno Thul]

"It is appreciated. I don't know how many people are more aware of the situation than me, but I suppose your Jedi allies are if you know a thing or two," he says.

"Not sure how enthusiastic about me being involved they might be, but I would like to be for the good of my world."

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

"I can't speak for them, but I would like for you to be in the know. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge - while we can't trust everyone, I don't think you are part of this group threatening the peace of Alderaan. And knowledge will be key to standing against it."

She looked at him, but he could tell she was being very aware of their surroundings. "But yes, this is not the place to speak at length about it."

[Zeno Thul]

Zeno was paying a bit less attention to what was going on around, his mind going back to ease. "Well, if you can convince them that I am worth having at a meeting I'm willing to attend. That would be an interesting experience I imagine. But I suppose it would only be slightly more awkward than approaching Bouris, and that turned out pleasant enough."

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

"I will see what can be arranged," she said with a nod, but then was quite surprised by his next revelation. "You spoke with Bouris and it went well? Now my curiosity is certainly piqued since I didn't expect that to happen. Perhaps we will have peace on Alderaan after all."

[Zeno Thul]

"It was a personal conversation, rather than a professional or political one. Though I hope with time that tensions can be eased."

It was likely becoming clearer that Zeno felt like a predator that meant to keep threats out of his territory. And he had claimed the entire world as that territory.

"I am curious. Are you directly related to him or part of the extended family like Garth?"

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

"Duke Bouris is my uncle. Garth, Yulastranza, and Brannis are my cousins." So she was closely related.

"My parents died during the Sith's first invasion of Alderaan, while rescuing children that had been taken hostage. So it was Duke Bouris who looked after me for a while before I left to live with the Jedi Order."

[Zeno Thul]

He nods at that. "Losing family is painful, and gaining it a blessing. The battle between helplessness and hope."

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

"I don't remember much of them, but I'm proud of them. Their actions saved the lives of many people." Sometimes she felt that what she did remember was more memories constructed from what other people had told her.

"But I don't feel alone. I have friends, family, and my fellow Jedi."

[Zeno Thul]

"I've never really felt alone, but helpless... That is a feeling I never want to feel again," he says. His expression stayed much the same but there was a dark pain and sadness when he thought about his younger sibling.

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

"I... think I can relate to that. Coruscant certainly made me feel helpless." She could feel the sadness and the pain. "What happened?"

[Zeno Thul]

"Oh... just lost family. Bad memories," he says. With force, he pushes the sadness away and clears his mind to let the music re-enter. "Not good dancing talk."

"Better to talk about the more lovely things in life. I've enjoyed getting out of the house for this cruise, though the girls are probably driving Ser Villanous a little mad."

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

"Of course." She wouldn't push. As he said, it wasn't a topic that was fitting for this.

"Did the girls at least appriciate all the food that Baroness Miyi brought them? I had my cousin Garth help out with putting the frozen-product in an appropriate cooler, so they could enjoy the frozen treats as well."

[Zeno Thul]

"They did," he said with a nod. "And it is appreciated. They are getting a bit more concerned about not being allowed to visit the festival, but hopefully we'll be able to rectify that soon."

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

"No chance of them being allowed to go out to the festival grounds with you?"

Politics aside, she felt sorry for the children not getting to enjoy the festival. And having all this hanging over them.

[Zeno Thul]

"I'm wary about taking them out even after this is handled. I don't know if someone did this to hurt us or just because they want Thul painted as the bad guy other houses claim."