Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

The private hall was intimate with just the Queen, Jameela, and Lana Beniko there along with members of the Queen’s Guard, four in total. The Queen and Princess sat together while the Imperial sat in a row in front of them and the other guests were in a row behind the royal family.

Once everyone was seated the trio of Ithorians, two lovely dressed women, and one elegantly dressed man, they bowed and began to sing the tale of the ancient Queen of Alde. Using their multiple mouths to great and beautiful effect.

When intermission came, about forty minutes into the opera, refreshments were brought out and a chance to socialize was presented. The Queen asked the suitors what they thought of the opera thus far.

OOC: The player should write their response and then choose one of the following skills; Deception (Cunning) to just bluff and make up fancy sounding stuff at Average, Education (intellect) at Hard to recall historical tales or relate the content in an academic way, or Cool (Presence) to just offer an honest assessment as they saw it at Hard difficulty. Choose your approach well. Equipment will not apply to this Rule, you are not impressing the Queen with fancy doodads like regalia or cascaders.

Galen was quiet for a very long moment. He remembered Janus playing similar music in camp. Had he said anything about it? No, nothing he could recall. He didn't know what to think.

The hunter stared at the queen blankly, then finally shook his head, clearly out of his element.

"I don't know." he admitted nervously. "But, I'd like to learn more."

- - -
[Day 5 - LA] Ithorian Opera (Closed). Hard Education: 3eA+3eD 1 failure, 2 advantage

“Well what do you find as enjoyable, Galen Sol,” she asked.

"The rustle of the wind through the trees." he answered. "The crisp crackle of leaves beneath my feet. The quiet babble of a stream. The distant cry of a convor in flight. This performance was beautiful, but that's the music I'm used to."

"An outdoorsman, we are impressed with how you and your team handled that dangerous creature. That was no simple feat," she said.

"We are still investigating the situation." he said, glancing at Blai. "We are very concerned about the chemical pollution we found."

That turned her gaze to the other suitor.

Bran was a proud son of Alderaan and valued its history, and he learned at least a fair amount growing up in a noble house. But when asked to comment on something, eight years of active military service meant that he'd cut straight to "honest assessment" every time.

"Your Highness, it seems a good performance so far. I'm not sure I've heard a better one in my years at the festival, although I'm just a soldier and my ears are probably not as discerning as some might be."

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D5 opera roll 1: Cool/Pres @ Hard. Skill 2, Pres 4: 2eP+2eA+3eD 1 success

Brannis Ulgo wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 2:24 pm

Bran was a proud son of Alderaan and valued its history, and he learned at least a fair amount growing up in a noble house. But when asked to comment on something, eight years of active military service meant that he'd cut straight to "honest assessment" every time.

"Your Highness, it seems a good performance so far. I'm not sure I've heard a better one in my years at the festival, although I'm just a soldier and my ears are probably not as discerning as some might be."

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D5 opera roll 1: Cool/Pres @ Hard. Skill 2, Pres 4: 2eP+2eA+3eD 1 success

"So who would have a better discerning ear, Lord Ulgo?" she asked.

"I'm sure both you and Princess Jameela do, your highness. I expect the good count would as well, with his years of education. I wouldn't presume to guess at what experiences others may have had. My honored mother taught me not to speak for those with power enough to speak for themselves," he says with honest humility, bowing his head in respect.

“You are an honest man to admit that the Count is a better suitor,” she said calmly.

"Trying to deny truth is a fool's errand, your highness. And an honest man can trust that not being the most musically inclined does not mean he isn't the best suitor overall," he says with a hint of a grin before bowing his head again. He holds the bow just a moment to ensure he's composed, polite smile in place as he straightens.

Brannis Ulgo wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 3:32 pm

"Trying to deny truth is a fool's errand, your highness. And an honest man can trust that not being the most musically inclined does not mean he isn't the best suitor overall," he says with a hint of a grin before bowing his head again. He holds the bow just a moment to ensure he's composed, polite smile in place as he straightens.

She nodded and sipped at her water.

"I cannot tell outright whether my insights about the opera can at least satisfy you, your Highness, for I don't hope to match them." The Count bowed, feeling the pressure mounting. He had only rudimentary knowledge about opera, as music wasn't his forte. But ancient lore was, and he approached it from this angle.

"But I think there is a lot of native feel added to the composition by the Ithorians, especially their love of the wild. They do cherish their flora as some of it can accomplish compound sentience and is thus treasured, especially the groves of Bafforrs, and their sense of sanctity revolves around such entity called Mother Jungle, real or imagined. Their nostalgia for the untamed and unspoilt may have coloured their performance, just as if they were seeing the virgin Alderaan through the eyes of Queen Alde as they would their own world."

LA5. Education. Destiny Flip.: 1eP+2eA+3eD 1 success, 1 advantage

"A keen insight, Count Serenno. Lord Ulgo has presented an interesting question, we are curious of those present who is the best overall suitor?" she asked.

"I have little knowledge of the undoubtedly many qualities of the other suitors and it would be discourteous to either spell out their shortcomings I may or may not have noticed, or to self-aggrandise. Still, if I didn't believe that by the end of the day your daughter and you, Your Majesty, may see the greatest boon in my candidacy, I would not be here." The Count bowed appropriately.

She turned to look at the others to see if they would say anything.

The xenobiologist was "disguised" as an actual noble again - formal courtly wear in deep green, blue and brown tones that reminded him of the forests in Alderaan and elsewhere, the Frayus arms proudly displayed on one arm - although the left arm showed some designs in the colours of the Royal family, as if hinting at the Frayus' loyalty.

But this occasion was decidedly *not* about garments. And music was actually something Blai liked, much like poetry... even if operas were not exactly his favourites. Or the topic he knew most about. This one, in particularly, he'd never seen before... although he thought, or rather, felt, it eerily reminded him of something.

When the queen asked for their opinion, he was still trying to make sense of what that memory was. He thought hard, kept silent for a long while after Galen and Brannis had spoken.

"Ahhh... Ithorian singing is definitely a new experience for me. But I... feel.. it..."

He tried to think even harder. It was probably some story he'd read about, or heard during his classes at Uni. Or during his travels.

It was no use. He'd drawn a blank, and blank it stayed. He blushed slightly, stuttered some more.

But well... he had to say something...

"It... um... erm... the dense voices remind me of the dense N'lor tree forests of Ithor; their entrancing voices killer like the tongue of the Ithor Toscwon!"

An elaborate metaphor, maybe, between the plot and the nature of the Ithorian's homeworld.

Except that it had no connection whatsoever to the plot.

But well, he had to say something. It was a sentence. With words. Had something to do with Ithorians, at least. Barely.

He gave an awkward, sheepish smile, then sank a bit into his chair. He stole a quick glance at Jameela, though... wondered how badly that had sat with her, his eyes a bit saddened. She was... odd, at times. He still didn't quite understand her connection to the imperial... but he felt they had quite a few things in common. An interest in other worlds. The good of the people as a priority.

She was definitely interesting, and definitely charming. But then... what chance would he have when compared to the likes of Brannis Ulgo or the Count? Maybe even Galen...

He looked down, feigning some interest in the state of his shoes...

OOC
D5 LA - Ithorian Opera, Education vs Hard. Intense Focus (1 strain). Natural Scholar reroll for Session 2: 3eP+3eD 1 failure, 1 threat


2 Strain taken (Intense Focus + threat). Failures even with a reroll. Thanks Orokos!

Galen looked from man to man to man. "I've not had the pleasure of speaking with Lord Ulgo or Count Serenno. Lord Frayus is the only one whose character I can speak of. He is a kind, compassionate man, especially where wildlife is concerned. I greatly appreciate that."

"As for myself. I have no family. I do not represent a House. I do not serve any political power or other agenda. My interest here is purely in your daughter. I wish to watch Jameela reach her full potential. I hope to listen to her ideas. I want to advise her when I can. I'd like to comfort her when she needs it. I want to celebrate her achievements with her. I would devote myself to her, your family and all of Alderaan."

"I am afraid I can't offer you anything more."

"Mister Sol is clearly a good man who would be a good husband to your daughter, your highness" Bran speaks up slowly, knowing the Queen is listening carefully to every word and tone.

"However, as perhaps Alderaan's next queen, the princess will be best supported by a husband who can share understanding of the current and unique burdens of Alderaanian royalty. With the war still so fresh to our people, we all must act with care and sensitivity to preserving this precious peace, and I would respectfully suggest that recent service in Alderaan's armed forces and a deep connection to the Alderaanian people need to be prioritized in this conversation."