Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

True to her word, Aurilie did manage to reserve herself a ballroom over at Castle Organa. It wasn't a great feat, considering House Alde's alliance with House Organa and Aurilie did come from a royal family, albeit one found in some remote faraway land. Given the size of the castle, there are always more than a few ballrooms to share. This one had marble floors with a lone chandelier for perhaps a minimalist design, by wealthy standards.

Aurilie herself was dressed in a white tuxedo for this occasion with her hair tied into a chignon in a combination of purple and pink. She stood by patiently for her date. There were a few servants of the castle that stood by on the sideline, far more than they would need, perhaps to serve as an audience of sorts with short notice.

Enter Keyhote, ballroom left

"Prince Aurilie, you are simply stunning tonight. Aglow with...dare I say it....well, it is early yet."
With a wink he bows before Sando hands the Hutt a massive cigar and also bows, looking sympathetic
"Her Highness ain't even started yet yer lordship, y'ull throw 'er off."
"Hmmm? Well, yes. Perhaps, I must apologise good prince. I am simply very excited. But! we will be out of the way when the dancing starts, can't have a repeat of the Tango Massacre."
Sando nods his head sadly
"Was a real shame, some promising careers before that day."

Ah, well, it seemed that Cynella didn't get the message about the apparel tonight.

She strutted in, each step accentuated by the signature click of stiletto heels. Her bold red dress clung to those hips of hers, surely suitable for bearing healthy children. The slit in the front, along with the bare shoulders, allowed all to see a repeat of the display at the beach: well-toned muscles accumulated from years of exercise and strict dieting.

Perhaps if Aurilie lost the bowtie, undid some buttons, and (maybe) removed the jacket, then she'd be more suited for the traditional Kuati Tango. Still, that did nothing to quell Cynella's perpetual excitement. "Ah! You look absolutely marvelous! And I must say, you did choose a very suitable venue. Consider that test passed," she said with her signature wink.

Desilijic Keyhote wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:16 pm

Enter Keyhote, ballroom left

"Prince Aurilie, you are simply stunning tonight. Aglow with...dare I say it....well, it is early yet."
With a wink he bows before Sando hands the Hutt a massive cigar and also bows, looking sympathetic
"Her Highness ain't even started yet yer lordship, y'ull throw 'er off."
"Hmmm? Well, yes. Perhaps, I must apologise good prince. I am simply very excited. But! we will be out of the way when the dancing starts, can't have a repeat of the Tango Massacre."
Sando nods his head sadly
"Was a real shame, some promising careers before that day."

Aurilie allowed herself to crack a grin at the compliment as she gave a self-conscious glance at herself before returning the bow in kind. "Thank you, Ser Keyhote. I was wondering if white was too bold of a choice. I'm happy to have both of your support here, certainly no obligation on your part...but she did tell me that she liked an audience and you're a mutual friend by now."

She gave an abrupt blink. "Tango Massacre, now?"

Cynella Andrim wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:51 pm

Ah, well, it seemed that Cynella didn't get the message about the apparel tonight.

She strutted in, each step accentuated by the signature click of stiletto heels. Her bold red dress clung to those hips of hers, surely suitable for bearing healthy children. The slit in the front, along with the bare shoulders, allowed all to see a repeat of the display at the beach: well-toned muscles accumulated from years of exercise and strict dieting.

Perhaps if Aurilie lost the bowtie, undid some buttons, and (maybe) removed the jacket, then she'd be more suited for the traditional Kuati Tango. Still, that did nothing to quell Cynella's perpetual excitement. "Ah! You look absolutely marvelous! And I must say, you did choose a very suitable venue. Consider that test passed," she said with her signature wink.

However, before she could dwell on the implication of that event, Aurilie would quickly have her thoughts distracted by Cynella entering the room. Her choice of outfit certainly at her widening her eyes, it was a bold choice for many reasons. While it called attention to Cynella in many ways, a part of her wondered if she has perhaps missed the mark somewhere in fashion. Was she the one who missed the message?

"Lady Cynella! You've made it, good evening!" she exclaimed as she walked over to meet her directly, offering a hand if she would take it. "And I could say that you look ravishing tonight, quite an impression and perhaps unlike anything I've seen from you yet. I didn't know there was a test...but I suppose I did promise and I delivered. We've got a humble crowd here tonight. As you can see, Ser Keyhote and his square Sando are among us too with their good wishes."

Aurilie Alde wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:17 pm

Aurilie allowed herself to crack a grin at the compliment as she gave a self-conscious glance at herself before returning the bow in kind. "Thank you, Ser Keyhote. I was wondering if white was too bold of a choice. I'm happy to have both of your support here, certainly no obligation on your part...but she did tell me that she liked an audience and you're a mutual friend by now."

She gave an abrupt blink. "Tango Massacre, now?"

"White is your colour! And the support is guaranteed, we're both here to assist however we can."
Sando sidles up to Aurilie
"Best not ask about the Massacre, let's just say Hutts don't tango too good and he's a big one even by their standards. We footed the medical bills."

Keyhote meanwhile is admiring the newly arrived Cynella
"Stunning my dear! Absolutely stunning, I see your outfit highlights the parts of your anatomy associated with reproduction in a most flattering way."

"Is it really that unique?" Cynella asked, spinning about to show off her dress. "My entire back was exposed last we met, though I suppose my legs weren't nearly as exposed." She stepped up close to the Prince of Joral and reached for the bowtie. "Could always make adjustments on your end. For me, it's not so easy."

She stepped away and looked to Ser Keyhote and Sando. "Ah but first I must greet our other guests," she said, following with a gracious bow. "I suppose that is one way to refer to my hips. Thank you for your kind words!"

"I see..." she murmured in slow realization and perhaps a note to not involved Keyhote in actual dancing. While medical bills were involved, she supposed that massacre was just an exaggeration, just very barely.

"Keyhote..." Aurilie found herself muttering under her breath with a faint blush of embarrassment. She supposed she shouldn't fault him entirely, considering that he had anatomy that was more unlike most humanoid species.

"Less so about actual exposure and perhaps in just how you seem to adopt an entirely different facet. In more ways than one, you truly make the dress, I'd say. Your presence is indeed enchanting." She smirked when Cynella touched the bowtie. "Am I too overly dressed? I would be happy to consider your proven and wise counsel, my lady."

Aurilie followed beside Cynella, perhaps glad the Hutt's compliment wasn't taken badly.

Cynella, for whatever reason, continued to be unphased by any comments of her appearance. Perhaps she'd encountered enough similar situations that it couldn't phase her any longer. "I wouldn't say you're overdressed," she said, looking back to the Prince of Joral's outfit. "That being said, I do think we ought to adjust you a bit so we can be a little more in-sync."

This time, when she reached over, she made to remove the bowtie. "We start by putting this away, dapper as it is. And then we need to undo a few buttons..."

Cynella Andrim wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 05, 2021 4:49 am

"Is it really that unique?" Cynella asked, spinning about to show off her dress. "My entire back was exposed last we met, though I suppose my legs weren't nearly as exposed." She stepped up close to the Prince of Joral and reached for the bowtie. "Could always make adjustments on your end. For me, it's not so easy."

She stepped away and looked to Ser Keyhote and Sando. "Ah but first I must greet our other guests," she said, following with a gracious bow. "I suppose that is one way to refer to my hips. Thank you for your kind words!"

"I do not have hips of my own to compare, but I believe they are impressive."

Looking at the two nobles
"But we shall give you two some space as it were, this night is all about you two! Pantha, let us find an alcove, and have the servants send us some wine."

With a bow the two find an alcove to fill near to bursting to give Cynella and Aurilie some space.

"Oh, of course, in-sync. Your wisdom has proven itself already, my lady." She chuckled as Cynella took off the bowtie from her neck. While both the Hutt and squire were retreating to watch the evening, she couldn't help but shoot a look at Keyhote that almost said 'what did I sign up for, again?'. She would allow her to undo the buttons as necessary. It felt awkward, to say the least, but she imagined that Cynella must have a grand vision to fulfill some Kuati custom. If Aurilie had done any research, she might have missed the part about the outfits.

Cynella waved to the two as they retreated away, blissfully unaware of any troubles on Aurilie's part. "Yes, this is much more in the look. If I'd brought another dress, perhaps I could have matched you otherwise." She shrugged, finishing up unbuttoning it to the collarbone. "I think we ought to be rid of the jacket too, if you would, darling."

"There are still a few days left, there could very another occasion where we could have matching outfits, if you are so inclined. Of course, that might make quite an impression and I'd imagine you still might want a prince's attention." She smiled faintly at that.

"The jacket?" She said questioningly at first before chuckling. However, she did oblige and took off her tuxedo jacket passing it to either a servant or Sando for safekeeping. "So I suppose I was overdressed then. My apologies, it seems that I've focused so much on finding the right ballroom that I've overlooked the fact that I should be dressing to complement you, rather than the room."

Aurilie Alde wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 05, 2021 9:17 pm

"There are still a few days left, there could very another occasion where we could have matching outfits, if you are so inclined. Of course, that might make quite an impression and I'd imagine you still might want a prince's attention." She smiled faintly at that.

"The jacket?" She said questioningly at first before chuckling. However, she did oblige and took off her tuxedo jacket passing it to either a servant or Sando for safekeeping. "So I suppose I was overdressed then. My apologies, it seems that I've focused so much on finding the right ballroom that I've overlooked the fact that I should be dressing to complement you, rather than the room."

Sando takes the jacket and summons a hanger to ensure it remains pristine.

He and Keyhote seem to be watching with polite attention as they enjoy a wine sampling of some kind.

"Oh I'm by no means worried," Cynella said. "Although I've been busy throughout my time here, there's always time to spare. I think that's helped me make sure my end of the family business runs smoothly, you know?" She'd learned that from her mother. AT the very least, the daughter's after-hour decisions weren't too stressful.

She giggled. "Yes, yes, the jacket." The squire received a nod as he took great care with the jacket. "I never discussed with you the exact nature of our evening together so it's neither of our faults. That being said, I hope we'll be able to cooperate well with tonight's dance."

"You were busy in a pleasant way, I hope?" she said curiously with a slight tinge of concern. It seemed that Riss had managed to find herself in a world of trouble and perhaps reminded Aurilie how she might have missed some things happening in the background. She hoped that Cynella wasn't cursed with the same sort of busyness. Her good spirits were a good sign, at least, but she did want to be sure.

"I am still thankful that you've been willing to spend some of your spare time with me, Lady Cynella. In a way, I suppose the future could be open limitless possibilities and seemingly no finite amount of time, yet I'm still reminded that you're only going to be on Alderaan for a few more days and what will eventually end." She said as she gently took one hand of Cynella's into her own, if she allowed it, and would lift it up to her lips to plant a quick kiss.

"Well, until we meet again, of course." she would say after with a small smile, adding a Cynella-style wink after for effect. "And why yes, dance is all about cooperation, lest we end up stumbling into each other. I strive to make up for it in that fashion, at the very least. I admit, I have done at least a little research into the Kuati style of dance prior to this evening."

"Oh yes, I couldn't say it's been unpleasant in the least." However, the Prince of Joral's concern proved to be infectious. "Is there something I should be more worried about though? I've heard of some rumors but I hope you haven't been, well, too involved in these things. Of course, anything important to the planet's well-being would involve you..."

Cynella accepted the kiss upon her hand with much grace. "Ah is this an Alderaanian thing too? Or have you really been studying up that much on Kuati tango?" She pulled Aurilie into the beginning of their dance, tilting her head. "Though I must say that I think I need to brush up on my Alderaanian ballroom dancing in the instance of future balls. The forms are quite different, from what I've witnessed."

Aurilie seemed a bit relieved at least in hearing that Cynella wasn't too bothered by the mess that was happening in the background. She shook her head at the question. "Admittedly, I haven't really been involved directly with the unrest that's been happening in the background...I suppose I'm merely hoping that hasn't affected your stay in the slightest and your opinions of our gracious hostess too. I put my faith in Alderaan and know that peace will prevail, despite how it might look now at the moment."

She smiled softly as she lowered Cynella's hand but kept it held. "An Alderaanian gesture, actually. Maybe a bit old-fashioned for some of the other House but perhaps a bit of romanticism that House Alde has been more than willing hold on."

As they slipped into their dance, she would give a nod to a nearby servant to start the music. The modern music player had some archaic veneer to it that included a silly-looking horn on it, playing the beginnings of an easy-going tune. Aurilie couldn't get a live band on short notice, unfortunately. She would transition the held hand befitting of the dance while the other hand would find its way to her back. "Admittedly, our waltz is perhaps a bit easier going than the Kauti tango. That's something we can most certainly start with perhaps a warm-up for me and a lesson for you?"

"Perhaps it's affected my stay in ways I haven't so directly seen. It's been difficult to get some things done, though not impossible." She shook her head. "People just seem so stressed too. But I suppose it's not unique to here. Kuat has had its share of disconcerting politics itself."

Cynella kept her hand firmly with Aurilie's. "Is that so? I don't think it's such an odd thing, really." She slipped into the step of the music, following the Prince of Joral's lead in taking it slower. "Yes, I think this will serve nicely as a warm-up. Have you waltzed much before?" she asked, keeping her hands placed in the more stereotypically feminine role.

"I'm sure that's something that might linger on Alderaan in the wake of our last conflict. I'm sure the need to rebuild Alderaan while building bridges must be only contributing to existing anxieties." While she wanted to blame what Cynella was experiencing to be just that, that might require a further leap than just a mere fib.

At the lead of their dance pairing, Aurilie would bring both of them into a casual step as they slowly turned together on the dance floor. It was perhaps to introduce the general mood and sway, also learning to complement each other's footwork. She smiled softly at the question as they began their dance. "Admittedly, I don't dance as much as I would like to...but I've taken numerous lessons in my youth. Perhaps, far too many than I thought would be appropriate in my youth. It wouldn't do to have one of your eldest children look foolish on the dance floor at parties, the courts or galas. Of course, I feel different about it now."

"Ah yes. I must always keep in mind why my House figured that Alderaan would be a prime world to purchase our warships." Cynella shook her head. "Hopefully that'd be enough of a deterrent but one cannot be so sure."

For now, she contented herself with today's dance. She followed along without any thoughts of taking over the beats. "Really now? Then you must be quite the natural. That or perhaps I'm more used to a more rigorous form." Though she stayed in line, she cracked a smile. "I always feel so stiff this way."