[D3EE] This Old Place

[Niall Organa]

"Something like that." Niall said, frowning thoughtfully. "I just don't understand why. Why decide 'yes, Lady Massacre is the best name for me'?" He shook his head, declining to answer the question.

"No?" Niall smiled at her. "I think you'd make a wonderful Lady Valorous, actually." He flashed a quick grin at her before leading the way down the hall. Up ahead, another doorway could be seen, opening into some larger room.

"Have you met anyone else interesting?" He asked as they walked.

[Cynella Andrim]

"It is quite perplexing, isn't it? Though yes, perhaps Lady Valorous fits me better than Captain Kuat would. After all, it just wouldn't do to completely copy your persona," she said with a wink.

She slowed her step, taking her time to examine the decor. "I forget who I've mentioned, to be honest. I have a list of potential suitors in mind and, as always, your opinion would be invaluable. Blai Frayus comes from a minor house, though I don't know much about him. We arrived here together is all and I know he's trying to wed the royal princess. Aurilie Alde, the Prince of Joral, has so far agreed to a date at the festival grounds. Kellen Rist is a bit of a mystery though his education is a definite plus. And finally, there's Katarzyna Ulgo. I hadn't considered her until you mentioned your marriage to a Jedi yourself."

Prince Joran wasn't mentioned as her intentions were already clear. And Riss, well, that was still a secret she'd keep.

[Niall Organa]

"Hmmm." Niall smiled. "I'm afraid you've mentioned a bunch of people that I haven't met, or only in passing. Kellen Rist... the name sounds familiar, although I can't quite place it. Something from my youth." He shrugged.

They stepped into what was the main entryway for house Organa. It was a wide, grand area, all whites and blues and golds, complete with a sweeping double staircase and chandelier. And a lift tube, because for all its archaic appearance, it was a modern structure.

"I have met Katarzyna Ulgo, though." Niall looked at Cynella, one eyebrow going up. "I had not thought to judge her in that way. Hmmm." Niall frowned a few moments. "Aly and I are... not a common situation. Do keep that in mind."

[Cynella Andrim]

"Well he is a professor. Presumably, he has published articles and such before. Perhaps you had to read them at some point?"

Cynella certainly noted the color scheme. Very Republic of them. And she obviously picked the stairs so that she could get a little bit more exercise. "But you two aren't a unique case either. That being said, don't worry; I haven't attached myself to any one choice. It's good for me to keep my options open!"

[Niall Organa]

"Yes, I suppose..." Niall smiled at her, even as they ascended the staircase together. Niall seemed pretty capable at climbing the stairs; perhaps this was how he cultivated sufficient glutes for Alderaan's Ass!

"Would you say you had a preference, though?" He gave her a look. "Politics aside."

[Cynella Andrim]

It seemed that the combined might of staircases and extremely hard Mandalorian chairs made for a perfect routine to build the perfect ass. Cynella, despite all her flirtations with just about everyone, avoided staring this time.

"My preference," she echoed, her eyes narrowing. Her tone remained pensive even as she tried to jest. "It's only been a few days. If my heart was so easy to win, then I'd have been whisked away years ago from House Andrim."

[Niall Organa]

A landing, and then the staircase curved back inwards. It really was quite a lot of stairs.

Niall's eyebrow went up. "That wasn't quite my question." He smiled. "Are you evading my question, Lady Cynella?"

[Cynella Andrim]

Fortunately, Cynella hadn't chosen to wear heels. Would've been a lot of clacking otherwise.

"What? No, no, I'm speaking honestly! I'd never hide anything from you," she said, like a child admiring her idol instead of any romantic connotation. "I truly don't know. Like I've said many times before, my parents asked for me to be here."

She lowered her eyes. "Maybe if I wasn't asked to marry anyone, I'd remain single all my life."

[Niall Organa]

Finally they made it to the top of the stairs, although the building continued up; later additions to the house hadn't kept the grand staircase going up. Instead, Niall, lead the way down another hallway.

"That is a valid choice as well." Niall said. "Do you really face that much pressure to marry?"

After a moment, he looked at her, smiling. "I'm sorry. I'm prying. I think this Festival and all this business with the houses has me in a strange mood."

[Cynella Andrim]

"It's really no trouble. I brought it up myself, after all, though I'm curious now if there have been any new developments that I should know about."

Cynella took a breath, glanced at him, then kept her eyes focused down the hall. "Oh yes. I'd say it's the biggest thing my parents have ever asked of me. They've given me so much."

[Niall Organa]

"A debt that can never be repaid?" Niall smiled wryly, looking at her. "I know that one very well, if it helps."

The long hallway opened onto a balcony that overlooked mostly the garden, but also a great deal of the large estate. The air was crisp and clean, the sun warming without being blindingly bright. "When I don't go to the garden to think, I come here." Niall said, sighing pleasantly.

He looked back to Cynella, eyebrows going up. "Did you hear about the protests yesterday? Prince Joran was attacked."

[Cynella Andrim]

"Not until my last breath, I'd say. Truly, like I said, I owe them everything." Cynella smirked. "Why, even my personality! They raised me well and didn't pass down anything too bad either." Other than having to shave her legs rather often but the dear Major didn't need to know that part.

"What? I heard there was a bit of unrest but... he didn't mention that part. Goodness, what?!"

[Niall Organa]

Niall nodded. "I'd say that he wasn't really in any danger... but he was in rather more danger than I'd like. Fortunately, there were a number of good people around to subdue the protestors and get him to safety."

He frowned. "Someone is responsible... but I don't think it's any of the houses."

[Cynella Andrim]

"Goodness. No wonder it's been weighing so heavily on you. I may have to bring my blaster pistol around with me more then." Cynella held up her hands. "Not to insult your planet's security. Far from it, I want to do my part if such a thing happens again. Don't worry, it has a stun setting on it, though I wonder if I can make it better. Hm!"

Her mind returned to more serious matters. "No? I wouldn't put it past House Thul nor House Ulgo, based on what little I know. Both might gain from House Panteer's image being tarnished, no?" She crossed her arms, tilting her head. "But what do you think? You know the political situation far better than I."

[Niall Organa]

"Oh, yes." Niall grimaced. "Either might benefit. But either way, Alderaan would lose."

He frowned thoughtfully. "And I begin to think that Alderaan losing might be the point. I begin to think that Thul really is earnest in their desire to keep clear of the Empire. Which rather makes me think that the Empire is the one encouraging this conflict. Or... someone else, who benefits."

[Cynella Andrim]

"If they are earnest in this attempt, then why is there a Sith actively housed in their House and speaking with the royal princess? Not to mention the Duchess' husband with his red skin and all."

Cynella tapped her lips. "But you're right. It all comes to destabilizing the planet, doesn't it? I suppose an armada of Kuati starships wouldn't matter if the populace itself is compromised. Oh... what are we to do about this?"

[Niall Organa]

Niall signed, resting his arms on the balustrade. "You ask many good questions. And I don't have all the answers. Not yet."

He glanced back at her, smiling wryly. "I suppose we just have to do our best to make sure that Alderaan doesn't fall apart."

[Cynella Andrim]

Cynella joined him a respectable distance away, glancing off at nothing in a suitably dramatic fashion. "If anyone can get the answers, it's you. Well, maybe someone else will pass it along to you, such as me, but you get the picture."

[Niall Organa]

Niall grinned at her. "Well, one of the most important skills an officer can have is the ability to delegate."

His expression grew more serious, although he still smiled. "But a good officer also recognizes the people under them, and the work they do. So if you do find anything out, please, I'd appreciate it if you passed it on to me. But also, if you did, Organa would recognize you for it."

Suddenly Niall blinked. "You know, I have a younger brother."

[Cynella Andrim]

"Delegate... ah, yes! I suppose that's why there're so many departments at Andrim Shipyards and why managers aren't just terrible. Although let me tell you, there are a whole lot of complaints that go through HR." Cynella pursed her lips. "Is it like that in the military too?"

She laughed and then shook her head. "No, no! I don't do it for the praise, truly. We must all do our part, for the people and the Republic as a whole, right? I'm hoping that you'll consider me for another option even if I wasn't able to uncover much at the Thul Estate."

At the mention of a brother, she raised a brow. "Hm? Is he related to this in some way?"