(D4 EN) A Sinister Offer?

[Cynella Andrim]

Cynella, still curious, sought out the Baron who apparently never did any good. The dinner had been an... acceptable affair, though the future weighed on her considerably. Riss went ahead and said it, hm? What is Prince Joran going to do about that?

[Dapper Dog]

He was waiting in a darkened alcove observing the last of the Panteers leaving for their chambers or private transports. He smiled when he spotted Cynella and said, “A beautiful pearl, shall we see one of the best views of the palace?”

He held out his hand.

[Cynella Andrim]

"You want to go exploring at this hour?" Cynella asked, though she shook her head at the question afterwards. "Oh but you must be aware of it all and, best of all, have access to said places." Much better than her escapades with Prince Joran, at least.

So, she offered her arm and steeled herself for whatever this shameless man had planned.

[Dapper Dog]

He guided her through the door onto a balcony overlooking the garden and a beautiful waterfall. In the distance they could see a pair of thranta flying together in a beautiful aerial dance. He said, “My good lady, I have access to everything and more. But my concern is how you enjoyed the evening, it does not seem like you were as impressed as the others.”

“You seem far more discriminating with your time and attention.” He continued to guide her down the long balcony.

[Cynella Andrim]

Cynella's eyes went to the thranta, a charming reminder of yesterday's adventure. She couldn't tell from here if there were riders but, if there were, then today her position was reversed. "Did I come off as unimpressed, uncharmed by Her Majesty's efforts? I wouldn't want her to think ill of my opinions regarding, well, all that Alderaan has to offer.

"But yes, I would agree that I am selective with my tastes. However, sometimes I must explore new avenues, see what happens, so that I must continue to adapt, yes?"

[Dapper Dog]

“The Queen is reserved, so you are in good company,” he tapped at a keypad for a room and then knelt and applied a device to it, it beeped and then slid open.

King Panteer.jpg (15.94 KiB) Viewed 1978 times

Inside was a large and lavish bedroom with a large portrait of the Queen and her late husband, he was of the same height and had a stern demeanor but was handsome and powerful looking. The bed was massive and there was a jacuzzi in one corner built to look like natural lagoon. The ne’er-do-well said, “The Queen never uses this room anymore, and I have bypassed the security… want to explore the delights afforded to royalty?”

He adjusted the heat of the hot tub and smiled, “This is truly an otherworldly experience.”

[Cynella Andrim]

Cynella glanced around, wondering what it'd be like to be in this room as, well, the rightful owner. She crossed her arms, though, as she watched the man go about the place. "Wait, what are you doing? I thought you wanted to look around, not meddle in Her Majesty's belongings."

[Dapper Dog]

"What you don't want to enjoy a little relaxation? No one will come here, no one uses this room. It's ours, for tonight you could be Queen," he said with a bow.

[Cynella Andrim]

"And if I marry Prince Joran, then I will have the rest of my life to be Queen." That was, of course, assuming that he became the King. And she had no idea how the Queen was going to end up choosing an heir. "I hardly see why this room would go unused though. This is Her Majesty's, is it not?"

[Dapper Dog]

“I suppose it reminds her of her late husband, he was a good man. If you seek to win Joran’s hand then you have to shine brighter than the Thul soldier. I know my cousin and his heart is ever more swayed by her presence. But that is an issue for another night, tonight we can enjoy ourselves in peace and explore the delights of royalty. Try the bed,” he said with a mischievous smile.

[Cynella Andrim]

Cynella glanced at the portrait once more and frowned. "And it wouldn't be right to disgrace the room further if it's in honor of the late king." She tucked a stray piece of hair away and continued, "You don't think the other three are of concern? Lady Ulgo and Lady Teraan are also decorated and of more noble blood, as far as I can tell, and then there's Lady Lanar."

[Dapper Dog]

The man sighed with annoyance and then rose and approached her. He said, “Fine… we can continue exploring though I have to wonder if you are here for fun, or something else?”

He emphasized the words by caressing her cheek and saying, “What do you truly desire, Pearl of Kuat?”

[Cynella Andrim]

"I enjoy a bit of fun, yes, but not at the expense of everything I hold dear." She cupped her hand over his, not so affectionately and not to ward him off either. "What I'm here for, both in this moment and this trip in its entirety, is to fulfill my filial duty. Your planet is a mainstay of the Republic so it must remain resolute, both in the face of internal and external dangers. Kuati ships are one such method to maintain that."

She smiled. "Don't you care about such things? It can't always be all fun and games, rogueish games, right?"

[Dapper Dog]

He considered that and said, “I suppose the protection of Alderaan is one of my concerns, but why not both. Fine, let us leave this den of the Queen’s and find more affable fare. What do you hold dear, Cynella?”

He said turning off the hot tub before scooping her arm up and then led her away from the scene of their royal crime.

[Cynella Andrim]

Cynella followed along, glancing around at all the marvels the palace had to offer. "Dearest to me are my family and friends back home on Kuat." She smiled ruefully. "I suppose I'll have to make many new ones here on Alderaan, seeing as most of my prospects seem to require that."

And then a sigh. "Then there's my desire for heroics, which I imagine clashes with your personality." She couldn't place how much of it was bravado or his true self.

[Dapper Dog]

"Heroics?" he responded. "Do, illuminate me."

[Cynella Andrim]

"Well, I'd say that most of that is just holovids and other tall tales. However, your planet has its very own representative, Captain Alderaan, and then there are the Jedi Knights." Cynella extended her free arm out as a gesture of grandiosity. "Upholders of virtue, that sort of thing."

[Dapper Dog]

“I am not sure I would call most Jedi, heroes, more like monks with laser swords who are maddeningly obtuse,” he responded. “If you seek adventure then go adventure, what is holding you back?” he said as they ascended spiral steps.

[Cynella Andrim]

"You're right in some ways that the Jedi are mysterious. However, I've known to be quite wise once I process their advice."

As they went up the staircase, she giggled a tad bit. "Isn't that what we're doing right now? As for usual circumstance, I do have my familial duties. Don't you have to do anything as Baron?"

[Dapper Dog]

“I do as I please and make sure to be just useful enough that none take offense when I am not doing as expected. But still if you seek adventure then why not seek adventure. Why hide behind filial duties, you have nothing but time here, and Alderaan is filled with adventure or is this one of those hypothetical wants that is never meant to really be fulfilled,” he offered.

“Because I can think of many adventures we can have,”