Pregame - New Hunts and Old Acquaintances [Closed]

[Desilijic Keyhote]

"Glory does favour the bold. I'd say that you might have more of an advantage over me, Ser Keyhote," she said with a small titter before she would present her hand up to seal their hunter's accord. "Of course, may the best hunter claim the trophy. May we all find victory, one way or another."

"Yes..." She nodded once at the question with a more thoughtful expression now. Her hands went behind her as she walked on the orchard trail. "Well, I suppose if that's what most people think will happen if they leave things as they are. That's unlikely the case and I don't know if anyone would be so foolish to push Alderaan into another conflict so soon. Of course, that isn't to say that we could be complacent and expect good sense to fix everything on its own. The water has been muddied and true success will likely be less clear to the public, perhaps won't make itself apparent for many years if the potential fissures aren't addressed immediately."

Keyhote daintily accepts and shakes the hand
"Victory for the bold and defeat to the craven!"

Although his tone becomes more serious as they continue through the orchard
"Hmmm, I believe I understand. Failure here may cause further violence in the future, not uncommon. Where does your house's loyalty lie?"

[Aurilie Alde]

Keyhote daintily accepts and shakes the hand
"Victory for the bold and defeat to the craven!"

Although his tone becomes more serious as they continue through the orchard
"Hmmm, I believe I understand. Failure here may cause further violence in the future, not uncommon. Where does your house's loyalty lie?"

Aurilie looked at him with a curious tilt of her head. "I know that the thrill of the hunt and romance are topics that you are fond of, Ser Keyhote, but I didn't know what you were so keen on human politics. Although, I know that this is politics that is relating to marriage and potential love...If you are considering getting involved, I hope that you could offer some hint of your potential play here. You needn't tell me everything but you could spare such a courtesy, at the very least? If you must know, House Alde have been the internal peacekeeper of Alderaan for many centuries. We have stopped the first wars in this world and will continue to do so. Admittedly, it seems that House Organa has found themselves in the front running of this particular negotiations and we have been aligned together with the same opinions on the matter, as well as the continuation of the Republic. There will be peace one way or another, it just depends if it's true peace...or merely a farce."

[Desilijic Keyhote]

Aurilie looked at him with a curious tilt of her head. "I know that the thrill of the hunt and romance are topics that you are fond of, Ser Keyhote, but I didn't know what you were so keen on human politics. Although, I know that this is politics that is relating to marriage and potential love...If you are considering getting involved, I hope that you could offer some hint of your potential play here. You needn't tell me everything but you could spare such a courtesy, at the very least? If you must know, House Alde have been the internal peacekeeper of Alderaan for many centuries. We have stopped the first wars in this world and will continue to do so. Admittedly, it seems that House Organa has found themselves in the front running of this particular negotiations and we have been aligned together with the same opinions on the matter, as well as the continuation of the Republic. There will be peace one way or another, it just depends if it's true peace...or merely a farce."

Gravely "My family will always have interests on Alderaan. My personal preference is that peace and love prevails, but should conflict be inevitable then my duties will be different, at least for a time."

[Aurilie Alde]

Gravely "My family will always have interests on Alderaan. My personal preference is that peace and love prevails, but should conflict be inevitable then my duties will be different, at least for a time."

She raised her brow curiously. "Family interests? Are you talking about the more mercantile pursuits? I imagine that there are still many profits to be made when it comes to rebuilding and reinforcing Alderaan, which is still happening in many parts of the planet. Remote pockets such as here have been untouched by most of it and development here is difficult but there is no short of opportunities to be found, especially when many of the other houses of the Thul are in their thoughts. Again, it would seem foolish to plunge ourselves into war so soon again. If there is conflict, it's likely a sort of cold war with potentially some dirty business, occasionally buried underneath bloodied rugs. That's my estimation, anyway. I imagine someone closer to the seat of power at House Panteer will likely have a more accurate picture."

Her walk would eventually bring them to one of the orchard's edges, walled off with a short stone wall and a sudden curved steep path that lead downwards to what looked like a small winery that occupied a space near one of the estate's cliffsides.

[Desilijic Keyhote]

She raised her brow curiously. "Family interests? Are you talking about the more mercantile pursuits? I imagine that there are still many profits to be made when it comes to rebuilding and reinforcing Alderaan, which is still happening in many parts of the planet. Remote pockets such as here have been untouched by most of it and development here is difficult but there is no short of opportunities to be found, especially when many of the other houses of the Thul are in their thoughts. Again, it would seem foolish to plunge ourselves into war so soon again. If there is conflict, it's likely a sort of cold war with potentially some dirty business, occasionally buried underneath bloodied rugs. That's my estimation, anyway. I imagine someone closer to the seat of power at House Panteer will likely have a more accurate picture."

Her walk would eventually bring them to one of the orchard's edges, walled off with a short stone wall and a sudden curved steep path that lead downwards to what looked like a small winery that occupied a space near one of the estate's cliffsides.

"I am continually amazed how your family created so many picturesque opportunities in the one property. It seems an admirable Alderaani talent. As for the family interests...that is mostly correct. Although my family makes as much profit in war as in times of peace. Cold Wars are particularly good for business."

[Aurilie Alde]

"I am continually amazed how your family created so many picturesque opportunities in the one property. It seems an admirable Alderaani talent. As for the family interests...that is mostly correct. Although my family makes as much profit in war as in times of peace. Cold Wars are particularly good for business."

Aurilie would make her way down the path carefully. It was a bit dusted with snow and either the servants were attending to other parts of the estate or had decided to leave the snow there for visual effects, like the rest of the estate. At the very least, there was enough decency to put enough cobble texture on the path so that it shouldn't prove to be too difficult of a decent. Hopefully, that will suffice for the hutt and his squire.

She chuckled and shook her head. "Hardly intentional, I assure you. A bit of an ill-conceived design from a few centuries ago but I suppose having a winery here is better than shipping below the mountain."

She let out a sigh with her breath showing in the cold air. "As for wars...I wish I could refute those claims when it comes to business but you would be right. House Thul does have plenty of Imperial sponsors, I'll have you know. I don't know if they take too kindly to those who might undercut their involvement if they could help it."

[Desilijic Keyhote]

Aurilie would make her way down the path carefully. It was a bit dusted with snow and either the servants were attending to other parts of the estate or had decided to leave the snow there for visual effects, like the rest of the estate. At the very least, there was enough decency to put enough cobble texture on the path so that it shouldn't prove to be too difficult of a decent. Hopefully, that will suffice for the hutt and his squire.

She chuckled and shook her head. "Hardly intentional, I assure you. A bit of an ill-conceived design from a few centuries ago but I suppose having a winery here is better than shipping below the mountain."

She let out a sigh with her breath showing in the cold air. "As for wars...I wish I could refute those claims when it comes to business but you would be right. House Thul does have plenty of Imperial sponsors, I'll have you know. I don't know if they take too kindly to those who might undercut their involvement if they could help it."

Keyhote floats down at a steep angle, seemingly unperturbed.
"I would assume they don't! They are the villains after all. Doubtless they engage in all sorts of skulduggery. And I appreciate the aesthetic of black clad warriors roaming around doing evil, it gives a knight something to struggle against!"

[Aurilie Alde]

Keyhote floats down at a steep angle, seemingly unperturbed.
"I would assume they don't! They are the villains after all. Doubtless they engage in all sorts of skulduggery. And I appreciate the aesthetic of black clad warriors roaming around doing evil, it gives a knight something to struggle against!"

Aurilie nodded soundly once Keyhote made his way down and she continued on her way toward the entrance of the winery.

"I think you'll do well enough without such villains tacked onto your tale," she chuckled in good humour. "They would be a wonderful accessory but I doubt they would make themselves so obvious. After all, they do have a facade to maintain and make themselves appear only loosely associated with the Empire. I'm sure that will be their tactic if they are smart about it. I don't know what they could benefit from showing their hand so blantantly."

[Desilijic Keyhote]

Aurilie nodded soundly once Keyhote made his way down and she continued on her way toward the entrance of the winery.

"I think you'll do well enough without such villains tacked onto your tale," she chuckled in good humour. "They would be a wonderful accessory but I doubt they would make themselves so obvious. After all, they do have a facade to maintain and make themselves appear only loosely associated with the Empire. I'm sure that will be their tactic if they are smart about it. I don't know what they could benefit from showing their hand so blantantly."

"Like all villains they are fundamentally cowards."
Rumbling
"They skulk in the shadows until they feel strong enough to enforce their will on others. I hope they never feel strong enough to do so."

[Aurilie Alde]

"Like all villains they are fundamentally cowards."
Rumbling
"They skulk in the shadows until they feel strong enough to enforce their will on others. I hope they never feel strong enough to do so."

"Villainy does attempt to make up for their weaknesses and they have plenty of them. What do you expect from someone who lacks morals and virtues, everything that would prevent them from taking part in a fair fight? I suppose the instinct of a coward is what allowed them to eke out their continued existence for several centuries. It's quite saddening, really." She gave a small shake of her head before approaching the front doors.

She gave the knob a try and a push at first. When the door proved to be too stubborn, she put her shoulder on it and gave it a shove before the door would abruptly open with the added force. She took a moment to dust herself off before gesturing inside the winery. It was a stone and brick structure with an interior made up of tall wooden beams. The facilities and cellar itself would be found below ground but the main floor hosted what looked like a quaint bar with leather seats. The lights to the building would flicker on automatically with their presence but faint traces of dust would remain on the surface. There were a few heads of animals found on the walls, conventional game that might have been an overflow from Aurilie's collection. "Do you have a request, Ser Keyhote?"

[Desilijic Keyhote]

"Villainy does attempt to make up for their weaknesses and they have plenty of them. What do you expect from someone who lacks morals and virtues, everything that would prevent them from taking part in a fair fight? I suppose the instinct of a coward is what allowed them to eke out their continued existence for several centuries. It's quite saddening, really." She gave a small shake of her head before approaching the front doors.

She gave the knob a try and a push at first. When the door proved to be too stubborn, she put her shoulder on it and gave it a shove before the door would abruptly open with the added force. She took a moment to dust herself off before gesturing inside the winery. It was a stone and brick structure with an interior made up of tall wooden beams. The facilities and cellar itself would be found below ground but the main floor hosted what looked like a quaint bar with leather seats. The lights to the building would flicker on automatically with their presence but faint traces of dust would remain on the surface. There were a few heads of animals found on the walls, conventional game that might have been an overflow from Aurilie's collection. "Do you have a request, Ser Keyhote?"

He ducks his head, repulsors in the armour stirring up dusting in a small cloud. The trophies received a brief inspection before Keyhote nods and moves on
"Your hospitality does you credit good prince. Do you have any of the La Mancha wine? I recall it being a fine vintage when last I sampled it, Pantha, you may drink too."
That at least got the squire's enthusiastic attention.

[Aurilie Alde]

He ducks his head, repulsors in the armour stirring up dusting in a small cloud. The trophies received a brief inspection before Keyhote nods and moves on
"Your hospitality does you credit good prince. Do you have any of the La Mancha wine? I recall it being a fine vintage when last I sampled it, Pantha, you may drink too."
That at least got the squire's enthusiastic attention.

Aurilie let out a small chuckle at that and inclined her head once on that note. "Only what I could manage on short notice but I thought it would have been better to talk without a legion of servants trailing behind us. Of course, the present company accepted," she said with a note toward Pantha's direction.

She made her way around the bar and looked at the offerings that were found there. Behind her, there were a few miniature barrels of wine that were likely made with the fruits of the orchard. There was likely more of it stocked below. The burned printing on the barrels would suggest that they were a sort of valleyberry wine. She eventually straightened when she found the wine in question.

"Something like this?" She presented the bottle of wine for Keyhote to see with a triumphant smile, indeed it was what he was hoping for. "I confess that I don't recall procuring this particular bottle and I could only imagine that it might be my father's. Or one of my siblings...but no matter, that's not going to stop me from opening it and at the very least, I'll take full responsibility for the repercussions."

She produced three glasses and carefully poured them each a glass. It might have been questionable to let the squire become an accessory to their crime but she supposed that he did brave the trip out here with his master and should deserve some reward.

[Desilijic Keyhote]

Aurilie let out a small chuckle at that and inclined her head once on that note. "Only what I could manage on short notice but I thought it would have been better to talk without a legion of servants trailing behind us. Of course, the present company accepted," she said with a note toward Pantha's direction.

She made her way around the bar and looked at the offerings that were found there. Behind her, there were a few miniature barrels of wine that were likely made with the fruits of the orchard. There was likely more of it stocked below. The burned printing on the barrels would suggest that they were a sort of valleyberry wine. She eventually straightened when she found the wine in question.

"Something like this?" She presented the bottle of wine for Keyhote to see with a triumphant smile, indeed it was what he was hoping for. "I confess that I don't recall procuring this particular bottle and I could only imagine that it might be my father's. Or one of my siblings...but no matter, that's not going to stop me from opening it and at the very least, I'll take full responsibility for the repercussions."

She produced three glasses and carefully poured them each a glass. It might have been questionable to let the squire become an accessory to their crime but she supposed that he did brave the trip out here with his master and should deserve some reward.

Pantha jumps up on a stool and bows his head before seizing a glass
"Thank you yer ladyship, the questing life can be hard but wine soothes the soul."

Keyhote is a bit more dignified as he daintily takes a glass between two fingers and swirls it to savour the bouquet, his nostrils flaring slightly in pleasure
"Nonsense, tell them a Hutt barged in and demanded some, they will certainly understand."
He carefully sips, sighing with pleasure
"A beautiful drop. To your health Prince Aurilie."

[Aurilie Alde]

Pantha jumps up on a stool and bows his head before seizing a glass
"Thank you yer ladyship, the questing life can be hard but wine soothes the soul."

Keyhote is a bit more dignified as he daintily takes a glass between two fingers and swirls it to savour the bouquet, his nostrils flaring slightly in pleasure
"Nonsense, tell them a Hutt barged in and demanded some, they will certainly understand."
He carefully sips, sighing with pleasure
"A beautiful drop. To your health Prince Aurilie."

"You've done noble work, Pantha. If you are to share in your lord's burden and hardships, then you are deserving of a bit of respite," she said to the squire as he picked up the glass.

Aurilie finished the pour for herself and elegantly twisted the bottle away to save any unnecessary drops. She put the bottle aside and took up her glass to give it a small swirl herself as she examined the make and its scent. "Well, it doesn't seem fair for you to take all of the blame. Especially, I'd like you to be welcomed back to my estates in some capacity. It would be incredibly difficult if you were barred and it doesn't do any justice to your gracious nature. Truly, this was perhaps the best suggestion I wish I could make myself. Trying to feed you some of our berry wine would have been a bit too conventional and only reserved for conventional guests. We'll say that the long Winter really swayed my hand to make such a decision and we'll add it to the long list of disappointment I'm constantly updating for my parents."

"And to yours, Ser Keyhote. Romance too. And the hunt." She said with an amused smile before joining the toast with a sip of her own.

[Desilijic Keyhote]

"And to yours, Ser Keyhote. Romance too. And the hunt." She said with an amused smile before joining the toast with a sip of her own.

Fade to wine

((Thanks for the RP ))