Log:New Alderaan: Delayan Peace Summit

Opening Gala for Peace talks.

OOC Date: March 5, 2022
Location: Leilani City, Delaya
Participants: Lumira Cortess, Nora Frayus, Bors Thul, Ulani Kalgaav, Ban Iskender, Ariel Teral, Dyna Selenis, Noemie Lenoir, New Alderaan, Aryn Cortess

Like all things with Alderaan and its aristocracy, the affair is large. Delaya, a shadow of the Old Alderaan, holds much of the same architecture of pomp the culture used to sport. From tall buildings with massive towers and shining building exteriors, the only thing that kept the splendor in check was the presence of industry. The Ducal Palace, home of the Duchy that ruled Delaya was massive. It loomed center stage above Leilani city, with an extraordinary view of the city that spanned in every west, south, and east nearly as far as the eye could see.

Not all of Delaya was city, though. Much of its rich lands were green, with more than 80 percent of the world covered in misty seas said to be ruled by the mysterious House Killesa from their keep Last Light, a fortress on the sea with an eternal flame lit lighthouse to mark the inlet of the continent to warfaring ships. Other Houses were much more prominent on Delaya than any other diaspora of Alderaan, Houses Ulgo, Frayus, Killesa, Panteer, and of course House Rist.

Our group has arrived by way of the Tantive IV, a capital ship marked for diplomatic missions with an exterior hull that spoke of decades of war. Like all Alderaanians, it bore its scars for all to see. Princess Aryn descends the ramp wearing a vibrant cape and richly colored tunic with tall boots cuffed in shined leather. Aryn wears a white-gold tiara which keeps her bright blonde hair from falling over her youthful face; a face which has its own scar over her eye that not even make up can keep from view. Intrigue!

A honor guard awaits the diplomatic party, bearing the House colors of all major players on this world: Ulgo, Panteer, Frayus, Killesa, Qel-Nosh, Serrus, and Rist. A Knight, fashioned the new First Sword of Delaya addresses them with a pompous bow, "Your Grace, my name is Ser Lathan Qel-Nosh. I am honored to serve as your party's escort for as long as you have need of my service."

"One moment, sir, while those of my group take the measure of the evening and gather themselves from the flight." Aryn replies, tugging her gloves on. The Knight nods, and stands at parade rest. Aside from the general hum of a city surrounding them, the wind blows making the banners of those prominent houses flap idly. Before them, the massive palace awaits.

Lady Nora Frayus did not arrive on Delaya by way of the Tantive IV, but rather the Voidlight Anvil a few moments before. She is not alone, either. Standing with her near the honor guard that greets the diplomatic party is Count Corwen Frayus, Countess Aldi Frayus, and Lady Luci Frayus, Nora's younger sister. House Frayus' colors are dominated entirely by black and a deep, dark purple. For her father and mother, this comes through purple trim woven into their ornate pantsuits and capes. For Nora, the purple is marked in eye makeup, fingernails, and from a little gemstone that hangs from a thin silver chain around her neck. Black dress. Purple heels. There is a visible tension between the representatives from House Frayus, and Corwen seems particularly irritated that he has been made to wait to be escorted until the diplomatic party from Tantive IV has departed.

Nora's eyes roll and she folds her arms over her stomach. She turns to look over her slender shoulder at Aryn Cortess from across a void of space between them. She seldom looks this severe, but whatever tension seems to wind tightly around all four members of House Frayus appears to be effecting her more than the others. Besides her father's blustering, her mother fusses with Luci's hair. Luci, in turn, has her eyes on her older sister. A small frown touches on the younger sister's lips, but she doesn't speak.

"Your Grace," Nora says when Aryn approaches. A bow of her head is given to her friend and Princess.

"Ah, yes, Princess Cortess," Corwen says, adjusting his collar for a moment before bowing low, as do the rest of the members of House Frayus. Besides their elegant attire, all of them are armed with ornate rapiers at their hip. All of them, save Aldi Frayus.

Uypiia and Vanko's descent from the transport is flanked by house guards, the Mistress at Arms Kima on Vanko's shoulder and the House Champion Bors at his sisters - the lot of those associated to House Thul all a song of black and silver with the periodic rush of blue and blood red crimson. A cluster of smiling, but closed, expressions - bright to contrast the dark attire.

"How poorly do you expect, brother dear?" the countess asides to her younger brother while they take in the sights. "Oh I am hoping it goes swimmingly, but I brought my sword and knife just in case." "And a blaster?" "Also a blaster." "Also Ulani?" "Of course, Ulani..." the siblings share a momentary side-eye, trying their best to feign irritation before putting attention forward once again.

Bors's armor hues of black save for silvery trim that seems focused on the thicker points of his armor - tactical filigree, as it were, and the undeniably T-Visored helmet hooked to his belt and within easy reach. Lord Thul, a Mandalorian? No. Perish the thought. But the armor he has was clearly inspired by the warrior culture; as he wears a relic of the Clone Wars. The sandy haired man adjusting how his monocle rests, pinched before his eye and the butler droid that is in the mix with him casually spritzing a smudge on his armor before buffing it out with a rag.

Lumira arrives a respectful ways behind Aryn, her expression relatively somber for the moment. Delaya is her homeworld, the place where she grew up and the current residence of her lord father and mother, Lord Dario and Lady Alessia -- the former being Aryn's uncle. For the time being, Lord Dario serves as the overseer of the Cortess Duchy on Delaya, a position that has kept him exceptionally busy with all of the recent unrest. Both he and Alessia will be at tonight's summit, though the two are currently out of sight, likely already gathered in the great hall or designated meeting place.

Lumira is dressed in Cortess colors, her golden blonde hair worn half-up in a braided circlet with the rest of her long locks worn in a romantic tumble down her back. Her gown is white and trimmed with gold, her cape dashingly clasped to one shoulder with a gemmed brooch. She has applied metallic gold shadow around her eyes, the same gilded cosmetic pressed to her fetching lips and neatly manicured fingernails. When the Knight approaches, she will offer him a slim smile, her eyes immediately raking over his person as she politely returns, "Good evening, sir."

Princess Aryn is the one in charge so Lumira will follow her lead. She will, however, look to Nora where she stands with her family and flash her a subdued smile. Well, it would be subdued if her lips weren't so brilliantly highlighted.

Ulani is dressed for the occassion. A long, silver and black gown hugs tight at the bodice and flares outwards and down, trailing in her wake just barely grazing the ground as she moves. Coppery red hair is done up with intricate braids along her crown and large, spiralling ringlets falling down the plunge of her neck and onto her shoulders. No cape for her, though. Not yet. Certain things must be earned. Instead she has a long strip of sheer silver fabric embroidered in black hooked at both elbows and flowing in a gentle arch at the small of her back.

She is walking just behind the main Thul entourage with a bit of unmistakable tension. Recalling the way her late father would speak of 'peace talks' -- and how much the Panteers remind her of him -- she has a healthy distrust that this is anything of the sort. Still, the young woman carries herself with a noble air that has been successfully trained into her. Mostly. She doesn't have the walk /quite/ right and when she hears her name being spoken just slightly ahead of her, the guarded expression breaks for curiousity to take over. "Pardon?"

Ban Iskender descends the ramp among the other nobility, attired in the elegant dress uniform of a dragoon officer, ornamented with all the appropriate gold braid and emerald green half-cloak. Straight backed and austere, the gentleman is unarmored but not unarmed, a sheathed sword at his side as a sign of rank and status. The gentleman's manner throughout the niceties is stern and solemn.

Ariel's entourage is trailing behind given there's been a bit of a message that Ariel needed to take. The Senator has been in a bad mood since the Senate trial, but she's painted on a practiced smile for those that she comes across as they enter with the delegation. She was entering the lions den with familiar faces at least. Thank the gods.

Dyna had joined in the group heading to Delaya for the peace summit aboard the Tantive IV, dressed in her usual business attire consisting of a purple, v-neck sleeveless blouse that she's tuked in to a matching pair of slacks. As she steps off the ship, she's straightening out the black blazer she's wearing over it. Politics were a bit outside her element and she had never been on a warship before, but she had decided to join the group as a show of support for Princess Cortess. "So this is Delaya," she muses with a quick glance around as she steps off the ship before turning to her travel companion. "Have you ever been here before Noemie?" she asks her. She could tell there were quite a few nobels gathered around them from the attire on display and lets out a small chuckle. "Perhaps I should have worn a dress for this."

Having never ridden on a corvette before, Noemie Lenoir is a bit wide-eyed as she steps off the boarding ramp to the historic CR-90 - though part of that wide-eyed expression indicates that she's aware of the ship's historical significance. Not being Alderaanian herself, nor her companion, the two descend to the ground at the very end of the pack.

Noemie is a very short woman, pale skinned with dark features - short black hair barely brushing against her shoulders. She's not dressed quite as elegantly as the rest, giving hint to her lack of a background in nobility. Her outfit is, however, hand-tailored by none other than herself. In two pieces, this fashionable blue dress consists of a wide-sleeved top that secures around her chest by wrapping in on itself, exposing a tiny bit of navel before the second part of the outfit takes over, a long, floor-length skirt tied together in the front by a bright, gem-encrusted clasp. Though they can't be seen below the long skirts, heeled pumps click and clack as the Naboo steps closer to the Alderaanians.

"I haven't been here, no!" She responds to Dyna as the two walk closely side-by-side. With a fond smile, she adds, "you could have, but I think what you have on is fine! It's you, and that's important. Anyway," a hazel eye winks, "you wear it well!" Like Dyna, Noemie had come along in support of her Guild member. Nearly the entire Guild were here, in fact, Noemie realizes as she stops to offer a polite smile at Ulani as well.

"Count Corwen, my Ladies.." Aryn addresses Nora's father, then the Ladies Frayus all at once, returning the gesture of respect with a slow nod of her head. "Would you join us? I believe we are all ready to head inside now." Aryn turns briefly, sweeping her arm toward the party that's joined her in this mission. They have support of House Iskender, Thul, Cortess, Teral, Syrush, Alde, and even the Artisan Guild's co-founders Dyna of the Hapes Cluster, and Noemie of Naboo.

"Sir Lathan, you may lead on, my Lord." Aryn addresses the Knight serving as their escort who responds with a quiet nod, bow, and step toward the Palace that looms ahead of them.

As they move, Aryn drifts back into the heart of the group, presumably out of ear shot of the honor guards bearing their House banners (which lead the entourage inside). "When last I was here, the palace was razed, Teraan banners burning, and the dead lay every where. Seeing Panteer banners here has done nothing to brighten this once extraordinary place. This place has dark shadows filled with ghosts of all those murdered protecting it. Even breathing the air makes me ill," Aryn says as they pass the battlements where a Panteer banner dominates their view.

Large doors are pulled open ahead of them, bringing the group to the great hall where a Herald stands ready to announce each member of the party. The Great Hall is filled with people ranging from staff who have cooked a grand arrangement of refreshments, to those nobles just relaxing and talking throughout the large room and out on the balconies. Lana Panteer, who has fashioned herself the Grand Duchess of Delaya, is not seen just yet.

"MAY I PRESENT, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, PRINCESS ARYN CORTESS OF ALDERAAN."

"SER LARS SYRUSH, LORD FROM HOUSE SYRUSH, LADY KIKO ALDE, OF HOUSE ALDE!" And the announcements go on as each person files inside and heads down the grand staircase. Marble flooring has been shined to perfection, and the stairs are adorned in a carpet matching House Panteer's colors scarlet and gold.

As the group makes their way down, members of other Houses turn to regard them and the chatter grows quiet. Enemies see enemies for the first time under the same roof and the tension is thick. Music cuts through it though as the band is made to resume their music once the announcements have been made.

"COUNT CORWEN FRAYUS. COUNTESS ADNI FRAYUS. LADIES NORA AND LUCI FRAYUS," the Herald yells out. Corwen and Adni enter the tense gala arm in arm, as do Nora and Luci just behind them. There are hushed whispers and murmurs, stifled laughs and averted gaze. Indeed, news does travel fast. Corwen's public letter denouncing Nora's testimony before the senate as a fabrication has doubtless been one of the many talks of gossip amongst the crowd tonight. Various nobility laugh as they turn to look at Nora, who simply stares straight ahead, cold blue eyes searing hot into the back of Corwen's head.

Corwen is as aloof as ever.

House Frayus has enjoyed a position of relative neutrality throughout the conflict, but the tension between their own members adds to that of the gala entirely. Count and Countess move towards a gathering of close allies, and the group's arms unlink to greet one another. Kisses pressed to cheeks, small jokes meant to ease tension. An older woman is talking to Nora and giving her a knowing, compassionate smile.

"As lovely as ever, darling," she says, her voice a low and gravely contralto worn and softened by age. Like leather, really. Beautiful in its own right. Nora smiles to her and presses a soft kiss to either cheek.

"And you, My Lady. It is good to see you," Nora says with a soft smile.

Lady Luci approaches from behind Nora and, unlike her older sister, hardly stands on ceremony with the older woman. She slips against her and wraps both arms around her in a big hug.

"And youuuu," the woman says, laughing a little as she returns the embrace in kind. "Am I growing senile, or have you gotten taller? Perhaps it is the shoes," she muses, and then smiles to Nora, "Or perhaps it is both."

Announced as, "Lord Ban Iskender, Captain of the Vice-royal Lir Dragoons," the gentleman keeps a parade ground bearing as he surveys the assembly within the hall. Any trace of his usual charm is well buried beneath a stoic face. His green eyes never rest long enough on the Panteer banners that he might be compelled to notice and thus comment upon them. The walls may as well be bare for the attention he pays them.

"We were acknowledging you were here. Why are you back there? You are betrothed to a Lord of Thul - up up up; where you belong." Uypiia playfully chiding while the Thuls converge to flank the Royal Entourage, hanging back momentarily for one of the Countesses runners to inform the announcer to state

"THE ANCIENT AND NOBLE HOUSE OF THUL ATTENDS"

Unified, no individual placed above the other - even if the Countess is clearly given the literal and figurative center-stage position of their darkly dressed assembly. It is as she crosses the threshold that Uypiaa's collar fans out, like the mating plumage of some exotic bird, creating a halo behind her head of woven black and silver, laced with rubies and threaded with deep blue that gives a deep water shimmer behind her short cut, but clearly Nora coifed hair.

"Don't put your helmet on." murmured to Bors and he gives his sister a wounded look, "But why, sister mine?" "So you can't make faces and get away with it." rolling her eyes while the Champion of Thul's expression maintains its demeanor save the barest flick of the corner of his mouth which is all but screaming 'How dare, you're absolutely correct that I would be, but how dare? Indeed!' a twitch of his eyebrow conveying a barristers 'Hrububublblblblblblb!'

Lumira turns to look at the palace, her blue eyes flitting over its grand towers and domes. Her gaze moves toward the scarlet flags that wave so proudly in the breeze -- their banner a subtle indication of the change in power -- and the sight makes her gilded lips twitch into a frown. A moment later, the entourage is moving foward and the Cortess lady falls into step just behind her cousin.

Lumira hesitates *just* a moment before entering the Great Hall, but it is only to pause and fluff at her hair, ensuring it is in perfect shape before making her arrival. "LADY LUMIRA OF HOUSE CORTESS," the Herald announces.

Lumira hovers in the doorway or atop the stairs -- wherever the announcements are being made -- and flashes a resplendent smile. The Herald turns, preparing to announce the next guest, but Lumira is still there -- hogging a bit of the spotlight with her chin thrust up and her body draped in a fetching fashion -- before she picks up the front of her elegant gown and sashays forward.

Lord Dario and Lady Alessia are already present, as are her brood of siblings: Lord Dario II, the second-eldest at fourteen, then Lord Theodoro, age 11. Given the importance of the evening, the three youngest have been left at home, ensuring the summit doesn't devolve into any more whining and fisticuffs than one can already expect from the gathered adults.

"Lumi, darling," Alessia says, moving to sweep her blonde-haired daughter up into a warm embrace. "Lumira," her father returns more stoically, but with a fond smile. She embraces each of her parents and receives their kisses, though her two younger brothers do little more than lift their heads in acknowledgement. "It's rather surreal," Lumira says to them, turning to gently straighten Theodoro's coat despite his eye rolls, "To be back in the palace. The banners..."

Lumira stops when her father gives her a look. Shrugging her shoulder, the lady breezily turns and clasps her hands behind her back, her expression mindfully neutral -- as much as an expressive creature like Lumi can manage. And then, when Dario II pipes up to say, "Did you hear about Nora being a Jedi?" it will be Lumira's turn to fix him with a *look* that silences any further questions.

Ariel is being escorted by Hiroku and Herol this evening. Her other bodyguard is hardly ever seen, but the man is dressed for the occasion and in all black and Herol is looking spiffier than usual as well.

"THE LADY SENATOR ARIEL TERAL OF NEW ALDERAAN!" is the sound of the Herald introducing her and she jumps, squeezing Hiroku's arm as he is guiding her. He gives her a look, "You're fine. None of them will bite." he tells the young woman quietly before he leads her in. Herol just has an unamused look on his face. Ariel does cast a 'this bitch' look in the direction of Count Corwen when she hears his voice in the distance. His letter about his daughter not being her favorite thing.

A blink. Two. "Oh!" To Uypiia's urgings, Ulani doublesteps up to join Bors' arm before the family cross the threshold and into the grand cavern of the main room. It is an entrance that the Thuls did not practice -- not that Ulani had ever seen. Yet they move in unison. A coordinated effort she attempts to follow with poise and a charming smile. And a gentle squeeze of the Champion Thul's arm to back up the Countess' words. He absolutely would make all the faces.

Aryn's explanation is caught, drawing Ulani's eyes up to the Panteer colours that hang oppressively all around. Heavy and looming. More like blades than banners. Her brows knit together gentle then is quickly reigned back into a neutral expression. "I do hope this goes better than you think it will," she says under her breath to Bors as the family moves together.

"Senator Teral, my Lady.." Says Ser Lathan, a man on the slightly shorter side. He bows when regarding Lady Ariel, then smiles. "How goes your new station in Senate. What with the recent drama, you must be at odds with her Grace. An Order of sorcerors banished from New Republic space, intriguing." The knight offers Ariel his hand to help her down the stairs if she accepts the gentleman's gesture. "It is said a Senator wields enormous power on the galactic stage. In theory, you could end this war between Delaya and New Alderaan with but a few words and vote."

"All the same, one of these days I should really get you to design a dress for me," Dyna comments with a small smile as she looks over Noemie's attire. "You really are quite talented. Though perhaps something with a more Hapan flair?"

Dyna would fall into line behind the princess alongside Noemie as they make their way toward the palace in the distance, the Hapan woman remaining silent for a moment with her gaze fixated on the palace as Aryn speaks. It was hard to imagine the place having once been a warzone, at least in its current state, but a solemn nod is given in understanding. Hearing the names called out loudly one, a small smirk forms on Dyna's lips. "This is quite the entrance. Suppose I should expect nothing less." Dyna herself lacked any sort of proper title and so was content to just be part of the entourage, though she takes note of the names being announced to familiarize herself with those present she hadn't already met. She happens to catch the word 'Jedi' being mentioned and quirks a brow.

"You only pretend to be senile so nobody looks twice at you. I am familiar with your games, grandmother," Nora says. The is still embracing Luci, who seems hesitant to let go now. Fingernails stroke through the girl's soft blonde hair, and her grandmother looks up over the top of the young woman's head to Nora with a smile. She doesn't respond. Simply taps the side of her nose with an index finger and opens her mouth to speak. It's then that another member of the group chimes up, a tone of amusement in his voice.

"That was some stunt at the Senate, Nora. Dare I say, it may have been your most scandalous yet. I had thought, perhaps, that you could not top dancing on the tables at the Autumn Gala, but you have bested my assumptions once again," he says with a chuckle. The woman he's with gives him a swat across his chest with the back of her hand. Count Corwen's eyes narrow not in the man's direction, but in Nora's.

"Mmmmmh, yes," another says, this a young woman with raven black hair and piercing green eyes. "But who could have ever believed you as a Jedi? Not only hysterical, but a masterful work of fancy and fiction. You have outdone yourself."

Nora smiles, thin-lipped.

"Yes, well. You do know how much I love to cause a stir. That Senate Hearing was positively -dreadful- with all that talk of war and politics," Nora says, bristling. "And I simply could not resist," she says. Corwen exhales and turns his eyes away, while Nora's grandmother and mother exchange looks with one another. The party speaking with Nora laugh and turn to one another to gossip, and Nora is moving on to speak with others. Pageantry. How she loathes it. Pity she's so gifted with it.

She spies Lady Ulgo glancing in her direction and folds her hands over her midsection. Her fingertips rest upon her upturned palm and she takes a few strides towards the Lady with a smile.

"Lord Ulgo. Lady Ulgo. How pleasing it is to see you both well. Father is likely fetching himself some brandy to drink, or he would have greeted you both with haste," she says.

Lord Ban's stoic approach is disrupted when a young Lord bumps into him. The culprit is a teenager, well dressed, yet a bit frightened by the man he ran into if only for reputation alone. He steps back, bowing to the Captain Dragoon, "My Lord.. apologies. Truly, I did not see you approach. Might I have a word, sir? Perhaps.. somewhere private?" The last part of his question is spoken lower.

Lady Nora's address of Lady Ulgo earns her a small bow, and a soft "My lady," but when she straightened, her look was more dire. The man she named Lord Ulgo shakes his head, "The Count Ulgo is not well, my Lady. I am the Lady's escort for the evening, Ser Thom (Tom) Serrus."

Lady Ulgo speaks then, "Lady Nora.. is it true then? What you said at the Senate.. you are a Jedi Knight?"

"I would be happy to," Noemie smiles to Dyna and squeezes her arm gently as the two step in to the chamber after everybody has been announced. Content to be part of the entourage herself, Noemie waits until those being announced have been announced before stepping in behind all of them, her heels echoing loudly on the polished marble flooring. Unlike Dyna, Noemie didn't catch the talk of the Jedi, though coming from a world that has largely been disconnected from galactic politics for the most part, the word means less to her than it may to others. "Every time we come to one of these, it's more and more of a spectacle. I'm in love with this!" The Naboo enthuses to her Hapan friend.

The political back-and-forth and the intricacies of nobility cold wars are completely lost on the naive girl, but what is certainly not lost on the young artist are the color palettes on display. The red and gold of house Panteer strike her the hardest, though would likely do so less strongly if she knew the significance of the house's hostility toward her friend's own house. Both red and gold are royal colors on Naboo, and not something that Noemie herself is qualified to wear.

"Your pardon, sir," an unamused Ban returns to the young man who bumps into him. "I may grant words in discretion, but not privacy," he notes, offering a quiet conversation, but not being willing to stray far from the princess. "I must remain near unto Her Highness in such.. august company, but may step a short distance if that shall suffice. Else, I must bid you good eve. Sir."

Ser Lars Syrush, the First Sword of New Alderaan, is a tall man. He stands out in a crowd, literally, and wears armor that rattles with subtlety after each step he takes. He's oddly pale when he approaches Dyna and Noemie together, bowing slightly. "Good evening, ladies. My name is Ser Lars. Her Highness has bid me stay near you both out of.. protection. You may not know it, but this room is full of people who hate each other. War has seen each house killing one another.. a river of blood that leads to that seat up there.." He points toward the jeweled throne at the top of the dais, where stained glass depicting the image of the Mother and the Father (deities of Alderaan) shine bright from the evening setting sun. "I must ask your permission to remain near you. I promise not to be a bother."

Hiroku doesn't move away from his charge. The man staring at Ser Lathan as he approaches. The sharks were appearing and starting to circle. Ariel offers a smile, "My new station in the Senate is going well, Ser Lathan and I thank you for asking." she tells him. "My guards are guiding me just fine this evening, though I appreciate the offer." she comments to him. "If this was a Senate matter then yes, maybe my words would help. Given this matter has not been given to the Senate then I am but a humble and diplomatic guest to help the people of New Alderaan." she tells the man.

A very gentle disengaging of his arm from Ula's when she takes it, the barest shake of his head and a whispered, "Not when I might have need at moment's notice." giving her a wink, Bors manages to keep his court face while adding, "And that's why I'm armored and not in court attire."

Uypiia's passing by Count Corwen is done so with a slight flourish of her fingers towards the man with a cat's narrow eyed smile, turning so that the floor length dress that clings until her calves sweeps like shadowy water and the gems in her halo-collar flash with intention of glare striking the man's eye,

"Count Frayus, how lovely to see you here and about; Vanko and I were saying just earlier, with my brother about how your daughter cast such a bright light upon your... 'impressive' demesne and how we felt that House Frayus should be aggrandized for having produced such a steadfast, useful, and contributive member to Court and Alderaan as a whole. We do hope you do naught to try and shade that glimmer, it might make a man of questionable worth out of one whose character might already be tentative?" she pauses, a flicker of teeth that Bors mimics, the Thul Sibling's trademark Thousand Watt Smile allowed only at a quarter of its dazzling brilliance, "Oh, I'm sorry. Tenuous is more like it?"

The Thuls continue to move as one, with eerie uniformity to their movements, threat, seduction and obfuscating of their motives all in one.

"My apologies, Ser Serrus. I suppose I only assumed Lady Ulgo's husband would be so handsome," Nora says with a soft smile. If she's embarrassed by her misidentification of the man, she doesn't appear to dwell upon it for long. Lady Frayus' attention turns briefly back to Lady Ulgo and her jaw muscles work her teeth together for a brief moment. Nora's gaze is an oppressive thing. Those cold blue eyes wander briefly over the other woman's features -- her eyes, nose, lips and chin, and then snap back up. Nora smiles.

"A tall work of fiction, and I must say it must have been a -excellent- one to have you convinced. I do believe that it has added several years onto my Father's life. You should have seen the vein in his forehead as he wrote that letter. I was half convinced it was going to start crawling about his face like a little worm. How ghastly," Nora says with a laugh.

Count Corwen has arrived with Countess Adni and Lady Luci. As Nora suggested, both he and his wife are holding snifters of brandy. "Lady Ulgo," he says, voice rough as he looms ominously over Nora's shoulder. Corwen's eyes briefly turn in Ariel's direction, catching his 'this mans' look. It earns the senator a stern laugh and a raise of his snifter. Politics, my dear.

"I do hope Lady Nora's prattling hasn't offended you. I feel she has spoken a month's worth in the matter of days," he says, and sips his brandy.

"Yes, well, some of us should do actual talking instead of skulking about and growling at everyone," Nora says and plucks the glass of brandy from her mother's fingers.

"Nora," her mother chides, but Nora's just shrugging and taking a drink.

The young Lord Killesa nods his head and steps as Lord Ban directs. "I shall not take up much of your time, Lord Iskender. -- I am told you are fashioned the Green Knight of Alderaan, a man of honor. I am in need of such a man's help. All is not what it appears here, sir. The solidarity you see is strained, forced in some aspects. My family is one such case, sir. Those hoisting our banner, the colors of /my/ House are thugs, sir. Pirates. Killesa is not here, sir. They rot in a prison in our own keep. We refused Lana and have paid for our 'treachery'. Sir if you are the Knight they claim you to be, please.. help me. I have risked everything to be here tonight in the hopes of finding a champion to free my family. It is said the Iskenders have an affinity for the sea. I offer such.. if Last Light is returned to us, and these talks prove pointless.. then we can help each other.."

Lumira's little brother, Theodoro, is still looking over in Nora's direction with a sense of wonder. "But we *know her*," he continues to say, despite both parents looking mildly disconcerted by the topic. "We knew about Cousin Aryn--"

"...Her *Grace*," Lady Alessia gently corrects.

"...Yes," Theodoro says, "Her Grace. We knew about her. But Lady Frayus?" he sounds both thrilled and mildly horrified. To be affiliated with the Order is rather ~tawdry~ after all, and it's a remarkable surprise to hear it about a fellow noble who is thus far known for dancing on tables rather than regimented lessons on the Force.

Lumira simply wags her finger at her little brother, causing the boy to look and then scowl when she uses that finger to *boop* him on the nose. "Leave the gossip to me," Lumi tells him, smiling beatifically, "I think there is more than enough to worry about without wagging our tongues about a subject that means very little to why we're here. Hm?" She casts a sideways glance across the hall, noting Lord Corwen's aristocratic stance. And then, bouncing one shoulder, Lumira will drift away from her family to approach one of the wandering servants.

Lumi's hand deftly reaches for a fizzy refreshment as it passes by on a tray. She sips at her beverage, looking around for their host, Lana, or anyone else of interest. It is indeed strange to be back amongst her peers -- people she grew up with and dined with in this very hall -- half of whom were once considered friends but now ally themselves with her family's enemies. When a small gaggle of noble ladies approach, Lumira will bounce her brows and offer a smile before bowing her head to whisper something.

"You mistake me, Lady Senator." Lathan says, turning instead to walk with her. His hands lock at the small of his back as he adopts a casual gait. "It is not this war which need be brough to the Senate. Her Highness was marked as a Jedi. Much like the treacherous company she kept with this Palpatine and Solo.. she too could be exiled from the New Republic space.. this very space here, my Lady. Think of the lives you might save with just words, Senator."

Noemie's comment earns a light laugh from Dyna. "Enjoying all the fancy dresses are you?" she asks the Naboo woman in a slightly teasing tone. As Ser Lars approaches the two of them, Dyna stops for a moment to eye the man curiously, taking note of his armor. "So I've gathered. Well, hopefully nothing comes of it then. But I suppose it wouldn't be politics without a bit of bloodshed." There's a wry smirk at that comment. Where Dyna came from, assassinations among royalty by those looking to attain more power were not uncommon. "I suppose that would be for the best then," she notes with a small nod in agreement. "Anything else we should know about this Panteer woman then, given the circumstances?"

"Lord Bors Thul.." Says the smooth-toned voice of Count Serrus. "Of the /ancient/ House Thul, mm, yes. I would have a word, sir. Maybe some wine if you the inclination to walk with me. Oh? And who is this lovely creature? Your betrothed? And from what House do you come from?" Count Serrus asks Ulani.

Corwen is a tall, imposing man. Like his daughter, there is a certain gravity that comes with his gaze. Frosted and blue, intense and intelligent. It settles on Uypiia as the woman speaks. He gives a lazy swirl of his brandy and strokes his free hand through his well-manicured, dark beard. It's those blue eyes and that black hair that contribute such a contrast. Beneath that beard is a strong jaw, and above it, the same nose as Nora. "I need not shade my daughter's glimmer, My Lady. She is quite apt at it herself," he says, and raises his snifter to his lips to take a sip. His eyes turn to Lady Uypiia's hair and he sucks a bit of air through his teeth as he swallows. "She does such fine work. I can always spot it from across the room. You look beautiful, Lady Thuul," he rumbles.

She cannot help but look a little confused as her arm is untwined. The explanation clears theings up but only adds to the tension that Ulani isn't exactly able to hide. Nor does she have the first clue on what to do with herself. The only weapon she knows how to use is a carbine and let me tell you, hiding that up a skirt is awkward and had to be quickly abandoned. Don't ask.

So she allows herself a half-step distance from Bors, leaving him the space to react should he need it. All around her, she is catching little bits and pieces of the multi-court gossip. A lot of rumblings about Jedi and the recent Senate meeting. Other hushed conversations under breaths where words are missed but tone is clear. Along with a few side-eyes she has noticed.

Caught looking off to the side, the approach of Count Serrus snaps her blue eyes forward and find the grinning face of a refined man in his fifties. "Ah--" Caught not knowing who /exactly/ this person is, Ulani defaults to a respectful bow. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm..."

Noemie's head cants as Ser Lars explains some of the goings-on to she and Dyna. Eyes narrowed in slight confusion, she nods her agreement, vocalizing it as, "sure, you can tag along with us! But we're not going to be as exciting as everyone else!" It's a playful warning, but not entirely incorrect. "Is there something that we can do to help Princess Cortess?" A glance at her Hapan date. "Maybe - distract some jerk for her, or cause a scene somewhere?" A mischevious grin plays across her lips. The daughter of a handmaiden, Noemie knows the right buttons to push to distract any number of posh royals.

Ban Iskender leans subtly nearer to the young Killsea as the desperate Delayan relates his family's plight. "Mother and Father bless their honor, sir, and your courage in sharing such. Your kin shall have my sword on their behalf, be assured," he relates quietly. "I do not doubt some treachery awaits us, here. Your charge is to survive it, and retake your family's keep in my company, is that understood?"

"A shame, I thought to have you impart your wisdom about an esoteric concern of mine. Were it true you were of the Order.. well, it might have answered a prayer. Alas," Lady Ulgo says, looking defeated and sharing a look with Ser Serrus. The Knight with Ulgo seemed grim, but Nora had managed to get a smile from him.

Count Frayus arriving with his wife and daughter draws his attention.

"Your Lordship," Lady Ulgo says, "You and yours seem in good health. The Lady, Nora has done nothing to accost me, sir. I was just commenting upon her lovely hair. My brother sends his regards. The sword forged for him has served him well in his new duty as Marshal to the Grand Duchess. I am told it was used in his first duel."

Count Serrus gains a raised brow from Bors who nods "I might walk short distances, but I will remain within proximity to my Sister the Countess, per my duties. Sadly I can imbibe none in current presences, for those same reasons but thine offer is graciously appreciated in kind with your attentive notice of my betrothed." inclining his head towards Ulani, "Lady Ulani is from one of the Great Houses of Kuat, ancient nobility - though a tad misguided. I had to... make the case rather emphatically that her wish to leave Kuat to join Alderaanian nobility was greatly accepted by my Sister the Countess." Head tilting and turning ever so slightly to fix the count under the gaze of his monocle with a polite, if pointed, challenge against trying to make any but polite response to her

The Thuls have stopped, to encompass the Frayus more aptly and Uypiia's smile blossoms, "She is an artist in many respects, Corwen." a pointed lack of title used with polite tone and courtly inflection, "I cannot see any talent at self-denigration in Lady Nora, either. If anything it looks to be that if the descendancy of House Frayus has not been properly appointed it would be a fantastic comedy of tragic error; which I am most certain that your lordship would be fully impossible of committing." the khol lined eyes of Uypiia home in on Corwen, as if sizing up where to sink her teeth into his throat,

"Truly!" announced so suddenly and with volume to draw attention, "Corwen Frayus would clearly be a man worthy of his blood and title insofar as to announce the PRIDE that Lady Nora brings to House Corwen! A champion for good and an example for Alderaan's youths to look upon as example?"

Suddenly all Thul eyes, save two pair, are on Corwen, expectant.

"My Lord.. I-I .. words fail me, sir. Truly. Pirates hold my family's seat, they captain our ships, and they prey on those who would do honest work upon the seas ruining my good family's name. For fifteen thousand years we have served this world and guarded its seas. Now.. " The young Lord Killesa laments, on the verge of tears. "May the Father guide your sword to justice, sir. I must depart before I am spotted. I ran from university upon hearing of my family's plight.. Lana does not know my face." He says to Ban, turning from the Green Knight to look over this den of serpents.

Lumira is certainly in her element as she whispers amidst a cluster of young nobles. Whatever she says must be amusing, because the entourage appears fairly fixated. One of the Girard nobles actually places a hand to his mouth, eyes widening, until a neighboring young lady gently pulls it down with a laugh. When pretty Lumi lifts her head up, signaling the end of her story, there is a titter of accompanying laughter. For her part, Lumira seems completely absorbed in the act of socializing, not realizing that she has garnered attention from Lord Rist.

Ariel gives a look to Ser Lathan as he speaks, letting him finish his bit. Then she gives a soft inner mantra of 'please don't punch him...' to herself. "Herol, could you pull up the Chancellor's missive about the Jedi and his decision." she asks him sweetly. Herol gets to it, holding up the datapad to read from, "I will point out this, Ser Lathan, 'The Jedi Order, is here-by banned from conducting any training, or hold any official residence as a religious home for Force sensitive individuals within Republic space. Its current members, however, are not banned from Republic space.' she quotes from it and then gives a smile to her older bodyguard. She then looks back to Ser Lathan, her green gaze cool, but cordial, "Is there something else that you would be keen on discussing, Ser Lathan? Were you present when Bastion was attacked and the Jedi Order shed their blood their to protect us?" she asks him quietly.

Lady Lumi may get the sense someone is watching her when she turns about, or maybe it's the solemn figure in her periphery. A pale faced man wearing the colors of House Rist, watches her with sunken eyes and grim expression. He holds a wine goblet in a jeweled decorated hand, and seems content to glare until the time to interject presents itself. The Rist is still polite..

Lady Nora's eyes return to Lady Ulgo when the woman speaks, and she takes a slow and thoughtful sip of her mother's brandy before she's handing it back. Like her father, the bite of alcohol causes Nora to take a little inhale of air through her teeth just after swallowing. The knight with Lady Ulgo gets a smile in turn, and Nora quiets herself long enough to let the exchange play out between her father and Lady Ulgo herself.

"This pleases me to hear," Count Frayus says, regarding the sword forged her brother. "That was Lady Luci's handiwork," he says, and gestures to the young woman standing beside Aldi who wilts at the attention. A wallflower, her cheeks flush pink at the sudden looks of attention. "It was," she says quietly. "I am pleased to hear that he... that he liked it," she says.

"Quite," Corwen says with a smile.

As the two speak, Nora is moving a little closer to Lady Ulgo. She's waiting, really. Quietly waiting, like a crocodile just beneath the water's edge, waiting for a gazelle to take a drink.

When Uypiia and the rest of House Thul's eyes turn to Corwen, Lady Nora sees her opportunity.

"Lady Ulgo. Perhaps you could tell me of this... esoteric concern. I have met many a member of the Jedi Order in my travels with Her Grace. Surely some of the wisdom that has been imposed upon me has stuck," Nora says with a soft smile and a laugh.

Corwen's distracted enough by Uypiia's outburst to furrow his brow and turn his body back towards the woman. Irritation on his face, he watches the woman speak and gesture with a slow and deliberate sip of his brandy. Other members of House Frayus turn to look at him as well, save for Nora, who still converses with Lady Ulgo.

Ban Iskender gives a short nod to the young Lord after a long moment spent in regard of the junior Killsea. As if taking a report from an underlying. He adds quietly, "Then do not linger here. Present yourself to the Tantive Four. You are unknown to the guards so they will not admit you, bid them contact me, and I shall see you admitted. Once you are there, we do not risk exposing you with com signals. Do you understand," he asks in the same controlled, level tone of authority.

Corwen's eyes remain on Uypiia for a few moments later and he remains silent. And then he chuckles, and raises that brandy snifter up into the air in the universal gesture of a 'toast'. "To my daughter, then. Is there anything so undoing?" he asks. Lady Adni lifts her brandy snifter up and smiles, joined by Luci with her glass of grape juice that looks a good deal line wine. She smiles over towards Nora, but sees her elder sister still speaking with Lady Ulgo. That smile briefly fades from Luci's face, but re-warms as she turns to look forward.

"To Nora," she say softly.

"Since the great war and loss of Old Alderaan, our culture has seen a shift." Ser Lars explains to the two ladies. "Once we thrived on being a society of peace. Pacifism served us to some degree, but affiliations can be just as damning as the actual acts. When Alderaan was lost because of rumors of Rebel Alliance collusion, it ignited a change in our culture. Over night, we became a people for service, for war. Though not war for the sake of it. We grew to appreciate scars, re-adopted dueling, and intrigue in our court switched from diplomacy as a primary to service. The result is that which you see here, ladies. Two ruling factions demanding service of the Houses. On one side, Her Highness has the support of many noble Houses, but on the other.. Lana Panteer keeps a litany of her own supporters. Assassination, like what you reference of the Hapes Cluster and Queen Mother's court, is sadly common place here. T'was the bones of children and murdered nobles that allowed Lana to take this seat as her own. She wiped out a dynasty that has stood the test of time for twenty thousand years." Lars seems grim in his delivery of this history to the pair. "Maybe someone can get a dancing contest going, or something? The tension here is thick.." Lars mentions in reference to Noemie's suggestion.

"Charmed, my Lady," Count Serrus says to Ulani whilst listening to Lord Thul. "Ahh, yes, the Countess.." He waves to Lady Thul in a diplomatic and genteel sort of fashion. "I was curious on your take concerning our.. conflict. As a member of another ancient House who has resided on Delaya for quite some time, surely you take offense to these.. outsiders who wish to rule us." Count Serrus is referring to Lana AND Aryn.

"Yes sir," Lord Killesa says to the Green Knight, Lord Ban. "I will do as you say. Mother guide me.. Father protect you, sir." The young man gives the room one final look before finally moving away from Ban and heading up the stairs to exit. The guards do not seem interested in stopping him, so the kid makes it outside. When he's clear of the palace, he all but runs to the Tantive IV.

Ulani comes out of her bow and extends her hand out to Count Serrus; palm down, fingers relaxed, and wrist slightly bend. A full expectation of it being taken in some kind of courtly way. All the while Bors provides a better introduction than she could in the mere seconds she was trying to take to stall for time. An ancient noble house of Kuat? It's certainly possible. She doesn't really know much about her mother---

The Count's questions posed earns a tilt up of Ulani's chin. She's not quite sure if she should speak when the question was posed to Bors and not her, but she does seem to take some offense to the word 'outsiders.' Though it is far from surprising for her to hear it.

"I was more pursuing representation that ALL of those sensitive be banished, Lady Senator. It is your duty to represent us all, is it not?" Ser Lathan intones, his genteel poise not threatened by the redirection Ariel uses in referencing New Alderaan. "I was upon New Alderaan, yes. The forces deployed there were intended to serve an ill mission. I am ashamed to have drawn steel, but duty binds me to the service of the Grand Duchess. I do what I must." Ser Lathan says, genuine shame showing on his features. "It is bloodshed which I wish to stop. Your words could have delivered such.. by removing these.. factors which draw us to more conflict."

Noemie's face contorts to various expressions as Ser Lars gives she and Dyna a brief history of recent Alderaanian culture. From fascination to confusion to shock and back around again. "That's pretty complicated," she says with a glance to Dyna, another one who's culture seems complicated to her. "Suppose it's easier when you only have to focus on one government type," she concedes, referencing her home world. "We have an elective monarchy in our human population and the Gungans work more like a large number of various monarchies - elective, hereditatry, militaristic, depending on the sect. But we all come together to form a single, ultimately unified, culture," she concludes with a soft smile.

Gazing about the room, Noemie takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly, considering the proposal of a dance contest. "I'd need to know how to dance if I'm to get a contest going!" She giggles girlishly. "And to be fair, a contest might be the last thing this room needs! It'll give people more of a reason to fight.. hmm..." Hazel eyes narrow as she retreats to her thoughts, scheming while the Alderaanians fight a battle of culture all around her.

Lumira may not know how to wield a blade or blaster, but she certainly knows how to work a room. To an outsider, the effervescent blonde is merely gossiping with her peers, but those who know the ins and outs of courtly life realize that the ability to change public opinion often rests with those who are, well, popular! And Lumira certainly seems to be that, what with the way she confidently flits from one conversation to the next. Gracious hellos are followed with gracious goodbyes, the noble lady never lingering for very long.

As she makes her circuit around the room, Lumira inevitably feels *someone* staring at her. She turns to look over her shoulder, her blue eyes flitting to and fro, but it still takes a moment for her to spy the darkly-clad Rist Lord where he stands. Seeing him renders the lady briefly immobile, her mouth falling open before pressing into an enigmatic smile. And then, looking right at him, she will toss her blonde hair over her shoulder with a dramatic *SWISH*. She does not turn away from him, her body remaining half-twisted in his direction, but it seems the Rist lord can approach *her* if he'd like to chat and not the other way around.

Still, as Lumira takes a sip of her fizzy beverage, she stares daggers his way. Thankfully, her daggers are the sort loaded with *judgement* and *shade* as opposed to actual poison as the Rists are known for.

Lady Ulgo smiles at Lady Luci, her reaction priceless. "He won the duel, of course. Your steel drew its first blood, a duel of honor it was. I am thankful you made it with such expert balance. You have my thanks, my Lady. Your Lordship." Lady Ulgo bids the Count, Countess, and Lady farewell before being intercepted by lady Nora once more. "My Lady, I am confused now. Are you implying you keep the company of Jedi Knights? Or that you are affiliated?" This time, Lady Ulgo is quieter about it. Ser Serrus steps nearer to her.

Ban Iskender doesn't look after the Killsea when the young man steps away, looking to all appearances as though his only concern were meeting the expectations of his rank and lineage while keeping an eye on the Princess. The dragoon will wait steely and silent for the expected communique from the guards on the Tantive IV, only now beginning to catch up on the conversations that have grown around him.

Dyna turns to look at Noemie, brow raised. "I never took you for a troublemaker, but you sound like you're looking forward to this." She lets out a chuckle and shakes her head. "Well, that being said, if there is any way we can assist with the proceedings, we will. Though for now, at least, that doesn't seem to be of much concern," she notes, noting all the chatter about them. She slips her hands into the pockets of her blazer as she looks around for a moment, quietly listening to the others. As Ser Lars goes on to explain the current diplomatic situation with Alderaan she nods slowly, furrowing her brow a bit. "Mm... seems there's little chance things will remain so civil then." Dyna takes a breath and looks toward Aryn for a moment. Given the precedence set, she could imagine an attempt being made on the Princess' life while they were there in particular.

Lars suggestion of a dance contest gets a raised eyebrow from Dyna. She glances back, looking between Noemie and Lars for a moment before chuckling and shaking her head. "Would feel a little out of place anyway I think, and I'm certainly no dancer either. I'd say an archery contest might be more the style of those gathered, but we -certainly- wouldn't want to be giving anyone here weapons!"

"Every lie has a bit of truth to it, does it not? I have been in the company of some, indeed," Lady Nora says simply to the Lady Ulgo. With her father distracted by Uypiia, Nora is momentarily free to sink the teeth of inquiry into this particular conversation. She too is speaking a bit quieter now, and her tone is dissonant with the words themselves. It's light, airy, and playful. As if she were talking about trivial, trifling things. "And I must admit that you have piqued my curiosity. If you would prefer not to speak of it, however," she says, and turns to look towards Ser Serrus as he steps a little closer.

"I shall not press the matter," Nora adds.

"To Nora." Uypiia and the Thuls with her declare, voice warm but the look for Corwen one that could frost a garden before she raises her hand to be taken by Vanko who places a kiss on her knuckles and only helps the next sweep of the Thuls, turning their attention next to the Rists, to whom a former member of the house is now aunt to the Countess.

"My Lord Serrus, Princess Organa herself named Aryn her heir. Princess Aryn is no usurper, no outsider. She is our Sovereign." gaze now seemingly to only hold the count, though that could be a bluff - combat trained as he is. Bors's head tilts to one side before he continues, "Thul backs house Cortess, I personally back the Princess. She has sacrificed, risked, bled and shed tears for Alderaan. Sir." left hand lifting to cup his chin between thumb and forefinger, watching the Count like a hawk.

"House Thul was from the Homeworld, remember. Our home stolen barely half a year hence my birth. It was House Cortess that restored. House Cortess that strode forth when Panteer roused her rebellion. Princess Cortess who fought alongside us when a child was threatened for her birthright." head lifting some, looking down his nose a touch, "So. Count Serrus; I am curious on your take, concerning where you align yourself? With a murderer? Or with one who places life above her own?"

Even Uypiia hears that, head turning to give lofted browed look towards her brother dear.

The Rist does approach Lumi Cortess, stopping before her to give the Lady a once over before scowling. "I suppose you would admit to knowing little or nothing about the where abouts of our missing scion, hm? The one which, against our better judgement, is betrothed to you?" Rist seems unfazed by the dagger stare Lumi offers. In fact, he rudely takes a drink from his wine. "Should you see him though, inform him we are watching. Always. Watching. He would do well to avoid his.. arrangement with your family. The Rist do not support this Cortess claim. We do not support you either. Though, I suppose widow has a certain ring to it."

"I admire your loyalty, Lord Thul," Count Serrus remarks whilst taking the man's bethrothed's hand in his to press a genteel kiss to her knuckles. He straightens and releases her hand, then regards Thul anew, "You mistake me. I support neither. Your family were among those who stood with us here in Delaya. A number of others, too. Why is it we must follow the rule of an outsider.. Lana.. or Aryn. Neither shared in our grief and struggle upon this world. Why can we not just restore the Teraan Duchess and carry on like we were?"

Lord Ban's commlink is given a jingle. "Captain Iskender, this is the Black Rider. A young gentlemen bids we contact you to admit him aboard the ship. With your permission, my Lord?"

Catching more and more words now, Ulani is looking around her. Face to face to face. It isn't just tensions that are rising. Voices are, as well. Veiled, backhanded compliments turn into to terse words. Stiff upper lips to grimaces and scowls. Her hand released touches briefly to Bors' arm then away again; a wordless gesture of wariness to their surroundings.

One voice in particular not only grabs Ulani's attention, but makes her do a full-body turn in the direction of the Rist Lord and Lumi Cortess. The hair on the back of Ulani's neck stands up and without thinking, she is withdrawing from Thul protection and moving over to join Lumi's side. "Lady Cortess! I do not think we have met!" Ulani is a terrible liar, but she almost -- ALMOST -- is able to mask the slight waver in her voice. Perhaps to most, she would sound confident, but to those trained in reading their political opponents, or in this case enemies, it's clear the young woman is on edge. Blue eyes lock onto the Lord Rist, a dared tilt of her head.

Ariel gives a bit of a look to Lathan, letting him speak. She does have her etiquette down. Hiroku has released her arm, allowing her free range of motion. He and Herol are staring at Ser Lathan from over her gorgeous head of red hair though. "Ser Lathan, we do not know who all are sensitive in the ways of the force." she tells him. "If we did put on the table that vote and we forced everyone that had a shred of power out of the New Republic it could be dire. We could force children away from their families and vice versa. Not all force users lead extravagant lives and can afford to rehome themselves. Some hide their powers to avoid persecution already. What if we did that and it came out that you had a force sensitive family member that would have to be forced out?" she poses the question to him.

Lady Ulgo nods her head to Lady Nora, "I see. Well, the news I bear is grave, My Lady. I hope I can keep my bearing in saying it." Lady Ulgo is given a tissue by the Knight with her. She clutches it before beginning, "My Lord Father is ill, but it is not an illness which medicine can treat. It is one of the mind.. something plagues him. His Lordship was once a fit man in his older years, not quite twilight in age and still able bodied to lift a sword. Now, he sits his throne, growing old, demanding war, demanding service to Lana with such.. fervor. It is not my father."

"I have gone against his wishes by speaking against his decree. He intends to deploy Ulgo troops in lieu of this war. Because of my participation, I have been exiled from my home. So I ride from hold to hold, speaking with our bannermen to convince them not to join this cause. But I fear for my father. There is something.. something wrong with him. With his mind." She steps closer to Nora and whispers. "It is said Lana is a witch. A sorceress in her own right capable of such magics of the mind.."

Lumira's heart might be pounding in her chest, but the lady maintains a cool facade as the Rist approaches. She merely sips her champagne, watching him with glittering eyes as he draws near. Finally, when he addresses her, the lady lowers her glass and greets him with a charming smile. "Good evening, my lord," she says, appearing thoroughly unfazed by by his words, "It is such a lovely evening -- even if the circumstances are rather dour. I admit, it warms my heart to once more see your cheery face..." Lumira takes a moment to sip her champagne, the obvious sarcasm leveled with delicate overture "...Of course," she resumes, "I wish we were speaking under happier auspices. I have been engaged to your son since I was a small child, after all, and have long since accepted you as my father in law."

Lumira lowers her glass, her eyes now fixed on the scowling nobleman. "Alas, I cannot say where Orren is at the moment, but I am certain that he is also keen to see you again. You -- and the rest of his family." And here her voice takes on a note of steel as she adds, "As for being a widow, I might say the same to your--"

But Lumira is interrupted by Ulani's approach. She pivots to look at the approaching lady, appearing initially baffled before a gentle smile rises. "Good evening, Lady..." Hrm. She can't recall, so she merely side-steps to make room.

"A shame, that," laments Lars about the dancing contest. "Alas, dancing would take everyone's mind off the murders that transpired here, or that may transpire, I dare say. These halls are darker than I remember," Grim but still charming, Ser Lars looks away from Noemie and Dyna a moment to look about. "So I am to learn more of this Artisan's Guild the two of you run. Has Her Highness some notion to bring your guild to our lands? What trades carry your sigil?"

"Because Delaya does not stand alone anymore, My Lord. This is the Alderaan System, not the Delaya system. Alderaan was ripped from us and has been restored. We stand better united." Bors lips thin a moment, seeking words, "Alderaan, Delaya, the Ash Worlds; it is one realm, not a scattered collection of states - it was on Aryn's request I came personally to house Teraan's aid when they were threatened. It was Princess Aryn herself who aided in the fight to keep the Duchess in her throne."

Left hand moving, while right remains at set angle, as if to be in a splay handed stance, Bors's posture is as though he were taking in half the room for the direction he stands now with his gesture, "My Lord; we're not squabbling Correlians in their corporate ruled council putting up some puppet Diktat to tug the strings of for the next two decades! Nor are we the muddled Spire-Dwelling aristocracy of Coruscant always angling to knife the other and collect the wealth expected to pour out." tone a little firmer,

"My Lord Count, I do not support an Outsider. I do not support a usurper, a fake a sham or a shadow governor who seeks to strip away the freedoms. I support one who felt our grief cleave deep into her heart, twist and bleed her hollow for the long, walking, death that was for many of us following the Death Star. I support Alderaan. You are Alderaan, I am Alderaan, my beloved Ula is Alderaan... Delayans are Alderaan, Cophriginians -ARE- Alderaan. PRINCESS Aryn puts you above her, Count Serrus. Princess Aryn puts House Rist, Qel-Nosh, Ulgo, Iskender, Frayus, all of us above her. Because she wants ALL of us to prosper." the left hand sweeps to rest on Serrus's shoulder and the monocle wearing noble looks imploringly to the count.

"Alderaan endures, my Lord Count - but it suffers when we are so divisive."

"You have no right to stand in this hall, Rist," Says Lady Kiko Alde, the scion of the eldest House of all of Alderaan. "Your very presence here wilts the stone. Were it not a summit of peace, I would have brandished steel and slapped the very taste of wine from your mouth. Its taste is wasted on one with a forked tongue. Say another threat upon the House Cortess, and we will make a spectacle and duel.. here and now, sir." Kiko puts herself betweeen Lumi and Ulani.

"Spare me the bravado, Alde. Recall you the vigor which prompted your brother to pass upon our blades? So eager to join him in the ground? Or was he burned? I have a hard time recalling what Alde's do with their deceased ever since they left Delaya and became outsiders."

Kiko's nose flairs and she sets her gloved hand upon the hilt of her sword.

"Yes, enlighten us Alde.. brandish your sword and be the brute the Cortess have made you. Once the Alde's were revered for their knowledge of history. Now? Barbarism." He sneers.

"We still have command of history, my Lord. Alas, Rist will find no place in it once I am through with you and your traitorous house."

"It's come up, to be sure!" Noemie smiles proudly at the notion of the Artisans Guild expanding. "Our Headquarters is on Empress Teta but she's proposed a branch outlet here in this system," the Naboo explains, waving a hand about the chamber as though to show off the entire Alderaan system with the single gesture. "We're currently involved in the industries of fashion, droids, medicine, starship design, arms modification, and a number of trade deals: fine spirits, textiles, supplies, and that's just for now! As we grow, each member brings something new to us and branches us further in to the economy, enabling us to further support our other members in turn," she explains with a small nod as the Alderaanians practically prepare for battle in every direction around her, unknowing to herself. "We're accepting of anybody that's lawful! If you have an artisian craft of some kind, or run a store, or spend any significant amount of time among the trade lanes." Her head cants, a question aimed at Ser Lars by the gesture.

That question answered, Noemie starts to look about the chamber, desperate for some kind of escape to take the man's attention away from herself. It's now that she starts to read the room. She's not doing a great deal of eavesdropping, but one thing becomes clear to her after a brief focus: body language. Almost everybody looks tense with very few appearing to be relaxed. Scowls and grimaces are common among the faces, and some that display smiles can easily be interpreted to be snarky smiles, those of a noble that just got one over another in a verbal jest. To Dyna, the Naboo says in a low voice, "I get the sense things might be a little.. tense.." Hazels look in to Dyna's greens as the Naboo adjusts her posture, her wide sleeves helping to obscure some of her own body language as she holds one of her hands to the opposite forearm.

The look Ulani gives Lumira is nothing short of apologetic. This is /not/ how she had envisioned her introductions to the Princess' cousin yet here they are all the same. "Ulani," she replies, omitting her last name purposefully. Especially in the presence of the Rist nobleman who seems capable of flaying skin from bone from twenty paces. "Please, forgive my intrusion but I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to introduce myself. I.... hope I am not interrupting anything." Liar. She absolutely hopes she is interrupting.

Kiko steps in between them and Ulani steps back, given Kiko the space she may need. "I had hoped that Lord Orren and yourself would grace the Thul residence with your company when our duties find us free." She gestures towards the Thul entourage currently filleting a Count.

Speaking of Bors, a servant approaches the man and stands just off to the side waiting to be addressed.

Ban Iskender speaks into his comlink, "By my permission, sir, see it done with courtesy." It is then that Kiki's exchange with the Rist reaches his ear and the gentleman turns his booted steps toward the incensed lady and those who insult her, lest a mess be made. "Every memory has worth, Lady," he opines, evenly. "Even if only as an example. History.. has a long memory."

"You levy a good point, Lady Senator. I had not considered this. Hmm," Ser Lathan looks poised to comment, but the situation between the Rist Lord and Alde Lady draw his attention. "My Lord.. My Lady.. this is a summit of peace. If you are to duel, do it on your own time."

"Not worth my time, anyhow," Lord Rist intones.

Lady Kiko sneers, but does not move from Lumi and Ulani's side. "So it does, Lord Ban." Kiko's hackles appear to be calming though, and her gloved hand strays from the pommel of her sword. She watches Rist retreat.

As Lady Nora listens to Lady Ulgo speak, that smile she'd been wearing as naturally as her dress begins to slowly fade. She turns her body so that her back is turned towards Corwen, who has been cornered into a conversation between the Thuuls and the Frayuses. Judging by the severe expression on his face, he's particularly nonplussed about it. Instead of speaking, he simply lets his eyes wander towards Nora and Lady Ulgo, just as the woman is handed the tissue. Though he cannot see Nora's face, he can certainly read Lady Ulgo's.

"Hmmmh, you'll excuse me," he says to present company.

Lady Nora continues to listen to the woman speak and, when she's finished, Nora leans forward and gives the woman an encouraging touch on the forearm, just beneath where that hand clutches that tissue tight. "You were right to bring this to my attention. Though I cannot myself say for certain what manner of magics is at work, I will take your story to those who can. Stay brave, Lady Ulgo. And chin up," Nora says.

"Dearest Daughter," Corwen booms from over Nora's left shoulder. Though he speaks to her, his eyes have settled on Lady Ulgo now. There is a grimness to his visage as well as his tone of voice.

"Hello, Father," Nora says, and steps back, opening the circle for Corwen to step into should he elect to. He does not. "We were just discussing Lady Ulgo's Lord Father. I have extended our House's wishes of continued prosperity," she says, and turns her eyes in the direction of the situation developing between Lady Kiko, Lumira, and the Rist Lord.

"But I have taken enough of your time this evening, Lady Ulgo," Nora says, and offers the woman one last squeeze on the forearm as well as the Knight she's with a nod. "Farewell," Nora says.

She approaches the tense conversation between the rist lord, Lumira, and Lady Kiko moments later. While she might appear oblivious to the tension between them, that is deliberate. Her fingers run across the Lord's chest and up towards his collarbone, and she flashes him the whites of her teeth from beneath pretty, dark-painted red lips.

"If not a duel, then perhaps a dance, My Lord?" Nora asks the Rist.

Lumira places a hand upon Kiko's shoulder, her touch delicate and calming.

"Lady Kiko," Lumira murmurs, her voice gentle despite the hard look she gives the Rist, "As you say, were we not in a summit of peace..." she lets her words meaningfully trail "...Alas, that is where we are. Don't let this coward bait you into action when we both know that his days are numbered. House Cortess shall soon set things right, and when it does, we shall remember the Lord Rist's due comeuppance. And besides..."

Lumira's hand falls away, a cold smile rising at her gold-hued lips, "We must not wish ruin on *all* of House Rist -- not if my betrothed is to one day reclaim it for House Cortess. So..." Lumira gently bounces one shoulder, her gaze returning to the Rist lord with cat-like mischief from beneath the flutter of her lashes, "...If I *do* see your son, I will be sure to send him your regards. I expect he'll offer much the same in return."

The lady looks over to Ulani, flashing her a reassuring smile as she turns away from the dour gentleman. "Thank you, Lady Ulani. What a lovely offer. I would very much enjoy an excuse to converse."

Hearing Ulani speak of Lord Orren, the Rist Lord's gaze shifts to her a moment, then he's gone. One moment he was walking through the crowd, and when someone passes behind him blocking him from view, he's gone by the time they move.

<<"It will be done, my Lord.">> Responds the Tantive IV to Lord Ban.

"The finest of spirits," Dyna adds with a smirk to Noemie's comment on their guild's activities. "Though there's other crafts I intend to get involved in myself, I've made quite a bit of business distributing Zadarian Brandy outside the Hapes Cluster. As for the guild itself my personal hope is for it to someday serve as a means of helping other business-minded individuals get a start in the galaxy by providing some basic utilities they may need." Noting the atmosphere around them, Dyna takes a step closer to Noemie and nods to her in agreement. "To be expected. It's politics, after all," she comments with a wry smirk. "Let's just hope they keep all the jabs verbal. It's far too early yet for this to turn violent." Lifting an arm, she gently places it around the woman's shoulder, pulling her close.

Ariel gives a dip of her head to Ser Lathan, "I just want people to see it from all sides." she tells him. Then the situation with Kiko and the Rist Lord is happening and Hiroku and Herol both reach out to draw the Senator back towards them. "This has grown delightful." Hiroku whispers to Herol. The older man just gives a shake of his head, "Not the time for jokes, Hiroku." he points out softly.

Aryn Cortess and Lana Panteer meet before the steps leading to the dais. Lana catches Aryn looking at the throne and approaches, "Charming, is it not?" She asks.

Aryn turns from the throne to look upon Lana. The Duchess is taller than Aryn, far more elegant and poised. "Our definitions differ as to what passes for charming. In truth, I was imagining what Avlin might look like to sit upon it? Though, I suppose this one will be melted down." Aryn says, then looks away from Lana.

Lana smiles, "I did not take you to be a student of fantasy tales, Lady Aryn. The girl has lost all claim to this seat, to these people."

Aryn looks back to Lana, "I did not take you to be a student of fantasy tales, /Lana/."

Count Serrus regards Lord Thul as he explains the reason for his vehement support, nodding his head. "The thing is, Lord Thul, I just have my doubts. Princess Organa, Gods rest her soul, was ever vacant, too. She selects an heir, a bookish second born girl who, admittedly was born here, but moved away. Now she presumes to lead a people far more complex and divided than she thinks. Then, matters are made more obscure by the fact murder has ruined the true line of succession. There are evils on both sides, but the way before all this, the way we were.. it harmed no one. We lived in peace." The Count takes a drink and sighs.

"Alas, we Alderaanians are all lost in the past. I appreciate you sharing your views with me, My Lord. Truly, and thank you for hearing mine." The Count bows to Lord Thul respectfully, and quietly withdraws.

Lady Ulgo nods her head, looking relieved to hear she had done something right. "Oh, thank you! Please, anything to help my--" The arrival of Count Corwen ends Lady Ulgo's sentence. She dips slightly to the Count. "Your Lordship, your Lady daughter is so kind. Walk with Mother's grace."

Lumira watches the Rist leave with a soft frown, her hand having crept up to gently rub against her glittering necklace. Then, a soft shiver, just the smallest rustle of her gown, and then the Alderaanian noble turns her back upon the departing gentleman. She smiles at Ulani, saying, "Blended families are difficult enough without one side identifying as traitorous assassins, am I right?" She delicately winks, erasing all signs of worry from her face as she loops her arm with the other woman.

The Cortess lady pivots to watch the back and forth between Lana and Aryn, that smile dampening a touch. "I will be glad when this whole affair is over." One might take her to mean the peace summit -- or more likely the usurper's war.

"Is she now?" Corwen says, disbelief in his tone. He turns to look at his daughter slinking off to accost somebody's father and lets out an exasperated sigh. He tips back the rest of his brandy -- a sizable volume -- and swallows it with a nod to Lady Ulgo. "With the Mother's grace, My Lady," he returns.

Lady Luci's eyes are on Aryn and Lana, a touch of color drained from her face. Though young, she's certainly privy enough to know the gravity of that particular sight -- both Aryn and Lana discussing a throne. She wraps her arm around her mother's, who simply gives her daughter a light pat on the back of the head while she speaks to a few others, exchanging pleasantries and sipping brandy.

"Finish your juice, my heart," she says down to Luci, who simply nods and turns her attention away from Aryn and Lana to focus on her big sister.

Nora turns to look at Luci, and beckons her over. Luci's nose wrinkles, and she shakes her head back and forth. Shy, she hides her face in her mother's arm and Lady Nora just laughs.

Ulani releases a held breath and nods gently to Lumira as the noblewoman makes retreat. "Indeed it is. My own family does not quite get along with my new one. Lord Bors and my father had a... ah... confrontation. You know, I won't bore you on the details, but know I understand. And yes. I, too, will be glad when this is over. A pleasure, Lady Cortess."

Returning to Bors' side, Ulani gives another touch to his arm then lets her hand fall to her side. Then curiously glances to a servant who appears to be lingering nearby.