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10.Home sweet home

It was early spring on the hemisphere of Alderaan that Vader and Aurren had landed on. The mountain peaks were still white with snow and the ground was slowly thawing as the wildflowers began showing their faces. The scent of sweet jessamine flowers lingered on the soft cool breeze. But it was the sheer amount of green and vastness of space that sent Aurren reeling. It wasn't just that she was on Alderaan for the first time in 10 years… it was more that she had not taken a single breath of pure fresh air, feasted her eyes on lush full trees and soft green grass in that long. Oh, and those vast open spaces.

Though Aurren's quarters on the starship were not small by any means (that was the one perk of her whole job), her first sight of the vast valleys surrounding her and the mountain peaks further off were enough to make her never want to go back on that hunk of metal ever again. She was so caught up in fact, that she didn't even realize that her and Vader seemed to just stroll, aimlessly towards the rear of the enormous home before them. And the home!

Stretched out before her was what appeared to be a very old estate, something that must have once belonged to ancient Alderiaan royalty. It was constructed of massive grayish-blue stones, topped with columns and railings finely carved in pure white marble. The architect in her was in awe. She itched to get inside this place and explore.

None of this slipped past the Dark Lord. He had read about the home the empire had acquired for him and the architect and had thought that she would enjoy it. He just didn't realize that he would enjoy her joy over the place.

The hedge lined walkway from the hanger to the back grounds of the estate twisted and turned and eventually led to a crystal clear pool that looked more like a grotto with all of the rocks and moss and cascading water. He led her silently towards the huge veranda that reached out from the back of the home and up the stairs. They stopped in front of a slightly foggy glass door. As Vader pressed a few buttons on a number pad, Aurren tried to see through the doors. She was interrupted as he finally spoke to her.

"The security code is 3 4 0 9 Alpha Zed, then press the green button. If for any reason you find yourself locked out and cannot get in, please contact me immediately via your comm link and I will make sure you are taken care of."

He eased open the door and led her into the mysterious glass room. The inside was awash with green. In fact, it seemed as if someone had planted a tiny rainforest in this strange, vaulted glass room. She thought it was fantastic. The damp heat of the room sunk into her chilled skin and warmed her up.

"This, as you can see, is the greenhouse. And… through this way…" he said, leading her towards another doorway, "Ah, yes, this is the kitchen."

She was immediately assaulted by the sights and smells around her. Someone had taken great effort to prepare enough food for a small army, and as far as Aurren could tell, no one was in this house. Though the food was one attraction of this room, it was the room itself that she was devouring. Someone had taken a very gentle, loving hand to modernize this ancient home. The wooden floors under her feet had not been sanded smooth and completely re-done, but waxed gently, layer after layer until it was as soft as satin. The counters and surrounds were beautiful black granite with gold and silver and green flecks. All of the modern conveniences seemed to be tastefully hidden behind delicately restored cabinets and cupboards. The best part though, at least to Aurren, had to be the massive stone hearth that glowed and crackled with a happy fire. Two short, plump armchairs with soft blankets draped over them and a glowing wooden table sat on top of some sort of white fur rug. She wished she could snuggle up there with a hot cup of tea.

She looked up and noticed Lord Vader simply standing there, rather patiently Aurren thought, if you could imagine how a disguised person could look patient. She had gotten caught up in the detail of the room and forgotten herself.

"I am sorry my lord, I have gotten carried away with myself. This house is just…beautiful." The last word came out airy and almost breathless.

Vader could not help the smile that spread across his face, he didn't even think about it. "I am glad that you are pleased Miss Farr. There is much, much more. Please, follow me.

He lead her through a massive set of double doors off the kitchen and into a room that simply glowed due to the fire and candle light, as well as rays from the brilliant red and orange and pink and purple sunset in full view out of the wall of windows at the end. It was a magnificent dining room with the banquet table set for two.

Only it wasn't this that Aurren saw when she entered the room. The glow of the sunset drew her towards the windows, where she saw something she hadn't seen in 20 years. And now, now it was so close she felt like she could touch it. A strange pang hit Aurren as she stared at the snowy peak of the mountain known as heaven's summit and was the highest and most distinctive mountain on the whole planet. The ancient Alderiaans believed the often cloud covered frosted tip was the home of their gods and goddesses. She had spent many hours as a child lying on her back near the base of the mountain and gazing towards its fleecy tip dreaming about the myths her parents told her. Only now, she viewed the mountain from the west. On the other side of that mountain, she thought, lay the ashes of her parents.

"Miss Farr, is something wrong?" came a voice from behind her. He had sensed her joy be replaced by something much darker.

She turned around and saw Lord Vader still standing in the threshold between the kitchen and dining rooms.

"Of course, my lord," she said, but he could feel something, something he couldn't quite place, swirling in the air around her.

"I just cant help being astounded by the beauty of this place. I guess its just the Architect in me…" she said, trailing off as she turned once more to glance towards the mountain peak.

"You will have ample time to explore the house at your leisure my lady. But for now, I would like to ask you to join me for dinner here in one hour.

Aurren was suddenly brought back to the realization that she was there to do a job. How could she have forgotten that?

"I know it has been a long journey, and you may wish to freshen up. Your rooms have been prepared, and I hope you find everything there that you will need." He stopped for a moment, thinking of the extent to which he had gone in furnishing her quarters. He glanced over her simple, though well made tunic and leggings and realized he probably had. He had furnished the place as if he was entertaining royalty. He told himself it just was so that she would be comfortable, and if she had everything she needed, she wouldn't need to bother him. The real truth was the simple fact that he had not been able to tell her in the days before they left that they were actually leaving. It was easier for him to have everything simply ready for her than try to explain to her what she would need.

He moved towards a hidden door in the dining room wall. With the intricate murals on the wall, one would never know it was there if it were not pointed out. She followed him and saw that it opened on to a great hallway with a mammoth staircase at the end. She stopped beside him as he motioned up the stairs. You will find your rooms behind the first set of doors on the right. In case you noticed, there is no formal staff in this home. We do, however, have a virtual army of protocol and server droids who should be able to attend to your every need. If you need anything, they will be able to get it for you. If they cannot help you, then find me."

This whole thing was just too much for Aurren to take in at once. First being rushed to his quarters, then being told they were headed to Alderaan- immediately. The strange conversation in the cockpit. This beautiful villa. And to top it all off, finding herself only a few short kilometers from where her parents had been murdered.

"Thank you, my lord," was the only thing she could think to say. In fact, it seemed to be the only thing she ever said to him. But she wasn't the only one who wished she had more to say. She was always polite, always respectful, and never did it seem insincere- and he would most certainly know if it were. He wanted her to say something, anything besides "yes my lord," or "thank you my lord." He wanted to hear in her voice the passion and talent and intellect that oozed from her work. He thought back to her voice as she described the villa as "beautiful." He wanted to hear her breathless again.

Watching her climb the stairs he thought, 'soon enough, I guess. Once we begin really working on the palace, I am sure I will hear plenty.'

Aurren made her way up the steps in bewilderment. Reaching the top, she found the set of doors that Lord Vader said led to her rooms. When she opened them, she was overwhelmed with what she saw. Realizing she now had less than an hour to make herself presentable again, she set to work exploring the room.