Luke threw the holopad he had been holding on his desk, his lips slightly curled in frustration. He had been here two months, and in that three weeks he understood the stress the Captain had been under, these politicians were getting on his nerves. He wished that Leia were here, he was a Jedi – a fighter – he had no time for politics.
He stood from his chair and went to window, relieving his irritation by looking at the setting sun. For there was one sun on Tyrn, very different from Tatooine. The treetops glistened in the rays of the sun, and for a moment, they looked like they were on fire. Gold and red splayed across the green leaves, he wished he could see the river, he was sure that the sunset would look marvelous displayed from that setting. Like everything in this place – well, maybe not everything. He wished that Dreadnaught would go drown himself in the river, from time to time. And this was one of those times.
He felt her presence before he heard her chuckle, amused and lighthearted. "Frustrated, Commander?" she teased. He turned to look at her, his glower from before still etched on his face. She clicked her tongue at him, "That's not a way to treat your superior" she said.
He had to laugh, for in the last two months, he had also discovered that his commanding officer had somewhat of a sense of humor. Albeit, morbid. "Forgive me, I thought you were Senator Dreadnaught come to torment me again" Luke teased in kind. She laughed, it was still foreign for him to hear it, but it was pleasant enough.
"Ah, finally someone who I can share my frustrations and troubles with. Has the Senator been bothering you?" she asked. But he did not answer, he did not need to. She stood beside him, gazing out onto the sunset herself. "Its beautiful, isn't it?"
She smiled, "When I was a girl, I used to climb to the top of Citadel Tower, the trees were thinner then. From there, you could see the river, the suns rays on the water. You could look down from there and see all the way to Cairn Varese, and Cairn Andren. Cities on the waterfront, metropolis'. But they were destroyed in the wars." she said with a sad look of remembrance.
"It reminds me of Endor, or Naboo. Probably more Naboo than Endor" Luke replied.
"Naboo?" Ariadné repeated, "My mother is from Naboo. I've never left Tyrn. But from what she always said, it was a beautiful place. The lake country was particularly fond of. Varykino I think it was called, but she was happiest there, I don't know why. She never tells me much of her old life" she said, looking up at him. "So, you said Dreadnaught was bothering you?"
Luke walked back to his desk, picking up the holopad which now had a dent in it, "Yes, some policy about the battalions on the river. Apparently he doesn't like the fact that they are not coming home yet. Its beginning to wear on me, these senators." he vented to the younger woman.
"Welcome to the club." she commiserated, shutting his door and entering his office. "Have you had dinner yet, Commander?" she asked, she still did not call him by his name, policy of the working hours and all that. He shook his head, he wasn't quite sure he'd had lunch either. She nodded, "Good" she stated.
"Oh?" Luke questioned, "Is it so good that I starve? Perhaps you think I would do more work being half-dead" he said sarcastically.
She shrugged, "We all starve at one point. Better sooner than late, get the bloody thing over with" she replied in the same manner. He gave her a look which told her he didn't believe her, "Very well, Commander, if you insist. My mother wishes to invite you to dine with us. Seeing as the mess hall isn't the best food that Tyrn has to offer, not to mention, you'd be in finer company, instead of eating alone" she offered. Luke smiled, "Ah, there's the smile. I've been wondering if it would ever make its way to work?" she teased.
"It was waylaid by the bills and policies. There was even a debate on whether it would come at all, and if it would be in the best interest of the people – or if it would be better to scowl all day, and leave the cheerful happiness to you." Luke replied, earning an laugh from her. "Thank you Captain, I would be honored to dine with your family tonight" he said, she nodded – bowing.
"Very well, sir. I shall transmit your approval to her majesty – pray, what time shall we expect your eminence's arrival?" she mocked.
"When I choose to appear of course, Captain" Luke played along, bowing as well, as he had learned was the custom of Tyrn. She smiled, and bowed thrice.
"Let me know when you're finished and I'll take you" she said, walking out of his office and shutting the door.
Luke smiled, until he saw the holopad once more. With a sigh, he picked it up, "Well, better take care of it now, or he'll never leave me be" he said, desperately wishing he could throw it against the wall.
When Luke left the building, he was surprised to see Ariadné leaning lazily on her speeder. She looked relaxed, and completely nonchalant. But that was to the untrained eye. He could see and sense the tense awareness of everything going on around her. Her eyes would dart, ever so subtly whenever she saw anything move. Her fingers were lazily picking at a Tourmaline flower's petals, but her muscles were tensed as if expecting to be attacked at any moment. He watched a little longer, as she threw the flower away and leaned her head back, closing her eyes.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you that it was impolite to stare?" she asked coolly.
Luke chuckled, "No, I don't think she ever managed that" he said, thinking how she never really was given the chance to teach him anything. Ariadné nodded, though not completely understanding, and put her helmet on. Luke hesitated, she was well known for not driving very safely. "Come on, Commander. Surely you're not afraid of letting a girl drive for once" she teased.
He gingerly sat in the second seat behind the young woman, strapping on a helmet. She turned to him, "Hold on" she instructed as she caused for her speeder to jolt forward. Luke yelped momentarily, and she laughed, "I won't let us crash, Starkiller. I've got a good sense of safety" she declared, "Even if I am somewhat suicidal when I drive on my own." he heard her add softly. Revving her engine, she took off at a reasonable speed.
They arrived at the palace fifteen minutes later, and for once, Ariadné kept her promise and drove calmly. Luke jumped off, and unfastened his helmet while she chuckled. "Honestly, Commander, you would think that I drove at death-defying speeds with your response." she said.
"No, you drove somewhat reasonably. It was more of your maneuvering which was frightening." he replied.
She just laughed, "Forgive me, Commander, I thought you were fearless?" she teased.
"Fearless in the face of most dangers. But you, Captain Llewellyn, are much more frightening" he told her.
Ariadné smiled broadly, "If only Dreadnaught shared your opinion, perhaps I'd hear less from him" she said wistfully, ascending the steps of the Palace's personal quarters. Luke followed behind her, smiling at her antics. She reminded him sometimes of Leia, her snarky attitude and cynicism giving her a reputation for being heartless.
When they entered the Palace, Ariadné greeted the butler with enthusiasm. "Ah, good evening Waller, is my mother having dinner yet?" she asked, taking off her coat.
"No, Ma'am, she is in her quarters. She is in conference with Senator Windress, he had some policies for her to look over. She told me to tell you to dress for dinner, she said she wanted to see you at dinner like a lady instead of a Captain for once" Waller informed her.
Ariadné grimaced and sighed, "Very well, I shall do as Her Majesty commands. Take the Commander to see my sister, she is no doubt ready" she instructed, beginning to go up the stairs.
"Very good Ma'am, this way Commander Starkiller" Waller lead Luke down the hall, and into a room adjoining.
"Ah, Commander, it is good to see you." Adriané greeted warmly.
"Good evening, Healer Llewellyn, I trust you are well" he replied, following the mandate of the ways of greeting of Tyrn.
"Very well, thank you Commander. You know Lieutenant Windress, and Colonel Windress" she said, mentioning the young woman.
"Good evening, Commander" Myrna and Kendall greeted in unison. "I trust you are well?" Myrna continued.
"Good evening, Lieutenant. Colonel. Thank you Lieutenant, I am very well. A little tired, but nothing I can't handle" Luke replied.
Colonel Windress laughed, "Indeed? Now you understand poor Ariadné, she was always exhausted. Never was able to come down to dinner, due to lack of sleep the night before." he said, then smiled, "Thank you, we are very grateful you are here" Luke nodded, replying that he was grateful to be there.
He then observed the attire of the Lieutenant and Colonel, as well as Adriané. He noticed that the Healer was dressing as, what her mother called, a 'lady' – a princess would be more like it. Her mahogany-red hair looked as if three handmaidens had spent at least an hour to do. The braids intricately woven, all the while trying to look as subtle as possible. He noted that she felt slightly uncomfortable in the, no doubt, expensive blue dress which matched her eyes. He vaguely wondered where this girl went when she was at the ward, but he assumed her beauty had to be on hold for a while whilst she was working. Would Ariadné be the same? A beauty underneath that rough exterior?
Myrna was dressed simply and modestly, all the while making it clear that she was very much a lady who demanded respect. Her traditional, off the shoulder, gold gown striking enough on her, for though she was petite, it seemed to fit her well. Though she could not boast of beauty, she was pleasant enough. Kendall was just as well dressed, in fact he matched his sister in color. Luke felt a little out of place, he was still in his uniform, and all of those who he was used to seeing in uniform, were not.
"You feel out of place, don't you?" Myrna pointed out. Luke nodded, she seemed to have known what he was thinking. "Don't. You are perfectly fine. My father is still dressed in his senatorial gowns, though he insists that we (his children) dress better. Royalty and all that" she sipped from her Zin wine filled glass.
"Are you all royalty?" Luke inquired.
Kendall chuckled, "Yes, in one way or another. What do you think happened to all the royalty of the old Galactic Republic?" he asked.
"I'm afraid I never asked." Luke replied, he really didn't know.
"Yes, well, its an old family secret." Myrna said, coming to his side, "Much like Her Majesty. We all have our secrets, our family histories which cannot be revealed. Mostly because our families are direct threats to the Empire." she turned to her brother. "But, thanks to Luke Skywalker, we don't have much to worry about on that score" she said.
"Don't mention him to my sister," Adriané said, "You forget, she doesn't like him"
"I'm sure she would, if she knew him. They seem to be the same, in many ways. At least, from what I hear of him. Idealist, world on their shoulders – and so forth." Myrna said, "Just give her a few minutes of total blind rage, and she'd be asking him how he blew up the Death Star"
"How do you know that?" Luke was curious.
Myrna smiled at him, "I don't. But I think they'd get along. She just is prejudiced."
"And proud" Kendall inserted, "Decidedly proud."
"Definitely, not that any of what you're saying, Myrna, matters. She will never bring that blasted shield down, and allow the Alliance to come to our rescue." Adriané said.
"She will have to, she will have to face the truth at one point or another" Myrna replied soberly.
"She will fight it" Kendall said.
"Will she?" Luke asked, "Why should she? Surely she can see that Tyrn may need help from the Alliance – and the Alliance could use the help of the people of Tyrn. We need a planet who has stuck to the ways of the old Republic"
Adriané shook her head, "If you can convince her, Lars, that she needs help, then I would be eternally grateful." she said.
"So would we all" Myrna said, "But I don't think that Lars will need to, the Echtrians will do well on their own. I heard they're beginning to cross the river"
"There have been reports" Luke said, "But surely it won't come to that"
"You don't know the Echtrians, think Vogelfrei but ten times worse" Myrna replied.
"Ten times?" Kendall repeated, "Try a hundred. They kill, pillage, steal, rape, they're heartless and cold" he said bitterly.
"But surely you don't believe that they will win, Colonel Windress" the Queen said from behind them all, making her presence known.
The Colonel turned and bowed, "Never, Your Majesty, your daughter would never allow it."
"I should say she wouldn't, not that it matters." Corliss said from behind his mother, "I just can't wait till this damned war is over" he said, taking Myrna's drink and sitting down with it, despite her protests.
"You wish for too much, brother" Ariadné voice said from the door. Luke looked at her wide-eyed. She was dressed in all white; for the first time, looking like a woman, and not like a tired and exhausted leader of an army."Honestly, Commander, didn't your mother ever teach you not to stare?" she teased.
He laughed, "She never managed." he said, marveling at how she looked like a completely different person.
"Excellent, I'm glad you finally came my dear" Senator Windress said, "Your mother was getting hungry"
"I apologize, I am still trying to cope with the handmaidens. I've been spending all my time at the barracks" Ariadné apologized.
"Forgiven" the Queen said, taking Windress' arm. "Now, Senator, shall we go to the dining room?" she asked, he smiled and they went out.
Kendall took Adriané's arm, and Myrna took Corliss'. "I guess that means you get to escort me, Commander" Ariadné said, threading her arm through Luke's.
He nodded, "Yes, I suppose it does" he said with a smile. He was pretty sure that Angels lived on the Moons of Iego, but he wondered if perhaps she was one that didn't know it. He laughed to himself. To think, he once thought Leia was beautiful, and was once jealous of Han until he found out she was his sister. But now, Han could keep Leia all to himself.