Their last few days on Coruscant again felt like stolen moments to Poe. Lounging in the sun, eating delicious food, talking about silly things and enjoying each other's company. The galaxy was a war with itself. Poe was mildly amazed that such calm existed. Recognising that these moments were stolen, Poe felt a great foreboding. Surely this meant that something bad would happen. That this was the calm before the storm. As he flew away from Coruscant with Dara yet again, he wondered what life would throw at him next. He thought that Alderaan must be a lovely peaceful place. As the ship experienced slight turbulence, Poe wondered who was in charge there. Who would Dara have to answer to there? Since he had first met her, it seemed that Dara answered to nobody. Not even Luke. It would be interesting to see her being a lower rank than somebody. How would she react to that? The journey would only take a couple of hours. He would get his answers soon enough, he supposed.
On arrival at Alderaan, Poe received a communication from the ground.
"State your purpose." came the crackling voice.
"This is Poe Dameron, escorting Dara Varana." There was silence for a time then the voice came again.
"Proceed to landing bay T45" Silence. Poe frowned for a second. It was an odd communication, but he supposed Dara was an important ambassador. People were bound to know who she was.
Dara waited for Poe before she left the ship. The ship was surrounded by a guard. They were dressed finely and presented an intimidating front. When Dara stepped out, they saluted in unison. Poe was a little bit unnerved. Dara held her head up as she walked past the men and went on through the hangar. Poe scrambled to keep up. BB-8 rolled at his feet to follow. Poe looked nervously at the honour guard as they closed ranks behind him. Poe didn't like this. As Poe followed Dara further and further into what seemed to be a massive complex, he noticed his surroundings got richer and richer. What was going on? Where were they going? Dara threw open doors that led to a room that held only a throne. Upon the throne sat an elaborately dressed woman who stood and glared down intimidatingly. When Dara came to stand before her, staring up defiantly at her, the woman seemed to realise who had barged their way into the throne room. Her face became a mask of shock, which was a real achievement considering the heavy makeup the woman wore.
"Ara. You may step down now." Dara said in a voice completely not her own. It was aristocratic, booming, powerful, commanding. If it had been possible for the woman on the throne to become paler, Poe was sure she would have.
"Of course my lady." The woman stepped away from the throne. Dara ascended the red velvet steps up to the onyx-coloured seat.
"I will be dressed and I will address my people." Dara said to nobody in particular. Everyone in the room jumped to action. "This is Poe Dameron." she boomed over the cacophony, making them stop in their tracks. "He will be treated as my consort, and with the utmost respect. His every need to be seen to." The people in the room turned to look at the dishevelled pilot. Poe fidgeted slightly, and gave his most dazzling smile. He wished now more than ever that he had thought to at least tuck in his shirt.
Poe waited anxiously at the front of a large crowd of people of all classes. The rich and the poor were crammed into a room. As Poe gathered, they were representatives. There were broadcasting droids floating at the back of the throne room. Poe wondered what was going on. Poe had a feeling Dara really didn't answer to anyone in the galaxy. The doors behind the throne were thrown open and two rows of handmaidens dressed in white walked in, flanking the regal, dominating figure of Dara. Dara's face was painted white, portions of her lips were painted red. She wore blood red silk with gold beading and embroidery. Her white hair had been put up in a massive elaborate design. Surely it couldn't all be her own. An elaborate and massive headdress sat upon her head. Gold and rubies glinted from the curves of the exotic and elegant piece. Her dipped sleeves trailed on the floor as she slowly made her way to her throne. She surveyed the room before she sat with finality. Poe felt weak at the knees. She was the absolute ruler of a planet. That didn't seem right. That didn't line up with the sweet, turbulent woman he knew. She looked exceptionally intimidating. A perfect silence fell over the room.
"People of Alderaan." Dara spoke, her voice filling the room. "You are all my children. All my equals. All my people. I have a duty of care to you." Her words rang. Poe felt a chill down his spine. He felt that this was a momentous occasion. "The galaxy is at war. A group has decided that they must control all things, and they care not who they must kill to attain their goals. The First Order is a poison in this galaxy. And I refuse to have my planet poisoned. I declare a planet wide boycott of all things associated with the First Order. Any planet that assists the First Order will be boycotted. Any citizen found in league with the First Order will be deemed a traitor." Murmuring broke out throughout the room. Poe felt a shiver down his spine. "These measures may be a drop in the ocean, but I must lead the way I think is right." Dara stood and a hush fell over the room again. Poe watched her leave in a stunned silence. Dara was an actual monarch. And he was madly in love with her. And he thought perhaps she felt the same way. Poe wondered, not for the first time, what even was his life?