A Cripple and a Queen

[Ignatius Rausgeber]

The day's festivities had been a riot. The streets of Ord Mirit had shut down as President Armand Gregorian was sworn in before the adulating crowds, and beneath the National Congress. Although, officially, the populace would be sleeping away their hangovers, the Ord Mirit's elite and the esteemed guests invited to the system would continue well into the night. All their debauchery would of course be confined to the Presidential Complex, a series of buildings, walled off by twelve foot high stone walls.

Within the confines of the Palace of the Republic, the grandest building within the complex, the party had moved. As the senior members of the First Order's diplomatic mission began to hash out trade deals with the newly minted President's allies and ministers. Attired in a semi-military greatcoat, the professional spy moved to the drinks table, where a hastily prepared smorgasbord of alcoholic beverages from across the Galaxy had been poured.
Picking up a flute of Dosuunian white wine, provided by his superiors, Ignatius began to look around the room. This was a day he had spent literal years preparing for. The time to network, and build contacts he could use in the double life he lived. Cautiously looking around, searching for someone who didn't appear too busy, and would be up for a conversation.

[member="Kära Hearthfire"]

 

[Lief]

All around her men and women from across the Galaxy mingled; there wasn't a face of unimportance milling about, even the servants who walked around with trays of drinks and ridiculously small portions of food had some high name attached to them. A decade ago she would not have felt out of place at an event such as this, but she had drifted into the background of Galactic Politics since then, taking up root on the faraway world of Midvinter. Where once she had been a force to reckon with, now she was a wife, a mother, and a devoted Queen.

Though it belonged to the rings of the Core, this world meant very little to her. Its politics were meaningless in her eyes, its people the same sort you'd find anywhere in the Galaxy, and yet she had come to these so called celebrations all the same. Her dress pooled around her feet with each step she took, gaze lingering astutely around the room in search of a familiar face, yet all she found was a sea of strangers. Had the Galaxy shifted so much since her prime? For just a moment her lips pursed in displeasure, but she knew better than to disrespect her hosts. Best she play the part.

Frown was replaced with a light yet depthless smile; when a glass of wine was offered to her she lifted one hand in gentle rejection and continued on her way. That much had not changed at least, even on Midvinter where mead was more commonly found for drinking than water she still had not acquired the taste for alcohol. Damn thing rots your brain. I can't afford to lose my mind among this rabble.

Truth be told her mind was elsewhere entirely, longing to return to the world she had been promised, far from the icy planet she called home and the family she had raised there. Aurum would have to wait, though, it was no use returning to the Galaxy without a few contacts to help pave the way.

Alas, mindless chatter was not her strong suit.

[member="Ignatius Rausgeber"]

 

[Ignatius Rausgeber]

Ignatius' eyes scanned around the room, as he gently rocked the flute in his hands. He noted the woman in the pale blue dress. There was something about her visage, her hair, and her being that aroused the diplomat. Whom was she? Ignatius was sure he was across the guests who had currently gathered at the inauguration. Slicking his hair to the side, the young diplomat. His hands brushed his uniform, smoothing out the creases which had collected.

Breathing in deeply, Ignatius crossed the marble floor, until he was about a meter or two from the woman. He looked at her, and anxiously began conversation. "That was quite some ceremony, wasn't it?" He began, in the smoothest, most charismatic tone he could muster. Instead, he came off as a young, awkward high schooler asking their first crush out.

He realised he hasn't lead in with his name, or provided an introduction, "I'm Ignatius," He stammered, a little flustered by the faux pas, "Ignatius Rausgeber." He added again.

[member="Kära Hearthfire"]

 

[Lief]

She could feel the uncertainty as it lingered in the air at the approach of a man she did not recognize. Slowly turning to the sound of his voice, she raised one brow in curiosity; meaningless conversation indeed, but at least she hadn't had to begin it. She did not immediately answer him, instead she allowed her gaze to linger over him, from the clothes he wore to the slight limp he carried, and the wavering of his voice.

"It was a ceremony" she offered, with a very small smile, "Though I have seen better." She meant no offense by this, of course, it was just a simple fact; she had been around this Galaxy countless times, she had crossed the threshold of time and space itself, stepped from one universe to another, it was difficult to amaze her these days. It didn't help that everyone was so foreign to her.

"Ignatius..." She mulled the name over her tongue for but a second, "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Kära."

No sense in giving her full name, it didn't carry any weight in this part of the Galaxy. The less these fools knew about her the better, at any rate. Perhaps Vi'dreya might have echoed in one or two minds, but she was not that woman anymore.

"You're not here as one of these frivolous nobles" she said, making note of the greatcoat he wore and the fact he seemed so out of place. She hadn't meant many influencers who stammered over their words. "So what brings you all the way out here?"

Years ago she might have just taken that information from him, without him even realizing, but she had grown to respect the privacy of others... At least until they gave her cause to do otherwise.

[member="Ignatius Rausgeber"]

 

[Ignatius Rausgeber]

Ignatius' brain slowly ticked over, although there had been no guest lists to view, the Hearthfire name as sovereigns did register. "As in Kara Hearthfire?" He asked, "High Queen of Midvinter?" The young diplomat bowed before, her before rising near immediately afterwards. This was his first time having met a member of royalty from somewhere outside of the First Order's sphere of influence. His heart thumped in his chest. So many lessons and maxims now echoed within his head. He couldn't embarrass himself. He was a representative of his people. Of his home.

An air of confidence swam over him, a familial trait he shared with his uncle when it came to discussing the family history. "You would be correct," He said, confirming her suspicion he was no royal, "I grew up in the suburbs of Avalonia, on Dosuun. My father was a barely competent accountant, and my mother was a nurse." His eyes grew somewhat cold when referring to his mother. He uncomfortably fidgeted, taking a sip from his flute to satisfy himself.

"I am here to observe the inauguration of the president. Just like everyone else here." He paused, taking a sip, "Supreme Leader Ren's eyes and ears extend across the Galaxy. Wherever civility and the rule of law are, the First Order may be found supporting it. With trade and company, or... other means." He cryptically mused, pressing the flute to his mouth.

[member="Kära Hearthfire"]

 

[Lief]

The fact that he knew who she was genuinely had her stumped for a moment. She tilted her head to one side, before a genuine smile replaced the fake one on her lips. It was an odd sign, one that showed how much Midvinter had grown - much to their displeasure, after all it had already been the target of attacks - and also the awareness of the man before her. There were countless planets in the Galaxy, yet he knew of her home by name.

"That would be correct" she said, her amusement obvious, "Though I am not here as a Queen." As she did with the Valkyri she served, her head shook when he bowed. There was no need for such formality, the people of Midvinter had come to realize that when around the Royals, just about. Most would still honor them in such ways, but neither she or her beloved Husband relished in it.

At the mention of the First Order everything finally began to click into place. It made sense that he was here, that he was wearing the clothes he was, even that he knew of Midvinter. Knowledge was power, after all, and overlooking a world, even one like Midvinter which was significantly less advanced than most, was in many ways foolish.

"To be a nurse is, in my eyes, one of the highest honors, she must have been quite the woman." Her eldest child wished to pursue a career in medicine, though her duties to the Jedi had slowed her advancement where such was concerned.

"Civility is a sign of Order and just respect. It is encouraging to see that such remain in the Galaxy, especially given the more difficult years it's faced as of late. I can't pretend to know much of the First Order, I moved to Midvinter before it ascended to power and have avoided Galactic politics since that time. I'd be interested to hear more about it, some time."

[member="Ignatius Rausgeber"]

 

[Ignatius Rausgeber]

Ignatius graciously bowed his head when his mother was mentioned. Although it had been nearly two years since that time, the wound left by her demise still cut deeply. "I concur with the sentiment, one of my great laments is that I was never able to appropriately join her in her profession." He paused, "Because of my leg I was considered a liability, in both civilian and military life."

"Should a peace treaty arise between the Jedi tyrants of the Silver Order, and my superiors arise," Ignatius began, he was wondering how his friends in the stormtrooper corps, and relatives in the navy would feel about talking to one of the officials of a hostile state. Nonetheless, he continued. "I would be the first one to welcome you to Dosuun, or any of the other planets in our great Empire." He continued, "Although Dosuun is a real gem, away from, and if I may say it, superficial nature of the Core worlds, and the attitudes that prevail there."

Behind them, a band had been assembled. Most of whom were members of the Republican Guard. They'd marched earlier in the day through the streets, and although now looking thoroughly dishevelled in their uniforms, had been scrambled to play music. They were beginning with a waltz. Ignatius was piqued at the idea. It was one of the many physical subjects he was forced to undergo as apart of his training, and one of his favourites.

"I realise it may be bold, and inappropriate we've met all but five minutes ago, but would you be interested in a dance?" He asked.

[member="Kära Hearthfire"]

 

[Lief]

"I'm sorry to hear that" she said, in all sincerity; no doubt the difficulties he himself faced added to that wish to help others, but then again what did she know? "I thought that medical personnel who do not work on the field directly would be more accommodating, at least that is what I have always found." But he was not from her part of the Galaxy, perhaps the First Order were not lacking in people with medical experience. Some worlds would take whatever they could find.

She could not help but curiously tilt her head somewhat to the left as he spoke of the Silvers. While it was true, her home lay within their boundaries, his misconceptions concerning she and her people was perplexing.

"I'm not a Jedi" she said, with a somewhat amused tone, "And while Midvinter remains within its borders, I assure you we are a decidedly sovereign state, the Silver Jedi do not interfere." Part of her bristled at the way he referred to them as tyrants, but it was not worth making a scene over. Kära may not have seen eye to eye with the Silvers, but her in-laws had led them throughout most of their existence.

"Regardless, Dosuun sounds like a wonderful world. I myself prefer to remain away from the Core." The superiority complex of many who inhabited those worlds irked her, not that it mattered. She wasn't really one to venture into the Galaxy these days.

Her gaze drifted toward the sound of music drifting through the room, and one slender brow raised in curiosity. She hadn't really ever been one for dancing, and in her earlier years anything that was not practical had been looked down upon, including the arts. What a boring child she must have been.

Slowly she looked back to him as he continued to speak, this time opening an invitation to dance. A small smile played at her lips to that notion. "I'm afraid I'd look quite ridiculous. I never did learn how to dance." She mulled it over for a second, before nodding her head and offering one hand toward him. "There's always time to learn, of course."

[member="Ignatius Rausgeber"]

 

[Ignatius Rausgeber]

"I assure you your highness, dancing was never my speciality in the academy either." He offered a cheeky grin. He had politely let all the information he had gathered settle. So she was not a Jedi, and yet claimed she was a sovereign? How could one be sovereign when ruled over by an overarching militant and theocratic state. He would nonetheless not challenge the Queen on this matter. Now was not the time for political debate nor the venue for such triavltries.

He instead clasped her hand gently, yet firmly as the music began to pick up. The diplomat lead the queen to a makeshift, marble dancefloor. Several guardsmen had just cleared away tables, freeing up an impressive dance space. The new empty space was flocked by various dignitaries, who began to slowly waltz to the tune performed by the band. Ignatius then proceeded to snake an arm around her waist. Not too low as to protrude on her posterior, but not too high as to exhibit they were lovers. Instead the hand wrapped neutrally around her waist.

Ignatius assumed the dominant position, and lead the Queen in a slow dance. The spy had read the music, and somewhat recognised the piece. It would not be a musical piece which fluctuated. Instead, it would simply be a gentle piece. One which wold not see much in the way of fast paced footwork. Something which suited the cripple. Ignatius' eyes locked with Queen's as he lead her in the waltz. He was gauging her reaction, and whether or not he had overstepped the boundaries and norms which may have existed on Midvinter.

[member="Kära Hearthfire"]