Private Ace Magnets

[Alicio Organa]

Royal Palace, Afternoon
Aldera, Alderaan
​

It was a king's duty to explore every option for prosperity available, for the sake of their people. It was a senator's duty to improve the Alliance's relations across the galaxy. It was Alicio's duty to help people.

It was fortunate that all three missions lined up rather nicely today.

Aldera itself was a bastion of industry and naturalism. Tall white structures dotted the landscape, surrounded by a forest of trees and parks- it was difficult to tell where the city ended, and the wilderness began. A light stream of speeders wound it's way around gleaming spires. People greeted their neighbors before dinner. Children chased each other on the sidewalks.

Their joy would end soon. Alicio could feel it, like an ache deep in his marrow. He had to prepare, had to find every opportunity to help those who counted on him. Thus, their guest for today.

Alicio was alone, standing at the private landing pad to the palace. There was no army of soldiers behind him, no great fanfare, no regalia... Just him, dressed in somber black, the brooch of royal chalcedony on his lapel the only indication of his status. Sure, he could have tried to impress the Protector of Zakuul with wealth, or status, or military might...

But the best first impressions were built on honesty. And honestly... this was Alicio. No flash, no posturing... just quiet confidence, and silence.

So there he stood, one eye on the present, the other kaleidoscoping into the Future. And he waited.

- Valkoryen -

 

[Valkoryen Sunfell]

Tag: Alicio Organa

The ship of Valkoryen had entered the orbit in the upper atmosphere. It was from here already that the beauty of Alderaan was nearly overwhelming, the clear air, the snow covered mountain ranges, lakes like mirrors in between. It was a strangely calming and beautiful paradise. And historical site of so much death and destruction that it was difficult to comprehend.

While Valkoryen was not immune or blind to the beauty of nature, He was pragmatic as well. Ideally, both were able to go hand in hand as Zakuul was showing. Billions lived in the hive-towers reaching beyond the clouds and the rural regions were virtually untouched, left as they were while the inside of the monolithic structures were bright, light, green and clean. He found Himself marveling at the same here. It was a long time since He had visited the world and He would make it as useful and joyful as the occasion allowed.

The King of Alderaan if looking into the sky would notice a dark dot growing larger, not as fast as a shuttle would be but certainly swift. And it was moving, as in, organically. The closer the dot came, the more detail became visible. Massive wings carried a large dark creature, from the distance it was difficult to determine the bright and dark spots, but upon getting closer it seemed the dark were the actual skin and scales, while the gold were parts of armour.

With a mighty SWOOOOOSH the wings nearly clapped to brake the nearly freefall from the skies, the Arkanian Dragon performing a rather perfect landing on the private landing pad of Castle Organa. He was massive, black scales with a red taint, eyes which were on fire, he was more massive than many tanks and shuttles and on his back carried a figure dressed in similar golden armour and red robes who smoothly jumped off the back.

"Your grace." A voice seemingly outdating the speakers appearance by eons judging by the calmness and wisdom it seemed to carry. Valkoryen offered a hand on the richly decorated chestplate of His armour as He slightly inclined His head in greeting and respect.

 

[Alicio Organa]

Before there was even a dot in the sky, Alicio was frowning.

It was difficult to make out at first. At first, he could have convinced himself it was a ship. Then, the flapping of wings could've been construed as a bird, or a thranta. But the closer it came, the more evident that the ruler of Zakuul had decided to ride a dragon to their peace talks.

Alicio had a history with dragons, one that Valkoryen could hardly know. At one point, he'd fought against a dragon with Maeve Linahan at his side. That had been a rather pleasant experience, surprisingly. But the other time, his friend Kai Bamarri ...

The king's fist clenched. There was no way the monarch could have known. But it couldn't help but color his first impression. Zakuul had decided to bring a dragon to Alderaan.

Thankfully, Alicio saw the events unfurl in the Future, and had time to compose himself by the time Valkoryen landed. Alicio returned the plated man's greeting with a tight smile, and the inclination of his head. "Alicio," he said, his smile becoming more natural. Like his attire, Alicio seemed to be more comfortable shedding his royal titles. "Thank you for coming all this way, Prince Valkoryen."

"Would you prefer to come inside... or walk the city?" Alicio stepped aside, welcomingly. "Both my home and my people are ready to receive your visit."

- Valkoryen Sunfell -

 

[Valkoryen Sunfell]

Tag: Alicio Organa

The large figure gazed down upon the monarch with His golden eyes, oozing a mixture of calm and cool. While clad in majestic plate and red robe, riding a beast fit for war, His expression and tone were offering a genuinely peaceful approach. Even though the eyes gave an impression of seeing a bit too much, piercing too deep.

He nodded. "Valkoryen." Offering equal terms on addressing each other. "Your swift and willing response to my offer was welcomed greatly. The planet of Alderaan always held a special place in my hearts desire to visit and experience personally, only it's wine so far is reaching me frequently on Zakuul." The golden giant offered in a slightly amused tone before continuing. "I would very much enjoy to see your city first hand."

Behind Him the creature looked towards the King of Alderaan with its flaming irises, a certain intelligence which could not be argued about was within them and while it may be terrible to behold when angered, it seemed both regal and calm as it was. Once the duo would start moving away, it would lay down and actually simply sleep, completely at ease.

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Valkoryen, then." The king of Alderaan nodded coolly, purposefully keeping his eyes away from the Zakuulian's mount. "We're honored to host you. I can only hope we live up to your expectations." Then, Alicio smiled bashfully, showing a bit of... embarrassment? "I have... fond memories of Alderaanian wine, myself."

A story for... probably never.

"I would very much enjoy to see your city first hand."

"Then follow me." He stepped aside, letting the bulkier ruler walk astride him, down an elegant elevator, and to the ground floor of Aldera.

The close-up view of the city did not disappoint. The pair of kings, one tall and shining, the other slight and dark, passed by sparse crowds of people. Every street corner had a stretch of green, or a small bank of native wildflowers, or a copse of trees one would expect in the heart of a forest, not downtown. Each building had care put into it's design, with obvious reverence to nature. It was clean. Bright. Beautiful, in the way that not many places in the galaxy were.

But a dark cloud seemed to follow Alicio Organa. He smiled and waved to passing citizens, genuine shows of affection, cut short by something on the Alderaanian's mind.

"Alderaan has always prided itself on harmony." He was the tour guide, after all. May as well represent his planet well. "We try to be... in tune with our world. Some believe it helps us be in tune with other people, too. We haven't... always connected with the rest of the galaxy as much as we believe we should. But... we try."

"Though, I must say, I don't believe we've ever hosted a dragon before." He found a smirk. "It's... surprising... to me, that Zakuul would want to reach out to us."

- Valkoryen Sunfell -

 

[Valkoryen Sunfell]

Tag: Alicio Organa

He marveled at the fine architecture and offered friendly glances and even nods to those around. Alderaan was a jewel and even His imagination had difficulties to imagine the last moments it suffered once, or the devastations millennia before. Beauty was not eternal, it was not to last but preserving it was worth an effort.

"Connections are not always beneficial, acting on the grand galactic stage does not guarantee to harvest the fruits of its labor but can quite swiftly bring disorder and worse to the hearts of what is worth protecting and preserving." He said while His gaze looked around. The Dragon-Rider was pleased, at ease and calm. He contributed it to the overwhelmingly fresh air.

"While royalty and nobility are certainly an aspect I endorse, they are not what makes me or the world I come from, who I am and what it is. The tunes of diplomacy ring far more appealing when a title plays them than." Valkoyren offered with a soft smile. "Zakuul is a world full of marvels and I live to serve it. Technology is our primary focus and yet it does not succumb to industrialisation and a lack of beauty. Wild Space is ... wild indeed and far enough from the Core to remain independent but not too far to fall down into darkness, we are dedicated to efforts of preservation under the tenets of justice, order and prosperity."

"Independent of ones overlord and underlying ideologies with varying approaches - these tenets are, by my judgement, universal in desire, in one way or the other. Two worlds which share a sense of beauty, stability and prosperity can achieve more together. While I greatly appreciate and indulge your luxury produce such as wine - exporting more than mere goods will bring greater returns."

 

[Alicio Organa]

Mmm. I see.

Alicio let the scenery steal his attention, though he was obviously mulling over the armored man's words. "The way I see it, connections are a fruit, all on their own," he said, after a moment of thought. Mutual benefit was always the goal, obviously... but doing good by the galaxy was it's own reward, as far as Alicio was concerned. Not a means to an end.

Valkoryen had come prepared, that was certain. Alicio didn't bother hiding his guarded expression as they passed the University of Aldera, watched with shaded eyes as students walked hurriedly between classes. "Those are values we both share."

"But Zakuul hasn't always shared all our values. Even in the most recent iteration of the Eternal Empire, there have been... lapses. Forgive me, but Alderaan has historical precedent not to trust an Empire." His ponderous pace, and his slow cadence of speaking, hid the flurry of thoughts that stalked behind his eyes. "Do you have a different viewpoint?"

- Valkoryen Sunfell -

 

[Valkoryen Sunfell]

Tag: Alicio Organa

"I understand your concern, given the history of this world and its people, an Empire is not necessarily the most welcome sight."

He offered a moment of pondering, of silence before He continued with a gentle smile which also carried into His tone.

"Luckily I am not here as a representative of any Empire, neither Eternal nor else. I serve Zakuul and its current ruler as High Justice, but more importantly and predominantly, I serve its people. And I want to expand my service, out of interest and need."

"The Eternal Empire is what is known from Zakuul and therefore I understand the potential issues arriving with its name and history. The claim I am making and throne I will ascend, predate the Eternal Empire by centuries. A long story but one worth telling at the right time. A tale of honour, heroes and loss, but another time."

He offered with another smile.

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio found a light smile alongside his fellow monarch's, even if his eyes remained vigilant, calculating. Alderaan had been destroyed by Empire's in the past. Zakuul was the seat of an empire for a long time, even in recent years. It would be a disservice to his people not to be cautious.

"From what I understand," Alicio said, after another moment of thought, "The remnants of the Eternal Empire are still around, after being broken by the Maw. Are you saying Zakuul is no longer aligned with them?"

He didn't know as much history about Zakuul and the Eternal Empire as he would prefer, but he knew how important the Throne was to the Eternals. It seemed unlikely they would forget it, if they were indeed rebuilding as the rumors attested.

- Valkoryen Sunfell -

 

[Valkoryen Sunfell]

Tag: Alicio Organa

Valkoryen offered a solemn nod, understanding where the King was coming from. It was a justified concern, Empire's usually live and die on the battlefields of the commoners and soldiers. Leaving destruction in their wake and no better example exists of that than Alderaan.

"The recent incarnation of the Eternal Empire was based on Kalidan and never actually laid a claim or used the Eternal Throne. Their seat was on Kalidan-Lysenia and they are active there as far as my information goes. Zakuul is ruled by the Hegemon of Vandemar, controlling both his world and Zakuul in a union. His ambitions and doings are not mine and while I am in service to him, he is supporting my claim."

"Zakuul does not seek to establish an Empire nor expand its borders. I want to expand our alliances, our trade, share our achievements and I want to extend a hand to people of the Galaxy who I see have similar values than we do. Values which I carry in my heart and with my hands."

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Vandemar?" Zakuul did seem to associate itself with some governmental figure. "I haven't heard of this Hegemon."

But besides that one unknown... it seemed Zakuul's intentions were pure. Alicio nodded, even as his face remained guarded. "I would be more than happy to accept Zakuul as a trade partner of Alderaan. It is... quite the journey, between our planets, but I'm sure we could both benefit from the exchange. We have plenty of fine goods, and we are never without need of relief or military supplies." More importantly, it would open up an avenue of negotiation between the Throne of Zakuul and the GA. Speaking of which...

"If you wouldn't mind me retreading old ground, though perhaps with added context... Why come to Alderaan specifically? Why not approach the Galactic Alliance directly for trade?" Alicio had his guesses, but it was better to banish subtext, in his opinion.

- Valkoryen Sunfell -

 

[Valkoryen Sunfell]

A L D E R A A N
A L D E R A
Alicio Organa​

Valkoryen offered a calm nod. "The Hegemon of Zakuul and Vandemar, or Iokath, is Darth Imperius . A Zakuulan himself."

It was not in His interest to expand on the topic of His superior, it was not His ambition to challenge him nor to appear as an envoy for him. Neither was the case. This endeavour was set for a different goal and from a different ideology altogether. The Hegemon, or rather now, Overlord was not a diplomat and not interested in His relations.

With an appreciative and agreeing nod, Valkoryen heard the approval of the monarch towards potential ties of trade and commerce. It was the normal, good start for any relations to seek what both could benefit from. And it was nothing unordinary to inquire for more. Afterall Valkoryen was the one coming and seeking, He had an agenda and He was not carrying it on a silver platter. Yet.

"I am not seeking out the Alliance because it is not the stage I seek to climb, nor the mountain for that matter. While I consider myself quite industrious, I am not ready to face the bureaucracy and machinations of a galactic superpower. The art of the small relations, those that matter and are down to earth, close to the people are more viable for me to explore." Pausing a heartbeat, He would add with a slight smile. "That might sound very much in harmony with the greater good and protection of everyone the Alliance claims to uphold, does it not?"
​

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio understood, at least in part.

His mouth skewed to the side, deep in thought, even as a crowd of students began gathering a respectful distance away, taking notice of their king, speaking with a golden-plated giant of a man. "I don't see how the Alliance has to be a mountain to climb," he finally said, features soft. "But... I certainly understand not wanting to tie your planet up in galactic politics. Especially before it's ready."

A man wearing all-gold was talking about being down to earth. The irony of the Zakuulian's word choice put his guard up, if only a little. He knew when someone was trying to play to who they thought Alicio was. It could be that was who Valkoryen was too... but the king had been burnt too many times not to be careful.

"You said 'claims to uphold'." Alicio's grey eyes were curious. "What does Zakuul think of the Alliance?"

- Valkoryen Sunfell -