Two Blonde Besties in Alderaan

[Mariya Fleischer]

"I didn't know you were at the kitchen," Mariya said, munching on her toast and glancing at her friend who had wandered in and found her seat at the table. Her hair was not exactly messy, but [member="Marina DeVoe"] probably decided otherwise with the quick hair brushing. "Haha, thanks. Though I think the hair will get messy again when we head off."

She tackled the food head on, now that her friend was sitting with her. Scrambled eggs with cream, mushrooms and bacon on her plate. The servants had also brought out jars of jam with different flavours. Alderaan strawberries. Pineapple. Starbloom. The latter was ingenious to Alderaan, which Mariya had been trying ever since she stepped foot on the planet. She spread the jam onto her toast and topped it up with blue milk butter, giving it a sweet and savoury taste with each bite.

"Print equipment? If you are talking about skiing stuff, I think we have some readily available," she said, casting her glance at Gordon who gave a assuring nod. "See, there's no need for printing. As for visiting your grandfather, I reckon we still have that case of wines somewhere."

"Indeed, mistress. The case is kept securely in the cellar. I'll load them up with the ski equipment on the speeder later before you go," the middle aged man said, his voice not betraying a hint of emotion.

"Good. It's not her grandfather's birthday, but we should still bring a gift along," Mariya on the other hand, could barely stop herself from grinning. Emerald eyes glanced at her friend's face for a moment, wondering if Marina would react to the topic. She could still remember the commotion that happened.

 

[Marina DeVoe]

"Hee-hee...then I'll fix it again some more." She teased about her friend's hair getting messed up later.

Mariya hadn't answered her about if she had gotten a good night's sleep, but Marina remembered her effort in keeping her friend up, as she herself wasn't tired out like Mariya and wanted the night to last a bit longer. Maybe it were best her fiend didn't answer, now that she thought about it.
And her friend who had said she never skied, had equipment? Hmm...that was something she didn't expect. Marina simply smiled to the fact that Gordon too acknowledged the equipment.

Hmm...kept thinking Marina...what kind of ski equipment?... was it suitable and set up for beginner or expert?
She didn't comment on her friend's reveal of the equipment she had, as Marina had not seen what her friend was talking about. If anything; she figured she'd go over the equipment when they got over there and make any necessary adjustments as it pertained to her friend's level. Marina was certain her friend would pick up on skiing quickly and would adjust her bindings accordingly. As far as ski clothes, if her friend's weren't adequate, she had a few complete and mix match clothes at her mountain chalet anyway.

Then Mariya mentioned the wines. Wines of three days ago.
"Gasp!...
The case!" Marina just remembered the case of wine that Gordon helped her put in her speeder not two days ago. It had it been left in there to become cooking wine in the closed glass canopy of her speeder...or worse.. had they turned to vinegar?
She thought this when her friend first mentioned the wines.

But as it turned out, that first day had been quite a trial for both of them with so much drama that had seemed to pop out of nowhere. marina had not been aware that Gordon had retrieved the case of wines, knowing marina wasn't going to depart. He had been in the wine business all his life, as his father and father before him. he had the wisdom of retrieving the Sovereigns and place them in their ideal storage environment...the wine cellar.

"Oh...thank the heavens..." Marina sat back in her chair relieved at the fact that someone had remained cool headed and reserved these past three days.
"I mean..thank you, Gordon....whew.." She sighed a relief.
The case of the varied Sovereigns had been a gift from her friend Mariya, and to have it have gone to waste in the heat of the speeder's interior during the day would show little care for such a thoughtful gift. But Mariya's butler and trusted friend had saved not only the wines, but Marina's grace.

"Oh wow... It would have been three day in a row of strikes." She shook her head, reaching for her toast again. This time taking a much bigger bite than just a bird's .

"I mean...I know I've been like way over the top the last two days...but honestly, I'm trying to tone it down today. Although I still can't believe you're here...here on Alderaan. I know I've been a klutz for the past two days...just that seeing you again is beyond words...you know.."
It were true, she had missed her friend for so long and without word of her whereabouts.

"Oooh..." She just remembered the prison part and of the Imperial entanglement.

"Uhm... yea, listen." She then put her toast down and leaned a bit forward toward Mariya.
"No biggie, but would you mind not mentioning the escape thingy and of the doctor?..." She then asked.

Not that she were embarrassed of her friend...no, far from it.
Just that she didn't wish to bring the Imp thing with the incarceration and stuff the first time her friend got to meet her family. It wasn't that Marina was going to keep it from them, but she knew what first impressions could do and she wanted her family to love Mariya as she did.
Then again, they did put up with Marina,especially as a youngster, with so much of her high spirits and antics seemingly never making for a boring unexcited day on the mountains. And never once did they ever throw her off the mountain top.
Well Ok, maybe the one time when she fired up one of the star fighters at the age of 6, and literally had it rolling toward the edge of the main platform.
Her father had chased it down before it rolled over the edge and climbed in just as it went over. He then quickly strapped an escape chute on her and threw her out of the tumbling fighter...off the mountain. He too had escaped the craft before it crashed and exploded below...

"...at least not on the first round." She finished.
Yes, Marina had hopes that her friend would maybe spend as much time on her mountains as she was spending time with her in the valley.

"Anywho... I don't have much to pack, seeing that I've been mostly wearing your clothes. But would love to help you pack. Besides...wana check out more of your cool off world clothes. Truth be told, I haven't been shopping off world for months." Which of course was true, as she had been quite not herself without her bestie missing and all for all those months...




[member="Mariya Fleischer"]

 

[Mariya Fleischer]

"My lips know how to keep a secret, Marina..." the blonde nodded her head in acknowledgment to her friend's request. The Imperials always had a bad reputation, including the destruction of the original homeworld of her friend. It might had been many years ago, but the locals would always remember the grudges. Even if her friend was a nice doctor who possessed a kind heart could be labelled as an evil murderer by someone wearing tinted lenses. The blonde was prepared to risk an argument with her best friend's family on a first meeting. They had better things to do, like choosing which clothes to wear. Okay, that was probably the brilliant idea of [member="Marina DeVoe"] rubbing off her, but she was more than happy to show off her new fashion sense. Admittedly, some of the clothes were purchased during some of her impulsive buys and she had never worn them. Perhaps she should donate them or sell them to a second hand shop.

Was there enough time for them to dally for some clothes browsing? A quick glance on her hologram watch seemed to suggest a yes. Mariya made a gesture to her friend, giving her the happy news. "Fine, we can spend a little time picking some of the clothes to wear. Could set a new fashion trend here or something," she broke into a laugh that suggested amusement. The two ladies headed back into the living quarters, the middle aged butler tagging behind them and hastily asked some of the maids to push out a suitable collection of clothes that were already prepared. Soon, the living room was decorated with a fine collection of furs, leathers and other cosy materials that could be mixed and matched into different outfits. A dozen headwears. Two trays of scarves made from the finest wool with multiple patterns and designs. A rack of overalls and long coats. Enough boots and shoes that cost a small fortune, all brand new.

"Okay... I don't actually remember buying all of them," Mariya shot a suspicious look at Gordon, who seemed to casually shrug his shoulders to ignore the blame. He wanted the best for his mistress, to be dressed like a wealthy vineyard owner instead of her usual casual outfits all the time. The mistress of the house shook her head slightly, deciding to let things slide when she noticed the quality picks among the selection that had been presented to them. She could easily pick a few chic looking ones from the collection available, but perhaps Marina might be picky enough to ask for more to be presented.

 

[Marina DeVoe]

She hadn't picked up on Mariya shooting Gordon a questionable look, as to the plethora of high end attire that were coming out of the her boutique. It were what Marina would call it, as it were in fact a very very large walk-in closet. A closet by which Marina could only dream about.

Naturally, Marina also had a walk in on Mt. Cetril, but it were dwarfed by any standard compared to Mariya's. Then again, this entire chateau housed only one head of house, Mariya.
Mt. Cetril on the other hand was a family estate, and for the most part, Marina had only one private bedroom and refresher....and of course an adequate walk-in closet. But nothing like an entire full room closet that was the size of a small boutique.

"Oh wow... " She was astounded by the amount of clothes the maids pulled out in racks. This was going to take pretty much of the day to try everything on. Ok, maybe that was not her friend's intention, but that was what was lighting up in Marina's head.

Fortunately, that light did have a kind of fuse and after twenty-thirty-something-or-more mix and match try outs, Marina stepped back and admired the outfit she most liked the best.
"Oh my...
This...this is simply gorgeous..." She propped herself up on tippy-toes and checked herself out at different angles.
Yes, this was a perfect set and she looked over to her friend for approval.
It was a thumbs up.
Actually, pretty much all of the 33 previous tries had been thumbs up from her friend. The neatly folded stack on her friend's bed that she was going to 'borrow' attested to that fact.

"Yea?..." Marina asked like she had done so many tries already.
"....you think so?
Hmm..." She looked over to the untouched racks. "...I don't know..."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~​

How it ever came to be managed to tear Marina away from going through the infinite mix and match tryouts along with the exquisite evening and formal wear that belonged to her friend Mariya, is too long a chapter to be told at one sitting.
But by noon, and soon following their brunch back downstairs on the patio, Marina's speeder was all packed up with her friend's luggage, which of course included all of Marina's new borrowed outfits.

Naturally, 'borrowed' meant that they would be housed in Marina's own closet till her friend happen to reclaim them on visits. It somehow would seem to work that way...by Marina's design of course.
There was no way that she would have her bestie go AWOL again.

"Oh yes. Thank's Gordon... the wines you packed are there...uhm somewhere under all that. " She replied as she went to shut the speeder's rear trunk.
He had asked if she had the wines still packed away in the speeder, not seeing anything but bags and luggage packed in the trunk.
"...if anything, they're better protected from breaking should we encounter some turbulence through the mountain range."

A raised eyebrow before looking over to his Mistress clued marina of his concern.
"I'll be careful with the cargo, Gordon... promise." she chuckled, meaning her friend Mariya. Not that her friend hadn't flow through strafe filled battlefields or worse. But Gordon didn't seem to be aware of his Mistress' escapades before his employment, and Marina wasn't going to fill him in. It weren't her place as to let anyone know of her friend's history... as she knew it.

With the speeder all packed and Gorden still a bit overcautious as to Marina's ability to even operate a moving vehicle...based on her crazy antics he had to endure the past three days...the girls were finally set to leave for Mt Cetril. It would be a good 3 hour flight to the Aiden Pass, if there were no sightseeing detours.
Still, they would be looking into early evening/late afternoon by the time they got to Mt Cetril.
Just in time for the DeVoe family dinner...

"Well...what do you say?...ready to go?" She asked Mariya whom seemed to be giving Gordon some last minute instructions.

 

[Mariya Fleischer]

How she managed to drag her friend out of the changing room, she had no idea. But somehow it worked and she found herself lending the whole collection of outfits to [member="Marina DeVoe"]. Her blonde friend promised to return them back, which was pretty nice of her to do so. Even if she did not know, the vineyard owner had no intention of forcing her. What was the worth of thirty designer outfits that cost over fifty thousand credits compared to the friendship that they had? Mariya would gladly trade her newfound wealth to rescue her friend if she was ever in trouble, not that she ever wanted that to happen. The odds of her life getting endangered was probably way higher than her friend who flew a space vessel.

Speaking of flying, the two blondes were almost ready to go. Marina would take the pilot seat, being the better flyer than Mariya would ever be. Gordon was present to make sure that things were packed up properly, including the valuable cargo of wines. He would take good care of the vineyard while his mistress was away, including instructions to maintain the weapon armoury. A couple of hired professionals would suffice to do the work under his careful supervision. Mariya nodded her head absently mindedly when Gordon left her with some last minute etiquette course, deciding that there was no way she could remember everything. She would have to wing it if things went wrong.

"See you soon!" Mariya waved at her butler and hopped onto the speeder after Marina who had already started the engines. Seat belt fastened and a pair of fancy sunglasses to protect her eyes from snowblind. Thumbs up to her friend who released the brakes. The speeder roared to life and jet off, leaving the vineyard behind them quickly. A couple of hours were needed for the traveling time and the weather looked good with a clear sky. The blonde decided not to disturb her friend who was busy concentrating on the flight, occupying herself with a random list of songs blasting from the speakers. Top of the list was a song from a cheesy holomovie. Mariya laughed aloud when she recognised the tune, remembering the scene where the blondes sang along with the song while riding a speeder, just like what they were doing now.

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwkej79U3ek[/media]

"Making my way downtown walking fast, faces pass and I'm home bound. Staring blankly ahead just making my way, making a way through the crowd. And I need you. And I miss you. And now I wonder... If I could fall into the sky, do you think time would pass me by? Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see you tonight..."

She sang along happily, admiring the scenery that sped past them. Trees turning from green to white, covered in snow. Animals slowly disappeared and replaced by sounds of the wind. The outside temperature dropping into the cold zone where frostbite would eat one alive. Thankfully the speeder was well built to handle the weather, an engineering feat created by the brilliant minds of Alderaanians.

Now all they needed to avoid was a blizzard. Murphy's law existed but the odds were low, given the weather forecast.

 

[Marina DeVoe]

Marina's family speeder streaked across the sky at low altitude, just above the tree lines and hilltops like a busy bee heading home with a horde of pollen.

And I need you. And I miss you. And now I wonder... She sang along in tune with her friend. She had missed her best friend so much.
So much that she had embarrassingly made such a dork out of herself the past three days. It had gone from estatic to thinking her friend had a grif (scam) going, to everything but trusting Mariya as she actually did.
Marina's emotions had gone awry like that of a roller coaster upon finally seeing her again.
But that was because she had missed her bestie and had worried her mind silly for nearly two years, which by the way seemed like forever to her.
but like a trusting and loyal friend that Mariya was, and one with patience of a saint; she let her friend Marina's zanyness go through it's paces.
And finally on the third day, it all seemed to have leveled out. Marina's excitement had settled out.
For the most part she was as sane as Mariya remembered her to be. Still somewhat of an oddball in comparison to others, but that was Marina... with a happy-go-lucky personality.

....If I could fall into the sky, do you think time would pass me by? So they piped in along with the song, cutting down on the mundane portion of their cross continental flight. The speeder was no space ship and therefore could not achieve a high enough altitude to get it supersonic. But at a bit past 1,000 kph they were just under the speed of sound... almost.
The cabin was hermetically sealed and the wind sheer, speed and anything else from the exterior was cancelled out. All the noise generated was from them two singing along with the song.

"Oh look...we're coming up on Aiden pass..." She fell out of tune, pointing to the mountain range they were coming up on.
"Its the start of the Aiden mountains...the providence which my father is overlooking." There was no need to remind her friend that he were a Duke, serving under Alderaan's current monarch, Queen [member="Faith Organa"].

As soon as she said that, she throttled up and started to climb, again keeping for now just above the tree tops as she piloted the speeder through the pass.
Marina had taken a more scenic route to her home on Mt. Cetril which was another 200 kilometers away, nestled deep within the mountain range.
But as the craft shot past the fist gates of the range, the treeline started to diminish as the mountains rose and kept on rising, till all but snow capped peaks could be seen...and clouds which naturally obscure much of the fortifications and outposts that they flew by. Of course, the craft was coded and little but small coded transmissions that Marina was used to sending without another thought, it had been drilled in her. this gave them unhindered pass. It was as if there were no outposts with turrets or surface to air batteries within the mountain range, which could make easy confetti out of their speeder.
But they were there. It was all part of the Alderaani Northern Air/Space Defense. Her father, [member="Duke Kyle DeVoe"] was in charge of it.

Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see you tonight..." So it went, the two of them merrily singing along to Mariya's favorite tunes. And as such, it were Marina's also. Well, what was not to like, what her friend liked?

"Ah.... I can tell you, we're only 5 more minutes away...it's just past that large white peak...to the left where it's cloud covered. My home is just around that peak.." Marina could only describe it as it was indeed obscured by the low trapped clouds...another example as to how her mountain home was naturally hidden most times within the range.

"There it is!" she excitedly was then able to point out once they rounded the large sister peak. And sure enough, Mt. Cetril with House DeVoe nestled beautifully on top before them.
Marina slowed their speeder on approach, heading toward what could easily be construed as one of the main landing platforms that was part of the mountain manor...or outpost depending as how one would look at it on a strategic level.

[member="Mariya Fleischer"]

 

[Mariya Fleischer]

The navigation map on the screen showed a blipping dot cutting across the Aiden province of Alderaan. They had started from the lush fertile valleys where the Masha Estate Wineries was located and was now nearing her friend's home. Aiden Pass was below with a few brave souls walking along the route. It seemed that the locals were hardly bothered by the weather, something which Mariya had some difficulty with despite her military background. She wondered for a moment why they did not bother using a vehicle, having no answers of her own. Perhaps they were just taking a casual stroll and enjoying the view.

Speaking of the view, Marina's exclamation brought her vision back to the front of the cockpit where the clouds gathered. As the speeder flew through the fuffy whites, the grand architecture of House DeVoe castle greeted the two of them. The blonde gave a gasp of amazement, her mouth open while emerald eyes stared at the scenery unveiling slowly like a painting. "It's so beautiful," she muttered to her friend. If she had thought that her château was grand when she purchased it, then the castle itself was something else to behold. It was the first time she had ever visited her friend's house, if one could call the castle a mere house.

The speeder reduced its speed gracefully and landed on one of the vast landing platforms that were well maintained. There was no clearance needed since Marina belonged to the family and the speeder was probably registered. The two of them stepped out and Marina was promptly greeted by the guards on duty who snapped to attention and saluted her. "Welcome home, Lady DeVoe." . The guards then looked at Mariya with a an expressionless face and greeted her. "Welcome to Mount Cetril, House of DeVoe. As a visitor of Lady DeVoe, you are free to visit the castle, except for restricted areas which are off limits." The blonde nodded and the guards marched next to their either sides to serve as escorts.

"Okay... I suppose this is how this place works..." Mariya muttered under her breath, shooting a glare at [member="Marina DeVoe"] who was obviously used to such treatment. The mercenary knew that her friend was born to nobility, but one could never imagine how it felt until seeing things unfold in her own eyes. Her friend was addressed as Lady, an honourable title due to her birthright as the daughter of Duke DeVoe, who himself was of the highest nobility rank just after the royal family.

Mariya suddenly felt out of place when it dawned upon her that she knew nothing much about nobility, lordship or the high society. Yes, she knew how to greet and curtsey when needed and the correct utensils to use during a meal. That was about the limit of her comprehension.

 

[Marina DeVoe]

"Don't fret over it... I'm not allowed in certain portions either.... not that it ever stopped me...tehe.." She whispered with a chuckle.

"Seriously...Mat, Dean... I got it. You know...friend...privacy... yea." She nodded almost breaking out into a laugh. The two guards eyed each other, then stepped back.
"Of course, my lady." one replied, as they then took to adhere to her wish.

"Ma-ri-na..." She pronounced her name, reminding them of what she wished to be called, as she continued to lead Mariya toward the main entrance. Marina were home, and they were also roomed in her home. She couldn't help but find it funny that Mat and Dean always remained formal, for in her eyes she considered them more like guests than guards...like her friend here.

But it were no laughing matter upon spotting her father marching toward her with a stern expression on his features. her skin suddenly lost some tone. This wasn't good. No, this couldn't be happening now. Not with her bestie here. What had she done now, she thought. She was certain she had stayed far away from Aldera and the queen's castle. Like..like she hadn't buzzed Queen Faith Organ castle for quite some time now.

"F... fa-..." she were about to say before he stopped just a breath away and drew her toward him, both his hands on her forearms..

"..gasp..." Marina was surprised when her father did this, before he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
He then stepped back and before turning to greet her friend... "Three days without a word from you. Three." he repeated sternly before turning his attention to Mariya.

"Miss Fleischer, welcome to House DeVoe." he projected a proper genuine smile, giving the young lady before him a slight bow. he certainly knew proper etiquette. Still, there was a charge about the atmosphere by which seemed concentrated on his daughter.

"M... [member="Mariya Fleischer"]..." she seemed to stumble with her words.
"...this is my father ...swallow....Duke Kyle DeVoe." She took over the introduction.

"Mariya is the friend I had mentioned. We've been besties-...ahem...we've been friends for quite some time, father. She's saved my life- ..." Funny how she could not fold the truth when she spoke to him.

"... a... few times." That itself were difficult to say, as she had the tug of actually spilling out exactly how many times that were. But upon her father's demeanor suddenly letting off, so did her desire to continue confession.

"KYLE!..." A deep voice sounded out from another man, an elder noble whom was now approaching the trio from the Great Hall.
" And you! Sunshine...come here you..." he opened up his arms to Marina.
Now he definitely was as happy as anyone could be, and with a quick and anxious pace.
Finaly taking a lung full of fresh air, she barely hesitated, giving her father a quick glance before she jumped at the last few remaining steps of the elder gentleman. She were then quickly enveloped in her grandfather's arms.
It were without a doubt Marina seemed more relaxed and comfortable in her grandfather's arms.
And he...he seemed to breathe her in, like she were air of life.

"Kyle... my err. I've to take the fault as to her absence." he then broke after a moment of hugging his granddaughter.
I enticed her..encouraged for her to go down to the valley.
I...I simply forgot to mention this to you yesterday Kyle, when you came back from your tour." the elder man said.
And it seemed to put marina's father at a more casual stance. What else could he say to his own father. Besides, he were no tyrant to speak of. he was head of household and with the mariner in the hangar and no marina to be found...what was a father to not be concerned about. Perhaps later, he would have a more personal talk with her about it. now was not the time. not with a guest in the house.

"Now let me meet your friend...come on my child, lest you forgot your manners?" The elder DeVoe gave his granddaughter a reassuring pat on her arm.

Marina nodded and with her hand still entwined with that of her grandfather, drew him toward her friend.
"Grandfather...this is my friend Mariya Fleisher...she's my bestie." She said, speaking with not a worry, nor dampened spirit in her heart or eyes.
"Mariya Fleisher, this is my grandfather Duke Onan DeVoe... my grandfather.
Hehe...I already said that didn't I?" Yes, the happy-go-lucky Marina as her friend knew her to be, was all still intact. Then again, she were still holding her grandfather's hand.

 

[Mariya Fleischer]

"Really, I thought you have free reign in the castle..." Mariya smirked, not sure what else to expect after the grand welcome. It was just two guards escorting them, but still felt grand nevertheless. The mercenary was usually found at the other end of the fence, working as a bodyguard or security officer role in some of her contracts. As they walked, she found herself hesitating to continue when [member="Marina DeVoe"] stopped and gasped at the approaching figure. A rather tall, gray haired man clad in a velvet aristocratic outfit and a well maintained moustache. The duke had arrived and gave a surprising warm hug to her friend, despite his spite appearance.

"Greetings, your Grace," she curtised gracefully, having practiced it many times in her life whenever she met with royalty. She might not be wearing a dress, but she knew her basic manners and merely sneaked a glance towards her friend. Marina was trying to ignore the awkward gaze of her father and struggling to introduce her formally. She smiled politely when her friend told her dad about her saving efforts, deciding that they were actually not even worth mentioning but somehow being dragged in.

"Greetings, your Grace," Mariya found herself repeating the greeting again, this time direct at Marina's grandfather with a similar curtsy. She had pondered for a moment what was the title of her grandfather and had wanted to ask Marina about it. Somehow, the question slipped out of her mind throughout the journey but she was saved by the formal introduction, announcing the elder gentleman as another Duke. She noticed the gleeful expression of Marina, remembering that she was supposed to bring them gifts.

"I... I am honoured to be here, your Graces. Please allow me to express my appreciation for the kind invitation by offering some fine brewery from my humble vineyard," the blonde turned her head around, wondering if they were left behind in the speeder and she needed to magically retrieve them. "Oh, erm... they are..." she gave a sigh of relief when the servants noticed her panicked look and handed her the crate of finest Alderaanian wines. She blinked at the bottles for a moment, remembering the crazy arguments she had with Marina over the last few days. Now, she could finally present them, the bottles sitting neatly in the box with the proud "protected designation of origin" label.

"They are here, your Grace," she handed them over to Kyle DeVoe who was obviously more suited to holding the crate compared to the grandfather.

 

[Marina DeVoe]

As the servant presented the wines to Marina's father, the elder Duke took the opportunity to make Marina's friend feel at ease.
"An honor to finally meet you dear Lady Fleischer..." Duke Onan with all proper respect gently drew the young woman's hand up to place a kiss upon it.

"But please... let us do away with all the formalities...we are a family here. If you will allow me to call you Mariya, then you can call me Pappy. That's short for grandfather up in these mountains." He said with a warm heart, behind a wink.
He certainly knew than Marina's father as to what this young woman meant to his granddaughter. He had come to understand what it meant to call someone a true friend. And he were of a kind to know someone's heart, like he knew of his granddaughters and that of Mariya.

"Oh my, what do we have here?...
New Alderaani wines from the valley?" His eyes lit up.
"My, my...we will certainly have them served at our table this evening. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Mariya" the old Duke's brow furled as he was by all standards a wine connoisseur.

"Ahem... yes, well thank you Miss Fleischer." Marina's father cut in, before he gestured to one of the servants to take hold of the wine crate and haul it away.
"I'm sure you'll find comfort and get a chance to rest and freshen up in one of the guest rooms-..."

"Uhm, she can bunk in my room, father!" Marina cut in before another servant stepped up to take her friend away.

"Now, now Marina...I'm sure our guest would like some time to herself. Our guest rooms are quite spacious and look over some beautiful vistas..." Marina's father gestured for a servant to do as he ordered.

"But dad-..." Marina was about to object again, but her father put up his index.
"Marina... please, we have guest rooms..." She wasn't going to have her way.

"Oh rubbish.... " The elder Duke cut in before the was a scene to be made in front of Marina's friend.
"If you won't mind old pappy here to escort you to your room, Mariya... I'll have the servants follow us with your bags." he stepped up offering the young blond his forearm for her to take.

"Kyle... see you at dinner." He bade leave of his son, as he lead Mariya away.
Then... "...you too Sunshine... come along now."

Marina's father could do nothing but take a step back and present a smile, as his father lead the two young women to the living quarters..
Marina did all she could in suppressing sticking her tongue out at her father. She had such a victory smile on her features though as she passed him. She knew her friend wasn't going to be escorted anywhere but her living quarters. Her grandfather and her were like kindred spirits.

 

[Mariya Fleischer]

"Thanks Pappy, I will be very glad to call you that," her smile was filled with joy when she spoke. She could never really remember much about her parents and had no close family, so when the older Duke offered the chance to ignore the formalities she jumped right in. Onan DeVoe appearing as a caring grandfather, something which Marina definitely appreciated compared to her dad who was more strict. Was it an understatement to say that most grandparents treated their grandchildren kinder than the parents themselves? Probably not, even among the nobility.

She slid her arm under the forearm of Onan DeVoe and walked with him. The elder statesman was pretty agile for his age, having no problems keeping up with her younger pace. [member="Marina DeVoe"] tagged beside her grandfather holding the other arm, seemingly relieved to have shaken off her dad. Mariya secretly wondered if the rebellious behaviour of her friend was caused by her grandfather who always seemed to step in to address her whims, deciding that she was probably not far from the truth. The walk along the castle corridor was magnificent, making her stop every now and then just to take a closer look. No one seemed to mind her curiosity, with the grandfather and granddaughter fighting to feed her with information about the items decorating the halls.

"This is a suit of armour that Alderaanians used to wear ages ago," Duke Onan shared his knowledge with the visitor. "Sometimes the guards put similar ones on for ceremonial purposes."

"Really? Wow... I wonder what kind of protection it offers from blasters," Mariya asked, leading to another answer involving the materials used to craft the plates. The remainder of the walk continued along this manner until the trio reached a room which was well decorated and looked nothing like a guest room that Marina's father suggested. The guards outside the door bowed and opened the door for them to step in.

"Wow, this room is yours, isn't it?" She glanced at her friend, stating the obvious when the decoration in the room was customised to Marina's liking. A model of her ship served as the centerpiece of display at one corner was the immediate giveaway. "Nice view," Mariya gave a sigh of amazement when she saw the view outside the window. She walked over and peeped through foggy mist, making out the shapes of the green valleys below and the tall mountains littered with snow capped trees.

 

[Duke Kyle DeVoe]

He knew his daughter. She had been a gift from the gods, for she were never expected to be. But born she were, two minutes following her brother.
Marina were the very first female ever born twin...twin to her brother Jerrid Syn (son of) whom were to take his place like he had taken that of his father, Duke Onan.

For a DeVoe to be born alongside his heir, she were extraordinary as there had never been twins conceived in their strong bloodline before. Especially being the first DeVoe to not have a strong connection to the force, like that of her twin brother Jerrid. Marina was somehow more. She could be said that she were of a spirit born long thought lost to the bloodline.
Duke Kyle could give her full rein, give her even this surrogate world all to her own..he could kneel down below his own daughter... even worship her. Only that he were her father, her stone mountain by which she stood on.

He were standing there in the great open hall, just watching his father leading his daughter and her friend to the family chambers. He knew his father Onan would do what he could not, for he had to maintain the integrity of the family's stone foundation.
As soon as the trio were out of sight, Kyle exposed the proud smile he most often kept from his daughter. Duke Kyle could only admire his daughter's spirit from afar... which for a DeVoe, she were not stained of sith.

"Have dinner prepared by 8.
Keep it modest...nothing lavish. " he then spoke to one of the remaining servants awaiting instructions from the head of the house as to accommodate the new house guest.

"Very good sir.." The servant acknowledged his wish, bowing his head.

 

[Marina DeVoe]

"Hahaha...not much at all, I'm afraid.
As antique as they are, these follow after the early armistice reforms of our ancestral world. Alderaani armor hasn't been made blaster-proof since.
Doctrines were adopted by the Nobel Houses which made Alderaan what it were before the fall of the Old Republic and what it represents to this day." he replied to Mariya's inquiry as to the armor's functionality.

"But yes..there was a time when we were once a feudal society-" He then cut short on their dark history, seeing Marina's face loose it's luster.

"Sigh..." Marina had let escape, cueing her grandfather that she disliked hearing their dark history. She weren't too keen on the ancient past that had once been Alderaan...a feudal like world before the reforms.

Her grandfather chuckled, turning to Marina with a loving smile.
"Ok... no dark history lessons again.
But let me convey that It were Alderaani like you Sunshine which changed our course of history." He nodded to his granddaughter, lightly ruffing her hair.

"As you may have guessed Mariya, our family name carries that mark. The DeVoes were among the many noble houses in those ancient times by which the reforms came to be. " Onan continued on, giving his granddaughter's friend a bit of Alderaani history, before it had come to be and known as a peaceful world.
"So there we have it...beautiful and decorative ceremonial armor. All of the old functioning battle armor not only had become obsolete, but were literally destroyed..."
The three finally came to a slow halt, just outside of one of the chambers in the hallway. Two guards seemed to have anticipated the elder Duke's intentions and in a smooth transitional flow had opened up the great hall doors to the family living suites.

"Ah...well now, his is where Pappy bids his leave." They had come to one of the main living chambers. "Mariya... most pleasurable you are." he once again bowed his head to their new house guest.
" See you both at supper time..." And with that, he gave his granddaughter a little peck on the cheek, before he turned about and seemingly must have gestured for the hall guards to vacate, as they quietly left in a different direction.

It were indeed Marina's chambers...her living quarters. Not so lavish as it were open spaced and smartly furnished. It had modest class, one becoming of a modest princess. But a princess she were not, at least not outside House DeVoe..not on Alderaan.

"Yes...pretty much all the perimeter views are awesome given the weather...
You know I would have opted to stay with you in the guest room. I think my grandfather somehow knew I would and diffused the argument..hehe.
My father's not as strick as he comes on, so you know. Well, not when grandfather is around.
It's just that my father is overprotective s'all." Marina went on to explain. She had never had a guest...a friend ever on Mt Cetril. With all her schooling and studies...and with all her spare time either buzzing about the providence, she had not made friends on Alderaan. Marina had not even mingled with the Royal family of Organa, up until a few months ago when she formally meet the Queen, taking up her first political internship in the Royal Court.

No, her friend Mariya was the very first friend that she had brought home. And of course her grandfather knew all about most of her escapades with Mariya. The elder Duke Onan was and had always been Marina's greatest supporter. It were he whom had convinced Marina's father to commission a ship for her, the Mariner IV.
Marina had been the one whom had always dreamed of one day having a small explorer ship of her own like that of the early Loronar scout ships. Marina had even scratch built a model of it when she was no more than 10.
And a full decked out Loronar Explores she got, upon her graduating with top honors...achieving a Doctorate degree in political sciences.
But the Loronar was just skin deep...the ship had gotten special modifications and extensive renovations to bring it up to an underlying state of the art jump ship.

"Anyway...you can't see it from here, but the mountain ski chalet is just a bit-...GASP!" She suddenly stopped, open mouth and dropped jaw.
"Oh my God...no way..." she could barely hold back her excitement.
"Oh YES!!...." she were spying a craft, a rather sleek craft breaking cloud cover and heading toward the landing platform.

"Oh, you just have to meet him....my brother." She exclaimed, very anxious and excited. She hadn't seen him in months.
"Jerrid, he's returned!"

If there were two people in her family that she felt knew her heart true, it were her grandfather and brother.

 

[Mariya Fleischer]

The blonde stood next to the window, admiring the view while [member="Marina DeVoe"] went into her usual chatty state. She seemed really pleased that her friend had managed to visit her room, a feeling which Mariya could empathise with. Life in the castle could be pretty uptight under the watchful eyes of Marina's father, whom she claimed to be a little too overprotective. The last line of comment was probably the most interesting. Marina exclaimed aloud after seeing the entry of a new ship heading over to the landing pad, telling her friend for the first time that she had a brother named Jerrid.

"Jerrid? Wait, you mean you actually have a brother?"

Emerald eyes widened in surprise at the latest piece of news as Mariya stared at her friend. All these years of friendship and Marina had never ever spoken about a brother. It was true that Mariya had never asked much about her friend's family, preferring to let her friend share about her family whenever she felt comfortable enough. Her friend was a little chatterbox and generally needed no prompts to talk about her life, hence the new piece of information was an absolute stunner.

"You have a brother? Are you kidding me?"

Mariya repeated herself again, trying to process the new information in her brain. Suddenly, she bursted out laughing. "Oh my god, I can't believe you actually managed to keep this bit of information from me all these years." The blonde recovered from the initial surprise and was rather amused by her friend's behaviour. The biggest question popped into her mind, a question which she decided might be a little too direct to ask. Why would Marina DeVoe withhold this bit of information from her? Was there a hidden reason behind the secrecy? Or was her friend simply too forgetful to mention about it, a possibility that could explain the whole situation.

She left the window, walking over to the fireplace where mini holograms were on display. Little figures popped out as she stood next to them, showing the blonde some of the memories of her friend and family. She could see her friend graduating from school, going out on trips with her grandfather and hitting the skis at the mountains. True enough, she also managed to spot a blonde looking man among some of the shots, most likely to be the mysterious brother.

"Okay, now I am curious about this brother of yours whom you have never told me before. Hopefully we will catch him during dinner time."

The clock display on the wall indicated there was at least half an hour before the meal.

 

[Jerrid Syn DeVoe]

The jump from the deep core were never a direct trajectory, even to Alderaan...it couldn't be for many reasons.


Jerrid's sleek corvette class ship 'The Raven's Nest', or as it's registered markings identified it, JDS-1, became visible as it sliced through the cloud cover. It was a stealth design, and it had approached Mt Cetril as such. It were by mere chance that his sister had spotted it when she and her friend Mariya had gazed over the vista of the mountain range from her chambers.

The craft touched down in the farthest landing pad from the house. It was where most of the pertinent service and supply vessels landed which had high security clearance, whereas the lesser would have unloaded their supplies at the lower altitude loading platforms on the adjacent peak. Tunnels connected most all of the infrastructure of the DeVoe House and outposts.

Jerrid disembarked as soon as the drives went off line. He were met with one of the Captains of the guards, whom with a brief word or two acknowledged what were orders given him.
Jerrid them made for the same main entrance the two women had used. Before he even made it to the front doors, the Raven was being towed inside the family hangar where it's cargo would be unloaded.

"Father..." Jerrid quickened his pace upon spotting his seniors.
"...Granfather..." Manly hugs and a pat or two on his back sealed their greeting and welcoming Jerrid home.

There were no house guards, nor servants about. There never were when a male DeVoe returned from a long absence.

"Quickly...of the Western Keep...still holding strong?" His father asked.

"Aye..." Jerrid nodded, remembering to speak basic, even if there were no prying ears about.
"Yes... the fortification should hold by Spring's thaw..." he then said. Here and elsewhere outside the Deep Core, it were exercised for them to speak basic at all times.

"Ah...good to know there is some fighting spirit among those whom don't know that they are destined to die....." His grandfather cut in.

"Yes, grandfather...the weak blood must be purged." Jerrid agreed, before his father motioned for them to accompany him further within the house.

"...and of the Earl of Thera... he still challenges the dispute over the veins between his House and of Gasby?" The grandfather asked, pacing to Jerrid's left.

"The earl and House Thera has fallen...two months past now. it is the Montague of Gasby, Rotiart Ami whom has now taken over Castle Thera and of it's Providences."

"He hast?...Hahahaha...." his grandfather burst out laughing.
"That ol'cuth is as lively as a fox...Hahaha...
I shall count the days till i take him to my sword...hahaha.." the grandfather continued, seemingly savoring the time.

The three certainly found it amusing as to the events which Jerrid had brought back with him.

"Mind you though, my young knight...you leave Rotiart to me, you hear. I shall pay him visit soon enough...soon enough, his stain shall adorn my blade...
But now enough talk of our good earth. Your sister hast brought us a guest!" the elder Duke informed Jerrid, whom turned to him with a curious gaze.

"The mercenary?..here?" a smile formed on Jerrid's features, not unlike that which had been of the amusement the three had just shared.
"Strange I haven't sensed my sister about. I was about to ask if she were even here at home." Jerrid replied, seemingly taking to the air about him.
His acute senses probing the air, for as connected as they were, he could never sense her through the force.
Nothing but the familiar lingering scent of his sister and that of one he had not met were all he could sense. It told him that his sister had been present, had walked through here not an hour past, despite the full filtered air exchanges of the House ventilation system.

"Strange indeed she obscures even us..." His grandfather commented, for he were of one refined in the force.

"Stranger still, it is not intentional.... not on her part..." Jerrid reflected, knowing they shared the same heartbeat...literally.

"Come... I've got a modest dinner in the works. Refresh yourself Jerrid, change and we'll dine tonight in the company of our ladies and guest..." His father boasted a hardy pat on his shoulder and the three continued on toward the great hall.

 

[Marina DeVoe]

"You..." She paused, surprised at herself not mentioning her brother either.

"...you never asked." Marina took a moment of insight to realize her friend were right. The notion of her friend not asking her wasn't a plausible reason or excuse.
For a moment, Marina were lost for words, as it just now it were coming to light that she hadn't fully disclosed her family structure.
But there was a reason indeed by which she had long ago diverted the topic of her family. it were because she had learned that her friend had none that she knew of. In Marina's mind, it would have been mean for her to boast about her brother, father, grandparents...everything about her home that her friend didn't have.

Still, it were wrong of her to avoid talking about her family whenever the topic crept up between them.

"No...." She shook her head, more to come out with the truth than sugar coat it.
"No, that's a lame excuse..." Marina tore herself away from the glass wall expanse, as her brother's ship made contact with the landing platform.

"I'm sorry, Mariya.
I was going to tell you all about my family... I was." She held strong, the tears that were struggling to come forth.
No, she wasn't going to get emotional over it. It was her fault..her mistake.

"...only that you told me about yours first.
Actually, the lack of a family." The lump in her throat pained her to swallow.

" I...
Oh God..." How was she going to explain now?

"I couldn't tell you everything..." Nope, no good. Her tears crested nevertheless.

"It would have come out like someone boasting. How...how was I to tell you I had everything you didn't?
My heart broke every time you wondered where you came from and who your parents were.
I swear I meant to tell you so many times, but I was afraid, it would sadden you...hurt you." She continued to want to explain.

"We...we became friends. You're the only friend i have ever felt to be like a sister. I mean..you're more a sister to me than my own sister..." Oops, now a sister too which Marina had not mentioned?

"At every turn or opportunity which came and went of me not telling you, just compounded the fear of hurting you more and more. I kept refraining from telling you how great my family is and how much they love me and I them, because you became a part of my family. And my family knows about you..." Marina swiped her tears away. This was no time to go bonkers on Mariya. She kept it together despite how hard it were to suddenly come forward with it all. And of all the places and time...

Knock, knock.. The knock on the door told marina it were one of the servants. Most likely knocking to announce dinner in a few minutes.
"Ahem.. we'll be right down!" Marina said to the knock.
"Very good my lady.." A voice replied, then went away.

She took a moment to listen and figure the servant had gone.
"Well, except the Underworld stuff... " Marina returned her attention to her friend again, pleading with her eyes for her to not leave. It were hard to read Mariya at this point... if she were mad, furious, irate or...or simply disappointed in her.

"You...
You always wondered if there was somebody out there beside yourself. " Marina could waste no time on tears. She had to speak quickly, lest not being able to speak at all, if her friend suddenly decided to storm out of there. If the latter happened, it would simply devastate Marina. She couldn't bare loosing her friend again...not in this matter.

"It pained me to hear you wondering about a family that you never knew when mine was here and well.
I couldn't talk up a storm about my family here on Alderaan. I just didn't wish for you to feel that you didn't have someone that felt like family.
I became your family... " She dared take a step closer to Mariya.

"I mean, you really became mine.
I...
I am so sorry....
I should have told you about my twin brother Jerrid...my older sister Katie and of my mother Grace...who...who's off world on a peace mission.... " God, Marina hoped she didn't leave out anyone else.

"Be mad at me... be disappointed... hit me if you must, er wait, don't leave marks..." Marina wasn't thinking about her appearance, no. She didn't want her family to see bruises on her if her friend did indeed slug her good.

"...just don't hate me."

So suddenly a brother... just now a sister popped up... had to figure on a mother somewhere in the palace...uncle or two maybe?... what else didn't Marina tell her about?...

 

[Mariya Fleischer]

If there was someone who could be overly dramatic, it was [member="Marina DeVoe"]. Her friend started off in a somber tone to reply her query and ended off with a teary ending. The blonde mercenary kept quiet for a moment, unsure what to say. There was some truth in her friend's words. Mariya had no family to speak of and had always treated her friends as part of her family. It was her way of handling her emptiness, her coping mechanism since young.

"I don't blame you. You are probably worried that I would be reminded of my own family, or lack of it. It's true that I sometimes wonder what my life would be like if I have a normal childhood, but I am just thankful that I am still alive." The older blonde finally spoke, emerald eyes glaring back at her teary friend and gave a little smile. "You are as good as family to me, if you don't realise it by now. So..." She took a few steps forward and started tickling her friend's sides to make Marina laugh. "Don't you dare cry on me.... I am not dead!"

The taller woman continued her assault on Marina, pulling her friend onto the bed and pounced onto the bedsheets with laughter. The duo tussled for a while, with Mariya pinning the shorter woman easily and declared victoriously, "Tell me you will yield and stop crying, or I won't let you go for dinner!" It was the usual dynamics with Marina getting emotional at times and her friend cheering her up without hesitation. In return, Marina provided the much needed friendship and trust that Mariya could always count on.

By the time the tussle was over, the two blondes were lying on the bed side by side, the mood lightening. Mariya remembered the strange dream again, a splitting image of herself with a haughty gaze. Every now and then, she would receive an occasional odd stare from someone who claimed that she looked like a certain holonet sensation. What if there was really another her out there? Mariya had a unexplainable hunch, a sense that she was not alone. No point bringing it up to Marina now when there was food waiting.

"Let's go for dinner, time's kinda late." She pulled herself from the bed and dragged Marina along, heading out of the room for their meal.

 

[Marina DeVoe]

Sometimes she didn't know herself as to why she got so emotional when it came to family and friends. marina wasn't at all deceptive or manipulative, so when she came up with white lies, it weren't in a manner that compromised the other person or family member. It were more to get around not hurting them for one reason or another.
And to think of ever hurting her friend Mariya with lies was far from her mind.
But many times she would find herself at full circle with her good intentions gone awry.

Lucky for her, Mariya knew her well inside and out. As thus and like a good friend, she'd come to the rescue whether it be a physical threat or one such as an emotional bloop. And she always knew marina's trigger mechanisms to defuse her emotional distress.

"Pant..pant..pant..." Marina couldn't struggle any further and gave in.

"Whew...ok..ok... pant..pant...I'll forfeit this round...pant..pant..." She said exhaustively, her hands pinned down on her bed with Mariya's weight anchoring her torso.
Yes, she most always lost the tussle. That is, unless her friend let it play out different.

Marina lay there a few more breaths following Mariya releasing her. Marina hopped off the bed, following her friend's cue in getting their hair and attire back in order. The large vanity was plenty ample for two, as they fixed up for family dinner.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~​

"Ahem...." Marina lightly cleared her throat, getting the servant's attention who was about to pull a chair for their guest. She covertly motioned with an almost un-noticed shake of her head as they neared the family table to the servant that her friend could sit on her own.

"Father...grandad..." Marina came up to the dining table giving them a greeting. Both gentlemen naturally dismounted their chairs, to allow the ladies to sit before them.
"Uhm...where's Jer-..." She were about to aske when she picked up on her father's motive.
Marina's father had left his chair and had come around the table to where she was about to sit with Mariya. Only he went over to the chair next to Marina and pulled it out for her friend to sit.

"Please, allow me the pleasure...." he smiled at their guest and held it till Mariya was seated. marina held rolling her eyes and sat down next to her friend. Duke Kyle then took a moment to lean over to his daughter and give a a peck on her cheek.

"Daaaaad....hmmm...you're aiming to embarrass me..." She reached her hand to touch his arm, as he returned to his own seat. She loved and adored her father, despite her resistance to be treated like a princess.
Marina had always preferred to sit on her own at an early age. She didn't want anyone especially her family to make a big deal of her friend. Marina didn't wish for Mariya to feel uncomfortable with all the nobility about the DeVoes.

" Never my love.
But our lovely guest is a lady, and she will be treated as such." her father musingly replied taking his seat once more, only giving a momentary glance over to the servant, whom acknowledged his wish with a nod.

"Hmm..." Duke Onan was taking a sip of his wine.
"No, no, no!... not our vintage stock this evening...." The old Duke put down his wine glass and called over the captain (head servant).
"Our beautiful guest has thoughtfully brought us her wines. Come, air out a red and bring it to me at once."

"You Grace...this is indeed one of Lady Fleischer's reds..." the capt replied, drawing the bottle and label over to the old Duke.

Marina's father out of curiosity, took up his own wine glass, swirled the glass a moment before drawing upon its aroma, then took a sip...then two.

Marina did her best to try and keep a straight face...although her foot was playing havoc on her friend's leg, she kept tapping it.

Both men then looked over to the women...especially their guest, Mariya. Marina's color at this time gave her excitement away. But nevertheless the girl managed to keep quiet and let her friend experience what her family thought of her wines. For the moment, Marina had forgotten that her brother was not yet at the table...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~​

Just as she had hoped, her father remained reserved while her grandfather ordered a white to be uncorked..then the rose... He was sampling them much like marina had back at the vineyard a few days ago..only not flipping out crazy. But at every sample, it were evident he knew he were tasting supreme stock.
Marina's father just kept to the red, pouring a second partial glass himself. He didn't have to taste the other wines at this time, his father affirmed they were more than genuine...they were Alderaan's new finest.

"Welcome home, Mariya..." Duke Kylle raised his glass, genuinely honoring his guest like one of the family.
Marina's smile broadened and was only stopped when her ears got in the way. She understood what her father was meaning.

Home to Alderaani was not a place...but a feeling.

[member="Mariya Fleischer"]

 

[Mariya Fleischer]

Dinner was set for the house, with Mariya entering the dining area with her best friend. The two Dukes were present, accompanied by at least half a dozen servants and guards lining up the hallway. It was a typical scene for the nobility and her friend. She walked towards the chair and was about to pull out the seat when Marina's father stepped up to pull the seat out for her personally.

"Oh, thank you your Grace," she smiled and took a seat, wondering if there was something about the dining etiquette that she had missed out. Shouldn't the servants be the one holding the chair for her? The blonde had absolutely no idea how the whole thing worked, her attention taken by [member="Marina DeVoe"]'s vocal protest when her dad kissed her cheek.

"It's good to have a loving father..." Mariya grinned, tellling her friend that all was fine. Marina might be kicking up a fuss, but the blonde did not even have any family members to communicate with. She was happy for her friend though, enjoying the family warmth that was on display. Her eyes took notice of the silverware on the table and picked up a fork, noticing that the engraving indicated it to be made of a silver alloy. It was literally silverware at the finest.

The blonde was hungry by now, helping herself to a generous cut of marinated red meat while the servants poured out the dark red liquor from her own label. She took a sip to accompany her bite, nodding her head when the pairing felt seamless. The true test though, would be the taste buds of the two Dukes. Duke Onan was the first to declare that the wine tasted like their own vintage and thought the servants had gotta the wrong bottles. The constant tapping on her feet from Marina indicated her friend's anxiety, but Mariya was pretty excited as well to find out what the elder statemen would think.

By the time the wines were tasted, Duke Kyle was wishing Mariya welcome home. She smiled, looking at her friend who was beaming broadly, trying to figure out what the Duke meant. Welcome home... her homeworld was Nar Shaddaa, not Alderaan. But she would be more than happy to stay in this lush green planet.

"Thank you. I hope my wines are to your liking," Mariya offered a sincere thanks in appreciation to the DeVoe family. Speaking of family, there was at least one other person who was missing. Marina mentioned about her brother's ship docking at the landing pad, but there was no sign of any blonde noble around.

"Psssh... are you sure your brother is back home?" Mariya whispered softly at her friend who was sitting next to her.

 

[Marina DeVoe]

Funny how such a smile that rivaled sunshine itself, could suddenly be clouded...

"Huh?.." Marina's jaw dropped, realizing she brother had yet to show his presence at dinner.
It were unlike him to miss dinner as such, especially since he had been away for months. Marina had thought that it would be Jerrid's number one priority to have shown up knocking at her quarters, much less missing dinner.

While her father and grandfather took to re-sampling the wines, she gave a look about. Her questioning glance over to one of the servants got her a shrug as to her brother's whereabouts.

"Marina?... " her father's voice didn't ring a bell, as she turned to look behind her for signs of her brother.
"Ahem...Marina my love, you seem distracted..." he finally got her attention.
"Have you sampled these wines yourself?"

"The Soul Brother's and Sisters?" She asked, momentarily distracted.

"Lady Fleischer's wines...yes." Her father replied.

"Yes.
My God, yes...yes, of course.
I mean, aren't they the bomb?" She suddenly beamed, retouching on her bestie's wines.

"The what?..."

"Er... that's kind of an off world kind of slang for meaning the greatest...
Like, when I first sampled them...I was at first unbelieving..." She excitingly started explaining before her eyes met that of her friend's. In that flash of a second Mariya's focused orbs seemingly bopped her on her head..
What Marina read in those eyes were that she best not go there. It wouldn't be something Marina's father or grandfather would find amusing as to how Marina had behaved.

" ..er..right." Marina gave her a small thank-you smile before changing course in her story.
"...anywho, she treated me in sampling a few more... ahem.. caskets.
...and in all honestly, I would have thought that I was tapping into grandfather's reserves...
Not that I do... often, grandfather.."

"Hehe...no of course not, sunshine.." Her grandfather chuckled, helping his self to pouring another glass. The servant was about to do it for him, but the old Duke had one of the reds already in his hand, examining the bottle and label.

"Lady Fleischer... based on my daughter's account and of her expertise on being the House wine connoisseur...which of course can only be rivaled by that of her dear grandfather..." he looked over the old Duke who was now quite pleased as to the turn of events, leaning back on the ornate chair taking it all in. He did however acknowledge his son's statement on the fact.
"... perhaps if my dear lady could afford me some time to the possibility of a business proposition." Marina's father started to say when Marina broke in.

"Checkmate, father... I've already proposed to Mariya." She said, nearly jumping out of her chair.

"Is that so?.... heh..." He changed his demeanor, looking over to the old Duke.

"Kyle...she's meaning it in a business venture...not-" Her grandfather thought he should cue his son in on Marina's meaning.

"Please!...
I know what my daughter is meaning.
It just hadn't occurred to me as to my daughter's prowess in business opportunities." he replied to his elder father.

"Kyle..come now. If she has made arrangements already with lady-..er, beg forgiveness, the wine you see... I meant if Marina has already made a business arrangement with Mariya.." He kindly smiled to his guest.
" ..then there is no more to be said. Besides, when have we begun discussing business at the table?" Duke Onan completed.

"You're right, father... we don't discuss family business at the table. Besides, the matter's now closed..." Duke Kyle continued the exchange with the old Duke.

"HELLO?... " Marina interrupted.
"...daughter's still sitting here..." She reminded them, as it were like they were talking about her and her friend as if they weren't.
"Speaking of which...where's Jerrid?...didn't he like land here a hour ago?!"

"You...
You spotted him, from your quarters..." Her father more made a revelation than an assumption.

"Yea... and he was walking on two legs..." She looked over to Mariya, then back...indicative that she also had a witness.
"What's going on?" She adamantly demanded. Why wasn't her brother here at the table and why was her father suddenly seem to be surprised at her spotting him?