Ask Queen of Hearts

[Emryc Thorne]

Three days had passed since Emryc had been shot down on his way to a diplomatic meeting with the FWA. His arm was in a cast, but he still managed to dress to please. He was adorned in a suit and tie, one of the sleeves rolled up to accommodate the cast. Hair was gelled as usual, though it certainly took him longer to do everything without the use of his dominant arm. He had his cologne on - a mix of earthy tones and patchouli. Several injuries didn’t mean that he would compromise on his appearance. Even with injuries, he was in a rather good mood thanks to a visit from a Firrerreo a day prior.

He had been sent a speeder to escort him and his bodyguard to the Naboo palace. The retired pirate was being treated to a life of luxury he had likely never known before. Emryc took it all in stride, sporting sunglasses and glancing down at a datapad as they made their way over.

Emryc glanced out the window, spotting various groups of protesters or gatherings here and there. News of him visiting the palace had been leaked somehow and it brought out even more voices calling for anti Jedi and anti Sith sentiments. Emryc ignored it all, focusing on the meeting ahead.

The speeder arrived before the palace courtyard, large gates poised up front. Someone opened the door for him and he stepped out, taking in sight of the massive buildings in the distance. Emryc thought back to his humble origins as a nobody on a space station. He thought of the odd jobs he did to scrape by for some credits. He thought of the spice he sold or smuggled. He thought of his job as a DJ. He thought of his job as a driver.

And here he stood, brought by personal invitation from the Queen of Naboo.

Emryc cast a sideways glance at Vrash, “What do you make of this?” He asked casually. The pirate proved to be pleasant and entertaining company so far. They would wait at the gates as the driver commed the people inside. Guards would need to come greet them to escort them in.

@Rhogar

 

[Queen Parnelli]

It was not usual to call upon private citizens of other worlds to Court but it was equally as unusual for said private citizen to be attacked blatantly on their way into the capital of her planet. Her advisors had assured her that they were doing everything in their power to make sure a repeat was all but impossible; something that did not reassure her in the slightest. It had been supposedly near impossible before and yet she had seen it happen on the holonet, live from her capital.

It was intolerable that such a thing had occurred while people had been actively seeking peace and diplomacy on her planet. The people of Naboo believed in democracy now more than ever and some had been taken by the sentiments supported by the citizen, the Mr Thorne.

Spoiler: Gardens

She would not receive him in the palace building itself but, rather, the palace gardens. A pair of her royal guards would escort both Mr Thorne and his Kaleesh bodyguard to the entrance to the gardens before allowing Thorne alone to enter the gardens, Vrash being held at the gate. The royal guard of Naboo had received several dozen upgrades since their last time of true crisis and they took their duties seriously - they would not allow them both to wander in on their own.

Of course there were guards scattered around the gardens both covertly and overtly but she had long learned to ignore their presence.

To Emilia, having a compliment of twelve armed guards both seen and unseen as she painted a scene from her garden was just a fact of life. The young man would find her standing at the terrace, an easel in front of her and a trio of small tables to her left. Her paints array closest to the easel before the drinks table and a small plate of sandwiches on the last table.

Rather than meeting Emyric Thorne, the survivor of such violence while under the protection of her people as the Queen of Naboo, stately and resplendent in her dress and full make up, she would meet him as a person. Still Queen, of course, but removed from the elegance and regality that so many were uncomfortable with.

It was something she was accustomed to; a calculated expression of compassion and understanding.

As Emryc would approach she would set her brush down and take in her painting for a moment before turning her attention to the pale young man with the elfin features.

"Mr Thorne I am so glad to see you have recovered enough to make the trip - I hope you don't mind but I changed the venue of our meeting slightly to the gardens. A peaceful atmosphere can do wonders for convalescence, wouldn't you agree?"

@Rhogar @Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc wasn’t surprised to find that he and Vrash were split up before he could progress further in. He was checked several times over for any weapons before he passed through. His face remained devoid of any irritation at the process and he silently complied before making his way in.

He expected his journey to take him to some gaudy meeting room, but instead he was led to the gardens. Silver eyes scanned and keenly picked up on every guard that was positioned - discreetly or otherwise. His face betrayed none of his thoughts on the matter and his gaze trained forward as he saw a shock of red hair. Emryc had only seen posters or Holo addresses from the Queen.

The half Sephi had removed his shades before he approached her, stashing them away in a pocket. He stepped towards her bowing his head in respect, “I am honored to be here, Your Majesty,” Emryc said as he stood straight once more. Silver eyes were as piercing as ever, a faint smile on his face. His gaze shifted just slightly to the easel for a moment.

“These gardens can certainly work their magic,” He turned to take in sight of all the flowers and hedges, “They have stood here unyielding to time and through rise and falls of so many reigns. There are memories and echoes of the past woven into each of these ancient trees. There are whispers of words meant never to be heard by young princesses that then became Queens,” There was fondness in his tone when he spoke, turning to look back at the Queen with a smile, “Something you have captured in your painting which is distinctly lacking any people.”

Emryc looked down at his cast before meeting her gaze, “I must apologize for the disruption I have caused. The platform I represent is very vocal about Force users, and that certainly has the propensity for inciting a lot of vocal opinions.”

 

[Vrashinal Karzinkaal]

Naboo was a beautiful world, a true farcry from his home of Kalee. A world full of opulence, likely built off of the backs of those less fortunate. He was riding in a luxury speeder with his most recent charge. His hands bore some burns from the blazing ship, but aside from that, he had escaped rather unscathed. Staff leaning against them as they flew, his reptilian eyes would scan their surroundings. "Quite the fanfare to make amends." He spoke, his voice laced with humor.

When they arrived at their destination, he would leave the speeder first, cloak covering the heavy armor he wore. They were before what looked to be the gardens and as they came to stop at the gate, Emryc would speak. "It would appear she wishes to charm you with her rose bushes." There was a grin as the old Pirate looked to Emryc.

The separation of the two didn't surprise him one bit, but it was a nuisance. Glancing at the guards, he'd go for a joke. "I suppose I'll need to wait my turn to pick some flowers." His grip on the staff tightened to accommodate the slight lean.

 

[Queen Parnelli]

Removing his sunglasses allowed Emilia to see his eyes and she was glad of it not for any fanciful reason such as the color of his eyes but rather for how much easier it was to read a person without lenses in the way. She had not made it to her position as Queen, a position she had to be elected to obtain, by being distracted by every attractive young thing to be put in front of her. No, she had obtained her position by being the best candidate for the job and making sure she had friends in the right places and enemies with only the illusion of real power to keep them complacent.

Some of which she had done through nothing more than watching for the lies spoken during a simple conversation.

He knew his manners very well, which was good. Something told her that Emryc Thorne was going to be sticking around longer than most people would assume, traveling in circles such as hers with some regularity. People who survived being shot down in their starship either tended to quickly, and quietly, fade into obscurity or they stepped up their efforts. Accelerated to burst through roadblocks rather than avoid them.

Admirable in some ways; foolish in others.

"Oh my, but Mr Thorne you do seem to have done your research on the palace gardens - some of it is even more inspiring. That oak in the distance to your left is even older still; it was transported from Batuu and it has survived so very well. Against all odds my gardeners tell me, in fact. Not quite the same sun... the difference in humidity... even the soil itself tried to reject it... and yet it endured and has now stood amongst the flowers of Naboo for over three centuries." she smiled a little bit, gesturing to the table with the waiting duo of teapots, "Would you like a cup of tea, Mr Thorne? Given your current predicament I shall allow you the amusing story of the time you had the Queen of Naboo pour your tea for you."

Something she had captured in her painting? She hummed, slightly amused, before frowning in apparent thought as she too looked at the painting, nodding slightly.

"Yes I feel as though that was an artistic decision... made by the artist my handmaiden bought it from last spring." she revealed, smiling brightly at Emryc with a hint of mischief in her eyes, "I'm afraid I'm an awful artist; but it does make for a good first impression does it not?"

Emilia did something that she doubted the young Mr Thorne expected however when he apologized; she laughed. A short laugh that she hid behind one of her hands but a laugh none the less and a true one at that. Forced laughter hit the ear wrong, like an instrument played while out of tune, but it would be clear from the sound alone that it was genuine.

"Mr Thorne you have nothing to apologize for, I can assure you!" she did her best to reassure him, "Giving the public a chance to speak their minds is only ever to be rewarded; heated though those words be. In fact I brought you here today to apologize to you - you were attacked while landing in my capital, on my planet and surrounded by my planet's defenses and security forces. If anything I feel as though I have failed you and the people you represent by not adding further security measures. Is there anything I can do to show the depth of the regret felt by the people of Naboo?"

The regret at his attack was real, it had been something she had felt in her gut as she watched it unfold.

-----​

The two royal guards didn't say anything to the Kaleesh for a moment, instead merely looking at him in silence. One of the guards had been the driver of the speeder they arrived in and his off-color remark had been noted. While not anywhere approaching a police state, the security forces of Naboo did not take kindly to insinuations about their Queen, nor crude remarks about her person.

Eventually one of the guards would speak.

"Please take five steps back from the gate please, sir." the guard ordered him firmly, "Your input will not be required today."

@Sreeya @Rhogar

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc followed her gaze as she told him the history of the oak and everything it had endured. He filed all of that information away as he often did, storing it for use another time. Emryc turned his head to point at a fountain, “Is it true that the young Queen Amidala once fell into that fountain when she wasn’t looking?” He turned to the Queen with a grin, “Or perhaps the truth is far more tedious.”

Which led directly into her admission of not having painted on the easel. Emryc quirked an eyebrow as he looked at the entire set up she had - complete with holding a brush, having paint out and all of it just for show. He grinned and it almost grew into a low chuckle, but he was still working on engineering those to appear natural. Even playing a role, he found the idea thoroughly entertaining.

“Nervous first impression,” Emryc admitted as he looked at the painting, “Because if I insult it, then it could be impolite. And yet if I compliment it too much, I could appear disingenuous. So I took the safer route,” He grinned, “Hopefully I adapted accordingly.”

Emryc walked over to sit down after accepting the offer of tea, “I will tell the story along with the one of how the Queen watched me awkwardly fumble with my non-dominant hand during our first meeting,” He said as he watched her pour the tea.

He heard her heartfelt apology and he knew she was genuine. People like her always were. Emryc took a sip from the tea, definitely taking his time with doing everything right handed, “Your Majesty, even the worlds at the heart of the Core failed to safeguard against attacks. Please do not let it trouble you a moment further,” He gazed into her eyes, lingering there, “You do not owe me anything, Your Majesty. I am humbled already by your mere company, and it speaks many times over to your devotion to your people and the happenings on your planet.”

Emryc's face broke into a smile, “But if you insist, I suppose I would be bold to ask what pass time interests you actually pursue,” His eyes flicked over to the easel and then back to her with amusement in his eyes.

 

[Vrashinal Karzinkaal]

The pirate would laugh at their demeanor and their tone. Toy soldiers, nothing more. Evidently, they had also missed Emryc's remark in the speeder or he too, would have been left outside the gate. And at the request he only smiled, while still complying, and taking a few steps back. "Tell me, is it efficiency that leads to the separation of two men? Or is it the limit of skill? Perhaps you can fetch me your security Captain so I can discuss effective methods of security for my new charge."

The old man was definitely having fun. "I suppose it would make sense to bar the man who saved Mr. Thorne's life after all, can't have it known it wasn't the Naboo emergency rescue teams. That would paint a poor picture." Reptillian eyes would flick to the garden as he looked for any sign of Emryc. Should anything go wrong, he knew the two slugs at the gate nor the gate itself would keep him from securing his charge.

@Sreeya

 

[Queen Parnelli]

Ah he truly had been paying attention to the history of the royalty of the Naboo if he was well versed enough to know that little anecdote. It was something that got brought up from time to time amongst those historians who revered the royals. Personally Emilia had never been a fan of much history – dusty old flimsi, barely functioning datastores and, typically, old men dustier and less functional that either – but she had always had time for embarrassing stories of Queens long past. There was something about hearing of their more human moments that made her feel the faintest connection to those long gone Queens.

“That one, at least as far as I know, is actually true.” She shared with a quick smile, “My tutors made sure to warn me about the dangers posed by fountains – apparently it’s something of an unofficial tradition.”

Death by fountain was not how she wanted to go – nor death from embarrassment from falling into said fountain in front of her handmaidens.

His grin was easy and smooth, giving her the impression that he didn’t hold her little ‘deception’ against her. As he went on to assess, the art was a tactical decision on her part. By all accounts, Emryc Thorne was fairly new to politics on both the macro and micro level; she was not. This had been her life since she had first been brought to the palace and, perhaps, even before that.

His original answer showed intelligence and a desire to impress her but not empty flattery – the comments had been fair and accurate for the level of painting that rested on the easel. That he had rolled with the punches, so to say?

Even better.

“I would say you handled yourself with grace, Mr Thorne.” She assured him with the same smile as before, a touch wider and more genuine than merely polite, “Do you have a preference as to tea?”

There was a wide selection of teas available in a small wooden box, though the Queen herself was more partial to the mint teas. In fact there was a very faint scent of something quite similar on the air between them that she rather enjoyed actually. He turned away her apology and offer deftly – which was just as well as it had been a carefully worded trap to ascertain what kind of relationship he wished to foster between the two of them.

Asking for trade with the planets he represented? He wished to use her planet and it’s wealth to drag himself higher.

Asking for military co-operation, innocently under his guidance? If that had been the request he would have been a fool but a militant one. A fool to be dealt with and not tolerated.

Instead he asked about her actual hobbies… a surprise to be sure but a welcome one. Either Mr Thorne was genuinely interested or he would show what he actually wanted at a later date. Both outcomes were preferable to either of the former.

“Mr Thorne we cannot afford to hold ourselves to the standards kept by others; we must strive to be greater than anyone we can be compared to… I could say that is a quote from some old Naboo philosophical politician but it’s just my own thoughts on the matter. Just because Coruscant cannot handle it’s security, is no excuse for mine to slip.” She reasoned before smiling just a touch wider as she gestured to the wall of the garden furthest from the entrance Emryc had come by, “My interests are in the fields rather than the gardens; I spent quite a lot of my free time shooting. It is a respectable tradition to be ‘warrior Queens’ after Amidala made it so fashionable. Do you shoot, Mr Thorne?”

---

The guards who had driven the speeder had heard Vrash’s comment about their Queen but they had not heard a comment from Emryc as no such comment had been made. If the Kaleesh decided to bring this up he would find himself potentially being detained on the grounds of mental instability; hearing voices of people who hadn’t said a word was not a reassuring sign.

His belligerence was noted however though not verbally by the two members of the guard in front of him but by the team on the surveillance desk who allocated a spotter/sniper team already atop the palace roof to keep Vrash in their sights. Though he was complying with their orders, his laughter in the face of their authority and outright defiance was being noted.

“It is against protocol and good sense to bring a suspected pirate to meet the Queen.” One of the two guards in front of the gate answered in a clipped tone that told Vrash his delusions of importance were not appreciated, “Your presence is tolerated because of the word of Mr Thorne. Do not test the limits of the Queen’s goodwill.”

It was the height of foolishness for the Royal Guard to allow people to meet the Queen without as thorough a background check as could be done given the time. Emryc Thorne had come up clean, as expected, but Vrash was a very obvious match for a known pirate. As in a known pirate who had raided for literal decades – the Kaleesh hadn’t changed his look enough to avoid the parallels being drawn.

If he stepped to them again, the Guards had been instructed to end the meeting. If he became aggressive he would be pre-emptively stunned and the meeting ended.

@Sreeya @Rhogar

 

[Vrashinal Karzinkaal]

"A suspected pirate? Oh gods above. Must be the whole Kaleesh thing, being a dangerous reptile and all." eyes still scanning the garden, a glint perched atop the Palace would catch his eye and he would look directly to the source and offer a wave. "I wonder what kind of rifle he's using." the Kaleesh mused. "Personally, I prefer the cycler, a weapon from my homeland. Probably much older and more archaic than you gentlemen have seen."

He was still armed with the lig sword and rifle in question, though he had left the latter with the guard that remained with the speeder as a sign of goodwill. If he couldn't go in, he would make small talk. He would even look along the gate to see if there were other views of the garden. Now that he knew what the security was for, he could plan accordingly. The Sith weren't known for letting failed attacks go unchecked. "Humor me, if you will. What have you done to prepare against the Sith? As my charge is out from under my care, I need to have full faith in the defense you currently have prepared." Maintaining the distance from the gate, he'd begin to pace to the right, expecting at least one of the guards to tail him.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc knew she was assessing everything he said, the way he looked at her, the way he sat. It was the same thing he did to others, and it didn’t faze him a single bit. He was calculated in his approach, but not so much that he had to overthink anything. He took in data, parsed it, analyzed it and the outputs were tiny and subtle adjustments and calibrations he made in his presentation. He was methodical by nature, one of the primary reasons he adapted to situations and also what made him especially dangerous.

He flashed a sheepish smile as she asked his preference for tea, “I’m afraid my tastes aren’t too interesting. Black tea, cream and no sugar,” He said. Tea was one of the few beverages he could partake in. He normally avoided caf or sodas, though he did occasionally enjoy wines and whiskeys.

He heard her as she touched on not wanting to compare to how the FWA operated. Emryc nodded at her words, offering a small smile. It was the perfect segue to introduce the ISC, but he would hold off for now. He knew how to do this dance, and she wasn’t ready for him to spin her just yet.

“Hunting or competitive shooting?” Emryc asked matter of factly. He purposely did not display a tone of surprise or admiration at her choosing a hobby that was rather unusual for a Queen. He knew she was likely used to the constant surprise and shock at doing something other than flower arranging or poetry reading as hobbies despite it being a respectable tradition. Very few Queens actually followed through in the past, “I’m a rather poor shot, I’ll admit,” He said with a grin, “I will attempt anything once, but I do prefer variations of fencing personally,” It wasn’t entirely a lie - he had drawn from the art for his saber training.

Emryc heard some movement, shifting his gaze to observe a few extra guards making their way over to the front gates where Vrash was. He silently hoped the pirate wasn’t causing a scene before he turned back to regard the Queen, “Do you travel from Naboo often outside of diplomatic visits?”

 

[Queen Parnelli]

Emryc Thorne was less of an attention-seeker than his opponents would have everyone believe - she would take great delight in shoving this meeting in the face of her Minister of Finance who was rather vocal during their meetings about him. The elderly gentleman called Emryc a dangerous radical who wasn't half as clever as he thought he was. For that to be true, so far, Emryc would have to have thought himself a genius for he was rather intelligent, a cunning behind those eyes she was sure.

"Something as plain as Black Tea? My my I really must have my handmaidens stop reading the dirt shirts - they assured me you might ask for something more alcoholic." she joked as she poured his tea for him, setting the cup and saucer close to his non-injured side for ease, "Tea ceremonies were never my forte so excuse me if I forget some of the intricacies."

Her tutors always had said she neglected the niceties for the realities of politics. They said it was a shame; she said it was prudent. There had been bait dangled and he had chosen to go for the one she had least expected; the personal rather than the political. Strange that a man spoken of as a political animal seemed so eager to focus on pastime pursuits.

Emilia's smile took on a slightly wicked edge to it and the mischief returned to her eyes.

"Why not both?" she challenged with a delighted little laugh, "My range is beyond that wall - for hunting I use a dart rifle and grounds outside the city. Fencing... hmm yes..."

She eyed his body for the first time during the conversation, noting his broad build and firmly set shoulders. Legs and armed akin to the trunks of nearby trees but with an undeniable grace. Academically she could say he was attractive in the conventional sense as well but neither her gaze or her intent was sexual in nature.

"Yes I think I can see it a little. You're rather light on your feet for someone your size, aren't you? Quick to turn... devastating when you do." she shook her head slightly, "Forgive me my observations Mr Thorne. I'm afraid I seldom get much chance between charitable visits and state visits. Why? Have recommendations for my next official holiday?"

---​

The species card was not unknown to the Royal Guard but it equally was very ineffective. Attempting to make someone uncomfortable to avoid the question was a basic tactic and one noted by the guards and their superiors listening in through the devices hidden on the armor of the two guards out front.

When Vrash waved at the roof, the guard glanced behind him and look up before turning back to the Kaleesh.

"Please stop waving at the solar panels."

The sniper team was, in fact, positioned quite a bit further to the left and were both camouflaged and prone. Seeing them without advanced scopes was, quite literally, not possible for the Kaleesh. So while the guards both knew there was sniper attention on Vrash, he would not be able to locate it until a shot was fired.

Not because he just so happened to look at the roof completely without any cause.

The pair of guards shared an incredulous look at the sheer lack of security the Kaleesh must think the Royal Naboo Guard engaged in. It was the guard who had spoken before who replied.

"No, we have humored you enough. You are officially recognized as a bodyguard of convenience for Mr Thorne. You are not cleared for information on parking maid duties, let alone the security of the royal palace." the Royal guardsman was becoming exasperated at this point, "Unless you have something relevant to your station to say; remain silent."

@Sreeya @Rhogar

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc grinned at the comment about the handmaiden, “I wouldn’t count her out just yet. I do enjoy a good whiskey,” He admitted. It was always jarring to him how different of a ‘job’ this was than his usual missions from the station. He often had to engage in combat and violence, but here he was sharing tea with the Queen of Naboo.

He didn’t miss her surveying him, and he largely ignored it, focusing on the tea. Emryc allowed her the chance to appraise him however she pleased without putting her on the spot with direct eye contact. That she took the time to remark on how she expected he moved was curious to him. It certainly drew his attention to where he met her gaze again. Silver eyes stared intently into hers briefly before he spoke.

“Well I certainly hope I’m the same with politics,” Emryc gave her a smile, sipping from his tea. He wasn’t entirely surprised to hear she didn’t travel too much outside of work.

“I’m not sure your advisors would support my suggestions,” He said with a soft chuckle. It was a natural chuckle, entirely convincing. He was proud of himself for that one, “Tatooine is known as a hub of crime and poverty. However, if you travel away from the cities, there are endless dunes of sand and canyons. Camping out there reveals a sky so brightly dotted with stars, sometimes you forget it’s night. And seeing the twin suns rise in the morning against an abstraction of pink and gold is unforgettable,” Emryc stared off into the distance before glancing back at the Queen with amusement, “But you may have to smudge up your face a bit to fit in with the locals.”

 

[Queen Parnelli]

So there were some things that the gossip rags got right were there? Emilia put even odds on it just being a stroke of luck and some wild, mass, guessing on their part but she was glad of the information. She didn't know when it might come in handy but she could safely say it might be something she could use. Perhaps if their next meeting was in a social gathering? Ah but that getting a little bit ahead of herself.

Mr Thorne needed to make sure he would still be a relevant party by the time the next parties started amongst the nobility and politicians. She was willing to bet however, based on their short time together, that she would be seeing the young man again. The thought was not as loathsome as it might have been before their meeting in her gardens.

"Have no worries about that - your skills are sharp as any sword in that regard it seems." she complimented him with a touch of sincerity thrown in there for good measure, "If your rise is anything like my own, you'll soon grow weary of those older than you, those in the Game longer, who try to act as thought being political stagnant for three decades means they know more than you."

She enjoyed putting them in their place when she showed them that just because she was young, it didn't mean she was a fool. Though Emryc's suggested holiday destination seemed foolish on the surface... but part of her felt as though it was anything but. The way he described it allowed her to almost picture it and she allowed her mind to wander, her imagination catching hold of his words.

A small smile formed, completely devoid of the political mask she so often wore. Emilia didn't even realize she was smiling as she lost herself, momentarily, in the idea of it all.

"It sounds beautiful... sometimes I forget that there's beauty in everything, even things that some would consider dangerous." she mused, pulling herself together with a very slight flush to her cheeks at spacing out even for a few seconds, "Ah yes well... I'm afraid white jumpsuits are mandatory when visiting other planets. Amidala tradition, you understand."

@Sreeya @Rhogar

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc offered a grin as she complimented his skills in politics. She was genuine, and it was clear she didn’t throw out compliments willy nilly. She knew who she was and she didn’t need to change for anyone. Emryc admired that in others - many politicians he met appeared entirely focused on people pleasing. He found himself agreeing with her assessment of growing weary of older politicians.

What he hadn’t expected, however, was the impact of his suggestion of Tatooine. He saw the smile, and it caught him slightly off guard. His eyes widened just a little bit, and then he saw her blush. That did bring a grin, and he didn’t hide that he had caught it. Her face lit up in a way it hadn’t before, a rare glimpse into the true woman behind the poised formality. He decided he liked that look - though it may have been because that polite, regal and coy flush reminded him of someone he had grown quite fond of. Regardless, it drew out a smile from him that looked far more genuine than would normally be there.

“Of course,” He said matter of factly, raising the cup to his lips and giving her a playful look, “Wouldn’t want to be too adventurous, after all.”

Emryc set the cup down, “Part of my efforts include bringing in a new industry on Tatooine. I’m hoping to create new jobs and finally break the age old tradition and image the planet has as a crime hub. It’ll be an uphill battle, but then so is trying to unite independent systems into a consortium. But then..” He flashed her another grin, “Nothing worth fighting for is ever simple. I hope to one day make it so you can present there in your white jumpsuit without any concerns."

 

[Queen Parnelli]

She wasn't sure if he had caught the fact that she had let her guard down until she glanced at him over the rim of her teacup as she went to take a dainty sip. Unfortunately there was no mistaking the slightly roguish grin that he sported even if it was there and gone in a flash - he had seen it. What he thought about it she was uncertain. People tended to try and take her less seriously when they were reminded of the fact that she was barely in her twenties, and acting like an enamored teenager was one way to go about reminding them.

Damnation, she was going to have to try and make sure that she didn't let it slip... unless she could confirm that he had liked what he had seen. That was a powerful thing to know in the subtle art of political conversation. Still, she couldn't help the smile that came without her meaning to.

"Adventures are not just for dashing rogues you know, Mr Thorne." she replied with an elegantly raised brow, "Queens usually feature quite prominently in them."

In roles she quite detested the stereotype of but still.

When it came to talking business, politics, again she almost missed it for a second. It seemed like a natural continuation of their conversation about Tatooine but it had extra layers of meaning. Worse still... it had opportunities and she could ill-afford to ignore them simply because someone else brought them up first.

Naboo wasn't too far from Tatooine on a Galactic scale and was positioned between the dusty planet and some quite lucrative markets. She took another sip of her tea to feign only mild interest.

"The trouble with Tatooine is that it lacks an abundance of natural resources and a wealth of hostile lifeforms - something that the Mining Guilds found only after sinking large amounts of credits into. What might you know of that could bring such jobs to the people of Tatooine?" she asked with another smile as she stirred her tea, making sure to dip her head slightly before looking up at him slightly through her eyelashes, "Careful Mr Thorne... I may just have to ask you to escort me there in my white jumpsuit if you continue this way."

A little flirting was never a bad thing, not when it was to gauge his reaction. It didn't hurt that he was hardly displeasing but, at this point, it was still mostly a tool. Mostly - he was attractive in a rather buff way.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc offered another grin at her raised eyebrow and critical response to adventures, “I mean no offense,” He said, raising his hands up in mock defeat, “And if you’re as good of a shot as I believe you are, I believe you’d put your guards to shame,” A soft chuckle followed as he glanced over at one of those guards that looked far less than pleased. Queen Amidala’s exploits were well known by now, but again, very few Queens since had been anywhere near as adventurous.

He heard her out as she expressed skepticism about Tatooine. It wasn’t new to him - the planet had been stuck in the same state this long for that very reason. There was plenty of reason to be skeptical. Emryc was slightly distracted by the suggestion of accompanying him, and he didn’t miss the playful gaze in her eyes. He only smiled in turn, choosing his words carefully.

“Conventional moisture farming draws vapors from the air,” Emryc explained, “Vaporators, as you know, harvest from excess atmospheric humidity. However, over millennia, the sandstone veins that run beneath the planet have had water suspended and collected within them. This is evidenced from the mists that were observed and studied by geologists over time,” Emryc had done an extensive bit of research before he even thought to broach the topic, “My plan is to work with Blackwell and bring in the means to safely drill and tap into these reserves to extract the water and other minerals there. This would not only potentially introduce a new mining operation, but also a new industry warranting supply chain logistics and administrative support,” Emryc smiled again, “And subsequently lots of new jobs.”

The plan had quite a bit of study and analysis done to support it. He was quite determined to gain the support of the planet fair and square. Emryc took another sip from his tea, glancing at the Queen, “I would love for you to accompany me so I can show you the plans. It may very well be history in the making.”

 

[Queen Parnelli]

Emilia wasn't going to deign to comment on her own shooting abilities (it was uncouth to brag even about well known skills after all) but when she caught a glance of the look on the guard's face she couldn't help herself. With a hand covering her mouth, she laughed a little bit at the guard's put out expression. She playfully swatted at Emryc's shoulder with her other hand.

"Stop it now Mr Thorne... they'll start thinking you'll make an Amidala out of me yet."

Yes it was something of a cursed name amongst the guards, simultaneously respected, feared and dreaded all at the same time. It was impressive but she could practically feel the lecture growing from her head of the guard. As though she was going to go running off into the Galaxy with some Jedi Knight.

Blackwell?

He had done an awful lot of research on the subject she could tell and he presented it well. But something about the name stuck in her mind and she covered for her thinking on it for a moment by taking another sip of tea. It came to her slowly why she recognised the name though.

"... the weapons company, Blackwell Technologies?" she asked with genuine surprise, "To my knowledge they make weapons and security droids - I don't suppose their proposed method of accessing the water involves high explosives does it?"

She wasn't being difficult - she had genuinely never heard of Blackwell Technologies branching out into mining or anything similar. They were a fairly famous weapons, armor and security company but this seemed out of scope for them from what she knew of them. She was curious as to how Emryc seemed to know they would be up for the task considering.

Though she did catch his glance and his offer to join him to show her the plans... that could work better. She smiled again.

"Why Mr Thorne I'd say you're looking to make an Amidala of me yet... but I am a student of history. When would you be looking to make this history?"

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc could tell the Queen was warming up to him. He couldn’t help but note that she was surprisingly easy to talk to, and he didn’t have to put as much effort into actually holding a conversation. Faking the entire setup with the painting had broken the ice in many ways he hadn’t expected. Emryc finished up his tea, glancing down at the snacks on the table. They all appeared far too sugary for his tastes, and he left them be.

He grinned at the implications the name Amidala had, his gaze shifting to the guards and then back to her. It was clear that the name was associated with brash behavior, and he could tell the Queen’s personality clashed with how she had been advised to behave.

Her comments about Blackwell weren’t surprising - most people knew them by their weapons and defense branches, “Blackwell has a cutting edge research and dev branch that explores new capabilities. I partnered with them for my efforts on Thyferra to produce a better refined bacta at a lower cost. We had found impurities in the product from when Zaltin and Xucphra corporations bloated the market. Not only did they dilute the product, but they cut in a massive profit margin. I brought in the companies to audit them and-” Emryc began to chuckle softly, “I apologize, I’m going off on a tangent,” He said, casually revealing a bit more of his actual people serving efforts elsewhere in the galaxy.

The grin stayed on as she displayed interest in being a part of history. The guards shifted uncomfortably at her words. Emryc ignored them, his gaze locked with the Queen’s, “Two weeks from now, Your Majesty. There would be no greater honor than to have you join me.”

 

[Queen Parnelli]

Emilia caught the look Emryc gave her guards when she mentioned the name Amidala and he was right to do so - the ancient Queen had gotten into so much mischief. The royal guard had actually be increased in numbers and in quality since Amidala precisely because she had been such a tear away. Half of the 'adventures' she got into wouldn't have happened if she had some good, competant, guardsmen and women around to actually keep her safe.

Certainly wouldn't have let her get involved in the whole Jedi... mess. Even history was unclear about just how involve she had been but it had definitely been enough that she ended up dead from it - which put it at 'far too involved' as far as Emilia was concerned. Thank the Gods she wasn't ever going to end up hooking up with some flyboy Force User unless they tricked her; and everyone knew that Force Users were about as subtle as a star-fighter to the face.

Emryc spoke and revealed several things about himself that she was sure he didn't mean to. Some of them, certainly, but she was beginning to think there were others that had actually been let slip. He revealed he was a shrewd businessman with a continued agenda to helping people throughout the Galaxy... and that the efforts on Tatooine might very well be lining his pockets as well. Which was absolutely perfectly fine.

She was not some naive young girl who believed that good deeds were their own reward - good deeds didn't fuel the ship or feed the crew. There was honestly, as she saw it, nothing wrong with profiting from helping others so long as profit never became the sole motivation.

"My business knowledge is still developing but I assure you, the tangent was not unwelcome." she assured him with a smile, "I rather enjoy hearing of your exploits Mr Thorne; talking about yourself seems to be something you don't often do."

Business between companies and corporations was not a strong suit of hers - every lesson she had ever learned on business was on the macro level. She had learned so as to stay informed in the business of her planet as a whole to keep her advisors honest. What Emryc was talking about wasn't beyond her but it was in a different direction to most of her learning.

"Two weeks?" she smiled a little wider, "Mr Thorne you do work quickly. Hmm very well, please leave the details with one of my guardsmen, itinerary, locations, who we shall be meeting and the like. They like to try and stay ahead of things."

And one of the things they wanted to stay ahead of was any chance of their Queen disappearing into the desert for any period of time without them. She did find their dedication a tad stifling at times.

@Sreeya