The Line Begins to Blur...

[Salem Ave]

Two weeks after A Fool's Ransom (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15416)...

“No tie today, Prime Minister?”

Salem Ave looked up at his reflection in the floor-length mirror, glancing to the figure stood behind it – a young, mousy man who was offering up for inspection a selection of neck-ties made from the finest Demicot and Dramassian silk.

“No. I'd thought I'd opt for something less formal. It is a casual lunch, not a business meeting, after all,” he replied, unbuttoning his shirt cuffs. It was a warm day outside, so he rolled his sleeves up to his elbows. “Is my reservation made?”

“Yes, sir... for two hours from now. I believe the host has purchased a selection of wines especially for your visit.”

Salem smiled, tight-lipped. The civilians were always eager to impress. He dismissed the manservant and left his chambers for the palace courtyard, in which he was due to meet his dinner guest.

[Razielle Alastor]

"No! It's all wrong." A pink skirt and a white peasant blouse went sailing towards Lira who was lucky enough to catch them.

She had been changing clothes for at least an hour and was still not happy. Yet another outfit was stripped off Razielle and thrown onto the stack of discarded choices that her maid was holding. The burden was growing quite heavy and the maid resigned them to a chair while she helped the Princess search for exactly what she wanted. Whatever it was..

Half naked and a bit breathless from all the changes, Razielle held up another gown. This one was sleeveless, secured around the neck by a silver choker and made of layers of sheer violet silk. It was perfect! She slid the soft material over her head and checked her image in the mirror, holding up her hair while Lira secured the choker. The dress had very little back to it, but Razielle was planning on leaving her hair down anyway so it hardly mattered that a fair bit of skin would be bared.

"Okay, I have to hurry or I'm going to be late." Sitting down and applying just a touch of makeup, Razielle tried to calm herself. The truth was, she wasn't entirely certain if this dinner was even real, or just another ploy to add substance to the charade that they had created. If the later was true, she wasn't really certain that she cared. She stood, afixing the back to a diamond earring.

"And I'm off.. "

Razielle made her way to the courtyard slowly, willing her heart to stop racing.

[Salem Ave]

To the passing observer, the courtyard appeared empty, save for one lone figure. The guards kept a covert vigil over the square, as the Prime Minister walked casually here and there. He came to a halt in front of a tall stone statue of one of the past rulers of Onderon: a bear of a man with a majestic countenance, who himself watched over the surrounding area with an eagle eye.

Salem glanced at his watch for a moment. He mulled over his plans for the afternoon, wondering as to whether the venture would be a success. If nothing else, it was a pleasant day and he was glad for the change of scenery.

[Razielle Alastor]

Taking a breath, Razielle rounded the last corner to see Salem standing before one of the statuary. Her lips immediately turned up in a smile as she walked forward quitely and stood beside him.

"He looks rather formidable, dosen't he?" She peeked sideways and smiled almost shyly.

[Salem Ave]

“He does. The Queen comes from a noble line, one we can take pride in.” Salem turned from the majesty of the historic king to that of the present princess and offered a disarming smile. “You look beautiful... as radiant as the twin stars of Kira.”

[Razielle Alastor]

Razielle was not immune to Salem even when he was withdrawn and aloof. She was definately at the risk of a swoon with him being charming. Fortunately she knew how to take a compliment well. Her smiled turned from shyness to pleasure.

"Thank you. You look quite fit yourself." The fresh air blew her unbound hair around and she laughed, tossing the lot out of her face.

"So where are we going..?"

[Salem Ave]

“For a stroll,” Salem replied. “Our table won't be ready for a little while and the fresh air will help us to work up our appetite.” He offered an arm out to Razielle. “Though I'm afraid we'll have to take a chaperon out into the city with us, as much as I'm sure it will pain you to do so.”

[Razielle Alastor]

Sliding her fingers around Salem's proffered arm, Razielle stepped close and let him lead on. For once she hadn't even bothered to scope out the location of the guards that she knew were always present. More importantly, she didn't care. She was far too interested in the man at her side.

"I doubt I'll be paying much attention to them today. I'm a bit preoccupied."

[Salem Ave]

They walked away from the fountain and towards the central gate.

“Is there something on your mind?” Salem asked, innocently.

[Razielle Alastor]

Grinning despite herself, Razielle moved even closer to Salem and nudged his arm with her own, leaning in to whisper. "I'll let you know later.."

Her eyes moved around the courtyard briefly, they had long since cleaned up the mess from the Mandalorian attack on the Queen. If that's even what it had been. Every piece of information that could have been taken note of, had been. The investigation was very thorough. However, the answers were still all wound up in a tangled mess. She had drawn her own conclusions, but it remained to be seen what the greater picture was.

Razielle spotted a couple of the house maids, stopped clear in their tracks and trying not to watch them, as they neared the gate. It was one thing to whisper about what they thought was going on, quite another to see it first hand.

"Well, we are drawing attention already.."

[Salem Ave]

The palace grounds were quiet. It was a day of relative rest for most of the hired help. The Queen was entertaining no guests, no dignitaries, so no formalities were required. The staff, who had worked together for many years, functioned almost like a family. It was only the palace guards who retained their stiff appearance, yet their eyes wandered too. Salem was pleased. The entire purpose of their dinner was to confirm the suspicions rife in the minds of so many.

As they reached the gates, the guards their gave their spears and shields a clunk in unison – a salute. Some broke away from their posts and moved to the side of their superiors, while the gate was slowly opened. Ave nodded to the leader of the small squadron of men acting as their escort, a soldier who had been his bodyguard on more than one occasion before. “Lucius,” he acknowledged the man personally and received a curt nod and 'yes sir' in return.

They walked out onto the sky ramp, the bank verged which lead down into the city proper.

“Where would you like to go?”

[Razielle Alastor]

Honestly she wasn't really sure. Princess Razielle had not been permitted to visit the city really, since her arrival. The few places that she had been were not suitable establishments for someone like her to visit. Her alternate identity on the other hand found them quite entertaining.

"Actually, I haven't really been to Iziz on a pleasure visit before. I'll trust you to show me any points of interest. It is a lovely day. I would hate to spend it in doors. What could we do outside?"

[Salem Ave]

“With the exception of the Palace, Onderon has relatively few... tourist attractions. Though I don't suppose you have seen much of Iziz proper, have you?” he asked, then added: “By day, at least.”

[Razielle Alastor]

"Not unless you would count the spaceport and the city wall as 'sights of Iziz'."

Razielle wasn't completely ignorant of the city however. Under the guise of familiarizing herself with her new home she spent a great deal of time researching Iziz. It wouldn't do for the Princess to be completely ignorant regarding her new home planet, so the library had been one of her haunts while she had been recovering from the wound to her shoulder. She had needed to know how to move about the city easily, and leave it if the need arose.

"One of the more frivolous local reporters for Iziz Fair had an interesting article about a synthetic waterway, with a riverwalk and park grounds. It was written up as number one in 'Most Romantic Spots in Iziz'. I should like very much to judge that myself.."

[Salem Ave]

“And what better place for us to be spotted.”

They began to walk and Salem off-handedly wondered whether the journalists were so lacking in newsworthy stories that they had to resort to filling their papers with such drivel as the 'Most Romantic Spots' in the city. The people of Iziz, as a whole, were not prone to romanticism, after all. They were a hardy lot. While their history might have had its moments of flair and drama, they had retained their sturdy nature and would much rather spend the afternoon taming a wild beast than taming a willful lover.

“It is some time since you came to live with us here on Onderon,” Salem observed.

“Do you feel as though you made the right choice in choosing your new home?”

[Razielle Alastor]

"It's a policy of mine to never regret anything I've done. One of those things drilled into me at an early age I'm afraid. Papa said 'Princesses do not make mistakes, they conduct themselves exactly as they mean to in all situations.' That is precisely the sort of drivel that caused my rather erratic behavior."

Razielle smiled. She may not always be the picture pefect Princess, but refusing to dwell on blunders or mistakes was a very liberating quality, on many levels. As for Iziz, she wouldn't be anywhere else right now. She was exactly where she wanted to be.

"I really had little choice, the arrangements had been made for me to reside as a ward of Onderon from the time I could toddle about. Yes, I could have broken them and set off on my own, but I think I've made the right choice. You might call it destiny. For better or worse, Onderon is home now."

[Salem Ave]

“Don't the formalities of life in the royal court ever bore you?”

The sky ramp afforded an excellent view of the city below. Salem cast an appraising eye over Iziz, alive with activity. Ships moved too and fro over head, bringing in supplies, the well-oiled cogs of the Onderon machine.

“You have enough charm and talent to make your own way in the galaxy, in whatever profession you chose fit.”

[Razielle Alastor]

She laughed outright at that. "Yes, I had always considered becoming the galaxies leading female vocalist.. Or was it an actress? I'll have to ask Her Majesty what it was I aspired to, as a child."

"Honestly? All the diplomatic training that I had to undergo over the years. Even if I wasn't determined to remain here, I would likely settle into something similar. It is just in my nature. Perhaps I'll petition the Queen for a political appointment of my own. It will keep me from having to entertain myself by causing anymore scandals, at any rate."

[Salem Ave]

Salem smiled a restrained sort of way that seemed to suggest he thought her suggestion was prudent.

“If it wasn't so unorthodox, I'd offer you a position beneath me.”

They paused at a turn in the ramp, and Salem watched as in the mid-distance two young men struggled to wrestle some 'tame' beasts into their cages. “In the government, that is,” he continued. “You'd make a good minister for something... culture, perhaps.”

[Razielle Alastor]

She smiled and dropped her gaze, shaking her head a bit. Razielle wondered if it was just her warped way of thinking or if Salem was deliberatly filling her head with imagery to make her blush on purpose. For the moment anyways she chose to ignore it.

"Definately a position to aspire to. Many possibilities."

Tucking her hair behind her ears, she straightened and nodded. "I am sure we can think of something suitable?"

[Salem Ave]

“I'm sure we can. After all, I wouldn't want you to become bored.”

Perhaps it seemed that Salem was exhibiting compassion, a desire to ensure Razielle's happiness. It was difficult to tell whether or not this was really the case. Ave was a man of many motivations and it was rarely clear, to anyone other than himself, why he chose a certain cause of action. Each word was carefully spoken, always, with a good deal of forethought put into its meaning.

“I think it's this way to the waterway” Salem indicated a path to the left, leading into busier area. As they walked people began to notice their presence. The armed guard surrounding them was enough to attract curious glances, but when the citizens of Iziz realized just who it was the men were guarding they became even more inquisitive. A young girl pointed excitedly at the couple, her face beaming with a smile.

“Yes, Nara, that is Princess Razielle. Doesn't she look lovely? Go on, give the Princess a wave.”

The girl waggled her hand in the air excitedly. Salem looked away.

“It seems you've earned some admirers.”

[Razielle Alastor]

Her eyes darted to the young girl waving excitedly. Under normal circumstances, Razielle made it a point to speak to as many people as she could. She was quickly becoming a favorite amoung the locals because she didn't cling to formality as much as she should. She stopped to converse with just about any one who wished to speak with her and almost always had a smile for those who didn't dare.

It really was a shame that it was all very calculated on her part. She played the fairy tale Princess so well, even she almost believed it sometimes. She wiggled her fingers in the air and managed a cheery grin before returning her attention to Salem. Indulging herself, Razielle trailed her fingers up Salem's arm a bit and settled them in what she deemed a more comfortable position.

"Oh, don't worry. I won't get bored, but it would a shame to waste my skills when I could be so usefull." Once more she wondered what exactly they were talking about. Either way, the statement held. She kept walking, dismissing the imagery from her mind.

[Salem Ave]

At a subtle gesture from Salem, the guards drew in more closely around their wards. “Your placement on Onderon really has worked wonders,” he said, though his eyes searched the crowd around him, seeming to linger on each face, offering it a pleasant yet restrained smile.

“Even I didn't foresee it being such a success.” Ave's own arrival had not been so happily heralded, with the people of Iziz taking many moons to warm to an offworlder. It appeared that all that was needed to win them over was a pair of doe-eyes, a few tears and some genial small talk now and then. “And here I thought I was the charming one,” he continued, his tone thoroughly sardonic. “It seems you could teach me a lesson or two on interpersonal relations.”

[Razielle Alastor]

"Hmm.. You are the charming one. I always said so."

She'd nearly forgotten about the presence of the guards until they began closing in. She suspected that they were nearing their destination. In such a public place all manner of attempts could be made. But then, they had just decided only recently where they were going. So who could have known, let alone planned anything? She shook off the paranoia and once more tried to ignore the guards. She wasn't going to let a bit of protection ruin her afternoon. It wasn't everday, afterall, that a girl got to stroll about on the arm of the Prime Minister.

"I'll would tell you the secret of my success, but it would cost you."

[Salem Ave]

“Is that so.”

The path dipped. From the verge they could see down beyond the avenue. The stalls that lined the road thinned up until the edge of the park, where they vanished entirely. Two stone pillars marked the entrance. Beyond them, Salem could just make out the bend of the waterway, visible only as a snaking line of light, reflected from the sun.

“And what is your price, Princess? I hope it's nothing too extravagant. I'm a man of limited means, after all.”

[Razielle Alastor]

She shot Salem a skeptical look. "I very highly doubt that 'limited' is an applicatory description, but I'll play along."

Razielle tapped a finger on her lips, as if the matter required great thought. "Are we negotiating? Alright then.. What's your offer?"

She twirled a lock of hair around her finger as they kept walking, eyeing him askance. Any one watching would assume that she was merely a blushing, smitten, young woman. It was a carefully crafted facade that had always worked for her. The pretty disguise she wore was a very apt camouflage for the much colder truth. Most everyone saw what they wanted to see, a charming bit of fluff with all glitter and no brains. She still sometimes wondered if Salem really saw through it. She hadn't completely let her guard down around him, yet. A lingering bit of defense, one that she would be glad to be rid of..

She shook off the mood once more and beamed a smile, awaiting his answer.

[Salem Ave]

“My offer?”Salem gave a light laugh. A young craftswoman, watching from afar, found herself smiling at how together they looked, at the ease with which the Prime Minister seemed to smile and laugh around his companion. “What is a man to offer a Princess? Surely a woman of your position has her every desire catered to.”

[Razielle Alastor]

"Not every desire, no sadly.." Something that could have passed for a smirk was there on her face, only a second before it was gone again. Razielle made sure to smile at at the vendor as they passed. She really needed to drag the Queen out for some shopping, there was only so much that one could order from a catalog..

"Alright, we'll made a deal. You let me tag along and learn more about the running of Onderon, from the political standpoint, and in turn I'll teach you all my dirty little secrets. You are mostly there.. just a bit of polish and you're man of the year. "

Razielle was really enjoying herself. Salem needed no such thing, he was already man of the year. The only reason she had won the people over so quickly was that they loved their Queen, fanatically at times. Razielle's arrival to Onderon as Adraudia's ward, along with her orphaned state, made her something of the Queen's little sister. She also made it a point to make each person she spoke to feel as if they had warranted special attention, but that was a trick that didn't need to be taught to Salem, she was sure..

[Salem Ave]

“You, on the other hand, have much to learn.” Salem smiled knowingly.

As they drew nearer to the park, he could hear animals calling in the distance.

“While we're on the subject of dirty little secrets,” he continued, his voice lowering somewhat, “have you had a chance to question the Queen on our good friend the General?”

[Razielle Alastor]

Her eyes shifted toward the not so subtle escort. Razielle didn't wish to say too much in their presence. She turned her attention to a rather splendid view of the waterway. Under the pretense of desiring a closer look, she tugged Salem along with her to the railed walkway. She leaned more affectionately to his side, dropping her own voice.

"She's rather closed mouthed on the subject. I don't think she is going to take any of the news well, not of the note, or the evidence from the attack. It is a bad situation. I do think we shall have to gain answers from another source." She considered for a moment. Personal feelings aside, she knew who might have the answers they were seeking. She didn't like it, but she would leave the decision to her Master.

"Perhaps you should question your friend Aylee. She seems to know him quite well, after all.."

[Salem Ave]

“Aylee and I have a very... specific relationship with one another. We take nothing from one another without giving in return, and I refuse to give her something else for nothing more than scraps of information on Dalamar's past,” Salem replied, dismissively. “I have more pressing issues to consider.”

[Razielle Alastor]

Despite her Master's apparent lack of concern over the whole situation, Razielle still did not feel at all certain that a plot wasn't being formed right around them. She wouldn't argue the point though, she was after all, the apprentice. Remaining alert was her best advantage at this point. Her Master would deal with anything, should it occur, she was certain. She was absolutely not going to let her her thoughts dwell on what couldn't be avoided, not today.

She turned around so that her back rested on the railing and she faced Salem, without moving further away, folding her arms over her chest. "Sounds like a perfect arrangement.. You could always just ask the General outright. He isn't required to know how you came by the information.."

[Salem Ave]

“I don't want him to suspect anything, not yet. The knowledge of his treason will prove a particularly weighty bargaining chip should I ever need to blackmail him.” Salem smiled, a genuine smile, and chuckled to himself, the hollow laugh of Callidus. “I'm sure he'll be pleased to know that I'll be taking the finest men from his personal guard away from him soon.”

[Razielle Alastor]

Her face lit up with a wicked grin. She almost pitied the General, almost. If the notion took Salem, he would be quite devastating to DeSang and his military career. "You are a sight when you are devious.. I rather think I like it."

Laughing, she figured they had better resume their walk soon. She tucked her arm back into his and toned down her evil grin for a more placid smile. "Ready?"

[Salem Ave]

Salem nodded, coolly glancing about him at the guard entourage and to a lesser extent at the landscape. They began to walk again, Salem allowing Razielle to lead him wherever she found herself pleased to. “I'm surprised you haven't asked why I wish to detain his men...”

[Razielle Alastor]

"You know, it didn't even occur to me to ask. It's not like you to not have a sound reason for such things, but okay I'll bite." She paused to beam another smile at passersby.

As soon as they had obtained their relative privacy once more, she resumed the conversation. "Why do you wish to detain his men, specifically the good ones?"

[Salem Ave]

“I'm taking them away with me - or rather, we are – on a little trip, of sorts,” Salem said with a small smile.

[Razielle Alastor]

Razielle turned quickly to search his face in question. "We?" She couldn't help it, she smiled.

She was sure it wasn't a pleasure trip, but it was a fact that hardly mattered to her. They had reached the waterway and were strolling now alongside the artificial bank. It really was quite nice and the day had a balmy breeze. There were even little water taxis bobbing along, that would take small groups to various stops here and there.

"Where are we going..?"

[Salem Ave]

“The interior region of the Hapes Cluster.”

Someone on one of the water taxi's gave a shout. Salem couldn't hear what they said, but offered a small wave none the less.

“I am going to secure us some friends in high places.”

[Razielle Alastor]

Hapes..? Salem clearly knew more than she did on any number of subjects, including this one. Of course, as a diplomat, her lessons had included a brief synopsis of very rudimentary knowledge of the Consortium and the Mists, but sadly there was not very much information to be had at all. The Hapans, it seemed, were completely satisfied with their seclusion and mystery.

"Oh..? Friends, within the Cluster? Correct me if I am wrong, but won't that be exceedingly difficult.. No wait, on second thought, you wouldn't have mentioned it if you didn't already have it worked out. How?"

[Salem Ave]

“It is improbable that they should welcome us, yes... but not impossible.” A duck bobbed along in the water beside them, its billed upturned, as if it were listening to the conversation. “The Hapan court, I should think, is like any other – not without its weaknesses, its faults. We must simply apply ourselves to these areas, and make ourselves of some use to the current monarch.”

[Razielle Alastor]

As usual, Razielle actually had to ponder if it was to be work or play. Traveling to a foreign court? Going somewhere with Salem? Discovering weakness and exploiting it? Of course she was keen on the idea! It sounded very rewarding.

"Sounds fun. Her Majesty, knows of this?" It wasn't really a question, she was simply inquiring as to the Queen's thoughts on the matter.

[Salem Ave]

“Not yet, although I will be approaching her with the idea very soon. I am sure that she will see it is in the best interests of Onderon to proceed as I have planned,” Salem said. There was a certainty to his voice, that said he knew without a doubt that the Queen would agree.

“Of course it would be out of the question for her majesty to leave the planet, so you, myself and a number of the Royal Guard will be the only representatives Onderon has to offer. Perhaps our meager number will work in our favor,” he added, with a cold chuckle.

[Razielle Alastor]

"Or perhaps we'll simply be eradicated.. Either way." Razielle made light of it, but what Salem was suggesting was a tad on the dangerous side. At least she would have time to brush up on what was known about the Hapans, before they left.

"So when do we get to eat..?" She smiled.

[Salem Ave]

“Eradicated?” Ave chuckled once again. “You underestimate Captain Tar and his men,” he joked.

As the conversation turned back to dinner, Salem was reminded as to the real reason he had met with Razielle today – or rather, the reason that the Princess believed was the catalyst of their meeting. She was still enamored with the idea that they might truly become lovers, someday; still intent on making their deception a reality. These thoughts in mind, Salem's expression hardened somewhat, though he smoothed the brief crease over with a smile.

“Eat? Now, if you like. The restaurant is awaiting our arrival at any time. They've cordoned off the entire upper-floor and veranda for you.”

[Razielle Alastor]

"All the better to attract attention, hmmm..?"

Razielle chuckled lightly and continued on, her smile belying her inner thoughts. She was nothing if not adept at hiding her true self. She had spent so long devoting her every waking thought to this man, she felt the change in his mood. It didn't take a mind reader to deduce the cause. Oh, to be sure, she had promised him no more of her unseemly advances. This dinner was his idea though, so he could just put up with her.

As to his previous words.. She did not lack faith in the fighting men of Onderon. She had seen them in action and knew them to be capable. Captain Tar had her trust, insofar as it could be given. She was not a trusting sort. But he had impressed her, the day that Mandalore had sauntered into the throne room like she had long owned it. His presence had stood out amoung the other guardsmen then, and the day of the attack on the Queen and Prime Minister. If he was to lead the men, they would have a good chance of it. Providing he could keep his men in line..

A single second of her true, volatile emotions showed. "I suppose we should get on with it then.." She realized she had revealed too much and forced the whimsical smile back onto her face.

"When you are ready, of course.."