2008-04-16 - A Bounty and an Offer

Coruscant: The Hotel Gendaryll - Third Floor Hallway
This long hallway describes a gentle semi-circle through half of the interior of the great hotel's dome. Carpeted in plush crimson, the hallway itself is constructed of a glimmering gold durasteel, and graceful arches rib its interior where cheery yellow lights hang from above.
The outside wall of the hall is interrupted regularly with pairs of double sliding doors, each a dark brown and etched with a number, while the inside wall opens onto a number of open repulsorlift shafts.
Outside the room, a group of ten armed Alderaanians guard the door to room 303. These guys look pretty relaxed. This is Coruscant after all. But they still take their job seriously. Two of them block the door completely with their bodies while the others mill around in the corridor.
Serenella emerges from her room in a short silk dress, buttoned up to the neck and reaching down halfway to her thighs. Her hair is done up in a tight bun, only a few strands escaping and falling alongside her face. Yet all the make up in her face can't hide the fact that she's tired and looks worried. She approaches the guards and attempts to knock at the door. "I need to see the king!", she explains and smiles, "He knows me. And we're practically neighbours. Can you please let me in?"
The expats look at Serenella and exchange glances that are clearly meant to convey a single word: harmless. One of the men standing in front of the door pulls out a comlink and talks into it. "Your Majesty, Serenella is here .... of course Your Majesty." Replacing the comlink, he looks down at the young woman and nods. "His Majesty will see you. Go right in." The guards stand aside.
Coruscant: The Hotel Gendaryll - Suite 303
This lavish suite is constructed in the shape of a tall dome, the pinnacle of which twinkles with the light of an amber-tinted chandelier. The coloring of this room is more subdued than the rest of the public areas of the hotel: the walls the arch overhead to merge with the ceiling are a rich dark tan, and the material they are constructed from is not reflective. The floors have been carpeted with a red so dark that it is almost black, and the fabric is almost downy in its softness.
The room is well furnished, with a large four-post bed and couch of dark brown, both cushioned to match the walls. A large bathing room stands off the main room, and an open Holo Communications transmitter and reciever has a room of its own as well.
On one side of the room a pair of brown doors lead back into the hotel, while the other side sports an open balcony finished all in silver. From here, one can look west to Jossan Thoroughfare or across the glittering spires of Coruscant's well-to-do neighborhoods and the languid air traffic that flows between them.
Serenella enters the room and looks around, tugging her dress down and brushing a stray strand of hair back as if to hide her nervousness. "Your Majesty? I need to talk to you! I need your help!", she calls out, waiting for him to appear from somewhere.
Bail is sitting on the floor with an array of datapads spread out in front of him. As the door opens and Serenella comes in, the King gets to his feet. Formality is thrust aside at the young woman's apparent distress. Coming forward, Bail grasps her upperarms and looks at her with regal concern. "Miss Jordain, of ccurse I'm at your service. What is wrong?"
"Oh, Your Majesty!", Serenella sighs and since he's holding her anyway, flops against his royal chest, burying her face. "I... I know you have enough on your mind with the war and all, but I'm kinda hoping that you might be able to help me... with all your guards on the floor... some sick bastard placed a bounty on my head! I'm scared!"
Bail frowns, the concern on his face immedialy intensifying. Looking down at Serenella pressed against his chest, he holds her a moment and pets her hair. Hoping she's settled down for the moment, the King leads her to the bed and sits her down on the end of it. Getting a datapad off the floor, Bail joins Serenella a moment later. "Let me have a look. While I do, why don't you tell me your side of the story?"
===========================[ STAR WARS: Dark Horizons MUSH - Bulletin Boards ]Message: 11/76Serenella and Artemis------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Glorious and Supreme Boss Aldog has issued the following bounties.
Serenella Jordain 15,000 credits DEAD
Artemis Phin 15,000 credits DEAD.
Proof of execution required.[ IC Bounties and Death Marks ]===============================================
Serenella sighs deeply. "I'm not sure what happened... I had a chat with this guy, Mr Aldog, who owns a club on Sullust and wanted me to work for him. He seemed a bit fishy and Sullust was not the kind of planet where I wanted to work in the long run, so I told him, I'd do one concert for him and see how the response would be... He asked to see me and my agent again now and since I was busy, my agent went on his own... Mr Aldog insisted I worked for him permanently and that he paid me 4000 credits... which isn't true to begin with, he paid me only 1000. Anyway, Mr Phin, my agent, even offered to pay the 4000 credits back and said I'd definitely do the concert on Sullust... but Mr Aldog just went crazy, threw him out and placed a bounty on both of us. Didn't even give me a chance to talk to him myself... I don't know why he'd do such a crazy thing... but I'm scared... I need every help I can get to... to stop this man." She buries her face in her hands, sighs and sniffs, trying to fight back tears.
Sitting next to Serenella, Bail puts his arm around her and pulls her close. "Miss Jordian, do not despair. You are quite safe here. Long enough for me to get this misunderstanding straightened out. I've had dealings with Captain Dogma before. He can be dealt with. Now please, do not cry."
Serenella curls up against him, glad for a strong arm around her, even if they are royal arms that don't really belong there. "C...Captain Dogma?", she asks, sniffing and swallowing, "Thank you though, Your Majesty, your support means a lot to me..."
Bail nods while he attempts to convince himself the situation is harmless and the serverity of the moment permits such close contact with Serenella. "Until this matter is resolved, you will stay here, of course. The Alderaanians outside will keep any troublemakers away. And ... I will not be around much in the coming days."
"Oh, you aren't?", Serenella asks, looking a bit disappointed, though she tries to gloss it over with a smile. "Still, I appreciate the offer of course. I feel much safer if I know the Alderaanian guards look out for any bounty hunters and trouble makers... I... I won't leave the hotel until I hear that that man is caught. I really don't dare to do the concert right now, please forgive me, Your Majesty." She looks up from his chest to meet his eyes, pleading.
Bail looks down at the young face, smiles and nods. "There is nothing to forgive. This threat to your life is paramount and I would not even think of pressing you to go ahead with your concert." Bail's eyes meet Serenella's.
Serenella holds his gaze and smiles warmly at the man. "Thank you, Your Majesty... you're very kind... I... I've never met anyone like you before. Royal I mean. Or even noble. I thought you'd be... not so nice.", she struggles to somehow finish the sentence without putting her foot into her mouth... too much. "You're very nice indeed.", she repeats and rests her head at his shoulder again to seek warmth and comfort.
Bail squeezes Serenella close with the arm around her. Looking up and out the windows to the city beyond, he answers formally. "We are a king. Our station commands the loyalty of so many beings. Not just on Alderaan, but throughout the Galaxy. In return, we must be loyal to those who are loyal to us. And even to those who are not. It is what makes us noble."
Serenella smiles at the man and turns her head to follow his look out of the window. "I admit I've never been to your planet, so I don't know it really, but it seems like a nice place. Must be, with such a nice ruler. I never thought I'd meet a king... much less sit here with one on his bed.", she grins, her spirits lifting as she feels safe again.
"His bed?" Bail comes to his senses and smiles broadly. "The Galaxy's current state of affairs does make for strange bedfellows, that is certain. If not for the Clones, I doubt I would ever have had the pleasure of meeting you, Miss Jordain."
Serenella chuckles softly and runs a hand over his arm casually. "We're hardly bedfellows, Your Majesty.", she points out, "I would never presume that royality like you would ever lay his eyes upon a girl like me. I'm nobody... a little nobody from nowhere in the Outer Rim..." She sighs deeply and shakes her head, "I don't even know why someone would bother placing a bounty on me..."
"Miss Jordain, never underestimate yourself. I believe I told you during our last meeting I think you are capable of much more than your present occupation? You are young with a wonderful future ahead of you." His arm tightening, Bail draws Serenella close and he places his cheek on her head. "Royality is much more than the station to which you were born. Anyone can be born to power and wealth. It is actions that makes one truly a King."
"You are too kind, Your Majesty...", Serenella smiles and leans into him, "I... I also thought I'd come to Coruscant to start my own business, become a successful businesswoman... instead I end up hiding in a hotel suite with a bounty on my head..." She smirks wryly and gives his arm a soft squeeze. "Though it's not too bad here actually... with such company..."
"Indeed. Miss Jordain, you've had a busy day so far. Why don't you lie down and get some rest while I begin to sort out how I will deal with Captain Dogma and the bounty he has posted on you." Bail looks down at Serenella and nods encouragingly.
Serenella hmms to that. "I suppose I could return to my room to lay down.", she agrees reluctantly and looks into his eyes, "Though I wouldn't mind staying here either... if you keep me company."
"Please, make yourself comfortable here. This is a safe place, for both of us. If you need anything of your own, I will send someone for it." The King stands at the end of the bed and turns to face Serenella. "I will be right here if you need anything."
Serenella nods and gives him a long look that should tell him what she really wants, but hey he's a king so she isn't going to push the issue. "Of course, Your Majesty, thank you very much... Do you... er... mind, if I take my dress off to lay down?"
Bail does not miss the look Serenella gives him. He looks away and clears his throat. But her question brings his eyes back and he sighs. "I am a married man and a King. You are completely safe with me. Make yourself comfortable however you wish, of course." Despite the statement, Bail's eyes linger.
Serenella nods, not sure whether to be relieved or disappointed. But since he declared she is safe, she simply unzips the silk dress on the side and slowly lets it drop to her feet, revealing lacy creme-colored underwear. She can't help being Serenella, so she looks up at the king and winks at him, before stepping out of the crumpled dress on the floor and pull the bedsheets back.
The King watches Serenella, closely, up to until then and then turns his back. Perhaps she can hear his deep breathing as he crosses the room towards the holocom, datapad in hand. Still not looking, Bail says, "I will send a holomail to Captain Dogma immediately, requesting a meeting with him or some other form of real time communication. Where is your agent, Miss Jordain? Does he need protection as well?"
Serenella crawls into the large bed and stretches out with a happy sigh. "Hmmm, kings sleep in lovely beds.", she declares, leaving herself uncovered till the waist despite the fact that she only wears a bra. "I'm not sure where he is, actually, I haven't seen him yet. He was trying to sort out things too, finding help with someone... a bounty was placed on HIS head too, after all."
Going though com codes on his datapad, back still turned to the young woman, Bail replies. "Thirty thousand credits is not a sum beyond my means. Perhaps Captain Dogma will be satified with credits in his account instead of your demise."
Serenella smiles. "That would be great... though he refused the 4000 credits my agent offered him to buy me out of the contract. I hope he'll see sense though."
The King nods. Finding the code he wants, Bail activates the holorecorder and begins composing his message to Aldog.
Serenella just watches in silence, becoming a little sleepy now that she's in a comfy bed and feels safe again.
His message completed, Bail deactivates the recorder. Turning, he approaches the bed, his eyes on Serenella. "Hopefully he will reply soon and this matter can be brought to an end before other matters require my attention." Now standing next to the bed, Bail sits down on the edge of it and he leans over to look down at Serenella. "Rest, Miss Jordain. Rest."
Suddenly, Bail's datapad beeps. Taking a look at the screen, the King nods. "A reply already. Excellent."
----
From: Aldog (Conn)Status: UnreadSubject: "B.O., how nice ta hear from ye. Been a while since ye first-----------------------------------------------------------------------------"B.O., how nice ta hear from ye. Been a while since ye first refused da do business with me. Seems da people ye represent done committed breach of contract on da ruler of Nar Shaddaa and confirmed crime boss. Not wise...not wise at all. But if ye will pay da 30k, I will see it in my patience ta forgive...this time. Hope all is well with ye lovely bride. She be so pretty after all. Tata."
----
With the king sitting so close and getting a good look at her bra-clad assets, Serenella half-consciously crosses her arms in front of her chest. But she drops them again when the comlink beeps and she looks at him curiously. "What does he say?"
Bail notes Serenella covering herself and he makes sure to not look at her directly ... for more than brief moments. "Captain Dogma is a greedy scoundrel! As expected, he has offered to take thirty thousand credits in exchange for your lives, this time."
Serenella frowns at that and her eyes water. "So... he's determined to see us dead, isn't he?", she asks, her voice wobbly, modesty forgotten.
"What? No. I am not going to let you die, Serenella." Bail leans over the young woman and looks into her eyes. "I am the King of Alderaan. Thirty thousand credits is a trivial sum. If I must pay it in exchange for your life and the life of your friend, I will do so, without hesitation."
"Oh, your Majesty!", Serenella gasps and smiles, "I don't know how to thank you!" Then she does what she's wanted to do all along, she throws her arms around his neck and presses her lips onto his. "Thank you so much!"
Bail allows himself to be kissed and actually enjoys it. But, relunctantly and gently, he pulls Serenella's arms from around his neck and lowers her back to the bed. Looking down at her, he smiles warmly. "Serenella, you are beautiful. Of that, have no doubt. It is not because I am a king and that makes me somehow beyond your reach. It doesn't. If I chose you as my queen, there would not be word said about it on Alderaan. But, I already have a queen, a wife I dearly love. Do you understand?"
Serenella sighs deeply and nods, her cheeks going crimson. "Of course, Your Majesty... I'm sorry... that was stupid of me... forgive me." Then she quickly pulls up the sheets to her neck.
Bail puts a finger to Serenella's lips to quiet her. "Miss Jordain, you need not beg forgiveness. I owe you my thanks. Your attraction is flattering. And your willingness has tested my devotion to the Queen."
Serenella blushes some more and gives him a sheepish smile. "Well... alright then, Your Majesty... I guess... if Mr Aldog accepted your offer... it's safe for me to return to my room, so I needn't bother you anymore?"
Bail shakes his head no. "The deal is not yet done. And even then, I would not say you are safe until Captain Dogma has publically revoked the bounty. No, you will remain under my protection until the matter is concluded."
Serenella smiles a little. "So... you are keeping me your prisoner here, Your Majesty?", she asks, eyes sparkling, "I would have to ask for my sister to be allowed to come here then with my daughter. Tara needs me."
Bail laughs. "Prisoner? Perhaps. I will reply to Captain Dogma now and see if you can leave this room without fear for your life. One moment."
Serenella chuckles and nods. She pushes the sheets of the bed aside again and reaches past Bail for the crumpled dress on the floor.
Bail finishes holorecording and sends the message. As Serenella dresses, the King gives her privacy. But no longer with guilt and tension betrayed by his actions. "Let me see if he will trust me to keep my word."
Serenella nods and wriggles into her dress, zipping it up again. Then she sits on the bed, dangling her feet. "I... I couldn't bear the thought that my little girl would grow up an orphan...", she admits quietly.
Bail smiles warmly at Serenella. "You are truly blessed. How old is your daughter?"
Serenella blushes a little. "She's one year old now... she's a wonderful little girl!", she replies proudly, "My sister is babysitting her at the moment."
"You should bring her to visit us on Alderaan ... after the war. You have already agreed to sing at the celebration we will have?"
Serenella chuckles softly. "Have I?", she asks and nods, "Of course I will! You know, you can ask me for anything, Your Majesty. I owe you my life!"
Bail laughs at Serenella. "Let's not go that far, Miss Jordian. But such sweeping statesment will make any man weak-kneed." After a moment of consideration, he goes on. "You should be safe for the time being, as long as you remain on Coruscant. And consider this room a place of refuge if you need it. The guards outside will admit no one besides you and me."
Serenella nods. "Thank you, your Majesty... I'll go back to check on my daughter then..." She gets up to her feet and pauses for a moment when she's beside him, placing a swift kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for everything, Your Majesty, I will never forget your help. And..." She looks into his eyes, "If you should change your mind about certain things... you know where to find me." Then she quickly exits before he can see her blush crimson.
Category: April 2008 RP Logs