|
A Brief Time on Lorrd
| |
| Alyn_Stark | Date: Friday, 15 Jun 2012, 10:22 AM | Message # 1 |
 Generalissimo
Group: Users
Messages: 1359
Status: Offline
| The time on board the Viridian Sky as it returned to Lorrd were taken up with conversation, among other things, as Stark came to know Ana better. The converted passenger liner was the perfect playground, so to speak, with naught aboard besides staff and guards to hamper them, and these people kept their distance to allow the pair time to converse and enjoy the brief respite. Stark knew though, that once they reached Lorrd, certain business matters would need to be taken care of. During this time, he'd made it clear to Ana that she was more than welcome to enjoy the space at his castle, as well as utilize the grounds around, which stretched for quite some distance. In essence, she would have more than enough room and time to explore as Stark dealt with checkups on the soldiers, the police forces, oversaw a few matters that needed to be signed off on and in general took a public hand in the Kinyov Province for a time.
The Viridian Sky was due to drop out of hyperspace shortly, and Stark was in his expansive rooms, changing into his black formal attire with the silver scroll-work that extended down the sleeves. Presumably, Ana would be there to keep him company.
Alyn Stark
Lord of Kinyov
Senior Captain, Retired, Republic Navy
Head of House Malos (former)
Licensed bounty hunter
Majority shareholder, Lorrd Engineering
Owner, Stark Defense Conglomerate
Civilian Medal of Honor recipient
Representative, Lorrd (10 BBY-9 BBY)
|
| |
| |
| Ana_Stark | Date: Friday, 15 Jun 2012, 10:52 AM | Message # 2 |
 Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 474
Status: Offline
| She hadn't been there, actually, while he had spiffed himself up. Though at that moment, Ana appeared behind Stark and reached her arms around him and adjusted his collar as she looked at his reflection in the mirror. "That's better." She mumurrd before she placed a tender and chaste kiss on his neck just beneath his ear. Idly, she smoothed her fingertips deftly over the shoulders of his jacket before stepping away some. "You clean up pretty nice, Mr. Stark." Ana said with a smirk. She really had absolutely no idea what she was getting into here by going to this mans home, but so far he had made her feel nothing less than safe and comfortable and at ease.
Ana was all too happy to be given the run of his castle while he was working, as well as the surrounding land, even though it was so alien to her. In most cases, she loved to visit new places, but she had hardly been anywhere so she was looking forward to this. It was odd for her though, having come from a modest background, to suddenly be doted on by an incredibly rich man. At times she almost felt guilty about it, but he had reassured her, and she knew that she didn't love him for his wealth. Though she had met people like that before.
"Mrs. Mityea told me that you might enjoy my company for a bit before you had to go off and work? " She asked questioningly. The woman, an older lady who had befriended Ana easily on the trip to Lorrd, likely had Lord Stark's best interests at heart ans just wanted to see him happy. "I don't think I look good enough to even be in the same room with you." She joked.
Message edited by Ana_Riley - Friday, 15 Jun 2012, 11:43 AM |
| |
| |
| Alyn_Stark | Date: Saturday, 16 Jun 2012, 5:07 AM | Message # 3 |
|
Generalissimo
Group: Users
Messages: 1359
Status: Offline
| Stark felt Ana's presence before she touched him; the movement of the air currents in the room disturbed by her near-silent passing, and he smiled as she moved to fix his collar. "What would I do without you, Ana?" Stark turned around to face her, still smiling. "I daresay I do clean up rather well. And yes, I would greatly enjoy your company." At her commentary about looking good, Stark actually snorted and shook his head. "Ana, you sell yourself far too short. You are one of the most lovely women I have had the chance to be near in a very good amount of time. You will do fine.
"So did Mrs. Mityea mention anything about the Kinyov Province? If not, I should pass a little information on to you, my dear. While on Lorrd, I will have to conduct a few inspections of the current police and military forces, visit with a few of the security prefects and the local judges and conduct some on-site inspections of the direct fortifications. I will also be dropping in on my good friend, Jendos Merced. He is the present head of House Malos and will be, I feel, quite delighted to meet you. Castle Stark should provide a safe and pleasant diversion for you while I am out and about dealing with the drudgery, so to speak, and as the chances of any rival house assassins striking at myself are low, I shall keep several of the Shadowguard around to see that you are taken care of."
Stark chuckled at the last, to show he was not quite serious about the assassins, but one could never tell in inter-Lorrdian politics. The slight tug of the Viridian Sky breaking into realspace once again would alert them both to the arrival. "Well, my dear... it seems we are here. Shall we?" Stark offered Ana his arm to escort her to his transport.
Alyn Stark
Lord of Kinyov
Senior Captain, Retired, Republic Navy
Head of House Malos (former)
Licensed bounty hunter
Majority shareholder, Lorrd Engineering
Owner, Stark Defense Conglomerate
Civilian Medal of Honor recipient
Representative, Lorrd (10 BBY-9 BBY)
|
| |
| |
| Ana_Stark | Date: Saturday, 16 Jun 2012, 1:38 PM | Message # 4 |
|
Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 474
Status: Offline
| Ana found herself lingering in his words: What would I do without you, Ana?, they echoed through her mind for several moments. She had heard nearly the same phrase in the recent communication from Artemis, and it had bothered her deeply. Not in a bad way, of course. The realization had just struck as to how much she was going to miss the man if she did leave. The woman drew in a breath and a smile blossomed across her lips.
"You would be just lost and confused...and desperately longing, Mr. Stark." She said, teasingly. Her fingers were fussing with the findings of the silken jacket as she smoothed them absently. "And you would wonder why...just absolutely why...the galaxy felt so empty." Ana finally looked up at him and stopped, a half smile creeping across her features. Her smile dissipated, however, when he mentioned assassinations and then his Shadowguard.
It wasn't that most of them weren't fantastic, and Ana rarely saw them since they were very good at what they did. Malinara, however, Ana had seen. She had been at the receiving end of some not so pleasant glances that made her slightly uncomfortable. "I really hope that you are joking about that, Alyn." She said, regarding 'assassination attempts'. His laugh afterwards hadn't settled her nerves at all. Regardless, Ana took his offered arm, squeezing gently with her palm as she walked at his side.
|
| |
| |
| Alyn_Stark | Date: Sunday, 17 Jun 2012, 6:45 AM | Message # 5 |
|
Generalissimo
Group: Users
Messages: 1359
Status: Offline
| "That is perhaps more true than you know, Ana," Stark mused as he considered what she'd said. "I fear the galaxy would be quite empty without you. As such, that is a good argument for me to always keep you safe and around, is it not?" He raised a hand to stroke her cheek, then planted a light kiss upon her forehead. As they began to walk, he cleared his throat slightly and chuckled. "I am half serious, Ana. I have come under assassination attempt before and, while I am fairly sure I know who the culprits were behind it, I was unable to prove anything. There may be some on Lorrd who disapprove of you, but that will not be for some time. Not until... well, shall we say, you and I decide what may happen in the future."
True, there were those on Lorrd who were not likely to want to see him married to Ana Riley. However, he felt that in the confines of Castle Stark, she would be safe. Short of that, he intended to be by her side every moment he could spare, and when he was not around, one of the Shadowguard would be. The transport they boarded was the Infinite Thought; Ana had been on it once before, so squeezing around the Eta-2 interceptor in its tiny hold and up to the cockpit of the YV-666 transport would be nothing new to her. Perhaps it was odd that she'd never questioned why a man who owned multiple yachts took a Corellian transport as a personal vessel, but it was what it was.
"Shall we head for the surface, darling?"
Alyn Stark
Lord of Kinyov
Senior Captain, Retired, Republic Navy
Head of House Malos (former)
Licensed bounty hunter
Majority shareholder, Lorrd Engineering
Owner, Stark Defense Conglomerate
Civilian Medal of Honor recipient
Representative, Lorrd (10 BBY-9 BBY)
|
| |
| |
| Ana_Stark | Date: Sunday, 17 Jun 2012, 7:58 AM | Message # 6 |
|
Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 474
Status: Offline
| Silently, Ana wondered why someone would disapprove of her. Part of her knew, of course, that it was likely all title and station that some would disapprove of. She was, after all, from a very modest and humble background. The thought dampened her spirits some, as she walked by his side. He hardly seemed to care, or so it seemed. Perhaps, she thought, it was best that he was returning her home. She was needed there, after all.
Ana forced a small smile after he brought her on board the transport, which she was quite familiar with. "Of course, I am very excited to see your home, Alyn." It was the truth, despite the nagging thought in the back of her mind. "I wonder though...." Ana trailed off and turned her gaze away. "No, never mind. We can talk about it another time." She smiled brightly in turn and settled herself for the short trip to the surface.
|
| |
| |
| Alyn_Stark | Date: Sunday, 17 Jun 2012, 9:34 AM | Message # 7 |
|
Generalissimo
Group: Users
Messages: 1359
Status: Offline
| Stark caught the mood that Ana was putting off; he was a rather perceptive person and even before she spoke, he caught the signs of it. Pausing, he cupped his hands on either side of her face and gently pulled her gaze up to meet his. "If there is something bothering you, my dearest, please tell me. I don't give two damns if the upper class of Lorrd don't approve of you. My friends will like you and understand that you make me very happy. You needn't worry, but if there is something on your mind, Ana, I would like to talk about it before we make planetfall."
Alyn Stark
Lord of Kinyov
Senior Captain, Retired, Republic Navy
Head of House Malos (former)
Licensed bounty hunter
Majority shareholder, Lorrd Engineering
Owner, Stark Defense Conglomerate
Civilian Medal of Honor recipient
Representative, Lorrd (10 BBY-9 BBY)
|
| |
| |
| Ana_Stark | Date: Sunday, 17 Jun 2012, 9:47 AM | Message # 8 |
|
Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 474
Status: Offline
| Ana stammered some, shocked that he actually wanted to hear what she was thinking. Even more so, she was shocked at what he had said about just not giving a damn. "Are you so sure that you want to discuss a future? I know that you say you don't give a damn, or even two, but it is different when confronted directly with the....ah...issue." She said, her voice softening some. Ana wasn't trying to completely put him off, but it was bothering her, and she did not want him looked down upon for dating 'the maid', so to speak.
"I just want what is best for you, Alyn, I hope that you know that. I care too much for your reputation and standing to be ruined." She forced a smile as she looked up at him.
|
| |
| |
| Alyn_Stark | Date: Sunday, 17 Jun 2012, 9:52 AM | Message # 9 |
|
Generalissimo
Group: Users
Messages: 1359
Status: Offline
| "You worry too much, darling." He leaned down to lightly kiss her, then withdrew his hands for a moment. "I have political standing on Lorrd as it is, even if I do not become interim senator. I will never again hold the position of Head of a House of Lorrd and as such, arranged marriages and whom I choose to marry do not come into play as much as they would if I held such a title. True, there are those who would see daughters or nieces or some such married to me, but I have turned them down before and I would continue to do so. A future with you, on the other hand Ana, is something I believe I would enjoy greatly."
"My reputation is not going to take a blow in the slightest, so you need not worry. I want what is best for you as well."
Alyn Stark
Lord of Kinyov
Senior Captain, Retired, Republic Navy
Head of House Malos (former)
Licensed bounty hunter
Majority shareholder, Lorrd Engineering
Owner, Stark Defense Conglomerate
Civilian Medal of Honor recipient
Representative, Lorrd (10 BBY-9 BBY)
|
| |
| |
| Ana_Stark | Date: Sunday, 17 Jun 2012, 10:29 AM | Message # 10 |
|
Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 474
Status: Offline
| She returned his kiss all too gently, and was calmed a marked amount by his words. So, naturally, teasing him seemed appropriate. "Mr. Stark, I am not sure a future with me is entirely advisable. Wouldn't you prefer a pretty little debutante with a rich daddy and perfectly manicured nails?" Ana cracked a smile. "Especially one you've not met....how incredibly....old fashioned.' She laughed some. "People still really practice that ancient habit, really?"
And couldn't keep a straight face while teasing him for very long. On top of that, her feelings made it hard for her to even think about that happening to him. He wouldn't be happy, she thought, though maybe she was being selfish in that thinking. He gave her a lot to think about, that was for certain, and she wondered if he was serious.
|
| |
| |
| Alyn_Stark | Date: Sunday, 17 Jun 2012, 11:46 AM | Message # 11 |
|
Generalissimo
Group: Users
Messages: 1359
Status: Offline
| As he sat down behind the pilot's controls and motioned for her to take the co-pilot's chair, Stark laughed and shook his head. "There are those who wish I'd wed that type, I'm sure, but I hardly need a wife with a rich father or manicured nails for that matter. I make my own wealth, my darling, and I'd prefer a woman with a spine. I happen to know only one such type who fits that description, at least in present company.
"Some people do practice that habit; Lorrd, on occasion, does hold arranged marriages. Luckily, I was a bastard and therefore, I did not have to deal with such."
Alyn Stark
Lord of Kinyov
Senior Captain, Retired, Republic Navy
Head of House Malos (former)
Licensed bounty hunter
Majority shareholder, Lorrd Engineering
Owner, Stark Defense Conglomerate
Civilian Medal of Honor recipient
Representative, Lorrd (10 BBY-9 BBY)
|
| |
| |
| Ana_Stark | Date: Sunday, 17 Jun 2012, 12:18 PM | Message # 12 |
|
Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 474
Status: Offline
| She settled into the seat as he indicated, smoothing the skirt of her light silvery blue dress as she did. It was calf length, with an uneven hemline that didn't hinder movement or get in her way. After several moments of tense silence, Ana finally relaxed some. She glanced at the controls briefly, having no idea what all of the lights and buttons were remotely for. He had witnessed, first hand, her lack of driving skills in the speeder on Coruscant. Finally, she turned her gaze to him and let a small smile cross her lips.
"Well...I am hardly rich, or manicured. In fact...I never met my father, so I suppose we are more alike than we thought." She said quietly for a moment.
Ana looked behind her for a moment to see if anyone else was within earshot. "So Mr. Stark...is this your not so subtle way of telling me that you want to marry me?"
|
| |
| |
| Alyn_Stark | Date: Sunday, 17 Jun 2012, 8:13 PM | Message # 13 |
|
Generalissimo
Group: Users
Messages: 1359
Status: Offline
| "Oh, I know who my father is," Stark mentioned quietly. "One of these days I'm going to have to track him down. He's not the most liked of people." His face brightened as he turned to her, though; the craft was empty of all living beings save them. "Well Miss Riley, I am not always the most subtle person in the world, but if you would consent to be my wife, then I would be the luckiest man in the galaxy. I do not think a man could ask for more in a woman than what you have shown me so far."
Alyn Stark
Lord of Kinyov
Senior Captain, Retired, Republic Navy
Head of House Malos (former)
Licensed bounty hunter
Majority shareholder, Lorrd Engineering
Owner, Stark Defense Conglomerate
Civilian Medal of Honor recipient
Representative, Lorrd (10 BBY-9 BBY)
|
| |
| |
| Ana_Stark | Date: Monday, 18 Jun 2012, 4:09 AM | Message # 14 |
|
Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 474
Status: Offline
| Ana actually froze when he said that. She had actually been teasing him, but it wasn't as if the thought hadn't crossed her mind before. "Is it bad of me to say that I want to say yes?" She asked curiously as she turned in the seat to face him as well. Thoughts of Artemis lingered in the back of her mind though. There had never been a feeling of romantic love for the older man, but familial. Her life there was so comfortable and she felt needed. Whether she really was or not was sometimes up for debate.
"I do love you, Alyn Stark." Ana admitted freely, though he probably already knew that. She cleared her throat briefly and glanced out pf the front window of the transport. "What tine are you expected to arrive? "
|
| |
| |
| Alyn_Stark | Date: Monday, 18 Jun 2012, 8:37 AM | Message # 15 |
|
Generalissimo
Group: Users
Messages: 1359
Status: Offline
| "It is not bad at all," Stark replied as they broke atmosphere. Ahead, the heat of the planet made waves seem to rise, shimmering. With a terrain of desert, ice and snow, Stark's small portion of the Kinyov Province where his home was happened to be one of the very, very few green spots on the world. Lorrd was not the harshest of planets, but it was not the nicest either when it came to terrain.
"I love you as well, Ana Riley, and I believe this topic is something we have a lot more to talk about. I have no qualms about marriage to you, but would it not be best to speak about this with Representative Vanden first? You did say you considered him something of a father." Castle Stark loomed ahead, and he canted the shuttle slightly to fly in between the massive doors that had opened to receive his vessel, setting down on the landing pad.
Alyn Stark
Lord of Kinyov
Senior Captain, Retired, Republic Navy
Head of House Malos (former)
Licensed bounty hunter
Majority shareholder, Lorrd Engineering
Owner, Stark Defense Conglomerate
Civilian Medal of Honor recipient
Representative, Lorrd (10 BBY-9 BBY)
|
| |
| |
|
