OOC Post: Reader Discretion

Hey readers. I just want to let you know that the next two blog entries will either in part or completely deal with a violent/criminal situation. The first of the two will be uploaded within the next few hours. There will NOT be any explicit details on the action but the suggestion is there. I'm trying to keep it vague enough that everyone should be comfortable reading and still understand what's happening. I'm sure most of you are mature adults and won't get upset about reading something like this, but for my younger audiences and those who don't enjoy reading or imagining suggestive material, reader discretion should be advised. The idea here isn't to offend, rather to tell a story. I will put a note in the blog entries before it happens as a reminder for those who wish to continue reading or not.

Much of Becky's back story is still in the planning/now-what stages. This point we're maybe a third of the way through, but as far as I can tell, these will be the ONLY two posts to deal with this type of sensitivity. However, these upcoming posts and "Final Decision" (the previous entry) will be background info and brought up again for a future storyline that will occur in the twitter-feed in the maybe-near future.

If anyone has questions or comments about this or about any of part of her back-story, feel free to direct message me or leave a note below. I enjoy hearing from you. 

Thanks,
Becks.

XXXI: Final Decision

Rebecca stared long and hard at the ring presented before her. As she stood there, guests observing were cheering, whistling, and the photographers were flashing their cameras nonstop, taking in every second to be sure not to miss a single moment.

The ring, it's gold band and three large set diamonds shimmered in the light hanging above. She looked at it, admiring its beauty but at the same time feeling a sense of disdain from it. The segment of conversation between Ariam and her grandmother echoed in her mind. She knew what her answer was but felt unable to speak.

Feeling frozen, she looked back up at Ariam, and when his eyes met hers he smiled, believing all too well he knew what her response was, that she was just too surprised and overjoyed to answer. Ariam removed the ring and returned the box to his robe pocket, never averting his eyes from her own. "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."

Rebecca watched as Ariam leaned forward and took her hand gently. However, before he was able to slip the ring onto her finger, she jerked her hand out of his grasp and reach. Her outburst started commotion among the guests and Ariam himself.

"Rebecca, give me your hand."

Rebecca kept her eye contact with Ariam and slowly shook her head. By now she could see the smile on Ariam's face had completely faded away.

She backed away as he stepped closer, "I'm sorry," she said quietly, then quickly turned and pushed her way through the crowd. Her grandmother's shouts were still audible as she ran from the ballroom and out of the estate. 

XXX: The Gala

Ariam Vorru squeezed his way through the crowded ballroom in search of his father. As he maneuvered around groups of politicians, holo-news reporters and fellow aristocrats, he spotted Moff Vorru instructing one of the attendants in the corner of the room and made his way over.

"Father, have they arrived yet?"

Moff Vorru waved off the attendant and turned to his son. "Not yet. I'll be informed when they do."

"But they truly are coming, aren't they? This whole affair is pointless if Rebecca doesn't arrive."

Moff Vorru put his hand on his son's shoulder. "Relax, Ariam. I informed Elsa, she promised to have Rebecca here."

"Then why isn't she?" Ariam shifted slightly."This is a big moment..."

Moff Vorru led his son into the hall away from the guests. "You need to relax."

"I can't." Ariam said. He started pacing back and forth impatiently. Every waiting moment seemed like an eternity. "I want to get this over with..."

"Making a proposal unnerve you that much?"

Ariam shook his head. "No...but I feel as if the ring is burning a hole through my pocket..." He sighed and checked the time. "Blast it all, where is she?!"

Moff Vorru sighed. "I'll check with the doorman. "He put his hands on his son's shoulders. "Do me a favor, alright? Go back inside, have a drink, and take a deep breath."

Ariam nodded slowly. "I'm sorry, father. I'll...be a lot calmer once she arrives."

~~**~~ 

"Hurry up, darling." Elsa said as she hurried Rebecca out of the speeder and into the Vorru estate. "We're very late. Fliry and Ariam are waiting." 

"I'm coming, I'm coming." Rebecca replied, rushing as fast as she could without tripping over her own feet. They were met by Moff Vorru as they approached the ballroom. 

"My dear Fliry, I apologize for our tardiness." Elsa smiled apologetically and discreetly nodded towards her granddaughter. "We've had some problems getting started today." 

Fliry smiled at both women. "Fear not, ladies. Everything is fine now that you're here." He offered a hand to Rebecca. "Come, milady. Ariam has been waiting for you." 

Rebecca gave a small smile back. "Then we shouldn't keep him waiting." She responded quietly.

Moff Vorru led the group into the ballroom. Ariam spotted them from the bar and rushed over.

"Thank the maker you're alright. I was getting worried."

Elsa embraced Ariam in a brief hug. "Just some minor complications getting started. Nothing to worry about."

"Good, good." Ariam stepped forward and grasped Rebecca's hand, kissing it gently. "My dear, you look...most exquisite this evening." He said, flashing a debonair grin at her, causing her to blush.

Elsa quickly stood forward, interrupting. "Ariam, Rebecca's been feeling a little blue all day. Perhaps you could cheer her up a little." She nudged his arm.

"With pleasure." he grinned and took Rebecca's arm. "Come, my dear. Lets see what we can do about this mood of yours." Rebecca glanced behind her briefly as Ariam led her to the dance floor. He slipped his arm around her waist and grasped her hand. "Now...what seems to be the trouble?"

Rebecca shrugged a little as the music started up again. "Have you ever had one of those days...where nothing seems to go right, and all you want to do is go back to bed and wake up some other day?"

"Mmm," he nodded, pulling her closer. "I think I can relate to that."

"Well that's how I feel." she sighed. "I shouldn't have come. I'm not really in a party mood."

"We all get like this sometimes, my dear. It'll pass. And if you'd like, I'd be happy to cheer you up some."

"Feel free to try.." she replied quietly. Ariam continued to twirl her around the dance floor, and as the dance continued, Rebecca glanced around her taking notice on more and more people watching her and Ariam's every move. "Is it me or are we being watched?"

"Oh we are." he gave a small grin. "I believe we're going to be the most exciting bit of news at this event."

"Why?" she asked, looking around nervously at the reporters and photographers.

"Young love. There's no sweeter subject to report about." He said, leaning down and kissing her gently on the lips. The cameras began flashing nonstop. Ariam held the kiss for a few moments, but then broke off when he didn't get much of a response from Rebecca, him contributing her lack of emotion to her mood. He then turned to the reporters and chuckled. "There's a kiss for your front page."

The lights in the room then dimmed and all attention went to Moff Vorru who was standing on a raised platform in the front of the room. "Lords and ladies, I have some announcements to make. First, I know there has been much speculation over the future of my career. I can safely guarantee I will not be stepping down as Moff of our great society anytime soon." He raised his wine glass for applause. When the noise calmed, he motioned for Elsa Everon to stand beside him. "Second, as you know Lady Everon has been a proud supporter of my campaigns. We are both proud to announce that my son Ariam has been chosen to take my place as Moff when I do become eligible for retirement." He made another pause when the audience broke into applause. "And for the last bit of news, I believe my son Ariam has his own announcement to make."

The lights shifted and centered around the cleared middle of the ballroom where Ariam and Rebecca were standing. Rebecca looked around, feeling increasingly uncomfortable at every eye in the room looking right at her. When her gaze finally fell back on Ariam Vorru she gasped and covered her mouth, for he was positioned down on one knee in front of her, holding out an open black velvet box. She found herself staring down a gold diamond ring.

Ariam cleared his throat. "My dearest Rebecca...you are a lady of pure beauty, caliber, grace and virtue. You have no faults, and I do believe it was destiny that brought us together. Everything you do brings me great pleasure, and I am blessed that you will be my wife."

XXIX: The Arrangement

"Well Ariam?" Elsa said, standing in front of Ariam. "What are you going to do about this?"

"Jeref Ulmeran has nothing on me." Ariam scoffed. "I'm not concerned."

"You should be." Elsa said. "What if Rebecca starts taking interest to him? The man wants to see her. I can only say no to him for so long. Eventually he'll get fed up and search her out himself."

"Well by then she'll be off the market."

Rebecca awoke to voices downstairs and rolled over in bed to get a glance at the chrono on her nightstand. It read 12:30 in the morning. Who in kriff's name is visiting at this hour? Rebecca sighed and got out of bed. Grabbing her robe, she wrapped it around her and quietly crept downstairs towards the parlor where the voices were coming from. The door was slightly ajar, and as she approached the doorway she recognized Ariam Vorru's voice. Both excitement and curiosity got the best of her as she put her ear to the opening and listened.

"When are you making this happen? Even if Lord Ulmeran is shoved aside, there will be other suitors, Ariam. They could come in droves."

"Are you saying I can't handle the competition, Elsa?"

"I'm saying be careful."

"I always am." Ariam grinned for a moment, then the smile faded. "However, you are right....Jeref Ulmeran won't be the last." He stroked his chin, thinking. "I may have to push things up. I know Jeref. The man can be....relentless, when it comes to what he wants."

Elsa raised her brow. "And you're not?"

"Well, lets just say, my moral compass points much higher than his own. All of his family work and think alike. They chase after whatever obsesses them until something...or someone else, catches their eye."

"So?" Elsa took a seat beside him. "What do you plan to do about this?"

Ariam remained silent for a few moments. Meanwhile outside the room, Rebecca leaned against the wall, trying to make sense to what her grandmother and suitor were talking about. She had never heard of a Jeref Ulmeran before that night. Rebecca sighed, coming to a conclusion that Jeref was part of another one of her grandmother's crazy schemes. She quickly turned back to the door when Ariam spoke up again.

"I'll confer with my father. Next weekend...I'll throw another gala at his estate. I'll do it then. All you need to do, Elsa, is make sure she attends."

"You're throwing a gala? That's very high profile."

"And a reporter from each of the major holo-networks will be there. This is a big deal for us, Elsa. Our two families uniting will be the best thing to happen for the Corellian aristocracy since before the Empire was founded. I want this to be well known, as I'm sure you do as well."

Elsa nodded her head slowly in agreement. Her expression turned into a grin. "Not to mention further your career..."

Rebecca listened for a few more moments before backing away from the parlor slowly. It was then that she believed she knew why Ariam was being so forward with her during their outings. With her understanding that the greater good of the aristocracy was something her grandmother obsessed with, it was clear to her that her relationship with Ariam was serving as political tools only, and at that moment Rebecca came to the conclusion that she wanted no part in any of it. Feelings of heartbreak and betrayal overwhelmed her as she  quickly turned and raced up the stairs to her bedroom as Ariam and Elsa continued.

"There is...one more thing I need from you, Elsa."

"Name it, Ariam."

"There's of course the chance, however slim, that Rebecca could refuse me. I need you to make sure she cannot."

"Ah..." Elsa nodded, deep in thought. This was a tricky situation to rectify. There were many legislative barriers to maneuver around. After several moments, Elsa spoke up again. "We could write up a betrothal arrangement. Her consent isn't needed for that course of action."

"Is that still legal?"

Elsa grinned. "I will make it legal. Just leave everything to me..."

XXVIII: Male Competition

"I appreciate you letting me stop by, Elsa. Especially at this late hour." said Ariam. He stepped inside the estate and followed Elsa to the parlor.

"Well, it isn't every day that I meet with friends mere minutes away from midnight," she replied. "And on top of that, I have something important to tell you as well."

"Oh?" Ariam asked, "Sounds like I'm in trouble." He teased.

"You might very well be." Elsa said, motioning for him to sit down. When he did, she continued. "I know you and Rebecca haven't been courting very long, but have you any future plans?"

"I believe you know my future plans in regards to your granddaughter, Elsa."

"Indeed I do, Ariam. However..." her voice trailed off for a moment. "There is a new complication. How long do you expect this courtship to last?"

"Elsa, you yourself told me not to rush into this. I believe your exact words were...'Rebecca is a kind, sweet, and tender young woman, but she needs her time. She's afraid of strangers..."

"Why is it, Ariam, that you remember all of that yet important orders from your father slip right by?"

"What can I say...when it comes to my future bride, she becomes my top priority."

"I can see that." she said. "well? How does she feel about you? I assume there's love involved."

Ariam let off a smirk. "oh yeah..."

"For kriff's sake, Ariam...you didn't take her to your bed yet, did you?"

"Not until the wedding night, Elsa. "I respect her, and our society's expectations."

"Good." she rose from her seat and began pacing the room, "Now, I mentioned before that there's a new complication. How soon are you going to be making these wedding plans?"

"Well a few more months perhaps. I've seen her only a few several times. Why, what is 'complication'?"

"You're familiar with Lord Jeref Ulmeran? He's from your rival family, a few years older than you...better career reputation..."

"He's also a scoundrel with a shadier mind than my own. What's that bastard have to do with this?"

"He's your new competition. Jeref stopped by today. He too would like to have my granddaughter for his bride."