House Sternseher
Out of all the other visitors, it was the newcomer (and-for the time being-the latest to arrive) that was closest. The planet Diphda was one of Algol’s ‘close neighbors’, being only a scant couple hundred light years away. Pulling into a smooth parking orbit, the vessel in question was shaped somewhat like that of a clam. While previously a light, armored cargo ship, it had since been redesigned.
The aft half of each part of the cargo bay has been split in two, leaving less than half the typical cargo space, but adding on one larger crew quarters to fit nobility and a private kitchen, dining, and recreational area. The paint job would also match their crest for the ship (red, black, and hold), and while it's been well-maintained and kept in good repair, it was obviously a somewhat older model. Some of the weapons have also been removed in favor of things like extra decoys and jammers, for few respectable Noble houses would be running around toting all the guns they could find!
Once the ship had settled properly into its holding restraints, a large hatch opening a set of stairs and rails quickly pushing out rather than a docking tube. One of the ship's crew, likely the security officer, stepped out for a moment and surveyed the port before disappearing inside.
Two other figures soon emerged, making their way down the automated gantry supported steps. The first was a woman, still relatively young with long brown hair, pale skin, and a pair of grey-blue eyes hidden behind a set of old-fashioned spectacles. She wore a long gown, the corset being the only 'enhancement' to her figure, with colors designed to match that of her house. Somewhat small, she seemed to wear only minimal make-up, and a single ring on her right hand for jewelry.
The man behind her was quite a bit different. With an olive complexion and dark black hair swept short and almost untidily back, he was a foot taller than her and dressed in shades of black, grey, and purple. He had more defined cheekbones than her softer face did, and an air of energy about him that was almost infectious. Pausing at the bottom of the steps, the two turned to one another to converse quietly, well within view of the other gathering nobles.
((References - The ship: http://breandan-ociarrai.deviantart.com/art/Dark-Nova-Sparrowhawk-Deckpla-169866132
Duchess Selina: http://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=870155
Her dress: http://the-zombie-cat.deviantart.com/art/Blood-Elven-Noble-Colored-Sketch-Commission-338000017
And her cousin 'Nagi', the gentleman standing: http://lelia.deviantart.com/art/Commision-Abel-and-Costea-178412537 ))
Al Saffah
Qaribah clearly has enough control over herself that her countenance doesn't flicker, leaving Salamah only able to guess at what lies beneath it. "Indeed," Bundar says with a more open smile- if what wrinkles he had acquired didn't hint at it enough, the Emir would seem to be a man of good humor. "I can understand entirely. We only recently celebrated my own son's first year." He chuckles, shaking his head at the thought. "I would imagine that any formal function he attended would soon be rendered.... somewhat less than decorous."
He glances off to the side, Qaribah's gaze following his, the new arrivals having drawn his attention. "Hmm... I don't believe I recognize those colors," he says, thoughtfully, but not loudly enough to carry to the new arrivals- the remark is hardly an insult but some nobles can be notoriously touchy.
"Quite a coincidence," Qaribah comments, quietly. "Three noble houses landing at the same spaceport, within minutes of one another. Were I reading of these events in a work of fiction, I would think them quite contrived."
Laurent
Salamah glanced at the other pair and asked, "Contrived by who, though? It is not chance, but it is," he assured her, even as he began to plan to turn these events to his favor,"Coincidence. No doubt the other House has as good of a reason as we do. Speaking of, perhaps you would care to join me in greeting them?"
He asked, glancing over at the other family. The woman was clearly in charge, mid thirties, and the man was her...husband? No, that didn't seem to fit. Relative, then? They didn't look it, but it could be an 'in law' or it could be just a trick of genetics. Although, in some noble families, Salamah allowed himself to think as he slowly and confidently strode towards the other House, whether backed by the other two or not, the two were...not so different.
Al Saffah
Well, why not? "Certainly, your Grace," Bundar says, and follows Salamah- well, that is, he moves towards the newcomers, quickening his step a little so that he's walking beside the Duke rather than following behind him- a small distinction, but an important one.
Laurent
Salamah smiles at the pair and says, "Good morning, I am Duke Salamah Laurent, and this is Emir Bundar Al Saffah, and it seems the both of us are here to pay respects to the Lady Ser Noche." He smiled winningly, though he had, looking at the pair, decided that she was not seducable, and that to try would make him look far too condescendingly, no lust in that smile. "And we were wondering," and by using 'we' he, in a very polite way, took control of the situation, "What brings you here."
Sternseher
The two had been seen speaking to one another in somewhat hushed voices, the woman gently tugging and adjusting her dress here and there as the man gestured with one hand while the other hand clutched what appeared to be a small rectangular package. He was the first to notice others approaching, glancing over and blinking once before his mouth formed into an almost infectious grin, which took a gentle swat to one arm from the elegantly dressed woman to tame into something somewhat more presentable for an occasion as this.
"I am Duchess Selina Sternseher." the woman responded with in a calm and somewhat distant tone, not entirely taking Salamah's bait entirely as her eyes moved from one man to the other. "The ruffian beside me is my brother-in-law, Chikanaga Sternseher, my brother-in-law."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both! Despite my lacking a regal upbringing as my dutiful sister-in-law will so gladly point out at every social event, I think you'll find I've been 'in the family' long enough to be on my best behavior." His darker eyes lit up with mischief, but before he could continue on, Selina let out a soft sigh and then gave her own smile. It was a somewhat tired expression, but it showed off that she wasn't some grump, for the smile lines along the sides of her mouth and eyes were more apparent when she did.
"As to why we're here, I thought it prudent to pay my respects to Lady Ser Noche as well. My House has begun construction of our first agricultural facility here, and since the journey wasn't far, I thought it prudent to drop in and take care of a few administrative details while I'm on planet."
She paused before looking to them both again. "It would seem that, since we're already all here, it might be best if we all went together."
Al Saffah
"Emir Bundar Al Saffah is quite capable of introducing himself," Bundar says with an aside glance to Salamah, although his smile doesn't slip for even a second- not even a hint of anything other than good humor in his tone. "But thank you, nonetheless." Then he bows formally, though not terribly gracefully. "A pleasure, your Grace. What fortune it is, hmm? That the three of us should be standing here today in common purpose."
New Cast:
House Sternseher:
| Duchess Selina Sternseher - House Leader - 38 years old. | |||||||||||
| An idle, ordinary intellectual. She is a poor duellist and an accomplished administrator. | |||||||||||
Head of Agriculture.
|
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