Samantha

“Uh... Samantha I guess.” She tells the doctor. “Rhiain is someone I don't know.” He smiles at her in a way that sends shivers down her back.

“I know what you mean. Sometimes I don't know who I am either.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” She doesn't mean to snap at the man, but the words come out sharply; she had been transported through time and space into someone else’s body and this Doctor says he knows what it was like.

“Allow me to introduce myself properly.” Doctor Marque tells her with another one of his disarming smiles before giving her a stiff bow that might have been used by a Prussian Cavalry officer in the Holy Roman Empire. "My full name is Baron Willard Kyle Antondino Marque-Aria; Lt. Commander Imperial Navy Medical Corps (retired) Earl of Widdim IV, Knight of the Imperial Realm, and Knight Protector of Aria." He pauses and then shrugs good naturedly "Can you see why I prefer Doctor Marque?"

Samantha stares at the handsome doctor trying to process what he was saying. The doctor was a Baron? Did he say his last name was Aria?

“Did you say Baron Aria?” She whispers “Like the planet name Aria?” That explained the subtle power that is always present when he speaks. “You’re like a ruler of a whole planet?” She splutters in disbelief.

“No of course not.” He laughs and she starts to feel a little silly until he adds calmly. “Prince Rudolph Aria is my cousin. I'm just a Baron of the Aria family line.”

“Just a Baron...” This experience had just become a Disney movie complete with a stunning nobleman hero for the absurdly busty princess. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't be wasting your time... your grace?” In her bewildered state Samantha can't remember how the SCA taught her to address a baron.

“Almost, 'Your grace' is for a Duke or Duchess." The nobleman corrects her with a smile “I am technically addressed as 'My Lord'.”

“Yes My Lord.” She repeats as she tries to come to terms with what he was saying.

“That's why I introduce myself as Dr. Marque. I really prefer people to call me that.” He tells Samantha. “After a while some of my coworkers even forget that what I am. Or at least it gives them permission to pretend that I'm not 8th in line for the seat of Aria.” The two of them stand in silence for more than a minute before the doctor speaks again.

“So do you believe me now when I tell you I understand when you told me that Rhiain was some-one you don't know?” He asks with an intensity that makes her want to trust and believe everything he says. “Depending on where I am or who I'm talking to, I am sometimes a Doctor, sometimes a Hospital Administrator, sometimes a retired Naval Officer and in spite of what I might pretend, always a privileged Aristocrat from a core planet of the Imperium.”

“Yes My...” She pauses and tries again “Yes Doctor Marque.”

“Excuse me, Samantha.” Dr. Marque stood suddenly, "It's my security office.” Samantha watched in amazement as the handsome Doctor's eyes seemed to loose focus for ten or twenty seconds. Then he was back taking her hand in his and squeezing it gently. Samantha could see the concern in his eyes as he searched for the right words.