A Floating Fête

[Gorba the Hutt]

The CEO of the Herglic Trade Empire and Darkwater Security recently came into the possession of a rather lovely piece of real estate. Situated on the planet Bespin, Cloud Nine sported some of the most scenic views in the galaxy. And what to do with this happy plot of land inside of a resort city? Why, throw a house warming party of course.

Members of the Trade Federation and notables of the Techno Union received hand-written invitations from the big whale himself, asking them to attend the little fete. Cloud Nine had no shortage of excellent caterers, so a complete banquet was set out, replete with punch bowls.

The dome itself was smaller than its more resplendent cousins, but still the same sweeping archways, marbled floors and vaulted ceilings. A refined and graceful architecture, with form prized over efficiency.

Orcus awaited his guests in the atrium so he could personally shake each of their hands.


Guest List:
[member="Tmoxin Temi"] | [member="Gerion Ardik"] | [member="Siyndacha Aerin"] | [member="Darell Irani"] | [member="Danger Arceneau"] | [member="Venussia Sasko"] | [member="Damian Starchaser"] | [member="Alric Kuhn"] | [member="Darth Vulkan"] | [member="Cryax Bane"] | [member="Darth Pikiran"] | [member="Selka Ventus"] | [member="Eamon Tragon"]

 

[Azula Tindara]

[member="Hion the Herglic"]
Thrukk Gulpdar, Hutt enforcer, bodyguard mercenary and occasional bounty hunter arrived in an airspeeder taxi. At first he grumbled loudly about the cramped vehicle as he maneuvered his bulk out. Yet a moment later he was all cheers and great flat teeth as he grinned at, slapped and shook the hand of everyone nearby. Apparently this was called ‘networking’. So far he was quite enjoying it. Those he met seemed less keen. True, he preferred the din of the White Palace and the Twilek slave girls. The way the music carried on in the background at all hours, and the way the lazy fingers of light hit the ever-present cloud of smoke that lingered at head height.

Yet he was something of an independent and he needed more work. Today he came replete with his least stained tartan sash and a box of the very finest cigarras. It wasn't hard to spot the Herglic who had offered his hospitality today.

“Ah ye main be th' host: Hion! A pleasure tae meit ye sairrr. Brooght a wee present!” he called, offering his right hand and holding out a neatly wrapped wooden box.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

The problem with letting Seela have access to the HoloNet and letting her have free reign around his office was that she occasionally noticed or went through his mail. In this case she had found the hand written invitation to a gathering on Cloud Nine, a magnificent luxury piece of real estate someone important had built. Vulkan hadn't been interested in attending personally, but he wasn't against attending the little party Darth Orcus was hosting. He had been meaning to introduce himself to the Herglic Sith anyway, and being segregated from ArmaTech allowed him plentiful free time, and so she had been easily able to convince him to take her. He was often passive, things he was not against, he was easily swayed one way or the other if someone close to him made the argument for such a change.

He had given her time and money to purchase a dress just for the occasion, and now sat in his own black three piece suit and wore a simple iron ring on his hand. His grey eye's were cast forward, but he held onto her arm, hands clasped around hers as they sat in an airspeeder making its way to the floating hotel. Part of him didn't like taking her out because onlookers might draw conclusions, then he had remembered a saying, the Lion does not concern himself with the Opinions of the sheep, and he shrugged off his minor discomfort.

"You look stunning tonight." He said quietly with a charming smile, turning his eyes to the green twi'lek sitting beside him in speeder as the airspeeder pulled to a stop in front of the dome Dark Water Security was hosting.

[member="Seela Tarkona"]
[member="Hion the Herglic"]

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

The classical tones of Herglic Opera played in the background, filtering throughout the estate to provide an air of ambiance. In the atrium, where Orcus stood, the crystal chandelier glinted above, illuminating a floor of sand marble. Indeed the entire estate had a rather 'mansion-on-the-beach' feng shui going for it, clearly inspired by Naboo architecture.

"Welcome, welcome, [member="Thrukk Gulpdar"]? A pleasure."

Orcus's flipper, used to enveloping the hands of small humanoids, gripped the Houk's hearty handshake. In another rare moment, he had to look up slightly to meet his guest's eyes.

"Ah and what is this?" He accepted the gift and opened it. Cigarras lay in a neat row. Orcus sniffed deeply, the nostrils atop his head inhaling a long whiff of the tobacco. "We will have to smoke these later on tonight. Thank you, Gulpdar."

He clapped the enormous Houk on the shoulder.

 

[Azula Tindara]

[member="Hion the Herglic"]

The establishment definitely had an ambiance to it. In Thrukk's opinion and ambiance was generally used to try and prevent the lower classes from creating an atmosphere. Fortunately for Thrukk he was quite capable of creating a rambunctious atmosphere all on his own. Especially after a few bevvies when he got a sing song going. Regardless of whether anyone else wanted to join in.

"Och Aye!" Thrukk replied with a broad grin, reminding himself that he was to be on very best behaviour tonight. "They'll blaw yer fins aff mucker!" he exclaimed. He liked this Hion already. And when he clapped your shoulder it didn't feel like a faint breeze, he thought.

He meandered off to try and mingle. Quietly. A well dressed human was walking around with a tray of slender glasses with delicate looking stems. He paused before Thrukk. One meaty fist reached out, thick fingers pausing a few inches from the glass. It looked so tiny next to his hand. He met eyes with the man, they shared a look of concern. This wouldn't go well for either of them.

"Dae ye hae a bigger glass?" Thrukk asked in what he believed were 'hushed tones'.

 

[Armand Temi]

When Seela found the invitation to Cloud Nine, she couldn't wait to ask [member="Darth Vulkan"] if they could go. How could they not visit this luxurious palace in the sky? From the holopictures, Cloud Nine was just about the most beautiful location she had ever seen. The Twi'lek slave had only been on Ryloth, Nar Kreeta and Orvax VI. Never to a real Cloud City!

And once she asked him, Draco gave her credits and sent her off shopping. She almost felt guilty being his slave for he certainly didn't treat her like one. In fact, his sheepish smile at her often told her he wasn't at all comfortable with the idea. But then why keep her? On her trip to the stores, she wondered these things but was soon distracted by shiny baubles, colorful gems and flashy, metallic dresses. Her former owner, Murkka the Hutt had no imagination when he had picked out her wardrobe. She had worn lots of earth tones, wooden jewerly and flat sandals.

Needless to say, Seela settled on a sequined romper and looked as flashy as a Zeltron out on the town:

Spoiler

But somehow she fit next to Darth Vulkan and his black, three piece suit. At his compliment, Seela's well-glossed lips curved upward in a smile.

"Thank you. And you look handsome as well."

She toyed with her black metallic bracelets, feeling quite lucky about her circumstance. It still hadn't dawned on her that her owner was a galaxy billionaire, and so far she wasn't going to take any of it for granted. If only the stingy Thakwaash could see her now!

[member="Hion the Herglic"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Vulkan smiled warmly at the Twi'lek, leaning his head close to hers, he touched his forehead to hers softly, staring into her dark green eyes with his own storm grey ones. "Thank you," he responded. Just before pulling away he kissed Seela's cheek lightly as the speeder stopped, showing her just a bit more affection before they would be trapped in public with others and their watching, judging eyes. Vulkan was always a little paranoid, what little was left of Draco's personality always surfaced around Seela, and to a greater extent around Abigail, but try as he might, there was no cure to this ailment Vulkan was willing to inflict upon himself.

The airspeeder stopped and the door beside him popped open with a slight hiss, allowing him to step out and hold Seela's hand to assist her with exiting the vehicle. "Be careful," he said as he lead her from the speeder, making her mindful of the small gap between speeder and landing pad.

Social gatherings were not Vulkan's choice of battle grounds, but he was well aware wars had been fought and won at galas like this one. Just because he didn't care for politics did not mean his potential enemies and allies did not. The fact that he had brought a slave, even if only by a technicality, to such a gathering was a risk to his political stature. Then again, she was only a barely a slave. She was treated well, had her own room in addition to his apartment, was given almost free reign of the tower on Bothawui, and was treated with small gifts on occasion.

The only thing he insisted on was her wearing the gold choker he had given to her upon their first meeting. It held sentimental value to Draco, and was symbolic to him. Crafted by his own hands, the little necklace held special relevance to the Sith Lord, and only the Sith Lord for now.

[member="Seela Tarkona"]
[member="Hion the Herglic"]

 

[Armand Temi]

At Darth Vulkan's warmth and affection, Seela responded tenderly. With a soft, green hand she touched his strong, rugged jaw very gently. She canted her head to him, just so, when he kissed her cheek, her thick lekku curling around her, the end of one twitching like a cat's tail. At times, her new master seemed troubled, but it wasn't her place to question. And since he was a Sith, she merely assumed he was worried about battles and Jedis and backstabbing rivals. Her world view was shaped from being by the side of an elderly Hutt. She could name fifteen different dishes that had tickled Murrka's fancy, but had no idea with a Sith Lord did with his time. So far, Darth Vulkan seemed like a regular businessman. An extraoridinarily wealthly one at that.

Like a Naboo Princess, she delicately took his hand as he helped her out of the speeder. Her heels were ankle-breaking high and her romper cut low. But she was a Twi'lek, and no one in the galaxy would find her wardrobe, heavily made up face or shifting, graceful walk out of character. And if they did, well perhaps they had also been chained to Murkka their whole life.

Seela was properly astonished at the luxury of the surroundings. As they walked into the gala, she made small gasps and sighs at the sheer opulence. She touched the gold choker around her neck and said, "Where to first, Darth Vulkan?" Despite her own room, access to the full Bothawui tower, she knew that she was not to run off without permission. But why should she jeopardize her standing with her master? She had everything she wanted right now - beautiful dresses, jewelry, food and companionship.

Would that be enough, once Seela became more complacement? That remained to be seen.

[member="Darth Vulkan"] [member="Hion the Herglic"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Tall arches soared through the clouds, the dome of the building was shrouded in mist, and the architecture reminded him of the Naboo Lake Country. Vulkan traced the twi'lek's awed gaze through the skies as she took in the sights of Cloud Nine. He continued smiling, comforted by her presence and her returned affection. "You can call me Draco." His voice was quiet and his tone pleasant, but his old name sounded right for the situation. He presumed there would be a few others who knew him only by that name, but when she said it, it would hold different meaning.

Vulkan looked at the Herglic standing at the entrance, speaking to the Houk. Already not a good group of company for guests and hosts, but Darth Orcus was a Sith Lord, honored and respected by the One Sith, the Trade Federation, and the Techno Union, all places Vulkan had holdings. He didn't suspect trouble here, even though with Sith one could never tell if it was a social gathering or a horrific plot. But so far, with the guest list remaining rather sparse, it seemed he and Seela would have the run of the place, possibly going on a tour of the grounds alone after mingling for a while. After all arriving with a Twi'lek wasn't out of the realm of possibilities for Draco either.

Seela asked where they were going, her voice like honey in his ear, and Vulkan thought. There were thousands of square meters to the place owned by Dark Water Security, and it was all far more luxurious and extraordinary than the tower on Bothawui. "Hmm, you lead the way. I don't mind where we go, so long as we go together and you don't abandon me in some boring conversation about stocks. Maybe you can get some ideas for how you want the tower decorated." He held her hand, pulling it through the crook of his arm and intertwining his fingers with hers. For this she was not his slave, she was his date. And with any luck he wouldn't be stuck mingling for very long.

[member="Seela Tarkona"]
[member="Hion the Herglic"]

 

[Azula Tindara]

The quality of cigarra that Thrukk had presented the Herglic was not the kind to take from a cold start. No, one had to warm themselves up to a Kilto X37. Once the waiter had found one of the water pitchers and topped it up with bubbly - a look of dismay on his face - Thrukk had made his way to an empty balcony to light up one of his more affordable cigarras. He practised a few smoke rings as he watched the clouds meander by below. All in all, not a bad gig, he thought. For now he was content to stay here until the hubbub grew. He was a simple creature, genuinely happy in his life of fighting and drunken debauchery, but for now...this was good.

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

Orcus, very familiar with the problem the honorable Mr. Gulpdar now found himself facing, waved a flipper at one of the servants.

"See to it that my guests have properly sized glasses," he wagged a webbed finger. The new catering service clearly hadn't had much experience catering to the likes of Herglic and Houk before.

The host's attention shifted to the new arrivals. Ah, and there came the worthy Draco Vereen, with a lovely green-skinned Twi'lek... er, consort, on his arm. Blubbery brows rose at the golden choker. Well, to each their own. The Herglic lumbered forward, extending a flipper. "Welcome, Mr. Vereen, welcome," he boomed with a voice deeper than the oceans, "and who might this be?"

Bending, Orcus took her hand and gently pressed wide lips to the back of it.

[member="Darth Vulkan"] | [member="Seela Tarkona"] | [member="Thrukk Gulpdar"]

 

[Siyndacha Aerin]

That she'd received an invite was a surprise - she hadn't attended anything of the like in what must have been years, now - and she had considered not attending, then she had thought on ringing up [member="Token Waters"] and decided against it, for things had faded between them, life's plans pulling them in different directions as it had for so long, until the pull was harder to ignore - it had become progressively harder and harder to dial up her comm. Her thoughts had made the rounds last to [member="Darth Adekos"], to whom she was a protégé, but he was still a separate individual. She had an inkling that he might be up to... other things, and what those other things might be. There were a few possibilities.

Adekos was pulling her in another direction, and she was much inclined to follow, given it was she that sought him out, rather than the other way around. In truth, she had been feeling that pull before he'd agreed to take her on. As such, this might be the only fête, the last fête she would attend in her capacity as card-carrying member of the Union, and she attended, white locks drawn up instead of down around her bare shoulders (as per usual) as her coat was handed off, leaving a deep red-brown leather corset for her torso, and very well-fitted dark trousers that led into short-heeled boots. No effort went into concealing the scar that ran from her left eye to that corner of her jaw - it was something she had long-since accepted as part and parcel of her image, and created a juxtaposition with the silvered blue of her eyes that was hard for some to ignore.

She took stock of the others present - [member="Darth Vulkan"] as the current foreman, successor to the man she used to work for some time ago, and his head-tailed companion, [member="Seela Tarkona"]; [member="Thrukk Gulpdar"], a Houk she had never met; a Hergelic, [member="Hion the Herglic"] the host; other invitees of various descriptions. It was some small difficulty to not stare at the Herglic upon arrival, when so much of her time was spent with species her own relative size, but she managed, plucking a fine-stemmed glass off a tray that floated by and sipping at a measured pace, while running simulation numbers in her head and making the rounds. Greetings were given as needed, small talk engaged in as required.

This could be a very dull evening.

 

[Azula Tindara]

"A rose-bud, by my early walk
Adown a corn-enclosèd bawk,"

"A-hem."

Thrukk looked up wearily at the waiter who had cleared his throat at him. He'd barely even been singing under his voice. Bastard.

"I do apologise sir. I wouldn't dream of offending the other guests with such a dreary tune. What ho," he said in his best mock Eriadu nobility accent. Before adding: "Yeah dozy, suited up scrote," under his breath.

Taking a long draft from the pitcher of bubbly he'd been given he looked across at an ashen haired woman and rolled his eyes. Probably a waste of time, she seemed the sort who wouldn't want an atmosphere to break out either.

[member="Siyndacha Aerin"]

 

[Armand Temi]

"Very well, Draco it is."

Seela squeezed the large Mandlorian's hand, gave him a shy glance, but then strode confidently into the room. By Murkka's side for the last few years had made her brave around groups. As long as she didn't have to speak. Seen and not heard is the way the elderly Hutt liked it. Besides she had already forgotten this was a Dark Water Security party and knew nothing about stocks. A thought came to her that never occurred before with Murrka. Perhaps I should read up on galaxy politics or at least find out what Draco does, including the intricacies of the ArmaTech, she mused. If she was going to speak, she didn't want to leave any party guests with the impression she was boring.

But the green Twi'lek didn't have to lead him far. A herglic approached them, his large body obscuring the view of most of the party before her. His grey aquatic eyes scanned her gold choker knowingly bringing color to her cheeks. He kissed her hand gently, his lips rubbery and cold. Seela smiled genuinely and said, "I'm Seela Tarkona. It's a pleasure to meet you. Is this your palace?"

[member="Darth Vulkan"] [member="Hion the Herglic"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Hearing his true name spoken by the young Twi'lek on his arm was different for Vulkan, but he didn't mind it. Vulkan rather enjoyed it in fact. He smiled wide and felt relatively comfortable with the arrangements as they were, but he felt the trickle of his past self, and that inkling felt as though arrangements could be better between them.

Vulkan greeted the Herglic politely, "It's a pleasure to meet you Lord Orcus. I've heard tales of your power and strength." His own voice was not near as deep as the massive herglics, and some of the rasp returning to it as he spoke to someone other than Seela. "And this is Seela, my lovely date." He didn't identify her as a slave for a number of reasons, chiefest among them he didn't feel comfortable calling her a slave at the moment. Having been owned and abused in the mines of Kessel, and having worked for the Hutts in his youth, Vulkan was somewhat sympathetic towards slaves, and Seela in particular.

"She was hoping we could tour the building, perhaps you have a protocol droid that could show us around?" Vulkan asked the herglic, a slight sneer crossing his face as the Herglic kissed Seela's hand, and it faded just as quickly as it arose. Jealous and possessive were certainly two adjectives that could be used to describe Darth Vulkan, and such traits were exaggerated with the few beings he considered family. The domed structure was very large and beautiful, a private tour of the grounds would be nice and relaxing, away from all those people that Vulkan didn't care for, even if it was under the watch of Dark Water Security. They were always watching anyway, but so long as they weren't present and standing over Vulkan and Seela, he could be relaxed.

"Come along Seela. Let's grab a drink and mingle while we wait for an escort around the building." Vulkan gently pulled her along with him, away from the eyes of the Herglic. He could see the color in her cheeks and he wanted to find a seat, a drink, and get close to Seela, reaffirming himself she was his and no others.

[member="Seela Tarkona"]
[member="Hion the Herglic"]

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

Orcus chuckled politely. "No, Miss Tarkona. It is only a small estate. I'm no king, just an enterprising business whale."

The enormous flipper released her slender hand. "Please, do come inside. I will be in momentarily once all the guests have arrived, but until then feel free to make yourselves at home. And yes of course, Lord Vereen, I will have a protocol droid at your disposal."

He clapped his flippers, as snapping was not anatomically possible for Herglics, and a servant immediately appeared. In short, concise words Orcus described what Draco wished for and sent the servant off again.

With a jovial, albeit terrifyingly wide and toothy smile, Orcus turned to the next guest. A striking young woman, with shimmering locks that put the moon to shame and eyes like starlight on the water. Her lithe frame moved with the ease and self-assurity of a trained killer. A gait matched by many of his employees, but none so graceful as she. She floated through the room as though carried on an autumn breeze. Cool and polite, but Orcus suspected the wintry blizzard waiting in those arms, pale as frost.

A woman of beauty, danger and skill in the Force. She could be none other than Adekos' apprentice.

Feeling conscientious of his lumbering size in light of her own glacial poise, the private security magnate approached her.

"The lovely Miss Aerin, I presume?"

[member="Darth Vulkan"] | [member="Seela Tarkona"] | [member="Siyndacha Aerin"]

 

[Armand Temi]

Seela hoped she hadn't embarrassed Draco by thinking that Hion, the business whale, was a king, but in her limited experience, only a royal would want to live in as grand a palace. Of course the Bothawui Tower was luxurious, and the ArmaTech building was imposing in its own right, but her master was not a king either.

When the Mandalorian called her his date, this made Seela grin. She rearranged her lekku around her shoulders as though jewelry, while Draco asked for a protocol droid to give them a tour. In the meantime, Seela scanned the room for Force sensitive individuals and noticed a mix of dark and light.

"I would love a drink," said the olive-colored alien, still trying to not look slack-jawed at the surroundings. Seela put on her most charismatic expression - heavy lidded eyes with the edge of her ruby lips curled in a smile. She was a Twi'lek after all, a plaything of the rich and famous, and some would argue the most attractive species in the galaxy. Her goal tonight, besides engaging conversation and subtle flirtation with her master, would be to make sure Draco received all of the accolades he could by having such a beautiful specimen on his arm.

[member="Darth Vulkan"]

 

[Azula Tindara]

Thrukk shrugged and extinguished his cigarra. The movement was akin to twin sacks of potatoes rolling under a thin sheet. Since his time with the Morgukai he had been training hard once more. Time with the Hutt cartel had left him soft around the middle, but now he was returning to the physique he had kept through his time as a pit fighter. The cigarra was extinguished on the palm of his artificial arm. Sometimes, as a party trick, he would extinguish it on his organic hand. Then he would pretend to have done it accidentally and swear loudly, before laughing and revealing that his thick hide could take it. This didn't seem the crowd though.

Walking back into the main hall he saw a familiar sight. This was ground he had covered before in the White Palace a thousand times over. Small talk that was easy to make. He strode over to the well suited individual and his slave, a half-empty pitched of champagne held in his fist.

"Mah whit an exquisite creature. She must hae cost a pretty penny!" he exclaimed, looking the Twi'lek in the very small dress up and down.

[member="Seela Tarkona"]
[member="Darth Vulkan"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Seela's change in attitude wasn't lost on the Sith Lord, and he rather liked the change. Vulkan moved and found a corner snapping fingers at the protocol droid to bring the pair a drink, as soon as she responded. He stood off away from the others for a reason, smiling with Seela, "When do you want to go on that tour?" He asked, keeping her hand in his, fingers intertwined with hers, pulled close. He wanted anyone who looked at the pair to immediately recognize she was his and they weren't separating unless they absolutely had to.

When the very large, very muscular Houk approached Vulkan tore his eyes off his companion to greet the large humanoid creature. "I wouldn't know," his voice was rather displeased at the Houk's rude, albeit very correct, assumption. Technically the statement wasn't a lie either, as Vulkan had forced someone else to purchase Seela and left all the haggling and price dealing to them, while he fawned over Seela. An action he had never stopped since her being in his possession. Vulkan, brought her hand that was clutched in his own and kissed the back of it softly in a public display of affection.

"I am Draco Vereen, CEO of ArmaTech. This exquisite being is my date, Seela Tarkona." He gestured to her with his free hand and looked at Seela fondly before returning his gaze to the Houk. "And you are?" Vulkan had hoped he would get a few minutes alone with Seela at some point during the night, but it seemed that it might be a bit far fetched at this point.

[member="Seela Tarkona"]
[member="Thrukk Gulpdar"]

 

[Armand Temi]

The Twi'lek wasn't embarrassed or even perturbed at the giant Houk and his rather vocal appreciation of her. She was used to similar gawking and compliments during her time with Murrka the Hutt. The best you could do was offer your thanks, lest you insult a more powerful being by not acknowledging the admiration. Unfortunately, Seela had learned that the hard way, though Murrka's discipline took the form of rapping her on the back of the hand with a swagger stick or taking away her favorite Hutt dish for the night.

“Why, thank you,” said Seela to the cigarra-smelling alien. His huge hand made the small champagne flute look like a table setting from a dollhouse.

But despite Draco’s affection for her, she could tell though his Force signature that he had bristled at the approach of the Houk. She was learning to read his moods through the familiar energy aura. Trying to reassure him, she looped her arm around his waist, allowing her tchun-tchin to drape down close to his chest, and through his tuxedo, he would be able to feel its warmth.

[member="Darth Vulkan"] [member="Thrukk Gulpdar"]