Public A Step into the Light | Eshan Solstice Festival

[Alina Tremiru]

This was horrifying.

Alina had been to all manner of parties in her life. Since she could walk, really. But those were parties held by Sith. Dangerous meetings guised as parties where a wrong word could end with poison in a drink or a knife in the back. Even after she killed her mother and took over the Tremiru house she still had to deal with those sorts of parties.

But this wasn't one of those parties. Quinn Varanin had invited her to it, but it was Noelle Varanin 's party. Her twin. The Jedi? Was she a Jedi? The Vampiress really had no idea, and that made it that much more intimidating. Worse, she could feel the Jedi that did arrive. She wasn't Sith anymore, but she had been. How many would try to apprehend her or such? Would that happen? Back home Alina could at least defend herself, but she wouldn't here. Not if it got Quinn in trouble.

So she stood just outside the main room, idly fiddling with her dress. She had even come without weapons. Just a simple green dress that was nothing like the form fitting kind she'd worn before. She wanted to avoid attention, though she imagined once she did find the princess she'd draw all manner of eyes. Still, Quinn asked her here. With a deep, needless breath she walked in, head held high. Despite her nerves and inner panic, she walked with a confidence befitting her station.

Well, ex station.

 

[Phalsi Drynchen]

Objective: Have a Blast
Equipment: Under-Armor, Clothes-How they look, utility belt, Wrist Device, Slicing/Gaming Tool, The Encoil, Stowaway Node, Clarion Personal Translator
Weapons: Four Zenji Needles
Tags: Yula Perl
​

Her eyes went straight for the kebab the fellow was holding, her glance up to his face gave him a dismissive frown as she made a sound of agreement.

There was joy in her laugh at seeing Yula blush. She adjusted the jacket of the outfit she was wearing with a shrug.

"There might be a few floating around on personal devices...but the main feed inexplicably had corruption issues." She quietly explained as her mouth twisted up into a sly, devilish grin. "And those shorts really brought out your...assests."

The message delivered and her question answered, there was healthy laugh that came from her. Her silver colored hair tossed lightly as she let her head fall back in the, the half bun that she had put the zenji needle sheaths into never failing to hold their secret weapon. There were two parts that hadn't been put into her bun, instead curled and allowed to drape down the side of her head.

If it wasn't for the light, her pale skin might have blended into the snowy environment, though she was clearly outdone by the residents here. Icy blue eyes stared at the zeltron as she explained

"Next time-oh never mind. If he's on your couch I daresay I need to suggest what to do with your time, and shock boxing shorts." She didn't pull away from the grasp Yula had on her, and kept her sith-spit grin glowing as she glanced at the other.

"You did keep those...right?" The question was more teasing than anything. A small chortle coming from her as she spied about for the food stand in question.

"So then..."

She cut herself off, finding the vendor in question and directing the pair that way with a guiding push.

"What is Mister Booties name? I'm sure he is having a sneezing fit given how much we've mentioned him already." Her eyes kept focused on the stall in question as she kept her voice low and between them.

"Didn't figure you to go for Alliance types. Or did he sweep you off your feet one day? Give me something. Otherwise I'll find him myself." There was a threat beneath her soft toned words, one that Yula would definitely recognize given the number of times Phalsi had done a little record and data smudging here and there for her.

 

[Kat Decoria]

Tags: Open to Interaction
Outfit: Link
Location: Around the palace

Letting Lily down, Kat shared a brief word with Rose about how her travels have been going. Rose instantly went to whether Kat had a girlfriend yet or was still single, Kat groaned. This, this exact question was probably why Kat hadn't been back home in so long. Constantly asking when Kat was going to settle down just wanted Kat to remain single and spite her sister but she just gave a wink to Lily and then smiled back to Rose. "No, no girlfriends. Not gotten married either. Was thinking of another tattoo or a decent back piece." Kat said, smirk on her lips since she knew how much her sister hated tattoos. The result was a death stare from her sister before she shook her head and sighed, three of them letting out a cheery laugh.

"I'll go fetch us some drinks." Kat stated after the laughter died down and headed over to the bar, she spotted Rose taking Lily to dance while Kat wandered off which was nice to see. Also meant that she didn't have to rush back with the drinks and just take in the palace in all its costly grandeur. Kat had been to the palace before the attacks on Eshan, her sister and Rose's husband had worked there so she would visit them occasionally. Her brothers had been guards so they would always talk about the different areas they would go see as well. It was hard for Kat, she lost them all, everything had gone so very quickly.

It would have been easy to just hate Mandalorians, to hate everyone and fall into despair but Kat somehow managed to pull herself out of it. Probably due to the fact she had to be the one that looked after her mother, Rose and Lily now. That she had to take charge and responsibility when she was very young for such a role. Pouring herself a drink, perhaps that's why now she was taking things much more wild and being a very free spirit. Looking around, she wondered how many others would be thinking of the family, friends and such that they lost years ago.

 

[Kal]

Noelle Varanin | Jacen Nimdok​

It was clear that he had hit a nerve, there, her little liaison proving to be quite the embarrassment to one who seemed to pride herself on her rigorous self-control and adherence to proper decorum. Kal, of course, had no strong feelings one way or the other, as was the norm for his kind. It was hardly his fault that some mortals attributed a quite frankly ridiculous significance to such matters.

"I am nothing if not discreet." A playful smirk on his lips, he briefly considered mentioning that his memory was near-flawless and his ability to relay just about anything he had personally seen during his month-long imprisonment in her necklace unquestionable.

Better not, she cared a lot more for such things that he did and there were people watching.

Brow furrowing in confusion at a camera flash - what kind of antique still used such techniques? - and the child from before making a face at him or perhaps Noelle, Kal otherwise made a rather dull photo model. Leaning closer to the queen, he whispered conspiratorily.

"Would you prefer if that camera, oh I don't know, suffered a sudden malfunction?"​

 

[Jacen Nimdok]

“That one’s definitely a keeper,” Nimdok said gleefully. “Hey, would you look at that!”

Miri went from pouting to gaping at the image of the Queen of Eshan pressing her lips to her drink like a swan dipping its beak in a pond. “Uh oh.”

“Would you say she does look rather majestic when she’s being candid, at least?”

“Uh, I don’t know,” Miri replied, giggling nervously. “Maybe you shouldn’t post that. I mean, you could get sued…”

“And give up a priceless photo of you like that? Forget it, Miri. It’s not like I’m going to post it on the Holonet.”

He put away his datapad, concluding the matter. Miri groaned, but in the end it didn’t matter. If nobody outside of her family and maybe a select few friends would ever see it, the embarrassment levels she would suffer were minimal.

The same, of course, would go for the queen and her spoilsport beau.

Noelle Varanin | Kal​

 

[Noelle Varanin]

Kal | Jacen Nimdok | Open
Palace Windows​

That better not go up on the holonet.

Noelle pursed her lips, watching as the the datapad dipped out of sight. The child besides the man looked just as dour as she felt. It seemed parents everywhere had a way of ruining spirits.

"No," she concluded with a sigh, placing her glass back on the table. "Let them have their fun. We wouldn't want them to think us rude ."

She sensed Kal's comment before it could come to life, the image of a certain pendant flashing inside her mind's eye. She shot him a look, but a gleam of light in the sky cut her off before anything could be said.

Specks of warm light began to drift up to the sky, the numbers steadily growing as different courtyards released their lanterns at their own pace. "Oh. It is time." She announced, walking around the table to stand by the floor length window overlooking the city. The attention in the ballroom drifted towards the windows, soft noises of wonder catching through the crowd.

The lanterns slowly ascended, creating the illusion of stars rising across the dusky horizon.

Goosebumps speckled her arms, the sight transporting her back to a past that could never be revived. She swallowed hard.

"Well." She cleared away the hoarse edge of her voice. "Winter will be upon us before we know it now." She glanced over her shoulder, her expression pained as she scanned the faces turned towards the window.

Would she be able to protect them if it came back down to it?

She really hoped so.

"Here, you have your turn," she offered to Inanna Harth , granting the offerworlder a turn at the crowded window as she turned to step away.

 

[Allyson Locke]

//: Palace //:
//: Jyoti Nooran //:​

Eshan.

It was a planet that had suffered as much as any world has during the ongoing wars. Sith and Mandalorians ravaged the landscape, yet at the end of the day, the Echani rebuilt. They were a resilient people; Allyson found the parallels they had with the Corellians - never giving up. Maybe it was why Allyson found herself drawn to the culture and the people.

It was good to see Eshan coming back, finding the glory that it once had. Allyson smiled brightly as she watched the palace come into view when they had arrived, but being inside of it now - the view didn't give it justice. There were faces that were familiar, one in particular ( Kat Decoria ) Allyson gave the woman a knowing smile, then turned her attention back to the sight before her.

Standing in the long hallway of the palace, Allyson wrapped her arms gently around her waist. For what felt like the first time, Allyson Locke was in a palace at a party - under her own name. The floor-length black dress clung to her curves as she moved down the hallway and glanced casually back towards her companion.

"You think you guys would eventually move back here?" Allyson smiled, "It's gorgeous here." She paused and remembered. "This your first time on Eshan, Jyoti?" Allyson tried to remember a time where they would have been to the planet. Knowing that her memory was chit - she was prepared to sheepishly grin her mistake away. ​

 

[Jyoti Nooran]

Dress

"You think you guys would eventually move back here?" Allyson smiled, "It's gorgeous here." She paused and remembered. "This your first time on Eshan, Jyoti?" Allyson tried to remember a time where they would have been to the planet. Knowing that her memory was chit - she was prepared to sheepishly grin her mistake away.

"It's certainly not my first time on Eshan," Jyoti gently corrected, "but it has it has been a long time. Not since the Bryn'adul appeared on the frontier."

Before her time had been consumed with campaigning with the Silver Jedi, the Jedi Master had quietly hopped back and forth between the large Echani enclave on Kiribi, and Five Sisters, mostly on charity drives to help restore Eshan.

"I'll continue to visit with my family - they're visiting husband's clan in system right now - but we're quite content with our current living situation."

She was personally open to the idea of returning to her homeworld, though Bastian was less than enthused with the prospect. The native Bengali had never been much of a fan of Eshan to start, and didn't care for the current dynasty. Her friendship with the previous queen had been a sore spot in their relationship.

Caught up to Allyson by now, the two women were the vision of contrast, the Corellian brunette in a snug fitting black dress while the silver haired Echani had opted for a more conservative high collar cream gown.

"You clean up pretty well, by the way," Jyoti complimented. "I had nearly forgotten - what a pleasant reminder."

Allyson Locke

 

[Nadja Keto]

MELATONIN​

What is a party without drinks?

The thought must've ran through the Tetan's mind at least a dozen times as she downed one cocktail after the other, though respectively spaced apart to keep herself from looking like some kind of drunk. The alcohol, for her part, didn't seem to make much of a difference, not beyond the expression of distaste that crossed her face at the initial bitterness of olives touching her tongue. She wasn't exactly here to enjoy herself, at least not in the way most of the people were here, just to be somewhere different, with people that she didn't know, and just live. Rehab had gone well for the noble, she'd taken the reigns of her old friend's company until the Graush child was old enough to run it himself, and the anxiety-ridden relationship with the Enso she'd been seeing before she'd checked herself in for treatment was over, but still things hadn't shaped up for her like she'd thought they would.

Maybe it was that going back to normal wasn't quite as glamorous as actual, tangible, success was, and maybe it's because going from worse to just .. whatever it was she was dealing with now still seemed so incredibly far from something that was ideal for her, but there was something deeply disappointing in realizing that just defeating adversity wasn't the same thing as getting what she wanted. Not that what she wanted was anywhere in reach for her, not when she was constantly comparing herself to everyone else based on what she perceived to be their success and enjoyment.

Like, who doesn't have fun at parties?

She glanced down at the martini glass in her hand, swirling the slightly opaque liquid around once and then twice with an inquisitive look on her face, perhaps pondering the same question, before glancing back up and catching sight of the party's hostess stepping away from a window nearby. Her gaze was quickly averted, however, as she turned towards the way she'd came in. 'This was a mistake.' She thought, regretting, perhaps, her choice to surround herself with so many people. The idea of returning to the city streets, or at least the lakeside, where she could feel a little less claustrophobic, seemed much more palatable than mingling with all these social types.

 

[Allyson Locke]

//: Palace //:
//: Jyoti Nooran //:​

Allyson nodded while listening to Jyoti explain. As much as Allyson enjoyed Bastion’s company, she did prefer having Jyoti to herself. Even with this much time passing between them, there was a hint of jealousy still in the Corellian’s heart. The compliment warmed her heart, causing a blush to color her face. “Thanks, you clean up pretty nice yourself.” Glancing towards the Echani at her side, the Corellian smirked and gave the woman a wink.

She mused, feeling oddly happy that the husband was away, but she did miss the kids. A part of her wondered how they would have reacted to being around Eshan, seeing the lights and the celebrations. “So I have you all to myself tonight,” Allyson couldn’t help her widening grin. “Kind of like the old times,” She shrugged, not wanting to lean too much into the past.

“The Solstice, from what I know, is pretty important, yeah?” ​

 

[Mathilde Brennus]

Dress

On her way out of the back of the palace, Mathilde was all smiles, practically bouncing with each step. In fact, she was bored out of her mind. Social galas weren't the Firedancer's thing, but the life of an heiress came with certain expectations. Ah, at least she could tell her mother she lasted the better part of an hour (37 minutes and 23 seconds exactly) schmoozing with other nobles and potential suitors before wandering off to her own devices.

Now on the back path, she kept right to towards the lake - wanting to avoid all the likely shenanigans happening in the gardens. Soon she was greeted by the lakefront, the still waters perfectly mirroring the moons, stars, and rising lanterns from around the city. A mesmerizing sight, it was like one could step off the shore and fall right through the glittering night sky.

However, if one looked closer, they could see that the clever renovation couldn't completely cover the scars that pockmarked the area. It angered Mathilde that those responsible for wrecking the capital were still at large.

How she hated an unpaid debt.

Someday it would be repaid.

Stone gave way to sand, the Echani popping out of her heels to feel the soft sediment against her feet. She arrived close enough to the edge of the shore that the cool waters came up to her ankles. Humming to herself, she began to walk around the edge the lake. For a long time, she was alone with the sound of her own jangling jewelry and hums, but soon she could begin to hear mellow tunes wafting through the air.

Perhaps a recorder or flute? That she couldn't say, but nonetheless the music signaled she wasn't alone.

She pressed forward toward the origin of the interloper.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

Eshan.​

​

Not exactly a place Fiolette thought she'd end up, but there she was and for Solstice too. The redhead strode in as casual as she could, she wore a suit with a shirt. The party thus far seemed fairly quiet, but then she wasn't there to do anything more than mingle. She was looking for business opportunities, ways to expand Primo Victorian's influence the once Grand Admiral, and retired Lord Admiral held a simple flute of champaign in one hand whilst the other stood out to shake hands.​

​

As she wandered the palace, Fiolette noticed a few faces she recognized. Allyson Locke and Jyoti Nooran the Galidraani couldn't help but smirk. The woman thought about their stance, clearly, something was about to happen. The redhead chuckled and approached the couple, "well, well, well what a lovely find." She interjected, deliberately breaking the mood between the two women. "It's been quite a while since I've seen either of you." The ink on Fiolette's left hand would have been visible, after all, it would've been hard to ignore the High Sith art on the top of her hand. ​

​

As she looked past the couple she spotted John Locke , well, this was going to be a very interesting evening, indeed. ​

​

Kassandra Distorith ​

 

[Kat Decoria]

Tags: Open to Interaction
Outfit: Link
Location: Around the palace

As she hung around the bar, letting her social anxiety settle a little more, she spotted Allyson Locke enter, at first Kat was surprised to see her there and bit her lip in trying to figure out if Allyson would like some company or not. And Kat could not deny that dress looked amazing on the Corellian and she stood out at least in Kat's mind. However, thoughts were quickly dashed when she saw Allyson move close and intimately with another Echani, one that Kat didn't recognise. The pang of jealousy brewed in Kat but she sighed and shook her head, she wasn't going to let those feelings take over her emotions and instead decided to relax and order herself another brew, something a little stronger this time around.

Taking a sip, she let out a sigh of relief, the pangs of jealousy faded with each sip. Last encounter with Allyson, it wasn't something serious and Kat should have realised that while it was amazing time together, it was not something concrete. Kat knew she wasn't the dating type, and she wasn't good enough for others to settle down with. Kat was just keeping having fun. Finishing her drink and settling the drink down, she rubs her temples slowly, what was she going to spend her time here doing? People were already meeting, interacting and having a laugh while Kat feeling a little isolated.

Ordering her third drink, she finished the drink and decided it was time to take the drinks back to Rose and Lily.

 

[Srina Talon]

Tag: Iuuna Talon | Spencer Varanin | Quinn Varanin | Darth Metus
Wearing: Grey
_________________________________________________________​

Srina had returned to her homeworld a number of times since the landscape of Eshan City had forever been altered. First, to speak with the former Queen in regards to the state of repairs. Again, in regards to the Halcyon Storm that had once patrolled their space to ensure that the Mandalorian threat remained neutralized. Again, to respect, and bury her eldest sibling Valina Talon. Again, for her youngest sibling.

Again, and again, and again.

A dozen little speckled visits to her family. To Eshan. For those that she had left as a young woman to protect—That she now avoided for the same reasons. She arrived without an entourage or any sort of fanfare. Discovering that Spencer Varanin was well and truly alive again meant that she had sent a missive to see if she would be in attendance, but she had come home, this time, for three reasons.

Of course, to see her family. Her mother still hadn’t forgiven her. She was still seen as an avatar of death and no measure of platitudes, apologies, or shared grief would ever reign in the icy cold temper of the Talon Matriarch. It didn’t matter that she had marshaled the entirety of a nation from across the stars to see to the freedom of her homeworld—It only mattered that she had failed to save two of her sisters.

Thankfully, her Father was more forgiving.

Secondly, to see her godchild. She hadn’t had the chance to see her whilst visiting the Sith Empire and Quinn Varanin had grown so much in her absence. Letters did not do any justice. I would never be the same as actually seeing her face to face.

Thirdly, but not at all least, was perhaps the most important reason of all. @Iunna Talon. Her niece. The child of her deceased sister that had returned from the Netherworld. She knew not her home. She knew not her people. She wouldn’t know an Echani from a Human and had no idea about their culture or way of life. Srina felt ill-equipped to tutor her, however, she was family. More than anything she was Tellu’s daughter. Srina, missed Tellu more than words. Iunna looked like her.

It was impossible to deny her anything.

“I never spent much time in the palace as a child, but I thought you might want to take a break from Hríwaeg for the evening. Your grandmother can be…”, Srina trailed off, quietly, from beneath a deep grey embroidered hood, “Overwhelming.”

Aeris Talon could not accept that Srina was Iunna’s legal guardian. By both law and the wishes of Tellu. She had given Iunna a pale blue and white cloak to keep away the chill of the evening but she had allowed the young woman free reign in terms of clothing. Srina herself was dressed in white. Imposing without meaning to be, statuesque, and without peer. Her tone was severe but sweepingly gentle when addressing her niece.

“Ask anything you wish. I will answer all that I can.”

Darth Metus was currently finding a place to park their shuttle. For some reason he always worried when she came back to Eshan. Perhaps, because it was so far away. He had even found the time to accompany her through Sith Space. The ship that they had taken to arrive was much larger, but they wanted to create the smallest impact possible. It was a social visit. For goodwill, family, and attachments.

Not political. The Confederacy had nothing to do with this.

 

[Jyoti Nooran]

Dress

Allyson's smile was infectious, so she returned it with a smirk of her own. She certainly wasn't oblivious to the way that Allyson reacted to the mention of Bastian, though she hardly felt like addressing it. Not here of all places. She didn't want to sour such a lovely engagement with awkwardness.

She let it slide, but in doing so she was dancing on a line.

Just for tonight...

It'll be fine...

"Just like old times, sans the explosions."

She gave Allyson a playful tap on the temple with her fingertips. The Corellian had the uncanny ability to see them wind up near exploding reactors. Though admittedly their last mission on Sarka had been all her doing.

While drinking in Allyson's hazel eyes, she saw the glints of light reflected back. The Echani looked up to see the release of countless lanterns on a ascent just as she was asked about the cultural significance of the Solstice.

"I imagine we're hardly unique in celebrating the changing of the seasons, but this particular event holds special significance as the Echani haven't formally celebrated the Summer Solstice in more than a decade. For most of that period, Eshan was either occupied or gripped by domestic strife."

Sometimes, the Echani wished she could have done more for the Five Sisters, but her duty as Jedi left her stretched thin. When the whole known galaxy was her concern, it was tough to focus where she wanted.

Before she could go on with the history lesson, they were interrupted by a familiar face, that of Fiolette. The last time she had personally interacted with the pragmatic shipwright, it had been over some contracts over joint projects that hadn't really gone anywhere. She hadn't really kept close tabs on the Galidraani during her retirement, but she at knew the woman had bounced around the galaxy in different capacities, as evidenced by the Sith markings that peeked from under the cuff.

Just like a cat, she always seemed to land on her feet amid any setback.

"It has been, Admiral," Jyoti agreed as she straightened up. "Though it appears all that time has been quite good to you."

As a Shadow, she wasn't exactly elated to deal with Sith or Imps, former or otherwise, but Fiolette was hardly the only one running around tonight. No harm came from being diplomatic, so long as everyone minded their manners.

"I recall you like to keep busy. What are you up to these days?"

Allyson Locke Fiolette Fortan

 

[Allyson Locke]

//: Palace //:
//: Jyoti Nooran //: Fiolette Fortan //:​

Everything was perfect.

Allyson was with Jyoti, alone. They only had these moments during missions, but that was always business. For the first time in a long time, Allyson was near the Echani without the galaxy falling apart around them. It felt like the old days, too much like the old days, that Allyson could feel herself slipping. For so long, she focused on keeping herself at a distance, her heart at a distance, knowing what Jyoti had wanted.

They were friends, but there was always hope that maybe there was still something more.

Allyson laughed at the mention of explosions. It seemed they were just as involved in this friendship as the pair was. "Never complained about all the explosions. Some were pretty nice after the fact." Another infectious smile from the Corellian as she brushed her arm against her companion's.

The Echani were a people that spoke through movement and touch; she had learned this from Jyoti through the years. She was interested in listening to more about the Echani people, mainly to lose herself in the sound of Jyoti's voice. With family and their individual work, time alone to just talk was so rare.

Before Jyoti could start her lesson, someone had decided to interrupt. Allyson wore her heart on her sleeve as she watched the perfect moment fade into history before her eyes. Reality settled in, and while it wasn't the Echani's husband interrupting, it was another. Allyson cleared her throat, trying to not stare down the woman who had interfered.

While Jyoti seemed to know the woman personally, Allyson had only seen the woman through a datapad. Short memories of a mission of the past resurfaced. It was a mission that Allyson probably should not have walked away from, but it was just another reason she earned her callsign 'Lucky.' Raising an eyebrow at the art on the woman, she made a note. Knowing that she and Taeli Raaf had separated, she didn't expect to see anything Sith on the Admiral's body.

She filed it away with all the other information she had gathered. Allyson stood close to the Echani woman.

"You look quite different in real life than you did on a holo feed." A cheeky smile as she referred to the last time the pair would have come face to face.​

 

[Kat Decoria]

Tags: Open to Interaction
Outfit: Link
Location: Around the palace

As Kat head back over to Rose and Lily, she spotted the Exarch of CIS, Srina Talon . Kat ducked around and attempted to hide from view, since the last time she had seen Srina was when she was heavily mourning the lost of her family and the Exarch had snapped at Kat. Kat definitely wanted to avoid embarrassing herself again in front of the well-respected Echani. Reaching her sister and niece, Kat handed over the glasses, her eyes kept returning back over to Allyson who was very clearly attempting to wrap herself around the Echani she was with, an action that panged more jealousy in the Echani who swallowed it and tried to maintain her cool. It was just a casual thing, just a casual thing. No labels, this is Allyson we are talking about, she doesn't want to be serious with anyone. Kat tried to let her thoughts go and return to the moment with Rose and Lily, but her eyes would keep checking in with Allyson and the others to figure out what was going on.

Eventually her sister cottoned on and sighed, "who are you staring at Kat?!"

"Shhhh... Not so loud Rose." Kat whispered, even though the place was busy, she didn't want to risk people overhearing them and spreading it around. Gossip spread faster than wildfires.

Turning to see where Kat was continually looking, "why are you so interested in Jyoti Nooran ..."

"That's Jyoti Nooran? Oh gods! Of course it is! How did I forget that?!" Kat cut in as she moaned and shook her head, of course it was Jyoti and that made more sense than Allyson bringing someone very random. When Kat had been a Padawan in the SJC back when it was the SJO, Jyoti had been in charge, in fact she had a very close relationship with Allyson if Kat remembered. Looking back, and with the clear flirting from Allyson now to Jyoti, they could have been more than friends back then. Though Kat wasn't sure if that was maintained now, she doubted it since she doubted Allyson would have would had a casual fling with Kat if she was seriously involved with someone else.

"Kat, what is going on with you? Did you sleep with Jyoti?" Rose looked concerned at her sister with some judgement in her tone.

"What? No, not Jyoti..." Kat sighed and then decided she might as well confess, "I was on mission with Allyson Locke, we shared a kiss and then decided to share something a bit more intimate together." Carefully saying her words to not be as blunt as usual around Lily. Rose was grinning wide, clearly very aware of Kat's feelings towards Allyson, "keep it in your pants Rose, it wasn't anything serious, just a way to celebrate a mission success..." Kat shrugged a bit too nonchalantly as Rose sighed and forced Kat to look over to her.

"Kat. Baby sis. Stop with this casual stuff, you deserve better," Kat rolled her eyes hard and tried to look away, "now, go over there and figure out what your feelings are for Allyson and what hers are for you or keep being a creepy weirdo spying on her from here." Kat sighed, she realised that there was some truth to her sister's words and she was stuck between confronting her feelings or pretending they didn't exist.

Taking Rose's hands off her, "fine. I'll go over but if there is a scene then this is on you." Kat growled as she took her sister's drink and finished it, hissing at the sweetness of the beverage. But it would help steel her nerves as she decided to walk over to Allyson, Jyoti and the third person they were with.

 

[Kal]

Noelle Varanin | Jacen Nimdok​

There might have been the slightest hint of indignation in his eyes at her unspoken implication that they would know him to be responsible, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. The ephemeral figments of pride concealed beneath layers of snark and a blasé attitude.

Meeting her eye with a smirk on his look, he shook his head amicably. She could sense that too, could she? He would need to take a closer look at this bond of theirs, one of these days. If he was leaking information he needed to know - and knowing was what he did best.

"Lovely." Strolling along after her, he eyed the rising lights curiously - the cultural significance equally interesting.

"The winter cold takes the unprepared. Anticipation is already a decent first step." It was clear that he was speaking in metaphors, though so was she. Not that the physical winter did not present its share of challenges, but Kal was not overly concerned about that - even Hoth was liveable.​

 

[Saram Kote]

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Tag(s): Sergeant Omen ​

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Spoiler: Equipment

​

• Armor:
  • 'Vuhyr'yalilyr'gam'
    • Vambrace Weapons:
      • TBP-01V Tractor-Pressor Beam Projector
      • PC-05V Plasma Caster
        • Plasma Gas Medium Cannister (1)
      • MML-01V Miniaturized Missile Launcher
        • Electro Darts (4)
        • Explosive Darts (4)
        • Surveillance Tagger Darts (4)
      • NML-02VTB Nano missile Launcher
• Implant(s):​
  • 'Rammikad' Enhancement Package
  • 'Gar Tkiriyr' Neural Interface
• Melee:
  • B-01M Beskad
  • K-02M Kal (2)
• Sidearm(s)
  • LRH-5A Verpine Shatter Pistol w/ 'Kyrayc Sur'haai' 1-4x Short Range Optic
• Rifle(s):
  • AMR-4M Verpine Shatter Anti-Materiel Rifle w/ 'Kyrayc Sur'haai' 1-250x Extreme Range Optic
• Explosives:
  • Smoke Grenades (3)
  • Flash-Bang Grenades (3)

​

​

​

​

​

​

Eshan. Eshan was where it began. Where that shabuir Australis and his ilk kicked off the chain of events that ended in the holocaust of the Mandalore sector and their ba'slan shev'la from the system. Things had moved so quickly after that. The CIS contract, Ryloth, Rodia, the slew of places she'd been deployed since. Then the company's insane decision to try that lunatic mixed squad idea that resulted in having to leave Davaab. Thank the shabla Manda they'd changed their mind on that. She told herself she take a step back when she could, just to clear her head, she hadn't. Maybe returning to where it all started, even if she hadn't been here herself, would help start that process. ​

​

She'd be halfway to Tatooine if it wasn't for Ran convincing her to take a break. To take some time off just for herself, to clear her head of all the osik that'd happened off late. He'd sold her with the promise that he'd take Davaab for a briikasak, and that they'd celebrate their reunion once she got back. Thankfully, Ruus owed her a favor, and so here she was. Saram had borrowed her ori'vod's Kyr'galaar, which thankfully was running Confederacy Armed Forces registered company transponder codes, which surely weren't a cause for concern for the Silver Jetii. ​

​

The best views she got of the planet were on approach. She was ever so tempted to linger, just let the fighter drift on atmospheric currents and mild course corrections with the thrusters, but flight control would've definitely taken umbrage with a heavily armed fighter drifting about with all the precision of a drunken zeltron in their airspace. So she made her approach nice and easy, setting down in one of the space port's landing bays with more than a reasonable degree of competency. The fuel crews that walked in weren't quite thrilled to see a Mando in full beskar'gam, but she could hardly blame them for that. So Saram put on her best 'customer service' voice, the one she reserved for when a client got fussed about something pointless, and appeased them best she could. ​

​

Saram slipped off her buy'ce so she had less locals thinking she was the advance party for a renewed Mandalorian invasion. The hit of fresh air was quite something. It wasn't that she'd been living out of her beskar'gam, but having the headspace to actually appreciate the fresh air, that was what was different. She was tempted to wander the streets of the city, but she was intent on seeing the lake where the orbital bombardment had started. So she walked, politely nodding at anyone who gave her a nasty glare because of the armor when she heard something she hardly expected to hear on Eshan of all places; besbev music. ​

​

Saram's enhanced senses easily guided her to the source of the music. It was a man in spacer's gear, sitting on a log on the shore, playing a fantastically light and airy tune. It was almost at odds with the scene around him, but wistful, hopeful even. The jaded side of her immediately wanted to scoff at it, but she didn't. Instead, when she opened her mouth, a greeting to the man stumbled out instead, "Su'cuy, vod. Nice tune."​

 

[August Oreno]

Noelle Varanin | Quinn Varanin | Kal | Jacen Nimdok | Alina Tremiru

--
​

The proposal had been approved.

Strangely enough however representatives of the Queen had been sent to his estate. That was highly unusual, since the Crown almost always required you to pay homage at Court. The handiwork of the Queen no doubt. A rebuke that he had gone too far in their last meeting. No matter how many requests he made, August was not given another personal audience.

At the very least House Oreno was secure... for now.

It was luck that the Solstice Festival was at hand. It was one thing to deny a personal audience, but it would be far more difficult to dodge an impromptu meeting during the festival.

"The Queen? Oh, yes, I saw her stroll by in that direction." A courtier informed August, while pointing to one direction. Unbeknownst to August (who had the excuse of having spend more time off-world than on Eshan these past few years) Noelle had a twin sister.

And right now?

He was walking straight for Quinn, having been pointed to the wrong sister.

"Ah, your Highness. You have outdone yourself with this Festival, but..." August said without a pause, interrupting Quinn's lip-chewing and worrying. "Did you truly think you could dodge me forever?" Even here verging towards a teasing challenge as he waited for her to turn to him.

Sadly that wouldn't be helpful to him.

Apparently they were mirrors of one another.

This was gonna be one awkward interaction.