Better Later, Than Never

[Luca Donskoi]

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Location: Golba City, Geonosis​

[member="Adron Malvern"] || [member="Faye Malvern"] || [member="Caesar Kenway"]​

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Revelry and fanfare seemed to seize the day as an official coronation was set to unfold. The scene was emblazoned intricately with the colors of the Confederacy; its purple showing prominently over the venue. Flags lined the stage uniformly in the Great Hall and many of the seats that filled the grand chamber had been reserved for various dignitaries and guests of honor. Whether or not those persons of interest would make their appearances was another matter, but this was a momentous occasion. Not because of those involved. Nor because of the formal nature of the event. But, because the Confederate Defense Force, the Navy in particular, was formally elevating one of its own to the esteemed rank of High Marshal. Sure . . . it was a rank the man had worn upon his lapel for some time now, but due to the course of action and the ever unwinding case of political happenings that stretched across the galaxy and forced the Confederacy to direct its attention, simple formalities such as this had been left to the wayside for a time.

In all honesty, this ceremony mattered little to the High Marshal, but it was directed to proceed by those above his own station. Alden wasn’t a man for the spotlight - he never had been - but in his new position, he would have no choice but to embrace that limelight which would seemingly loom over him from this day forward. Such was the way with holding such a position among any branch or occupation. Those in the upper echelon always bore more attention than those of the lower ones. Whether they wanted it or not.

By this time, the crowd of onlookers and attendee had begun to filter into the chamber, absent the High Marshal, [member="Adron Malvern"] and [member="Caesar Kenway"] of the notable guests and those that would likely play some role in the ushering of the ceremony and its oversight.

 

[Adron Malvern]

There was a notable expression on the Exarch's face. Today he seemed to be in a rather contemplative mood, although it was certainly not a foul one. His Raven locks were neatly trimmed down and slicked back over the crown of his head, making his sharp features even more so. Today the Exarch wore a pristine white uniform, topped with a white and golden surcoat. Technically speaking, there was no official military uniform for the position of Exarch. As he reported directly to the Vicelord and acted on his behalf, he was able to tailor his uniform however he felt necessary. Today, he felt the current uniform was most befitting.

At his waist, was the Sith Sword he had grown to favor. It was an elegant blade in appearance, even if it had the weight of the Dark Side upon it.

He stood upon the main stage, a few meters away from the podium as he looked to those who were spilling into the hall. His amethyst eyes crossed from one person to the next, while he kept his arms firmly crossed over his chest. He had been silent for most of the evening, not out of a mood, but merely there were more pressing things on his mind than the current ceremony. Of course, this ceremony was of some importance. When the Exarch had once served in the Imperial military, he took special care to see the soldiers under his command recognized, this was no different.

A few moments passed and the Exarch turned towards the podium. It was nearly time to begin. He laid a hand on the mic, glancing out over the crowd before him. Most were members of the Confederate Military and other members of the Confederate High Command. A command that the Exarch had been keeping a tight leash on. His tone was refined and straight forward as always, causing a silence to come over the chamber as he spoke.

"Good evening. I am Exarch Adron Malvern and I will be leading the ceremony today." He said, signifying that the promotion ceremony was set to begin.

"We are here today because Confederate Defense Force, High Command has requested that Alden Akaran be promoted to the rank of High Marshal. Akaran has shown himself to be loyal, efficient, and tactful with his past commands and has proven he embodies the ethos of the Confederate Defense Force. Vice Marshal Akaran, present yourself for promotion." The Exarch commanded, waiting for the man to show himself.

[member="Alden Akaran"] [member="Faye Malvern"] [member="Caesar Kenway"]

 

[Faye Malvern]

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[member=Alden Akaran] | [member=Adron Malvern] | [member=Caesar Kenway]​

Faye didn't ordinarily attend such events, but this one was a little different. The primary reason she found herself strolling down the gilded corridor toward the hall was for her brother, and for the new High Marshal, who she hadn't yet had the pleasure of officially meeting. While she was aware of him, and seen him briefly during her visit to Shadda-Bi-Boren, she still only knew him as High Marshal and Adron's apprentice.

This was also the perfect chance for Faye to dive into something she shamefully had little knowledge on. While she was keenly aware of all the statistics she threw out at dignitaries and diplomats, beyond that Faye had paid little attention. Her brother might have been a fighting force, but she was much better suited fighting her battles with words across a mahogany table. A ceremony such as this seemed the easiest way to start getting to know CDF a little more intimately.

Lavish decor in deep purples hung proudly from the marble walls and the gentle hum of polite conversation filled the hall. Walking down the centre isle lead by the steward, Faye caught the first glimpse of her brother in an age. Since her promotion there had rarely been a day that the two happened to be staying in Golbah City at the same time. Seeing him up there made her flush a little with pride, but the emotion was well covered by a graceful smile and nod of thanks to her guide.

After offering a discrete grin to her elder sibling, Faye slipped into a front row seat. Many of the other guests, including Adron and Alden, where dressed in uniform. Faye had debated for a while over what one should wear to a ceremony such as this, but in the end she was pleased with her choice. The shade of purple blended seamlessly into the decor, a less than subtle homage to both the Malverns and the Confederacy, but neither she nor Adron did things by halves. Moreover, the lengthy skirt gave her something to preen while she waited for Adron to begin.

She joined in with the gentle round of applause the crowd afforded Adron after his short welcoming speech, then turned her gaze to the door the honoured would enter through.

 

[Luca Donskoi]

[SIZE=12pt]Tag(s): [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt][member="Adron Malvern"] || [member="Faye Malvern"] || [member="Caesar Kenway"][/SIZE]​

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Pomp and Circumstance. The Grand Hall here teemed with the intricacies of revelry and fanfare. An event turned into something of a more monumental display that Alden had even believed himself to deserve. Then again, much more than the simple pat on the back and good job was more than Alden even wished for. Such displays were customary to anyone seasoned in the workings of the military and something the promotee accepted, whether he wished the acclaim or not.

He found himself off the side of the stage, veiled from the eye of the ever expanding crowd by the dark purple curtain that draped over the corners of the stage. His hands clasped, and his eyes closed, Alden ran through a number of different breathing techniques and exercises - anything to steady the nerves that presently knotted his stomach, threatening to return its contents along the path from which they arrived. His heart was racing, nearly to the point that he thought if someone listened hard enough, they’d hear it in as loud a manner as he felt it. It was a wonder, at this point, that it hadn’t lept from his chest and fled the scene like a criminal did the scene of a crime. Funny, wasn’t it? That a man that could stand fast in the chaos of all out war, and keep his wits about him in circumstances which spelled his completely and utter doom, got so choked up and nervous of being on the public stage. How was it that a man that could command thousands of troops was so intimidated of walking out onto a stage in the public eye for just a few hundred?

His brow began to show a glisten to it. Reaching into his pocket, he removed a small, blue handkerchief with a sigil of some sort emblazoned upon its surface in gold. Using it, he wiped the beads of sweat away from a nervous perspiration. Folding it, he placed the cloth back into a pocket and peered out onto the stage where the Exarch, [member="Adron Malvern"], had begun to address those gathered for the event.

That was a pleasant surprise for Alden, though. Of all people to be officiating the ceremony, he had not thought that Adron would have been among them. The Grand Marshal, or even the Minister of War? Certainly. But not the Exarch. Not Adron. But then again this promotion had been at the Exarch’s own personal recommendation. Whether or not there would be an underlying motivation behind it, was yet to be scene. But here he was getting promoted to the rank of High Marshal. And it had likely been because of the strings that the Exarch had pulled to put him there. Hell, thinking back on it, Alden noticed his entire promotion through the ranks of the Confederate navy had been extraordinarily quick. Here he was about to be a High Marshal and he was only halfway through his thirtieth year. There probably was an unseen force at work behind the scenes. Pushing his career along far more quickly than it likely should have been. But whatever was the case, it was unknown to him.

At the command of Adron, Alden patted down his uniform, straightening the folds and making his appearance crisp, and stepped out onto the stage. The lights were the first thing that he noticed. They were bright and intense, initially causing him to squint reflexively as his eyes adjusted. As he came to center stage he halted and performed a ‘center face’ maneuver and then stayed in the position of ‘attention’ he’d previously assumed. Behind him, there were three large flags, all dressed to perfect, with one standing slightly taller than the other - the flag of the Confederacy, flanked by a Confederate Defense Force flag on the left and a Confederate Navy flag on the right.

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Dress | Pathfinder Boots | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis | Sofitor
Wielding: 3 Nozhi Blades | 1 Czerka knives | 1 Nastirci Combat Knives | 1 Dissuader K-30 Pistol with Glitter Bullets
Tags: [member="Alden Akaran"] [member="Faye Malvern"] [member="Adron Malvern"]

If you asked her, she really wasn't sure what she was doing there. This was an event of the Confederate's Defense Forces, a place where she never ventured. It was where all the super serious people were, with their ironed uniforms and overly stiff backs and a tendency to never go out drinking with anyone unless they were part of the same squad. Soldier snobs, in other words. She'd considered more than once if her impression of them had been wrong. So far though, she'd found no proof of such. She was right, at least when it came to her attempts at looking through some of the people that were there.

But earlier that day she'd received a message from the Minister of Secrets, instructing her to attend, and to wear something… That was not her flashy armor or skin tight dresses. So Scherezade had opted for her business suit and arrived as instructed on the scene.

She'd arrived moments before Exarch [member="Adron Malvern"] began his speech, and she was glad that she was in the back of the room at that moment. There was no love lost between the two of them and she always chose to stay clear of the man unless the situation dictated otherwise. Already, words were flowing through her mind. Harsh words, at a great speed, that she was going to be flinging at the Minister of Secrets, for sending her there without proper warning. And for what?

It took all her energy not to groan as she chose a chair that was very close to the exit, pretty far away from most of the others who had gathered there today. Non-Force users as they might have been, penetrating their minds without them noticing seemed to be a harder task than it was worth it, and Scherezade grumped, left with nothing better to do than listen to that man. High Command has requested that Alden Akaran be promoted to the rank of High Marshal.

Oh.

OH!

Now she wasn't grumpy anymore. Scherezade was smiling. She didn't have many friends within the Confederacy, or at all, and she wasn't quite certain that she and and Akaran were friends and not just random people who kept bumping into each other after she'd saved his life, but the fast harsh words inside her head had been replaced with a simple thank you. If not friends, then at least he was a man that she appreciated, and that meant a lot.

Making herself comfortable in her chair, Scherezade waited silently for Akaran to make his own appearance. A grin was on her face as he walked on the stage, the lights obviously bothering him. It was nice to know that she was not the only one that had so many parts of awkward in her. And still, there was a semblance of pride she had within her in seeing him on that stage.

After all, she'd saved his tush from certain death. She was a sliver of a reason that he was there at all.

 

[Adron Malvern]

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[member="Alden Akaran"] [member="Faye Malvern"] [member="Scherezade deWinter"] ​

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The moment that Alden presented himself the room fell dark. The stage was the only source of light in the hall as the Vice Marshal presented himself for his promotion. There was a respectful silence as Alden approached the stage, with the Confederate colors blazing in the background. For the Exarch, there was a sense of pride. The same pride of seeing a good investment turn a profit. Akaran had proved he was wise, skillful, and had a mastery of warfare that could actually contribute to the Confederate war effort. That was why the Exarch had saw to his promotion to High Marshal and that was why Adron was there.

As the man approached, Adron began to speak once again. "Vice Marshal Akaran is a battle-proven veteran, participating in nearly every major military conflict in the past three years. He is the Senior Operations Officer for his Armada and considered an exemplary Naval Commander by Navy High Command."

"That is why, on this day, Alden Akaran is hereby promoted to the rank of High Marshal and given official command of the Core Armada." As the Exarch began to speak, he moved towards the man, taking two small pieces of metal from his pocket. The Exarch approached the man, pulling off the small Vice Marshal pins that were on the man's lapel and replacing them with the High Marshal rank pins.

"Well done." He spoke, briefly to the man before stepping back, so the gathered crowd could see the man sporting his new rank. The Exarch began to clap. The halls began to applaud and The Confederacy celebrated another capable officer in a command position.