Don't Stop Me Now [First Order Military Ball]

[Marzena Vaas]

Marzena watched as [member="Harley"] made her way over to them and wrapped her hand around Ludolf’s. She stood in stunned disbelief, but kept a pleasant smile on her face. However, if one had been watching very closely, they may have seen the corner of her mouth twitch ever so slightly. Was the General truly here with that woman? Based on her first impressions, she had deemed [member="Ludolf Vaas"] a man that understood the subtleties of sophistication, but perhaps she had misjudged him. Seeing him there with Harley at his side made her begin to wonder if his level of taste was a bit... questionable. If she’d seen correctly, the look on his face told her that Harley had caught him by surprise. She hoped terribly that he was just acting the part of the gentleman.

The singer’s dark eyes narrowed as Harley and Ludolf turned to make their way to the dance floor. She couldn’t help but notice the dangerous and slightly deranged expression that had appeared on the other woman’s face. It was very clear to Marzena that Harley was one of those women that lacked any sort of class and was attempting to impress a man that was out of her league –what a poser. It was most unbecoming. After all, one could stuff a girl into a fancy party dress, but it didn’t make her a classy lady. Marzena was certainly used to getting what she wanted, and not accustomed to losing to someone like Harley... this wasn’t over. And had that strange woman called her... ‘pudding’? Honestly! Who did she think she was talking to?

“At least I’m not wearing a tacky red dress.” Marzena said coldly when Harley was out of earshot.

Had she not been in such polite company, the diva inside her probably would have done something dramatic... but she couldn’t forget that she was here to make a positive impression. She made her way to the stage and handed her music over to the DJ. The man behind the booth informed her that people were hoping for a slow song, a fact evident by the way the crowd was breaking into pairs.

“Right...” Marzena said flatly, having just spotted Ludolf and Harley on the dance floor. She informed him that track eight would suffice, and moved on to explain the lighting that she wanted for the show. The swiftness of her words and the sheer amount of demands seemed to make the DJ’s eyes glaze over, but he nodded to signal that he had understood. The lights dimmed to accommodate a more romantic mood, and the lights around the stage went completely dark as Marzena moved into place. When the stage became illuminated softly, the singer was standing at the microphone and the music started to play.

 

[Hailey Sosis]

[member="Echo Kora"]

Harley put her arms around his shoulders, they where quite muscular under that suit. Then her little rival began to play a song, it was actually quite nice. It had slow rhythm to it, perfect for close dancing too, she started to feel a little guilty. She was always a little emotionally unstable, may be there was nothing to her slight, may be it was her just over reacting. It did happen from time to time, though that did help keep her alive. She did not keep her distance from dancing partner, she was hoping [member="Konrad von Grimmelshausen"] would catch sight of her. As he may like to dance afterwards, she kinda hoped he might be jealous. She did not know about his dead fiancee, other wise she would not even try. She had some sort thing for the wounded animals, possibly from her own upbringing. She kept her self close to [member="Ludolf Vaas"], so her body would just brush against him as they swayed. She made a mental note of where [member="Marzena Choi"] was, so she could see. Just encase she was trying to one up her, though she did not really care after this dance the message would have been sent. She could take him if she wanted to, she just did not really want to. She did glance up in to his eyes every so often, just to see where he was looking though.

 

[Jia Zhu]

She couldn't deny she liked the feeling of him calling her little one. Perhaps a bit more than she should have liked but she didn't mind in the least bit. She felt gorgeous and like he was cherishing her, and she was the only one there in the room with him.

She moved closer towards him and pressed herself against him laying her head onto his chest the more people came in. "I am having such a fun time tonight, thank you so much for bringing me." She nuzzled him softly and sighed happily.

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

As the music began, Ludolf took the lead and guided [member="Harley"] through the series of steps, by way of his hands on her hips. He may not have been an experienced dancer, but he could at least hold a rhythm with his feet, and thankfully General Vaas was spared a more difficult routine. Slow dances seeemed to be the great equalizer in that virtually anyone could participate in them with little to no experience.

Ludolf would glance upward several times at the singer, [member="Marzena Choi"]. It was difficult not to notice the entertainer's striking figure, and not only that, but he couldn't help but feel as though the singer's eyes were on him the entire time. He would divert his gaze quickly down to focus on Ms. Quinn immediately afterwards though; he did not wish to be rude and he kept his attention focused on her. Ludolf considered her a guest of the First Order, and he would treat her as such. He might not always see eye-to-eye with the Sith, but if he needed to mend ties with any faction, it was the One Sith. And despite her peculiar dress and odd fashion sense, Harley was easy on the eyes. He would not complain as she kept her body close to his, her warmth mingling with his broad chest.

"You seem quite used to getting what you want," Ludolf remarked as he guided Harley around the dance floor, and then held his arm up to give her a delicate spin.

 

[Ax'no]

She felt nothing as Lord Prazutis eased his way into her psyche, just as she barely noticed him leading her away from the throngs of party guests. Suddenly, they were alone, and Briga had been listening and watching him so intently, she had no idea how they’d gotten there.

Then the Seeker of Darkness slithered behind her like a poisonous asp, constricting her, not necessarily with his grip, but his mere presence alone. She remembered once watching a similar snake on Iktotch capture and begin to strangle a fawn, and in a surprisingly short amount of time, the giant snake had swallowed the fawn whole, yet the juvenile deer was still struggling, almost comically so, inside the reptile’s belly. It had chilled her so to watch such a swift resolution of a life.

The Caprine mystic turned her head to the side to listen to his whispering, and when he finally rested his hands on the sensitive skin of her arms, she closed her eyes, her horns tingling.

Do not be that fawn, Briga.

But it was difficult. His warm breath tickled the downy fur on the back of her neck, his hands snaking up her arms like vines. Lord Prazutis’s touch was experienced. Oh what things he could teach her! It was normally the other way around – Briga ordinarily preyed on much weaker individuals, always crystal clear about she wanted and pursuing it like a huntress. Everyone she’d been able to manipulate had then shared her bed, even her maidens, at times, all three of them at once. But to encounter someone who knew more than she did, who could instruct her in the art of concupiscence, turning mere desire into something sacred…

Fight or flight. Her heart beat thumped, pupils dilating, adrenaline flowing. When he pressed close, Briga gasped. It was all she could do to stay still and calm. She was glad he took the glass away from her, or else he would witness her trembling hands.

At his behest, she allowed her the darker, more seductive Force aura show, and it swirled around her like silky, grey smoke. By the Eternal Core, he knew exactly what her deepest desires were. But since the Sith Lord appeared to be relishing it as an incubus would, Briga felt no shame. But still…

“I am afraid it will consume me,” the horned mystic intoned in a husky voice, letting her curvaceous form relax against his sturdy torso, yet sounding anything but frightened. Her eyes nearly rolled back in her head for a moment, the sclera a flash of white, the lids closing finally. “And sometimes it’s so hard to not sink into its depths.” She placed one clawed hand on the back of his, where it sat at her hip, and the other hand clutched at her gown as though was about to rip the fabric. Clearly, the Caprine was trying to hold herself together.

“Can you teach me to not be swallowed whole by it?”

[member="Darth Prazutis"]

 

[Darth Prazutis]

Prazutis grinned as he watched her set off the perfect trap he had laid for her. The caprine was strong at first, for how bright even the faint hint of desire in her mind burned, he was surprised at this. But every moment his hands glossed over her surface, every moment he whispered into her ear he felt something crash against her psyche, demanding to be released, like a beast in its cage. Except this beast took everything she had not to let it out including paying attention to anything and anyone else that existed, speech, and other common functions. But as he continued it was clearly evident she was putting a futile attempt at concealing what he was trying to unleash.

The sudden yet smooth collision of the two was it, the subtle gasp escaping her lips clear as day to the Sith, her whole body shook against him. Prazutis was both amused and surprised at how powerful this burning desire was even when he invoked it, the more intense he had gotten the faster it crushed past her defenses which now hung on by a thread. The priestess was used to a weaker willed crowd, much easier to play the demagogue as a wolf amongst sheep, but in this situation she was just another sheep. It soon became clear that her unrefined skill in the force also played a part here, she did everything she could to stop this from consuming her all of the time but she also unwittingly allowed this powerful aura to grow, and grow, and grow until it was uncontrollable, the moment someone who knew how to manipulate people came into contact with her, it would crush past all defenses.

Just as he anticipated the caprine finally crumbled like a piece of paper beneath a crushing weight. The woman shifted to relax and merge into his own form, his imposing frame acting as a supporting pillar of sorts while one of her clawed hands threatened to tear at the fabric, all she could do at this point from completely losing it while the seductive aura of desire flowed from her person like rolling fog, its uncontrolled demeanor in clear contrast to the powerful, yet controlled aura of malevolence that surrounded him. As if he wasn't close enough Prazutis at this point delved completely into her mind, now that she opened the gates for him he would analyze it and this carnal desire in its entirety, it was to the point where it would be able to control her.

"You've allowed it to feed, to grow, and it can consume you when invoked. But this isn't completely your fault. You are untrained." Prazutis whispered to her, the hand she wasn't grabbing began to move from her hip. It curled around her front and moved upward until it met her other hand. No there was no fighting this, no defending from this. I will show you what you've allowed to fester within. Prazutis in one fluid motion grabbed her hand, the only other one that was providing some semblance of security, all that she had left now that she willingly released the beast and pulled it away while at the same time, he moved his other hand from caressing her hip to lightly grabbing it. While he worked away at showing Briga her faults the woman had no idea what else the man was doing. For one he was being nice enough to wrap her completely inside his dark aura of malevolence, hiding her from the rest of the ball and from her maidens who wouldn't try to find her at feeling their lady become completely unglued.

"You've allowed this desire to grow larger than I expected, the circumstances of your life only making this worse." He said. Prazutis had to augment his speech with the force at this point just so she would actually hear him. If he was to use her powerful force potential, to get involved in some manner with this priestess, there was something that had to be done. No more hiding from this beast he shattered her defenses, ripped the flood gates open and pulled away the only securities she had left, quite contrary to her speech, he literally sunk her completely into the depths of this darkness. But he had to stop her this was neither the time nor the place to continue this with so many people around. Thankfully she was willing to let him inside her mind, so he could stop the caprine from the free fall she was in, the woman was crashing through the depths at a startling rate. "I can. I can teach you everything and more, but everything had a price." Prazutis said. "If you are truly ready to give yourself over to me I will say this. Soon I will be leaving Dosuun, and if you aren't with me when I do, you'll never see me again, and you'll never be able to control this." Prazutis said. Depending on how she responded he would continue to take her out of the abyss, or he'd let her plunge deeper into it.

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Kenrath]

Viktor smiled when [member="Jia Zhu"] laid her head against his chest. He waited until the song finished before he began to move away from the dance floor.

"I guess now would be as good a time as any." "I have a surprise for you."

He lead her towards one of the Balconies away from the party. His hand gentle holding hers as they walked. Once they got to the balcony he stopped and with his free hand he pulled out a datapad. Flipping to the document he was looking for Viktor extended the pad to her to take.

"I dig some digging this morning." "A friend of mine paid a visit to your employer shortly after we left." "Your father's debt has been paid Jia." "You are free."

The document was basically a combination of a receipt and signed contract setting her free.

"Now that you can be anything you want to be what do you do?"

He smiled at Jia a hand running through her hair as he spoke.

 

[Marzena Vaas]

Marzena’s gaze fell upon the crowd as she sang, she usually let the faces of the crowd become a bit of a blur, as it helped her keep from getting distracted. However, tonight she found that the dancing forms of [member="Ludolf Vaas"] and [member="Harley"] swam into focus several times. She noticed that Harley seemed to be having a good time while dancing to her song, perhaps that wasn’t so bad. The singer had also seen that Ludolf’s eyes drifted her direction more than once. She hoped that it was because he liked what he saw, but knew it was easy to attract attention when one happened to be standing center stage. Even though her voice had carried out to everyone in the crowd, perhaps deep down she really had been giving a performance for an audience of one. When her song came to a close, she bowed and the lights around the stage when dark again so that she could make her exit. She felt much better than she had when she’d taken to the spotlight, singing always had been a bit of an emotional release for her.

Marzena soon found herself surrounded by a small group of men, all of them eager to walk with her towards the bar area. She smiled and listened as they paid her compliments, offered drinks, and made promises to remember her when she became a galactic superstar. Her graceful hand soon found a slender flute of champagne, and she took a small sip as she spoke with her well-wishers. As the crowd around her began to thin, she soon found herself standing by the bar. She was now quite alone, but not unhappy. Unlike many women, Marzena was not afraid to appear by herself in public, and often took the opportunity to unwind. Her abundance of self-confidence always kept her from looking awkward or lonely if she went out without a date. She figured that she would mingle with the other guests eventually, but for now she would take a seat by the bar and enjoy the atmosphere.

She did hope that Ludolf would stop by to join her, but she decided that she wouldn’t be upset if he decided to spend the rest of his night with Harley. Marzena certainly wasn’t a desperate woman, and made it a point to never go chasing after men. Not even one as stately and handsome as Ludolf.

 

[Ax'no]

He had all but done it - set the perfect bear trap and waited until Briga recklessly placed her delicate bare foot right into the metal jaws. He saw everything in her mind now, examined it like the datafiles he often did as Director of Intelligence, and she was defenseless. Except for a shred of dignity, which she clung to as she would an escape pod on a flaming ship - her reputation. Luckily, it wasn’t on the line since he’d drawn her away from the crowd. What a clever beast you are, Lord Prazutis, Briga thought impressed. But she needed to use her prestige to break the unbearable tension that had welled up inside her, a taut coil that demanded release. And whatever the Sith Lord was doing with his firm hands was winding that coil even tighter as she listened to his whispered baritone both assuage her and terrify her with words that hit, not just the mark, but the bullseye.

Starting with a guttural purr, which sounded as though it came from her deep within her chest and not her throat, she finally said, “I know I will be leaving with you,” she said, turning to finally face him, not letting go of his hand or wriggling away from where the other was placed on her torso. “I’ve already seen it in a vision.” The lie was too easy to tell – she was so close to getting what she wanted right now. Her amber eyes were unfocused, lips parted, her desire was cresting, and she was going to have to act on it soon, as he’d suspected. Until suddenly a real divination came to her unbidden. One of her maidens was about to be dragged off and roughed up by an over-eager officer, and the end result would not be good for the naïve servant if she allowed this to happen.

Briga’s eyes opened wider, becoming more attuned to her surroundings again. This time it wasn’t Saira, who was normally the first to get into trouble, but Livna, a flaxen-haired beauty with an hourglass figure. “My attendants,” she said to him in a faltering voice. “We need to find Livna.” Her body hadn’t moved still, attesting to her powerlessness of the situation.

But the Caprine mystic did not want to rescue Livna for any altruistic reason. She’d let the girls get into escapades like this before and had not intervened. Otherwise, how would they learn? But tonight she needed Livna for the journey she was about to embark upon. “My Lord,” she said, hoping his black heart had a trace of… not sympathy even… perhaps pity for the poor maiden’s fate? “We need to gather all of my maidens now. They are not safe here. Will you help me? I cannot lose them, but I will explain why later."

She did not reward loyalty with abandonment. She would reward her maidens with experiences they would never forget, but they would not get that by being ravaged by mundane officers, stumbling from too much champagne.

[member="Darth Prazutis"]

 

[Hailey Sosis]

[member="Marzena Choi"] [member="Ludolf Vaas"] [member="Konrad von Grimmelshausen"]

Harley was relaxed after the dance, she liked it, but in hart she knew she have made him dance with her. Then he asked her "You seem quite used to getting what you want," she smiled at his question. She then leaned in and lifted herself up a little on toes, and kissed him on his cheek. Then she replied Not really I am just an acolyte, and I get told what to do a lot. She ten saw the singer had finished, and had gone to the bar. She smiled at him and said You really should go and talk to the singer, I have had my dance know pudding. She then looked at him as another Correlian brandy came her way, she took the drink and waited to see hat he did. She know was relaxed, and all tat pent up emotion she gets had gone.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

While the woman's mind was constantly flowing her body on the other hand was a different story. The decision she had to make wasn't a very hard one and Prazutis knew she'd accept. It was an unbearable tension that he had caused to build up inside the caprine that stayed her voice, and regardless of what he was doing it only served to build more tension. Until finally she accepted his offer in a unique way, through a belief of some vision the priestess claimed to see. Whether she was lying or not right now he didn't care, he flawlessly trapped her and the woman was only trying to retain something amidst all of this. But unfortunately for her she'd be stuck with this tension, this tightening coil for now at least until he could continue this somewhere where threats weren't just a short walk ahead with the rest of the crowds.

Just when he was deciding his next move a revelation hit the priestess clutched in his arms. The woman uttered with a wavering voice of the troubles her handmaidens were in, begging for his help. Prazutis almost scoffed as she mentioned the need to rescue some maidens when she could find a hundred more to take their place. However it became evident to him that the ball was placed squarely in his court, after all she was struggling to hold herself together in this public ball that she didn't so much as move in resistance. A part of him wanted to abandon these handmaidens to their fate, leave them here and go back to his ship and she'd be powerless to resist him. It was not compassion for the dangerous situation they may have gotten themselves in, nor any pity he had on them, but it would certainly put her further in debt to him, and that was valuable.

"I will do you this favor, of finding your maidens for you. But there is something I should bring to your attention that may have escaped you." Prazutis whispered into her ear while making no motion to move or even stop. "My releasing you now still won't stop the tension from continuing to build, you've let this darkness fester and grow within you for so long, it'll consume you. It may provide temporary relief if you tried to convert some of it into anger." It took all of the woman's strength to contain it and she would need to release it at some point soon.

"Come with me...we will continue this later." Prazutis told her as his hands stopped moving down her back. He took the womans arm again and began walking through the crowd. The Director was skilled in subtlety, and hurrying through would only serve to attract attention. They would need to be very careful, and so long as she didn't lose control or make a scene, they would get out of here with ease. Prazutis reached up to the comm link earpiece and clicked it on "There are two caprine females roaming around somewhere in this ballroom. Find them and bring them to my ship, tell them their priestess commands it if they cause trouble." Prazutis quietly ordered, muting the comlink. It would be foolish to come to even a party such as this without security not that he couldn't defend himself, and his hidden agents would take care of the other two.

Prazutis reached out with his senses enhanced by the force, they were magnified to even a greater degree thanks to the dark crystal on him at all times. Varying sounds, smells, actions, all of it was enhanced, he one by one shut out all unnecessary noises focusing on sounds of struggle, narrowing down his search until finallly it came to fruition. A struggling voice in the distance, a woman trying to break free from the grasp of a strong, built military officer who had too much to drink, they were already close to leaving, and he knew exactly where to find them. "I've got them." Prazutis said as he changed course through the crowds. Soon enough they would find them.

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

A faint smile crossed Ludolf's face as the song came to a close, and he and [member="Harley"] swayed to a stop in the middle of the dance floor.

"We all must serve at one time or another, Ms. Quinn," He said, looking down to her, his hands still on her hips. "Obedience to authority is the foundation of future leaders."

As the couples began peeling off the dance floor during the change in songs, Ludolf and Harley were among the last to leave. Finally, he released his hold on her hips, and offered her a nod of the head. He was surprised to find he had enjoyed himself more than anticipated. He had dealt with many Sith before, and as of late he had forgotten their capacity to be pleasant. Harley's kiss found its way to his muscular cheek, and Ludolf squeezed her hand modestly as his grip broke from her.

"You are always welcome here with the First Order, Ms. Quinn," He said, before turning in the other direction.

Perhaps Harley was right - he should pay the singer a visit.

[member="Marzena Choi"] wasn't hard to find. The swarm of men around the bar gave away her location, as befitting someone of her station. They had mostly scattered by the time General Vaas made his way over to the bar, either due to her rejection or perhaps out of fear of the General himself. That was the problem with being the boss: no one wants to party with you. Tonight was shaping up to be a little different, however.

"Your music gives even a man like me some rhythm in his feet," Ludolf voiced in his low, deep contralto as he perched next to Marzena at the bar, a silent wave of two fingers from his black-gloved hand telling the bartender to bring him a drink. "That's saying something."

 

[Ax'no]

Briga stayed very still as he whispered into her ear, not only a warning, but advice which she desperately sought. That advice to turn her desire into something useful was exactly what she needed. It was the puzzle piece she'd been missing. Still, it was easy to brush off Lord Prazutis's admonishment, now that she was relieved he didn't protest the impropmtu assignment to find her maidens. She'd been worried that he would find her weak and attached to the pitiful servants, and while she was to some extent, she did value their loyalty. Abandoning them to the First Order wolves on Dosuun was not something she felt like she could stand behind. Even if her nymphettes could use a lesson in prudence every now and then.

Once he released his hand from her back, she almost lost her footing, but it was quickly regained it when they calmly walked off. She wanted to move faster than he did, but Briga knew that recovering her Caprine attendants may require political maneuvering, none of which she had with the First Order, but that the Director probably did.

For the second time - and not the last - her fate was entangled in his capable hands tonight. As Lord Prazutis gave orders in his commlink, Briga saw the pair of them, almost leaving the ball. One of the Caprine mystic's only practiced skill was Force Slow, so she applied it to stumbling couple. At this point, the scene was relatively innocent, and Livna looked like an absolutely willing participant, hanging on the officer's arm. But she'd seen the future and did not relish the idea of poor Livna suffering at the hands of this mundane public servant.

As the two were incapacitated by the Force, it allowed Priestess Tiin and Lord Prazutis time to catch up. Hissing a warning to the officer, Briga grabbed ahold of her maiden's arm and with a matriarchal pull, yanked her away from the Lieutenant. "Hamba nam ihenyu!" she growled at Livna in Caprenese. The Asti Caprine was thoroughly inebriated and did not fight against her mistress's harsh command. The officer was still stuck to his spot with the Force, but his hand hovered near his blaster, more out of drunken instinct than anything.

Briga didn't know where the Sith Lord's ship, but she did know the general vicinity of the hangars, so she began walking with Livna into a torch-lined corridor, the shadow of their horns formed impossibly long along the duracrete wall.

[member="Darth Prazutis"]

 

[Marzena Vaas]

Marzena pulled out her compact again and held it out in front of her, carefully inspecting her makeup. She gently removed the cap from her bullet of lipstick and refreshed the vibrant red color once more. Just as she was about to snap the compact closed, she spotted [member="Ludolf Vaas"] walking towards her. A soft smile pulled at the corner of her mouth, and she went about her business as though she were oblivious to his arrival. The singer heard his deep voice next to her, and his words actually made her laugh. Marzena had a wide variety of fake laughs that she used as needed in social situations, but the sound that escaped her this time was completely genuine and was laced with warmth.

“Thank you, General Vaas.” She said, finally turning to face him. “I appreciate the kind words.”

She lifted her champagne flute to her lips and took a sip of the fizzy drink. Her dark eyes watched the bubbles rising in the golden liquid as she set it back down on the bar. Marzena liked to pretend that the approval of others didn’t matter to her, but it weighed heavy upon her and words of encouragement were never lost upon her. Judging by the reaction of his soldiers, she had deemed this a most successful event and was happy that she had chosen to attend.

“The First Order sure knows how to throw a party.” She said with a nod, letting her gaze wander across the ballroom for a moment. “But I’m guessing that this sort of thing doesn’t happen very often...”

Marzena’s dark gaze looked to his face for confirmation, hoping that perhaps she would be booked for more shows in the future. That possibility held the opportunity to meet him again in the future, and the thought made her smile.

 

[Hailey Sosis]

She took a sip of her brandy, as she watched [member="Ludolf Vaas"] head over to [member="Marzena Choi"]. She saw them start talking, it kinda gave her warm fuzzy feeling inside. She hates that feeling, means she done something nice. She then looked around the room, and saw [member="Konrad von Grimmelshausen"] he was watching the dance from a distance. He did not seem to be all there, like part of him was else where. She just put it down to planning something, after all he is Dark Council Member, and would have lot on his mind. So may be he need a drinking buddy, to cheer him up. She began walking over to him, she did see he had already got a drink.

As she finally reached him, she decide to interrupt his trail of thought by asking, Do you mind if I join you for a drink?

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

"To be frank, this is the first of its kind," Ludolf answered [member="Marzena Choi"], and for a moment joined her in gazing around the ballroom. The calm, dim lighting, lavish decor, and the twinkle of lights above the dance floor as a calm tune carried his men and their dates through their motions was certainly a far cry from the din of war.

"I felt the men needed a respite," He continued, confirming that he himself had ordered the ball into reality, with the Supreme Leader's blessing of course. Then, he turned away from the ballroom, his gaze falling back upon Marzena. "Perhaps I did too."

His icy blues swam in her inviting chestnut eyes for a moment, before minding his drink, lifting the flute to his mouth for a modest sip. Ludolf was pleased that the ball had been a success; his men were enjoying themselves, but he was surprised to feel as though he was having an even better time than his soldiers, an almost guilty feeling. Ludolf glanced at Marzena's flute of champagne, amazed that none of her bright red lipstick found its way onto the glass, and tented his gloved hands, offering her an uncharacteristically warm smile on his hard, stony face.

>>11:03 PM: This is a feeling most peculiar. My amygdala implant should be warding off these feelings of attraction by now, yet...

"You see, Ms. Choi, the First Order is more than just an army," He said to her, his eyes never leaving hers. "We're a people, a culture. And to conquer without cultivating a high culture to bring to our new worlds, would make us little more than barbarians. Which is why I would very much like to discuss your future performances here in First Order space."

 

[cheshire_kitty]

"Do as you wish," Konrad answered @Harely simply. Although he was physically there, his mind not as it was reminiscing happier times. ‘If only she was here.’ ‘She would have liked this’ was all he could think about while maintaining a stern look on his face in order to not reveal his true thoughts which would have been quite embarrassing for him as once upon a time, he had only wished to get married and start a family with his beloved and watch over and protected them as a loving husband and father.

He did not know what Harleys intentions were for sitting next to him but neither did he care. He came out of duty and obligation as a member of the One Sith army after all. With not much to say, Konrad sat in silence. For him the silence was not awkward at all. It was a welcomed break for him who worked a job that involved quite a bit of speaking with others either through training or discussions of army related matters.

 

[Hailey Sosis]

[member="Konrad von Grimmelshausen"]

Harley was to much dumb blond to realize he was not really with her, he was else where, though that was lost on her. She sat down next to him, and sipped her brandy.
Then asked him, So what you think of the party? it's was a feeble line, she was just trying to get some attention.
She was hoping for one more dance before she had to head back, she had duties to Zambrano family, he had to get back to.
As those chiss where not going to kill themselves, though if they did it would make life a lot easier.

 

[Marzena Vaas]

Marzena leaned in slightly as [member="Ludolf Vaas"] spoke, to hear him better over the ambience of the party and because she was genuinely interested in hearing more about the First Order. She was close enough that he may have been able to pick up the scent of her rose-scented perfume, but not so close that it would be awkward or uncomfortable. Some would likely have needed to turn away under the intensity of his eyes, but Marzena kept her dark gaze locked with his the entire time... it was hard not to get lost in their icy color.

So the First Order was an organization that conquered worlds to bring them a high culture and society? That was an ideal that she could stand behind. Marzena was also very pleased that he wanted to discuss future performances in their space.

“I would love to discuss the possibilities.” She said smoothly, and then took a sip from her flute.

Marzena remembered that the First Order now occupied one of her most favorite planets and her smile grew. She liked Bespin so much that she was now considering it a second home, going so far as to rent her own flat in a high rise there.

“I will actually be on Bespin for a week.” She started. “Perhaps we could meet for dinner.”

Was this a smart tactic to secure a date? Of course it was! Marzena looked for a hint of a response on his chiseled face and waited for his answer.

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

The face of General Vaas was notoriously difficult to read. Years of brutal Agency training, followed by years as a military leader hardened by battle, would do that to a man. Smiles or displays of affection did not come easily to Vaas' sharp face, indeed they were pre-programmed not to. Despite what many might assume, he was not a man that was entirely in voluntary control of his own feelings. There were residual effects from his time as an Agent; his brain had been tampered with to fashion him into little more than a ruthlessly efficient killer, with any other emotions harshly suppressed. But it seemed that even the best Imperial scientists could not control for all the factors of the human experience. The brief feeling of heat in the pit of his stomach at the scent of [member="Marzena Choi"]'s perfume hinted that even the most merciless programming could potentially be broken.

Ludolf said nothing, only reached into his pocket for a small data chip. The chip was a memory device, containing information which Marzena could view if she plugged it into a datapad. With a black leather-gloved hand, Ludolf slid the chip across the table, placed it under Marzena's delicate hand, and gently closed her fingers around it.

"On this chip you'll find the number to my private comm frequency," Ludolf said, his deep voice carrying low, directly into Marzena's ear so that she alone could hear. "Dinner in approximately 45 hours. As soon as you arrive on Bespin, call this frequency." Then, as if for added emphasis, "Don't forget to call."

Ludolf stood up then, quickly finishing the last of the contents of his drink and setting the empty glass down at the bar. He turned to leave then, but not before looking over his shoulder one final time at Marzena Choi, and offered her a rare gesture: an upturned lip, followed by an adventurous twinkle in his eye.

"Oh, and Miss Choi? You'll want to wear something nice. Like tonight."