For the Lions and the Roses

[Kirie]

As she stood up, still somewhat dazed, Kirie felt hands placed on her either of her shoulders, she turned to see [member="Lady Kay"] and [member="Silfe Sosuri"] , each giving her a look of concern. She sucked in a deep breath, and tried to calm herself. It was no use. The vision remained in her mind vidid and clear. It was as if she'd been teleported. Her shoulder shook, and tears begun to well in her eyes.

Kirie faced the Queen, signing resignedly, head to the floor. My Lady, I want to go home. Hot tears ran down her cheeks, and she hugged herself. The voice came again, quieter this time, almost sultry "I will never leave you, Kirie." It whispered. She shook her head, and stared at the floor.

Retreating into her mind, her eyes lost their lustre. She stood, waiting for the Queen to move, to help her, to take her away from this place. There was something wrong with her, of that she had no doubt, but right now she just wanted to get out of the palace.

[member="Jairdain"] | [member="Veiere Arenais"] | [member="Samka Derith"] | [member="Ailuros"] | [member="Bradshaw Ku"]​

 

[Connor Harrison]

Raijin - Connor - sucked in his lips and turned his head to the side. It wasn't quite the answer he wanted.

"No, no I don't think it is quite my time."

He walked forward and rested his finger tips on the table in the room. It evoked one of those classic interrogation rooms.

"If they wanted to me leave, they would have thrown me out. The First Order isn't that stupid to know I've not been back on their soil for some time. It's just now that I can't wait much longer when I could be doing something. So, that is why I am here."

Connor looked at the agent with a nonchalant expression.

"Samka Derith or Ara Zambrano. You tell either of them I'm here before you try and throw me out. If they want me gone, I'll go. Until then, I wouldn't try the big bad cop routine with me because I've faced an awful lot more imposing obstacles in my time to get where I need to go. No offence, of course." He gave the agent a small smile. "If you please."

[member="Kuril Vehn"]

 

[Armand Temi]

While the castle on Mustafar was stately, the Grand Palace Hotel on Halm was a sight to behold for the fun-deprived brunette clone. It was a tall order convincing her father, [member="Kyrel Ren"] to let her go, but she kept at him like a sculptor chisels away at a marble statue. “Mishel will be there, and Ara too. I promise to only talk to those that I know,” she said. Eventually and almost surprisingly, Varas wore him down. She was so used to him saying no, that a yes felt almost too good to be true.

While the Disciple may have appeared composed, her vermilion gown tailored by a sought-after Avalonia seamstress, there was still an awkwardness about her as though she hadn’t quite gotten used to her body yet despite being a few months out of the test tube. Gangling and slightly underfed like a baby foal, Varas teetered in on black heels that she was not quite used to wearing. It felt like being on stilts in a way, but instead of feeling as though she just wanted to be back in her reading nook on Mustafar, wearing a black hoodie and combat boots, she figured she would try to enjoy herself. After all, it took an enormous amount of effort to convince Kyrel to let her attend. No need to squander the night with a sulky attitude as well.

Approaching one of the main bars in the main ballroom, she marveled at actual human servers and not droids taking drink orders.

“What’s good?” She’d only had drank a pint of ale just one other time in a cantina, but was still experiencing clone sickness and the alcohol had upset her stomach at the time.

“That depends. A lady like you should have an elegant cocktail I should think.”

Varas thought for a moment, chewing on her red-nailed thumb. “No, give me something strong and kind of… I don’t know, like something foul and potent.”

The bartender shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He slid her a concoction called Rancor Blood, a tart and salty cinnabar-hued drink that nearly matched her dress.

 

[Zerrak Windwalker]

Silence sees a new face walk in and leaves his rifle at his post goes to the bar points at water before taking off his helmet and nodding to Varas

[member="Varas Kyrel"]

 

[Samka Derith]

"Likewise, it is lovely to see you all as well," her smile brightened further. Sam noted the use of sign language but being unable to understand or use it herself, turned her beam to the deaf girl in the hopes of reassuring her.

"Relative peace, yes. A fair way to describe it." Samka turned on her heels, aiming to briskly march the others inside. "The Galactic Alliance has seen the folly of its aggression and the Silver Jedi have paid the price for their support of it. The First Order stands rightfully victorious."

It occurred to her that she may just be talking a little too Imperial for her guests. Her formal tone, so full of pride at the destruction wrought against their enemies perhaps wouldn't mesh with the likes of [member="Lady Kay"] and [member="Veiere Arenais"] and their pacifist ways. Not to mention her own persona she'd adopted for the evening.

Time for a change of tact.

Samka sighed wistfully, "But war is messy business. Let's hope that-" she froze mid-sentence, only now registering an intense feeling of distress through the Force behind her.

It was the deaf woman, [member="Kirie Ito"], tears welling up in her face.

So fragile.

So weak.

"Is... she alright?" The Ren's voice was soft. It was full of sympathy, or rather, a convincing imitation of it. "We have fine doctors on standby this evening, whatever help she needs, she may have."

The Queen and one of their aids moved in to assist their friend. Some fresh air may do the woman good so Samka watched, concern etched onto her youthful face as the group moved away leaving her with the King, perhaps she could speak with the others later but for now, it seemed the perfect opportunity had arrived to catch Veiere in private as he had wanted.

"So," Samka cocked her head up to glance at the Jedi. "You wanted to talk?"

 

[WolfMortum]

With his wife, [member="Lady Kay"] leaving him and [member="Samka Derith"] standing their poised with similar looks of intrigue for the scene that was unveiling over [member="Kirie Ito"], the Jedi Master soon turned back to glance down to that of the Young yet none the less prominent Ren as she spoke up in query as to his asking her there.

Nodding slowly, his gaze shifted to those around them, offering his arm to Samka Derith skeptical whether or not she'd take it though hoping to fit the rest of the bill that was this grand ball, he would speak with her quietly and preferably without the ears of their guests curiosities.

"I was there on Ossus..." He would walk alongside of her, allowing her to lead as this was her seat in the Galaxy, while he sought to dissuade others from picking up on the serious nature of the subject giving a marvelous portray of appeasement, nodding and smiling in greeting to those that caught his eye, though otherwise focusing on their discussion at hand; if there were to be one. "Bold of the First Order, to traverse such a distance I must say" he would glance down to gauge the young Ren's reaction though there was likely to be none.

Over their few interactions on the political mantle of society, his wife had held more to do with her than he though in those times; one such event in which Samka had witnessed his frustrations second-hand, Veiere had come to recognize that there was far more going on beyond her pearly smile and pretentious innocence she sought to have others believe.

"I was in transit to Ossus to represent a meeting of diplomatic standing between two organizations of Jedi. Imagine my surprise to land in the center of your fleet..." His voice trailed as a couple neared them, slowly gliding on passed before he would glance back to the younger woman; "You know well where my path goes...-The life that I lead. The Systems Alliance however is too part of that life...-There are obvious concerns that might arise as such".

These things that Samka Derith knew of Veiere, while some of it might have been offered up voluntarily, the Ren had already conveyed her belief to he and his wife in the past that they were being monitored by the government of the First Order, in this case most specifically the First Order Security Bureau though he knew nothing of it.

 

[Kay-Larr]

The look on [member="Kirie Ito"] 's face, coupled by her signed words told Kay a lot. There was something terribly wrong and it was much deeper than recovering from her injuries in Kwenn Station. It was more than her worry for her parents. This was something that frightened her young assistant to retreat inside of herself, much like what Kay did with her abductor.

She turned to look at [member="Samka Derith"] as she offered assistance by medical personnel in the hotel and quietly gave her thanks. But it wasn't long before [member="Veiere Arenais"] was walking off with the girl, taking her arm and moving through the gathered crowds. There was purpose in his walk, so she just let him be.

Kay turned to Kirie and signed to her while she gave voice to the hand signals, not giving the girl reason to look up at her eyes, yet allowing those nearby like [member="Silfe Sosuri"] , [member="Bradshaw Ku"] , [member="Jairdain"] and [member="Ailuros"] to understand what was being said. "Alright, Kirie. We'll get you home. I'd take you myself, but I can't leave Veiere here with no ride home." It wasn't exactly a short trip back to Commenor. Kay looked to the others of her party. "Would either of you be able to escort her back home?"

 

[Samka Derith]

A teasing smirk settled on her face when [member="Veiere Arenais"] offered his arm. She took it, resting her lithe arm with his.

"The King of Commenor, a married man, with another woman young enough to be his daughter in his arm. How the people shall talk, Mr Arenais," a twinkle of mirth in the girl's eyes.

No change of emotion registered in her face as the Jedi spoke of Ossus, she continued leading the man into the grand ball room, staying as polite and friendly as can be.

"That's... unfortunate timing. Our forces are well disciplined but I doubt anyone could tell the difference between your Jedi Order and that of the Silver Jedi in a battle. Our intelligence had no indication of a meeting taking place, I do hope everyone was alright. There was no ill intent against neutral parties."

A brief smirk crept onto her face as Veiere smiled, waved and nodded his way through the crowds. "I must say, you've become a natural. Becoming royalty must teach you such etiquette."

If only [member="Ara Zambrano"] could learn this too.

"But concerns, yes." Her tone shifted ever so slightly, it wasn't obviously threatening, it remained in the same calm, rather cheerful manner which she had been speaking before but something was different. It was subtle enough that it could have been an act of the imagination but something about the way she spoke now felt dangerous.

"Time and again the Jedi, as a group, have shown themselves to be enemies of our civilisation. I'd like to think you'll be different but if you align with our foes... complications arise. We've been the defenders in every conflict we have fought since the age of darkness lifted and we'll do what we can to preserve our security, including depriving the enemy of their friends."

She let a lull fall over the conversation for a moment.

"This galaxy is a dangerous, confusing place. The ones who lay claim to superior morality are often the ones utterly without it. Pick your friends carefully and don't let everything you built burn down for making the wrong choice."

Samka continued to smile at the Jedi, her brows creased apologetically as all the while a soft chill ushered over the pair. The Dark Side. A small taste of the true power hidden here.

 

[WolfMortum]

"Believe it or not Samka, there are things even the First Order aren't aware of in this Galaxy"

Veiere Arenais let loose a quiet chuckle under his breath and while it might have come off as snide or antagonistic, the glance that he offered her was nothing short of genuine humor for want to defuse the tension that fell around them due to their individual political positions and ideals that differed, yet were also so closely aligned.

"I will continue to fight alongside the Jedi for as long as I can see that it serves the lives of those not within a position or of the ability to defend themselves" He countered in turn of her not-so-subtle way of suggesting he choose his friends wisely. "For as long as the Dark Side flows through your path, you can rest assured the light will guide my own..." His voice trailed in the moment, for he had more to add though another glance to those around them was warranted as there were indeed eyes upon them.

"I will continue to defend whichever worlds from the encroaching armies of those whom place it upon themselves, the will to bring death and destruction down upon any world, be it Jedi, Sith or Civilian; But to go upon the attack, to invade another's territories and seek to insert ones own dominion upon others is not something that I will take part in, nor can or will I support. The Silver Jedi Order is aware of my stance and I imagine I've gained as many friends as vocal opposition among my own for it..." Veiere again paused before adding a final truth in the number of burdens that he carried.

"Take note my young friend, the path to peace is forever shadowed in the doubt and aggression of both friend and foe when one seeks to dissuade bias".

There was something within his final words, a hint of frustration and tire. Fatigue that gripped him for all the struggles that came with his fight for peace, as contradictory as this was for one such as himself, a pacifist who sought only to help others, to wind up battling with those of his own people in opinion, and himself in his two opposing positions of repute.

[member="Samka Derith"]

 

[Bradshaw Ku]

[member="Silfe Sosuri"] and Bradshaw never had time to worry about how flustered either of them looked. Before they fully reached the group where [member="Veiere Arenais"] and [member="Samka Derith"] had been before they left to walk amongst the crowd by themselves, and which now consisted of [member="Lady Kay"], [member="Kirie Ito"], and even his new advisor, [member="Jairdain"], Kirie’s collapse quickly took centre stage.

Bradshaw might’ve rushed to Kirie’s aid had he not been beaten to it first by Silfe and then his mother. He liked her, even though he’d never talked to her, the hearing barrier not helping matters. She had been on Kwenn station as had he when the controlled ones attacked. The most one on one interaction they had, came when she once tried straggling him to death during that conflict, after being taken over by the ooze, of course. He didn’t hold it against her. He also had the distinct displeasure of watching Sol cut her legs off, and then carrying her and her severed legs to their makeshift med-bay. Her injuries were physical and mental, but, it didn’t take a genius to figure out that it was the mental scaring of that day on Kwenn station which would take the longest to heal. If it ever did.

Clearly, she was struggling with those mental scars now. His mother then asked the gathering if any of them could take her back to Commenor, not wanting to leave Veiere here by himself. Though, Bradshaw guessed that a Jedi Master and the King of the CSA wouldn’t find it especially difficult to make his way back to Commenor in his own time if he needed to.

He looked around at the others, “The force knows I’d be happier than a Zeltron on stage to get out of here but,” he lowered his voice a little, as if Kirie could hear, “I think she needs someone a bit more, umm…. Sensitive. I could pilot, though.”

The last thing she needed was to be stuck in a ship with a former smuggler for hours. She clearly needed a more feminine, caring presence. Not the playboy Prince – though even he wouldn't be so crass as to hit on her in such a state.

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

Silfe showed a great deal of concern for the poor girl. There was a part of her that did not wish to leave the ball. It was her first major function as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and she had not even had the chance to introduce herself to anyone. She had been on her date for less than ten minutes.

She pushed all of that aside however. [member="Kirie Ito"] needed to go home. It was obvious in her face how desperately she wanted to leave. There would be other balls and other events. Silfe gave the girl a squeeze. "Of course. With [member="Bradshaw Ku"] at the reigns I am sure we will get home swiftly. Do not worry your highness. We will get her home."

She looked at her date. "Brad if you could summon our transport to meet us out front?"

 

[Jairdain]

Having been right in the mix of things, Jairdain knew she should offer to assist as well. Turning to look through the Force at the ball and people around then, Jairdain let out a simple small sigh and followed [member="Silfe Sosuri"], [member="Bradshaw Ku"] and [member="Kirie Ito"] out of the building.

The assuring words of Silfe were hopefully enough and she remained silent. Standing on the other side of Kirie, Jairdain listened to the request given to Brad. What she didn't know about Kirie yet was she was deaf. So until she learned that bit of information, she had no way to communicate with her.

"This isn't normal? Other than the desire to return to Commenor, is there anything else you want?"

Of course, Kirie wouldn't be able to answer​, but the worst Jairdain would think right now is that she was too shook up by whatever had happened inside.

 

[Samka Derith]

"Our ears can't be everywhere," she agreed. At least they couldn't yet. The future of the galaxy she envisioned suggested they could but it would be a long time until such a vision came into fruition.

"I won't play spin doctor with you, Mr Arenais," Samka sighed, squeezing the Jedi's arm in an action of reassurance. Despite the layer of tension, hidden from the world around them, the pair were not yet enemies. "Neither of us are foolish enough to believe the stories of Jedi mass murdering civilians in cold blood. They don't. They have been, however, completely unprepared to accept the cost of war in their efforts to destroy our Government, any Government they deem undesirable."

The Ren bit her lip, pondering how to express her perspective to a man like this.

"You must understand we were the defenders. We settled a barren, dying world bringing medicine and development. The Galactic Alliance and their New Jedi Order attacked us, Veiere, for reasons many of us still don't fully understand," the use of his first name adding a personal plea. "I was there, I picked up the bodies of men and women from a crashed Star Destroyer. People who died for the crime of defending our territory. Each burned and bludgeoned corpse belonged to someone's son or daughter. They were killed because the Jedi decided they weren't free."

Another pause. Just enough time for her words to wash over.

"It's not happening on our world's again. In the face of such aggression, one cannot sit back and wait for another attack. By taking the fight to the enemy, you are protecting your own people. While the fighting is elsewhere, no citizen of yours is in danger, thus fulfilling your duty to your people. Only by bringing the fight to the aggressor can you show them the cost of what they have done and bring them for peace. That is why we took Mustafar, that is why we were at Ossus."

She smiled back up at the Jedi again, a sad smile now, gone was the cheerful demeanour. Gone too was the undertone of threats. "Your beliefs are admirable at heart but they are of limited vision. The attacker of one battle is not always the attacker in a war. Something I urge you to consider."

Samka stopped walking for a moment, having found a secluded spot in the corner of one of the grand rooms. She manoeuvred her position to be as close to face-to-face as their linked arms would allow. This way, and with the pair standing so close, he could see her features perfectly. A teenage girl, short and petite in frame, freckles dotted around her nose, leading to round, rosy cheeks resting below bright, innocent eyes. The girl asked a question. It wasn't sly. It wasn't one she even knew the true answer to. Her brows furrowed slightly in apparent curiosity and even the smallest trace of fear as the tone and delivery of her question made her seem truly child-like.

"If they won the war, the New Jedi Order, do you know what they would have done with me?"

[member="Veiere Arenais"]

 

[Zeradias Mant]

Kuril hung his head and let out an audible sigh. The door closed, and with it the ability to exit unscathed.

"If they wanted you to leave, they would have thrown you out...", Kuril repeated. He chuckled as a sarcastic smile took over his face. He lifted his head back up, looking the man in the eyes.

"Mr. Harrison... I am the deputy director of the First Order Security Bureau. Samka Derith and Ara Zambrano's opinion need not apply here. If you were cleared to be here, you wouldn't be in this room with me. You are here of your own iniquity."

Before waiting for a response, he made his own way to the door. It opened for him, and closed immediately upon his exit. Several minutes had passed, before he reentered. In his hand was a datapad.

"I'm charging you with trespassing and petty theft. You'll serve no time, but there is a sizable fine. There will be no opportunity for appeal."

Placing the datapad on the table, he slid it over to the intruder. There'd be a follow up investigation to be sure, but Kuril didn't believe he posed any threat.

"Scan your prints and pay the fine there. You'll be escorted back to the event afterwards."

He didn't wait to hear any counterarguments. He hoped that Harrison would see that Kuril was compromising, and this was the best offer he could make. It also be the fastest way for him to make his reentry into the ball without further interruption. It was almost a complete 180 from his previous stance, but it was one he made nonetheless. Whether Harrison thought that it was because he spoke with one of the two Ren he mentioned or some other reason was irrelevant. This was his ticket back in, and that is what mattered.

[member="Connor Harrison"]​

 

[Kirie]

Leaving the Palace back through the VIP entrance, Kirie walked with her head down. Her ears burned with shame. The incident on Kwenn had made her weak. She no longer had the mental resolve, or even the physical fitness she'd had a year ago when she was on her own, surviving day-to-day. Things were better now than they were then, but in a lot of ways they weren't the same. She had a place to sleep, a real job, and people who seemed to actually care about her. But, at the same time, her body and mind were damaged, and the mysterious absence of her parents hung over her like a dark cloud.

"Ungrateful." it muttered "Complacent." She gritted her teeth, focusing on looking at the ground ahead of her, and deliberately avoiding the gaze of [member="Jairdain"], [member="Silfe Sosuri"], and the Crown Prince, [member="Bradshaw Ku"]. She felt the eyes of the prince burrowing into her, apparently the voice felt it too. "I bet he hates you. I bet whenever you're alone he'll slit your throat. And I bet you'll thank him for it too, you miserable slug." Kirie clenched her fist, doing her best to try and ignore the utterances of whatever this thing was.

She decided to visit a doctor back on Commenor, clearly something was wrong with her. "Fool." It hissed."Riddle me this, Kirie. When you arrive at the clinic in Chasin, and you tell them that you've got an oh-so-scary voice in your head, what do you think they'll do? This is your first time outside in months, and as much of a spineless worm as you are, I know you don't want to go back to a Hospital. As much as she hated to admit it, the voice was right. "I'm always right. Get used to it."

She wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve. She steeled herself. No longer would be be weak in the face of her colleagues, or Commenori Royalty. Living in fear was tiring. Whatever this thing was, whatever was happening to her, she would find out. She would shake off the shadows of Kwenn Station, and she would find her parents. The first step was just to get away from this damned ball.

 

[WolfMortum]

"No doubt you would have been incarcerated, trialed for War Crimes no bit more as guilty than the opposition you have fought..." Veiere responded though it didn't come in argument but in understanding of her aggressive line of foresight; War was ugly and it was unavoidable when such power giants such as the First Order and the Silver Jedi Order came to clash against one another's beliefs and ideals in such vast prejudice. Imperial versus Pacifist or so Society was led to believe of the Jedi once upon a time, no more.

"I realize you see my pacifism as ignorance of the inevitable, to believe that war can be avoided...-The Galaxy is long passed such times with the current reigning peoples having taken up their given sectors across the charts in such outspoken pride and supposed grandeur of powers each better than their neighbor" Veiere turned to meet her gaze, this young woman so enthralled with the First Order. He could not fault her, Veiere knew that dedicated look that stared back at him, he too shared it for the Galactic Republic once upon a time and always for what the Jedi had been once long ago. Ideals and traditions that he had sought to revive upon the world of Deneba, since.

"There is not a shadow of hope in my heart for the possibility of swaying the First Order to cease in their hostilities, to do so would leave you vulnerable just as much so as you do the enemy by continuing to confront their disregard for your own...-The Commenor Systems Alliance still has a stake in your motivations however, we consider ourselves allies of yours though you would not recognize it I'm sure. Our neutrality in the politics of the Galaxy I understand comes with it's own...Unreliability" his tone again pausing, his gaze leaving her with the impression that these were more than simple assumptions but a belief in which he did not expect would be proven wrong, nor did he believe he should.

"Regardless, our Capital houses Embassies of both yours and your allies...-As well as your enemies" he turned back to look to the Master of Ren, a moment of tension running across his brow before clarifying his point; "You crossed the known regions of space to wage an attack upon Ossus, sacrificing lives for little cause other than remind the Silver Order of your pride where diplomacy might have concluded the protection of your people without the mass violence and death you wrought upon both sides...".

"I too realize this is not the worst act to be taken against your Worlds or any for that matter, you've suffered no doubt as much as your enemies though you could have called upon us Samka. From the beginning we have offered to stand between conflicting parties in the hope of bringing both upon a neutral ground to negotiate terms of cease fire and eventual peace. You claim it was in defense yet there's always another solution to violence...-There was nothing honorable about what I witnessed on Ossus".

[member="Samka Derith"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor inclined his head towards the man. He was a good officer. He spoke logic, and made sense. There was no need to try and name-drop with this one. Before he could reply, the agent had left the room.

Rubbing his hands together, Connor licked his top lip slowly and walked a small circle around the room. The usual set-up. The mirror, obviously two-way. The table. The lights above for either intimidation or not. Yet he wasn’t intimidated – there was no need to be. There was no need for deception anymore or lies and games, because that only wasted time both men probably did not have.

The door opened, and the agent returned with a seemingly counter-offer to what could have been.

Connor looked at him and nodded once.

"Fair enough."

He moved to the table, secured the reader and placed his one good hand on, palm down. A blue light emitted from underneath. The option then came up once his had had been removed for a simple payment of the said fine if he accepted or declined. He accepted, knowing the identity here would be linked to an account the Silver Jedi still had funded for him from years ago. No loss to him.

"Thank you for your time, Mister Vehn," Connor said, sliding the reader back over to the opposite side of the table. He then stood, waiting for the next step.

[member="Kuril Vehn"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay quietly thanked [member="Bradshaw Ku"] , [member="Silfe Sosuri"] and [member="Jairdain"] for looking after [member="Kirie Ito"] for her. She knew that something was up. But while being in a public place, there was no way for her to figure it out. And besides, they weren't at home. The least that others knew about it, the better.

Now the ball seemed to have quieted down. Kay rejoined it, her eyes glancing over the crowd to locate her husband, [member="Veiere Arenais"] and their friend [member="Samka Derith"] . But the two were not so easily found. Perhaps they had gone deeper into the hall? She chewed the inside of her cheek a little, once again politely declining a drink from a passing server.

It took some time, but he finally found them. They were deep in conversation, all of which carried the signs of serious undertones beneath polite gestures and words. She knew of that quite well as it was common-place in in political circles. That was what Veiere usually detested about politics; the fakeness of it all. Yet there was a purpose for it. Perhaps it was something that he'll come to realize some day.

Kay didn't move closer to them, for she didn't want to interupt. Instead she just stood at the side and observed the event quietly. It was different than most fundraisers that she had been to. Quieter. Perhaps that was a good thing.

 

[Bradshaw Ku]

The women in his life -- [member="Kirie Ito"], [member="Silfe Sosuri"], [member="Jairdain"], and his mother -- made up his mind for him, as they so often did. He wasn’t complaining, though. Not because he wasn’t a complainer, but because he jumped at the chance to leave this stuffy, too glamourous ball.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t with a more exciting excuse.

His mind swirled with images of countless more fun reasons for sneaking out of the ball with his date. But, Kirie needed their help, and they both needed to get out of here.

Good enough for him.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-​

​

Having summoned a ride, Bradshaw and the small group of ladies would soon be walking up the boarding ramp to the mass-produced version of a Commenori Phoenix. A less comfortable, more austere and military version of his step-father’s Kingsguard. It lacked many of the bells, whistles, and creature comforts of the King’s ride, but Bradshaw liked the model.

Maybe he’d pimp one out for himself someday.

He would point the women in the direction of the recreation area, which housed a couple couches and lounge chars. A dejarik board table and sabacc cards were pushed to one corner. It wasn’t hard to find, and besides, Silfe would likely remember where the room was from their first date. He would also point Kirie in the direction of the galley where she could find a bed to rest in, if she so chose.

On their little tea date, Bradshaw had allowed someone else to pilot. Not just because it obviously provided them an opportunity to be alone and talk, much more along the lines of a normal date, but simply because at the time he was still recovering from his injuries sustained on Kwenn Station.

No such allowances today. Fully healed, there wasn’t an ice-cream cone’s chance on Mustafar he’d give up the opportunity to pilot. The vessel was however, still teaming with security personnel. Them he still couldn’t shake.

Having quickly gone through the pre-flight checks, asked for the proper take-off permissions, mostly for the sake of not colliding in mid-flight with another vessel, Bradshaw successfully resisted the temptation to punch the throttle and instead, purely for Kirie’s benefit, lead the Phoenix into a gentle rise through the atmosphere, upper atmosphere, and then away from planetary orbit.

Jump calculations settled, the stars were speghettified outside the viewport as the craft warped into hyperspace.

Moments later, he appeared in the open doorway to the recreation room, right shoulder leaning casually against the frame, tie loosened and jacket undone. A genuine smirk, his relief for having escaped the ball made manifest, chiselled onto his face.

“So ladies, how should we pass the time?”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-​

​

(FIN)​

​

| [member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Veiere Arenais"] |​

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

She didn't know [member="Kirie Ito"] very well at all and the woman's fainting spell, if that was what it was, had worried her greatly. Silfe gently coaxed the young deaf woman out of the ball and onto the transport. She turned to @Jairdain. "Kirie is deaf and recently went through quite a bit of trauma on board Kwenn Station. My guess is that she is dealing with the after affects of such a trauma, but I do not know."


She helped Kirie to wherever she wanted to be (laying down in the Galley or sitting in the rec area), unsure of how else to help the poor woman. Silfe had not been at Kwenn Station, though she knew [member="Bradshaw Ku"] had been. They had not spoken about his time there. She had heard he had been injured, but either he chose to ignore it or he chose not to speak to her about it. Their relationship such as it was, was going GREAAATTTT. He didn't talk to her about his injuries and she did not tell him about her father's visit and her subsequent injuries. Carefully she made sure Kirie could see her face as she spoke. "I am here if you need Kirie. We will get you home."

"Well, that was a spectacular ball, if only for a minute." Unlike her date, she actually had wanted to go. It would have been a great opportunity to make contacts as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Now she had missed it. She sighed, sitting down in her floofy red gown and taking off her long black earrings. They were heavy but beautiful. She looked up at Brad in the doorway and smiled a bit. Perhaps one day they would get time to themselves. "I have no idea. This wasn't exactly how I planned to spend the evening."