Hoedown on Haseria

[Aspect of Defiance]

Autumn was quickly approaching on the backwater world of Haseria. Where most of the worlds which had been joined to the CIS enjoyed the mountain of technology the Confederacy brought to the world, those on Haseria prefered to remain with their simpler ways. It was that one fact which made the planet the perfect place to host a Fall Festival the likes of which the galaxy had never seen. While other factions were having fancy balls, and inviting their friends to sample the best their governments could offer, The Confederacy of Independent systems offered something quite different. Haseria would be the staging point, and the people of the world would do what they did best, party.

This event was going to see everyone getting their hands into something. Carnival Games were set up all over the massive yard like bobbing for apples, pin the tail on the bantha, ring tosses, dunk tanks, and several hayrides running tours of the farm which hosted the event. A new barn was needed thanks to a fire which tore through the area in late summer, so the guests would get to see neighborly hospitality in action through barn raising. Of course the team which had their side completed first was going to win some incredible prizes. It wasn’t a genuine experience without some friendly, or not so, competition. Naturally a party was not a party without dancing, but this was no ballroom. The largest barn on the property had been cleared out long ago to act as a dance hall, and those who ventured there would find it alive with those who enjoyed a good square dance.

The night promised to have something for everyone, and the goal was simple, Fun. With the amount of war in the galaxy, and the lives lost on all sides, fun and joviality was what was needed. There were those who deemed fun to be a waste of time, but in this instance fun was going to be the thing which would bring the war torn out of their glum, and help those new to meet and make friends among the ranks of the Confederacy and their friends. All one had to do was make an effort and fortune would smile upon them. That was the hope anyway. For some this was going to be a night to reconnect with those they had been missing or war had kept them from. As the boots of those returning from the fight hit the ground a grand welcome home would be felt.

Despite the backwater feel of the event, the Confederacy spared no expense in ensuring the event would meet the needs of all. The hosts were set to welcome their guests on a clear evening. Orb lights were strung from farm building to farm building illuminating the entire party. For those native to Haseria this night was the culmination of hard work and an early harvest. They were all eager to share in their own joy, in hopes the celebration could bring some to others. Glasses would be full, the tables were set, music filled the night air, and the wonderful aroma of grilled meat wafted through the air. This would be a night to remember.

Points of Interest:

Spoiler

Enjoy the many games which are strewn about the property. Bobbing for apples, ring tosses, hayrides, dunk tanks, and more, are all laid out for your personal enjoyment. Win some small prizes and have some fun!

Someone has to build it, why not try and do it in one night. A barn raising is a great way to work with a team to help out a poor farmer who lost his barn to a fire. Never fear, grand prizes are set aside for the team which gets their side finished first.

Got a date? Want to dance? Either way make your way to the massive barn turned dance hall and swing your partner doseedo!

As always if nothing of the above suits your fancy… make your own. I promise there is an open bar if that is what you need to jump in!

Faction Tag List:

Spoiler

[member="A'Runda"]
[member="Adelle Bastiel"]
[member="Alden Akaran"]
@Alkor Centaris
[member="Ashara Evanaris"]
[member="Willow Fae"]
[member="Amelia von Sorenn"]
[member="Aston Jacobs"]
[member="Aya Clarke"]
[member="Caesar Kenway"]
[member="Chikako Liona"]
[member="Corvus Dravere"]
[member="Cypher Raige"]
[member="Daisy Americus"]
[member="Damsy Callat"]
[member="Dalton Kenway"]
[member="Darth Tacitus"]
[member="Darth Novus"]
[member="Daxton Bane"]
[member="Destroyer 2873"]
[member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"]
[member="Erin Tenel"]
[member="Eli-Mae Forrest"]
[member="Fawn Alzi"]
[member="Faye Irithiel"]
[member="Gerwald Lechner"]
[member="Havoc (CT-375)"]
[member="Holt"]
[member="IG-65A"]
[member="Ingrid L'lerim"]
[member="Ithiel Vi'Dreya"]
[member="Jayce Pryde"]
@Joannis Campbell
[member="John Locke"]
[member="Jorco Czeku"]
[member="Jorge"]
[member="Josh Dragonsflame"]
[member="Jyoti Nooran"]
[member="Karlie Lynn Destat"]
[member="Kasca Fen"]
[member="Kathryn Foster"]
[member="Kayla Wylen"]
[member="Keva"]
[member="Kiff Brayde"]
[member="Kingsley"]
[member="Krystal Estain"]
[member="Kurayami Bloodborn"]
[member="Kurenai Yumi"]
[member="Kyber"]
[member="Kyrinov"]
[member="Luna Terrik"]
[member="Luna Vega"]
[member="Lyla Quinn"]
[member="Maple Harte"]
[member="Maur"]
[member="Mauer"]
[member="Minerva Vessia"]
[member="Muad Dib"]
[member="Nine Lives"]
[member="Oax Ordo"]
[member="Orion Trex"]
[member="Petra Cavataio"]
[member="Pom Stych Tivé"]
[member="Qaarssk Roark"]
[member="Razelle Breuner"]
[member="Roy Americus"]
[member="Rylan Kordel"]
[member="Scherezade deWinter"]
[member="Sor-Jan Xantha"]
[member="Srina Talon"]
[member="Talon Rahl"]
[member="ToKola Bakari"]
[member="Teyla Riggs"]
[member="Valencia Hadley"]
[member="Vanric Dannon"]
[member="Veronika Fleischer"]
[member="VildarnTentoria"]
[member="Voph"]
[member="Vyra Silara"]
[member="Vytal Noctura"]

 

[Kaden Farr]

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w. [member="Daisy Americus"] | wearing: xxx​

​

Could Kaden dance, everyone was about to find out. The Confederacy loved their parties, and the fact this one was right in his backyard meant he had to go. Kaden has another reason to go, and that was the blonde Mandalorian who also happened to live on Haseria. Daisy Americus had managed to break her way past the beskar lining around Kaden’s heart, and despite the rather unique circumstances of their meeting, and the other details of Kaden’s past, the two had grown close. The missives had started before Kaden became aware of his feelings for the woman, but it soon became clear those missives were the best part of his day.

There was more that began to develop. They had fought alongside each other. Kaden had taught Daisy to play Sabaac. The pair had gone to a carnival where Kaden kept her from falling out of a Ferris wheel, and a resort where Kaden had saved her life as well. There was not much Kaden had not done with Daisy, except dance.

That was why he waited outside the door of her home. The dance was at the barn near the Americus farm as it was. A single red flower was in his hand signifying Kaden had officially asked her to accompany him for the night. He was dressed casual, a pair of jeans and boots below his waist, and shirt and vest above. On his head rest the kind of hat one would expect to see worn to a hoedown. As he stood outside the door after having knocked on it, Kaden, the one who faced the Netherworld twice, was nervous.

Kaden was going to tell Daisy how he felt. The man found it ironic that every time they seemed like they were going to kiss something happened. As far as the resurrected was concerned nothing was going to interrupt them tonight. The mandalorian had a plan, and he was going to see it though. Daisy certainly was in for a treat for the night, and Kaden hoped she was going to enjoy. The dance was just the beginning.

 

[John Locke]

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Wearing: (x) | Tagging: [member="Gianna Aegis"]​

[SIZE=10.5pt]There was something comforting about the purity of physical labour, about seeing something coming together, taking shape, beneath your hands. It was one of the thing that John so loved about building, about inventing and creation, that sense of wonder and accomplishment that came with a job well done. A barn, while it wasn't a cutting edge droid or a starship but it was perhaps better in it's way. A barn was something that the farmer they were building it for could use everyday, that would make an appreciable difference to his life. It was the kind of project John had used to do, the kind of changed he loved to make in people's lives, and the chance to go back to it, to experience once again was an opportunity it was hard to say no to. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt][/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]But, it was more than that actually, building the barn for the farmer would have been nice enough, but something else had happened, more and more people had kept showing up to build the barn, a community had come together to help. The sound of laughter, of saws cutting into wooden planks and footsteps tramping around as they called out to one another. The barn had become more than just a build, it was a community event now, a chance for friends and neighbours to catch up with one another as they worked. The most amazing thing was the community had opened it's doors and it's hearts to the strangers who had joined them for the build. Everywhere John looked he could see people smiling at him, had lost count of the number of friendly slaps on the shoulder or handshakes he'd had. It was...nice actually. The openness of the community was something he could remember from his childhood. It didn't matter where you were from, what you'd done or who you were, you were here now, you were a part of he community and that was all that really mattered to them right now. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt][/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]The cyborg rocked back on the balls of his feet, dark eyes flicking up to stare at the plank he'd been nailing into the frame of the barn not even two second ago. Intellectually John knew he could have sent a single command to the myriad of droids that were waiting, telling them to swarm the building site and the barn would be erected in the blink of an eye. That he could arrange for them to bring in a variety of products and allow them to build a barn that would last against anything that the planet might throw at it. Yet he didn’t. To summon the droids would destroy the sense of community that had seemed to develop here, fracturing the fragile warmth that John had found himself sinking into, found himself enjoying. To bring in the materials would mean a need for more advanced tools, would not just look out of place but it would mean that any damage, any upgrades would necessitate the calling in of advanced tools and trained personnel. This…was better. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt][/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]It was a weird thing for the man to admit, he’d spent his entire life developing more and more advanced technologies, living on the cutting edge of material and design elements. But…John took a deep breath, the scents of the build, sawdust, paint and people all mingling together in his lungs as he let the breath out. There was something here that he hadn’t seen before, hadn’t expected. John hadn’t ever used the force, hadn’t ever experienced it before but this is what he imagined it was like from hearing Gianna and his family talk about it. He could almost feel the warm comforting waves of the community lapping around him, washing over him. It was almost as if he could close his eyes and imagine himself on an ocean somewhere, the community drawing him in, inexorably, and undeniably warming and comforting. He could feel how genuine and happy they were. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt][/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Letting the hammer in his hands slowly slip through his fingers John shifted his grasp, letting the tool slip into the toolbelt affixed around his waist. That was another thing, he hadn’t worn a toolbelt for years now, decades. It took him back to the past, to a time when he was on the factory floor along with his employees, where they lived and died with one another’s successes and failures. The man’s boots pressed into the ground as he turned away, wiping sawdust off his hands in the rough fabric of his jeans. This was a far cry from the suit wearing labs and offices that seemed to take up most of his working life. Jeans and a comfortable shirt were more the order of the day here than anything else. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt][/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]John sucked in a deep breath, rolling his shoulders around as he reached up, running metallic fingers through his hair, fingers squeezing the flesh at the back of his neck for a moment before he tilted his head from side to side. He could feel the bright lights of the sun beating down as the orb shifted higher and higher into the sky. The man took a few steps backwards to examine the barn, well the shape of the barn as it started to come together. There was nothing false, nothing hidden about the smile on the man’s face as he turned on one foot, eyes twinkling with life as he nodded at the nearest workers as he raised a hand in greeting those dark eyes were already sliding away, dancing across the crowd as he let his fingers reached out to grasp two bottles of water as he spotted a familiar head of red hair, tossing one of the bottles into the air as he ambled towards her, holding out one of the bottles. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt][/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]“You know I…I’m glad you found out about this place. It’s nice, the way they’re all helping one another out like this,” he smiled as he saw a toddler, barely 5 years old running past, a pack of nails grasped proudly above their head as they raced towards the builders as he reached up, running his hand through his hair again. The entire trip here he’s sensed something off about the woman, she was still her normal bubbly and effusive self but there was something behind it. Something John couldn’t quite put his finger on, something that felt like a wall, a shard of ice sliding down his back. He’d hoped it was stress, that it was worry about something that maybe he could help alleviate by bringing her here. More than him, Gianna loved, embraced communities like this, the chance to just sink into the warm embrace had been something he’d hoped would help her. “I’d forgotten how good this feels.”[/SIZE]

 

[Daisy Americus]

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w. [member="Kaden Farr"] | wearing: X's and O's​

​

__________________________​

Normally, this was something she could handle. A community pow wow? A little dancing, a bit of hard work, and a whole lotta tihaar with some bad tunes? It was a cocktail of fun that, were she being honest, she desperately needed. Instead of wondering what game she might play, or, who she might be able to drink under the table she was running roughshod through her wardrobe trying to find something to wear.

“Ma! Have you seen my other boot? The black one? No—The other one!”

Betty Americus was a patient woman and calmly advised her eldest daughter without razzing her too much that she was making a huge tadoo about nothing. If some Confederate boy had a crush on Daisy, long story short, it wasn’t because of what she was wearing. She stood in the doorway with a mug of strong caf in her hand, watching, while a hurricane rolled through. “Darlin’ ah have no idea where you throw your shoes…What about the brown pair over there? The ones that your Paw got you from his trip around the Outer Rim?”

Daisy paused and looked down at herself. Brown?

“That…That could work…”, Daisy mumbled, more to herself, than to the fair-haired woman that watched on. Maybe. She wished, truthfully, that she had anyone aside from her mother to tell her she didn’t look like a lightrail wreck. “These earrings?”

Before her mother could answer, she held up another pair, and seemed to fiddle about—Arguing with herself. She didn’t know what to do. Rough and tumble? Or pretty it up? Eventually, she settled on a mishmash of things she could be comfortable in. Her expression was a little woeful. Why didn’t she have anything she liked? “…Can’t ah just wear armor?”

“No, DJ.”, her mother responded with a laugh, “No armor, honeychild. Not today.”

Daisy fumed silently and set about to changing.

Betty was used to her zoning out when she got lost in her head and just sipped at her beverage. It had been a long, long time, since she’d seen any of her children go this far to impress someone. Not since Concord Dawn. It was nice, though, it made her feel a little old. When she realized her little girl was dressed, but doubting herself, she sighed and piped up. “Ah think you look perfect.”

It was good timing too. The proximity-alarm had notified that someone had just come up to the front porch. Daisy breathed in deeply, took one last glance in the mirror, before nodding to her reflection. This was as good as it was going to get. The golden-haired woman kissed Betty goodnight on the cheek, careful not to smear her with lippy, before laughing whilst darting down the hall.

Betty shook her head. Insane. All of her offspring were crazy. She blamed Joe.

Not long later Daisy opened the front door and offered a butterfly smile at the face that greeted her. It was small, sweet, and true as rain. “Hey, stranger.”

“Did you find your way all right? Ah know some of the back roads can be all twisty an' turney.”

Stranger. He wasn’t. Once upon a time, he’d been a ghost, but that was a long time ago. Now it was just a cheeky phrase that left her lips out of habit. Slender fingers reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear while she leaned against the doorframe. Aquamarine eyes flickered up, brilliant, and suddenly filled with amusement. “...Nice hat.”

 

[A'Runda]

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Wearing: X​

Tags: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯​

​

To say the Tusken felt a little silly was a bit of an understatement. But it was mainly through the addition of a ten gallon hat with his typical garbs. He only really wore the complimentary head piece since he feared it would be rude not to. He was next up in line for the simple yet entertaining game of pin the tail on the bantha. Which he felt was fitting for him. But felt kind of bad for the imaginary bantha that had it's tail removed for a game. Even if the tail of a bantha was mainly vestigial for the animals now from his understanding. At least that's what his clan taught him.

After being blind folded and was ready to pin the tail he got a general since of where he needed to place the tail. As if calling on his tribal Tusken knowledge he confidently struck the image with the tail. After which he heard some clapping from the other folks around before taking the blind fold off to see how he did. A'Runda would be pleasantly surprised as he got a nearly perfect placement for the tail. Wondering if it was because he was already so familiar with the animal.

Right before A'Runda stepped away he was given his little prize for playing the game. It was a little Bantha plushy. Looking down at it through his goggles he couldn't help but giggle a little... How fitting.

 

[Ardasz Verd]

He finished the last of the framework that the Confederates had paid him to assemble sometime after midday. With what time he had left after that, he had gone into town and spent several hours getting more information on just how much damage had been done to the farmland and the farms themselves. As a Mandalorian, he sympathized deeply with people who tended the land for their living. It was deeply ingrained in his culture, respect for the soil, the crops, the harvest. It kept them alive.

But men like Ardasz, they were a crop of their own. Destined not to work the land, but to water it in the blood of their enemies. Determined to carve a swath through faceless enemies for the rest of his life, destined to leave his name in the annuls of history. At least, that was the hope- a hope that his people had lost sight of for so very long.

He finished his inquiries just in time to make an anonymous contribution from his own account, then headed back to the barn for the festivities. Not one to dance, the sight of the young folk at play did evoke memories of youth and he lit up a cigarra, fondly puffing at it and lazing back in his chair. There were a few cute girls here and there, but nothing that made his blood boil.

He was not like his half-brother, Isley. Not Force-born, not gifted with a talent for wooing women and leaving them behind in the morning. If anything, Ardasz was a romantic, and his romance had died long ago. There had only ever been one-

And they were never meant to be.

He was fine fathering no sons and leaving behind no legacy. The Verd clan would not die if he did not sow his seeds- Isley had seen to that single handedly. He had nothing to offer a woman but his grizzled, weathered carcass and the funds he had gathered over many years. Even that depleted substantially whenever Mandalore suffered.

The reality was, he was married to his culture. He had always loved Manda'yaim more than anything else. He had always been sure to look after her. It was enough to drive anyone into jealousy.

He glanced at the table next to him and noticed an unopened deck of Sabacc cards. With an eyebrow quirked, he grabbed hold of the box and cracked it open, sliding the unmolested cards into blistered hands and studying them for markings.

Clean. The people running this show are playing it naïve, I see.

"Alright," he announced quietly to those who happened close enough to the table to hear, "who wants to deal first?" He shuffled the cards with a ripe crackle and distributed the cards randomly. It would be a fair game...

...or his Queen of Hearts would have something to say to the offender.

 

[Gianna Aegis]

​

Location: Near the Barn [Construction...]​

Wearing: (xwxwxw) | ​

Tagging: [member="John Locke"]​

A shock of red hair burned under the sun while the Knight spun in a joyful circle with some of the younglings. They were playing near where the barn was being raised, but, not so close that they could come to harm. Gianna found herself making sure they stayed hydrated and in turn had met quite a few of the parents. They were very welcoming and incredibly complementary. Gianna had forgone her more traditional robes and had taken clothing tips from local outfitters before arrival.

It felt strange not to wear robes, or, some sort of dress with length—But she did blend in. Perfect camouflage. No one would know she was an undercover Jedi prowling around.

When she felt dizzy from spinning round and round, she let herself fall out of the game with a little wave. Her heart felt high and light, filled with childish innocence, and unfettered light. Some of them seemed to be predisposed toward weaponry and hunting, along with a tough of violence, but those qualities seemed to be very far away. At least for today. “I’ll come back later I have to check on my friend—Be good and steer clear of the construction!”

Gianna smiled and turned toward one of the chests filled with drinks and ice. After a moment, scrounging around the booze, she tried to find something that wasn’t full of alcohol, but came up short. Figures. For the time being she headed back toward John, and as if he’d read her mind, he found her first. “Hi there…”, she greeted, smiling cutely, while her nose scrunched.

He was in such a good mood that she couldn’t help but echo it.

Taanab had left her with difficulties. She tried to keep them hidden, under wraps, and far away from the newly minted Minister of Science that she spent so much time with. He had enough on his plate. Instead, she did her best to keep her spirits high, and to preoccupy him with things that might bring through memories of less dire times. Or—Places to create new memories. Things he could take with him. Things that would lift him up, carry him, when he couldn’t do it himself.

When she couldn’t be there.

“You know I have my ways.”, Gia spoke softly, teasingly, and accepted the water bottle he offered. “All the little birds talk to me when you’re not looking.”

It wasn’t a lie. The birds, the wind, the trees…Anything that could speak in the Force often did. But this? It was so much simpler. She just read the Holo-News that came from Geonosis. Any of the large activities appeared in the current events section for each sector. This festival, gathering, whatever it was, seemed to be exactly what they needed.

John smiled while a youngling ran by, desperate to help, but he didn’t notice the ground was uneven. Gia reacted instinctively when his feet dropped out from beneath him and the box of nails went flying. Time seemed to slow. Her fingers moved, almost imperceptibly, and the nails seemed to flow backward, back into their container. The child was pulled back from face planting into unforgiving dirt and placed neatly back on his feet.

She exhaled.

No one seemed to notice, but the little boy, and he looked around curiously. Gia looked away while he spun in a circle and rest her hand on the hat that sat on her head to hide her eyes. There was a telltale brightness to her iris when the Force moved through her in any significant degree. It could be overlooked, most of the time, but she didn’t want to take the chance. Not here…Not today.

“…You shouldn’t ever forget how good peace feels.”

The words were barely a whisper. The distance that he felt. The space of emptiness that had not been there previously…It would unintentionally creep in. John had forgotten many things on Tanaab while simultaneously reminding her of others.

She was a Jedi. It was all she would ever be.

He couldn’t care for her the way he did. As much as she tried not to see it, she did, and that meant that she needed to teach him to stand on his own. To have his own grasp on morality and all it entailed. She wouldn’t always be there to stop him, to save him from himself, and she needed to know, more than anything—That he wouldn’t go dark.

She could feel the shadows in him still. By the Force… It was there. It was her fault.

Gianna needed to chase it away.

 

[Lunara Azure]

Objective: Play Sabacc | Wearing: (x)​

Tagging: [member="Ardasz Verd"] | [member="Mr. Antilles"]​

Lunara had been to festivals before, she'd even presided over them, stood out in front of the crowds to start a festival, been escorted through the attractions as a guest of honour. She'd never just gone to one, just visited one before, got lost amongst the crowd as just one of the atendees. No pressure, no need to be a role model or to worry about the eyes watching her. She could just sit back and enjoy herself as it were.

If she was honest, Lunara had to admit that there was a part of her that missed the attention and the focus. There was something about the attention, the focus of all those people that was addictive. There was a pressure too, but it made you feel important, special in a way that little she'd ever experienced before did. You were the centre of attention, of everyone's focus. Yet, for today, today she was happy to shed those roles and jsut be herself. Like a set or heavy robes she knew hat they'd be waiting for her when she got home, the familiar feeling of responsibility enfolding her, stifling her. For today though she was Just Lunara, and for today that would be enough.

So she'd taken the day, flitting between the attractions, trying out all the foods she'd never gotten to experience before, but had read about in books, seen in holovids. It was a day to cross things off her bucket-list, and she'd decided to make the most of it. She'd dropped people into tanks of water, plucked apples from wooden tubs with nothing more than her teeth. If anyone she'd known could see here know they wouldn't have recognised her if it wasn't for the signature strip of hair running back through her hair the colour of burnished gold.

It had been, well she had to admit it had been a fun day so far but as the day wore on she'd found herself wanting a break, a chance to get off her feet. That had brought her here, a glass of white wine nestled in one hand as she watched a man break open a deck of cards, challenge those around him to a game. The young woman had to force the smile off her face as she settled into a seat at the table shaking her head at the man, "You called it, you deal it." She knew her mask, her ability to hide her emotions was far from perfect but this, paying card games with the maids and other acolytes, this had been how she had practiced. This was something familiar, that missing touch that she'd been waiting for. "Deal me in though."

 

[Mr. Antilles]

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---

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---

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Location: Haseria-Middle of Nowhere-Podunk Blackhole [Bar]
Tag: [member="Ardasz Verd"]

X------------------------X------------------------X------------------------X

“Good karkin’ kriffin’ grief. Where the hells am I?”

Mr. Antilles stepped off of her ship with her hands settled on the swells of perfectly curving hips. There was a sassy way she stood, eyes full of disbelief, and vague irritation. Her crew didn’t answer but instead pointed out that the beacon they’d followed had brought them to the shores of the most faux-idyllic place she could imagine. “Track that beacon. I don’t want to lose a payday just because these backwater misfits are having a party.”

The dark-haired woman could scarcely keep her eyes, heavy coated in black mascara, from nearly rolling out of her head. There were wee brats running amuck and townsfolk absolutely piss drunk, falling all over, while they played carnival games and handled heavy machinery to build some sort of structure. Right… “How...Wholesome.”

Bright eyes flickered while black lashes fluttered against alabaster cheeks. Part of her wanted to pack up and peace out, but, money had a way of talking sweet nothings to her. Ugh, so weak. Credits couldn’t buy her love, but, it was a dang good replacement. Addiction at its finest. She lifted her wrist and spoke into it. “Keep the ship hot. I don’t expect to be here long—But all this frolicking is making me queasy. I need a drink.”

She stalked down a flowered path and did her best not to stomp on them. It wasn’t that she disliked it, mostly, that this place was too perfect. It was too organized. She needed chaos and desperately wanted to mess something up. What kind of bizarro-world was this? Everything seemed to have a place. Even the kriffin’ drunks.

At least they had a bar.

Waltzing in, she turned a few heads, mostly because she wasn’t what one might call modest. She had a body to kill for, regardless her age, and knew it. Her leathers seemed be painted on and the striped tank top she wore exposed…Enough. Still, decent though. Mostly. For a long moment the bartender just stared. “If you don’t close your mouth, sugar, I’m going to shoot you in the kneecap.”

Resting her elbows on the bar top while she leaned forward didn’t help his disposition but he stumbled out to take her order. While he did that, her eyes wandered, and landed one the one person she didn’t expect to see in a dive like this. Huffy, half annoyed, half whatever, she slammed back the shot of caster oil the bartender produced before throwing some credits down. So, this was the chit-hole he’d been hiding in? “Ardasz Verd.”

The colorful creature slapped him hard across the face. Loud enough that some poor motherless punks could hear it to the moon. Then—She leaned forward and kissed him. Just as fiercely as she’d slapped him. Instant heat. Instant rekindled, whatever it was, but the brunette pulled away before the patrons got an eyeful. “Deal me in, sugar.”

She pushed away and straightened up with a smile that was far more sinful than the ‘marry me red’ lipstick she wore. Of course, edged with ‘divorce me later’ lipliner. She loved her silent amusements. Electric eyes seemed playful while she let her hand trail around the shoulders of the only Verd she could stand. Her back end fell into an empty seat and she kicked long, long legs up while her booted feet came to rest on the table. Her gaze fell on another woman that seemed to want in [[member="Lunara Azure"]] and she shot her a rather saucy smirk.

“Don’t keep us waiting, honey. You know how I feel about that.”

Someone was likely to get shot. Or worse.

X------------------------X------------------------X------------------------X​

 

[Ardasz Verd]

"Elek, bur'cya," he greeted warmly, like the still fresh burn of the ne'tra gal in his throat, "I'd be glad to start the game." The man flicked his thumb over one side of the deck and sent it flapping toward his other open, waiting hand. Expertly, he weaved the deck back together in a fresh order, marking the second shuffle of the virgin deck. "Standard Sabacc, no funny business, start the pot at a ten cred buy in. You good with that?"

No sooner did he ask than a chillingly famIliar voice called his name, and he quickly looked in that direction- only to feel the instantly hot, stinging sensation of her open palm against his face. He watched her for all the time it took to register what was going on, and she kissed him deeply. He remembered the time they first met, Nal Hutta, the job had been dicey and the pay little more than bantha fodder; but the hours they spent getting to know each other afterward made it all worthwhile.

Until she up and left in a huff, disappointed and unfulfilled as always. They were from two different worlds, but equally passionate. Two flames that would only ever meet briefly, then burn out. He could never bring a woman like that back to the aliit. She'd never embrace the Resol'nare. She would never bear his children and bring them up as Mando'ade. He would never be the submissive, second in command satisfaction she sought. He was too wild, too dangerous-

Click.

"Alright, I'm not one to stall for time," he replied to [member="Mr. Antilles"] as he began dealing to the left, one thumb sending the cards face down, sliding across the table. The other placed a six shot hand canon on the table, clearly cocked and loaded. "But you know how I feel about cheaters. Call it an insurance policy."

The wily woman would of course notice and recognize the weapon.

"You don't mind, do you?" he asked of [member="Lunara Azure"], a genuine smirk crossing his features. "I just want to make sure everyone gets a fair shake, 'lek?"

 

[John Locke]

​

Wearing: (x) | Tagging: [member="Gianna Aegis"]​

"See, I knew they were upto something," John's eyes narrowed playfully as he pasted a mock glare on his face, spinning around to raise a hand to shake at hte birds who had settled in the trees surrounding the farm. The sound of their chirps had melded into the sound of the woodwork and people that had become the choir for the build, there was an almost orchestral quality to it, the way the sounds could soothe, carry you away if you just closed your eyes and let them.

For most of his life John had lived in cities, from Corellia to Fenris to Geonosis, it was where his skills were demanded, where his business dragged him. He’d driven through the countryside, visited it now and then, but never really spent any amount of time there, at least not until Gia had dragged him out there. It was one of those many small things that she’d done without thinking, opening him up to new experiences and ideas. The thoughts and experiences that he had to admit he’d ended up enjoying more than not. Not that he’d ever admit that to her out loud, but he could see that she knew, that little knowing smirk on her face.

If he was honest, John didn’t care that Gia knew, he’d long ago realised that he was an open book to the woman, had made his peace with it. It wasn’t just the force at play here, truthfully John didn’t want to hide anything from her either. Taanab had been eye-opening for him, revealing to him a darkness, a depth to himself he’d neve realised he’d possessed. He still woke at night, dreaming of being back on that bridge, of watching the Mandalorian’s strike play out again and again while he was helpless to do anything but scream. Time helped, time had banished the worst of it, that and the knowledge that Gianna was ok, that it was just a nightmare.

That was perhaps the realisation that had shaken him the most. He’d always known that he’d cared about the red-haired Jedi, she was a friend, one of his best friends. But in that moment, on that planet he’d realised it had become something more. He’d realized that somewhere along the way that that fondness, that friendship had changed, morphed into something more. Deepened, grown. Somewhere along the line he’d fallen in love with his best friend.

The sight of the little boy running past distracted John for a moment, he could remember a time when that would have been him dashing around the mechanic’s workshop fetching tools and parts for the men working there. Only, when he ran too fast, fell over there hadn’t been anyone to catch him in the force and stop him from face planting. A soft smile tugged up the corner of of his lips as he turned away from the boy, one hand brushing against Gianna’s elbow ever so softly, just to catch her attention as he nodded in her direction. “That was nice of you,” his voice was soft, pitched low just for her ears as he reached for his bottle, taking a sip of the water, feeling it slip down his throat. He could see she was nervous about being spotted, didn’t wanna bring any more attention in her direction as he just acted naturally.

Then she spoke, soft words, words that were barely audible. That and something more, as she spoke he could feel his heart drop though he couldn’t put a finger on the reason why. It was there again, that coldness, that sense of separation that he’d felt ever since Taanab creeping back into her voice. He didn’t know what it was, if he was just hearing things, if it was in his head. Maybe he was straining to hear something that wasn’t there, a hope, a sound that he wasn’t alone. Or, it might have been something else. Concern, worry danced in his eyes as they cut across to rest on her face, watching her as he turned to face the Jedi.

“I know,” his voice was soft as hers, just meant for her ears, “it’s a good feeling, being here, with you. Watching all of them, helping them. This…is what I wanted,” his dreams of the past, those that he’d abandoned to the wayside under the pressure of the universe. “I guess, it wasn’t gone, as far away as I’d thought.” It was the life he’d always wanted, just waiting there for him to reach out and take it. No, not waiting, he wasn’t going to give it up, not again. Life was too uncertain to let opportunity slip by. Any opportunity.

The man’s hand reached out, metallic fingers grasping the woman’s elbow gently, asking for her attention as his dark eyes rested on her, on the parts of her face visible through her hat. “Are you…is everything ok?” There was something off, a coldness and hesitation, separation he’d never known, never experienced before from her. The community, the location, it was great but, if something was wrong, if something was bothering Gianna…he wanted to know. He wanted to help.

 

[Lunara Azure]

Objective: Play Sabacc | Wearing: (x)
Tagging: [member="Ardasz Verd"] | [member="Mr. Antilles"]

​

The young woman felt her eyes widen at the display, as the newcomer greeted her host with a slap across the face followed by a kiss, well she guessed that could be called a kiss. It was to a normal kiss what a shark was to a minnow, sure they were related but...but. There were no words for it, for any of this and Lunara could feel a blush rising, her cheeks flushing the palest of pinks as her crystal blue gaze dropped down to stare at the table infront of her. It wasn't much but, it was all the privacy she could afford the pair, at least for now.

She'd known she'd been sheltered growing up, that was part of why she was here in the first place. Experiences, situations beyond those she might find in a palace, sequestered away back home. It had taken her months of arguing and begging to get permission and now...now she wasn't so sure that this had been a good idea. If everyone was like this here, well then she just might die of embrassment before she got to do anythign else, see anything else. Her fingers tightened imperceptiably aorund the stem of her wine glass, raising it to her lips as she took a fortifying sip, took a steadying breath, only looking up again when she heard the woman settled down on a seat, heard the thump of the gun resting on the table.

That gun drew most of her attention, as her gaze swept over it before flicking up to rest on Ardasz's face, an amused light dancing in the back of her eys as she reached for her bag. "Oh, I quite agree, we all want to make sure that everone here gets their best chance to play a fair game right?" Delicate fingers rooted around in her bag before she straightened, a nail file making a soft thump as she deliberately placed the file on the table next to her, a smirk playing across her lips as she leaned back in her chair. "I just want tomake sure everyone gets a fair shake," she echoed playfully as her fingers plucked her cards from the table.

She knew that it might not have been the smartest move, but he just looked so serious she couldn't help herself. Evenas a little girl, she'd never been able to stop herself, prevent her mouth from running away with her and getting her into trouble before. Of course, then there had been guards and other to help get her out of it...now though. Well, she had the light, so she had an advantage in her back pocket but still. Her blue eyes flicked over to the other woman, nodding at her before settling back on the man. "I mean, if you feel the need to have an insurance policy so close to hand as it were...you're not planning on doing anything that you'd need it for now were you?" There was a definate playful lilt to her voice, but next time, next time she was going to bring a blaster when she went out, even if it was to the fair.

 

[Kaden Farr]

​

w. [member="Daisy Americus"] | wearing: xxx​

​

Nerves were a funny thing, and the displayed themselves at the most awkward of times. Kaden had taken on the monsters of the Netherworld as a teenager and cauterized the severed arm of a grown man without feeling the least bit anxious. It was as though his stomach was made of the same beskar which lined his heart. When it came to Daisy, however, Kaden was a bundle of nervous excitement. Ironically it seemed she was as well. Kaden did not need their force bond to sense it either. The commotion that could be heard as the blonde made her way to the door with her mother not that far behind told Kaden he was not the only one anxious about the night. The difference was Kaden had not been overly concerned about his wardrobe. Sure, he could use help in that department, but the obvious difference between Daisy and Kaden in that regard was while she had a massive family, Kaden was alone.

When the door opened Kaden looked up and greeted the smile he received with one of his own. The response was involuntary anymore. Seeing her smile always force one on his otherwise stoic face. Daisy had managed, in all of her sweetness, to rub off on him enough that he could not help but open up when she was around.

“Hey, stranger.”

Kaden was anything but, however, with all the missions he had taken on to pad his pay in recent weeks sometimes it felt like it. What Daisy didn't know yet was that Kaden had finally moved out of the small room he had been renting and taken the earned credits to purchase a plot of land not far from the Americus property. The location was good plot for a farm of his own if he wanted it, or it could be put to good use for some other kind of trade. Yes, he would always fight when the Vicelord called, the Mandalorian in him would never say no to a true leader. When he was not on missions, or he was not fighting, Kaden wanted Haseria as his home. Daisy had already ensured it could be. Everyone had been so hospitable the day he came to visit her shortly after their reunion in the physical world that Kaden decided to call it home. Besides, this was where many of his own people had settled after being pushed out of Concord Dawn, an act Kaden had been a child to see.

"Hey yourself," he said with a nod as Daisy asked about his trip to their property.

A small chuckle almost escaped his lips as Kaden thought of how ironic it would have been to navigate the Netherworld and not be able to follow a simple set of directions, even with twisty and confusing backroads. Even if he couldn't the bond they shared would have led him right to her as soon as he got close enough to sense her. Kaden had been practicing, even if Daisy didn't want to, though Kaden also knew she would feel his presence if he was close enough to her.

"The roads were fine," he answered with another smile as she leaned against the doorframe. His eyes finally managed to peel away from her smile long enough to look her over. Kaden had let his eyes wander over her body enough times it amazed him how he could still be in awe of it each time they did. This time was no exception as her outfit seemed to hug her form in all the right places to make Kaden's gaze linger a bit longer than what was maybe appropriate. His eyes did find his way back to hers as she complimented the hat, the cheesy hat that seemed like the thing to wear if he was going to fit in. "You look great yourself, I especially like the boots."

A small wink was offered just before Kaden presented Daisy with the single rose he had been holding in his hand. It was the first time he'd greeted her with a flower of any kind. Clearly he was putting some effort into their evening. Their last outing on the mech planet had opened Kaden's eyes to the fact Daisy seemed to be as fond of him as he was her. He had returned from Taanab unharmed, and the two found a serious moment of relief, one that was heavier than it should have been for a couple of good friends.

"I... uh... got you something..."

He waited for Daisy to accept the rose if she would, and then offered his arm.

"Shall we be off then?"

 

[A'Runda]

Tags: [member="Lunara Azure"] [member="Ardasz Verd"] [member="Mr. Antilles"]​

​

The seemingly lost Tusken moved around the celebration, checking out one activity after another. None really caught his eye though. He simply passed along with his new toy. Passing by some of the dancing he thought that could've been pretty fun, but he didn't have any partner with him so he wasn't gonna try. Passing through he came to a bar nearby which was quite busy now with the local festival.

Looking over a he saw a table surrounded by colorful characters, some looked more so then others. Approaching it he saw that it looked as though they were playing Sabacc at least that's what he thought it was. After recognizing the game he looked to see if anyone at the table was someone he knew. Which non of them were. After seeing the woman who seemed to lack the most modesty he felt a slight sense of dread as he snapped his gaze away from her nervously. Worrying for a brief moment that they were playing some form of strip Sabacc, and that they were loosing. Yet again it looked like they were just starting so he figured he could've just been a fashion choice.

"Um, could I perhaps join the game?" He asked, looking over to the man he seemed to be dealing before quietly taking a seat and placing his Bantha plushy on his lap. "This is what you use right?" A'Runda asked before he pulled out a rather fat stack of credits he'd accumulated from working for the CIS. But since he was never sure what to spend it on he just saved it and figured this festival would be a nice place to use some of it. He also didn't really know what investing or banks were, so he just kept his credits around with him.

 

[Vora Kaar]

OBJECTIVE: Watch Sabacc Players | WEARING: XXX​

TAGGING: @A'Runda, [member="Lunara Azure"], [member="Ardasz Verd"], [member="Mr. Antilles"],​

Bustling and action was about. When people have a fun time, it tends to be for a reason. Coming to found out that the newest formation of the Confederacy of Independent Systems had gained victory against a group called "The Crucible" a slave trade, and general criminal activity group, I could understand their desire to mingle with those they had protected. However, there were clearly whispers of their people. Knights bathed in Black Onyx clothing and armor. Fighting for the people. Where these the replacement for the Templar Knights? I was unsure of this, and wanted to investigate. However, first, it seemed I would have to mingle with those who had come to be members of this newer Confederacy.

How could I do this? Find one of the most powerful force users in the area, and just learn from them. Hang out if you will. Its been a long time since I have been out and about. So I might as well enjoy myself while I can. Low and behold, I did find something. A softer image though. Almost as though they were much younger. Might as well follow through right?

Walking through the tables, I found who I was looking for. A young lady who seemed to be in the party of a rather caked up woman, a man who could handle himself and what seemed to be a tusken? Strange to see one of them, but I might as well. Walking over to the group, I smiled lightly and nodded my head to those who acknowledged my presence.

"Enjoying Sabacc? Well this is interesting. You folks mind if I watch a friendly game?"

 

[Gianna Aegis]

​

Location: Near the Barn [Construction...]​

Wearing: (xwxwxw) | ​

Tagging: [member="John Locke"]​

She didn’t respond when John started playfully shaking his fist at the furry woodland creatures that kept snitching on all of his secrets. Laughter sat deep in the halls of her eyes, keeping them warm, and gentle. Her entire aura was just as comforting as a warm slice of Juna Berry patogga, sweet, enticing, but not so much that she seemed designed to rot the teeth of younglings. Gianna was fully in her element in places like this and it showed. She was content. All smiles—All light.

That was why she intervened with the small child. She aspired to keep her Force Sensitivity under wraps in a world that seemed to have become quite the settling space for a lot of Mandalorian families. The flame-haired Knight could sense the Force in some of them but she was well-versed in the general aversion that most held. She didn’t know it was different here, that some of them, they had departed their home in exile for that very reason. Jade eyes flickered up from beneath the brim of her hat. Was it nice of her? “How could I not?”

Gianna could feel John brush against her elbow and in turn, kept her gaze from drifting over anyone directly for a few moments. He would well know what her reservations were and where they came from. Regardless, she would never, ever, allow someone to come to harm when it was within her power to prevent it. What was a little ridicule or discomfort in place of the pain of a youngling?

Nothing. Air—Whistling into space. Absolutely, nothing.

Her distraction cost her. Gianna could feel the mood of the man at her side changing as easily as she could watch winter turn to spring. His concern echoed through to her as clearly and precisely as a high silver bell. The way he watched her, so carefully, told her that she hadn’t been nearly as subtle as intended. His voice rang in her ears and she deliberately broke the moment by taking a sip of water.

He said he knew?

Did he?

Did he know what concerns danced around in her head? What words had repeated themselves over and over during her efforts to meditate so that she could return to equilibrium? Did he know that she felt as if she were losing her grip? That on Taanab his goodness, his presence, felt like it was sliding through a sieve to reach the murky depths of the Darkside that hid below.

That it was her fault?

Dark gold lashes fluttered against tanned cheeks for a moment before she offered a soft smile. Her features were kind, as they always were, but there was a sense of inexplicable sadness. It was heartbreaking. That was all it could be. To see her trying so hard, but, it was little more than a gilded façade. Gia wanted more than anything to tell him the truth. Omission was just as bad as any other lie. It wasn’t a harmless thing, no matter what anyone said, and the lack of transparency was slowly eating a hole through her stomach. “I’m glad to hear that. There’s nothing better than a little hard work to put our senses back in order after things went all topsy-turvey.”

“Nothing like this is ever gone. Sometimes…It just gets a little lost.”

That was true. She exhaled slowly, carefully, unwinding. The Jedi thought that she’d been careful enough to keep her own council but the familiar feeling of metallic fingers grasping her elbow caused her to pause. John asked for attention. Always. Never demanding, so cautious, that she would have never believed that he could build weapons of mass destruction on a whim. Was everything okay?

No. But, it would be. It had to be.

“Don’t...Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing.”

Omission. Gianna felt a slow wave of nausea. It was one thing to remove sensitive pieces of information from someone that intended to harm, or, for the safety of someone else. But this? It was a half-truth. It killed her to do it in the first place. Especially, to John. “Isn’t it beautiful here? I love how the sun feels, hot or not, and I could just about eat every snack in sight. Butter cookies?”

She held a girlish hand to her face and faux-swooned with a silly smile growing. “Have you had one?”

“If not—Have two. You’ll thank me later.”

 

[Daisy Americus]

​

w. [member="Kaden Farr"] | wearing: X's and O's​

​

__________________________​

Daisy lingered in the doorway for a long moment while taking in the sight of her escort of the shindig. There was something to be said for words without sound, though, she had always thought the poet spouting something so flowery had been full of poodoo at the time. Slowly, her perspective was changing. A little grin teased the kiss of her mouth before she peeled herself away from the paint with a sassy sway. He was laughing at her. Nothing chased away the butterflies in her stomach more than a little self-righteous anger. Even if it was faker than a pretty girls nose. “An’ what exactly are you smilin’ and laughin’ about Mister Farr?”

“You keep it up. Ah dare you—And me-n-you are gonna mix.”

Meaning, mostly, that she was gonna knock his block off.

It let her pass down the steps with the flounce and floss of a fresh daisy rather than to succumb to his next intent of giving her a once over. A twice over, maybe. The young woman kicked her right foot back and spun in a rather skillful point circle on her way over at the compliment to her boots. By the time she reached him, her hand went up and stole the hat from his head. She put it on and grinned. “Now…This is how you wear a hat like this ah reckon. It’s all about the attitude—”

She would have gone on to lecture about bantha wrangling but Kaden presented her with something he never had before. A flower. Not a gun, or a dagger, or some sort of dangerous explosive. Daisy reached out and took the rose gingerly. She was good with guns and tools. Things that could either help her do massive damage or keep her in the field longer than everyone else. This…

What did she do with this?

Heat crept up her cheeks slowly and she pressed the soft petals against her nose so she could take a long breath. It also, totally by coincidence, hid her mouth so she couldn’t reply for a moment. Pity. Instead of giving him more of a hard time, which she excelled at, she moved forward and took his arm. How could she be mad at that? “It’s…Perfect. Mighty kind of you.”

Daisy let Kaden lead the way while she kept her face hidden by the slightly over-sized and very much so stolen hat. She twirled the flower between her finger, by the stems, and a little smile settled.

“We probably better mosey on over. Paw has more ordinance in the shed than a bomber.”

Daisy was teasing of course.

Mostly.

 

[Mr. Antilles]

​

---

​

---

​

Location: Haseria-Middle of Nowhere-Podunk Blackhole [Bar]
Tag: [member="Ardasz Verd"] X [member="Darren Shaw"] X [member="A'Runda"] X [member="Lunara Azure"]

X------------------------X------------------------X------------------------X

Ardasz was the same as he always was. Pretty to look at, but, burdened by creepily pendantic Mandalorian guilt. Part of her wondered why he’d never taken up the cloth with how preachy he came to be about Mother Resol'nare and her Six Bratty Actions from a previous marriage. She fished out the appropriate buy-in credits from somewhere betwixt her décolletage and chucked it down on the table with an appropriate flourish. “Yes, by all means, let’s highlight your inability to pace oneself. We both know you like to rush to the finish—”

Mr. Antilles would have added more to her rather scathing commentary but the Verd chose that moment to place something on the table that struck a chord. The hand cannon was not something she had seen since the rakish schutta had last graced the viewport at the stern of her ship. She could remember him now, drunk off his arse, and fading in the distance.

Good times.

The gun though…The gun brassed her off. He had time to keep her most precious possession but he couldn’t even be bothered to send her a holo? Droid-E-Gram? Smoke signal? Nothing?

The intense level of self-control that it took not to pick up the weapon so that she could shoot and or beat him with it deserved a tall-boy hot toddy. The cute kid across the table distracted her well enough by speaking up, to which, Mr. Antilles could only raise a artfully lined brow. Where did these people come from? Fair games? No cheating? What a sheltered little waif. Mr. Antilles would almost, almost, feel bad for cleaning her clock. Despite how well she could lose a husband, card games, was something she never lost at. “Right…”, she trailed off, eyeing up the blonde as if she were lunch. Was she flirting with her Mandalorian? Oh, no. Couldn’t be. That must mean she also wanted to get shot. “Let’s whip em out then.”

Mr. Antilles started to disarm. A rather alarming number of weapons began to appear from what seemed to be absolutely nowhere. How did she hide it all in a skin-tight outfit? Pocket dimension you say? No, no, the Cleaner preferred to simply call it what it was. Magic.

“I think that’s everything, though, if someone wants to double-check—Do so at your own risk.”

Some yahoo walked up to the table and Mr. Antilles gave him a once over. Not her type. Carrying a plush little bantha? Yeah, definitely not her type. Way too into furry. She opened her mouth to refuse but the sight of a fairly impressive stack of credits caused her mouth to snap shut with an audible click. “By all means. We’re just…Disarming. Keeping things…Fair.”

She said “fair“ as if it were the naughtiest word in the history of spoken languages.

Another guest, though, this one was easier on the eyes than Batha-Boy. Mr. Antilles nodded her head when he asked to join and whirled two fingers in the air at Ardasz to get their new meal-tickets settled in. The carefully appliqued woman kept leaning back in her chair, entirely oblivious to not only the looks but, the chatter that seemed to stem from her fashion choices. Her eyes rolled heavenward. Petty, petty, petty.

In all honesty—It was a pipe dream to want to shoot anyone between the eyes that looked at her odiously. But, this game would only last so long, she’d get her weapons back, and a girl couldn’t be blamed for trying her hardest.

Well. She could. But, they’d never catch her alive.

X------------------------X------------------------X------------------------X​

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Open for interaction xx Wearing​

Let me tell you something, between us, girls, that is… desolate planets where most of your conversations are held with the dead are never a good time. Not really. So, there I was, all alone in my thoughts – studying, learning my history, becoming stronger. I would be Queen someday, and if the ancestors accepted, I would rule as Empress… I would reign. I would overcome. My personal history built me up but my family’s history would show me the way --- ways right, ways wrong. I would conquer.

There was nothing special in the way the young woman dressed. Simple jeans, a top beneath, her bare skin exposed, tattoos exposed upon her porcelain skin. The black ink represented her power among the Witches, her trials and accomplishments upon Dathomir and Ryloth. Her blue gaze struck of Van-Derveld blood, her long blonde hair showed the truth of who Katrine was – she was Ket’s daughter, the colors upon it her youth, the differences. The blue, her father. The purple, the curse she had overcome; the red, her mother, the green the color of her grandmother’s irises. She, Katrine Van-Derveld Hawk, was the product of power and strength, a gem of ancient wisdom and a future leader of a planet waking from its slumber. She was to be Queen, her coronation postponed only due to circumstances of her training. The day would come… she would be the leader of the Lupines, as she already was in the absence of her Father.

I didn’t care for fashion, a wolf cared not for the threads she did not bear. Not on her true skin. I cared to inhale civilization though, from which I had willingly deprived myself this whole time.

Slowly, she walked, her palms facing downright. Her head, it had been silent throughout the entire journey here, a welcomed change to the voices that filled her head often, the voices that lived with her. The spirits, her ancestors. They were all there. But Katrine had been the wolf for so long now that they had grown silent, the demon required a clear of mind now. Music was blaring near her, the sounds causing her sapphire gaze to drift to it as she walked onward, observing humans and aliens alike as if she hadn’t seen them in years. It hadn’t been years but it had been long now since she’d crossed path with the living, with the verbal beings of the galaxy. Animals spoke and spoke freely now around her that she had been among them and earned their trust. The Witch inside her possessed the tools to do so. The humans of Figaro Favoura VI had grown aware of her presence, showed fear and respect, but became comfortable to the return of their rulers. Some had been too stubborn to learn, others learned from the mistakes of others.

These humans were not her subjects though, they were free of her reign. Katrine kept this in mind as she walked among them. She could blend among them even though she had once walked among the living and the dead of Haseria. She remembered, what seemed centuries ago from her path now, where she had been here. She remembered the spirits of the Jedi and Sith she had fought alongside others of the CIS. She remembered they had won but that her ward had harmed her Uncle on that they. That memory brought nothing now, just recognition of an event passed. Since the day the spell had been cast, Katrine remembered but felt nothing for the girl she had once helped. Now the memory inflicted nothing but the recognition of time passed. How far she had gone from that day…

Sapphire gaze passed upon the games in progress but saw no interest in them. There was a time when Katrine’s excitable nature would make her move from one to the other, to discover and try each and every one of them… those days had passed. She no longer participated in the childish behavior of her former self… instead, she walked on, taking in the sights of others, blending them into new memories… of how others lived…

 

[Ardasz Verd]

"It's not me you need to worry about," the Verd spoke drily as he continued to deal out the cards. He glanced to the blonde haired woman with a nod. "You'll see for yourself, soon enough."

[member="Lunara Azure"] was, at first glance, a girl completely out of place. Some sort of upbringing that bled into her mannerisms, but just enough cheek to mask where it came from. Was she some sort of high class runaway? Maybe an adult fresh out of her parents' house, looking to break out into the world? If that was the case, what a way to start. A game of Sabacc with some of the lowest lowlives in the Galaxy. He'd have to try to keep it tame for her.

No chance of that.

The Tusken was a bit more of an anomaly. [member="A'runda"] wandered into the game and made his treasury immediately known. Whether that was a ballsy move from a good gambler, or a terrible decision by someone horribly inept, there were credit signs in Ardasz's eyes. "Right here, right here," he gestured toward an open seat and started catching the Tatooinian native up with the rest of the table. "Ten creds to buy in, but don't you worry, there's no cap."

He glanced up at the looming figure and immediately recognized [member="Darren Shaw"] for what he was. Pale, lithe, but not frail. Echani. Ardasz looked the man over and reached for his pocket, starting up a cigarra and inhaling deeply. "You just want to watch?" he asked skeptically. "Sure," he let out a plume of smoke. "But I'll shoot you if I see you giving anyone 'advice," the grizzled Mandalorian grinned.

His eyes moved back to the one person in the room he had to force himself not to stare at. Gambling, smuggling, embezzling money- you name it, if there was a shrewd and underhanded way to make money, this woman had done it, and she'd written the book on how to do it better. He knew that sitting down to the table with her was a death sentence for most people's pocketbooks.

That thrill alone was enough to keep him rooted to his seat.

He slid the cards to the edge of the table, lifted them slightly, and had a peek at his hand. Several seconds passed, he slipped them back to the tabletop face down, and he glanced around at the group. "Everyone here familiar with the rules?" he asked. Maybe one of them wasn't, after all.

He spared one last unreadable glance toward [member="Mr. Antilles"], then offered her a small smirk.