Public Jedi Jubilee

[Damian Starchaser]

Damian smiled as he watched her leave. He was learning how to be a responsible adult and more importantly she had made a good pull. The man barely felt the hand reaching into his jacket and would have written off except for him checking his pocket after on instinct. Now there was a danger though. With his flask in Kyra’s hand she would soon learn his hardest kept secret….

The flask was a prop. Sure it could have been filled with liquor, and often was filled with watered down swill in order to maintain the illusion, but for some years the content had been rather different. Sugar and water, designed to help water down drinks so he could drink more to less effect.

It was often useful to appear to be drinking more than you were while letting another ‘keep up’. You could order drinks before you’ve finished watching the wait staff take away the last vestiges of the previous drink or you could spill a drink if your cover was supposed to be drunk, but for Damian it was far easier to just water down a beverage. Of course if your mark might take your flask you had to make sure it smelled and tasted right. For that you bought the cheapest gutrot and water it down. The taste and smell will remain and most won’t want to take a swig of the vile concoction. Today however he knew where he would be, and filled the small vessel accordingly.

Yes his best kept secret… he was a cheating drunk.

Kyra Perl

 

[Elara Amadis]

There was the moment that single moment when her eyes locked upon him. She would know him anywhere that familiar gait, the color of his hair, and the way he made her feel as if he possessed her very soul. Maybe he did.

For just as soon as their eyes met she couldn't help the smile on her face that just wouldn't stop. A deep breath as she reminded herself to breathe as he lifted her up her palms resting on his shoulders as he drew her down into a hug. Familiar strong arms wrapped around her - she was home. Wherever he was that was home. The spice smell that was his yes he was yummy. "it's been too long" she whispered back.

Slowly they recovered, "Mr. Amadis, I believe you owe me a dance" At the very least.

"My week" She looked over to him and then to the crowds around them, "The kids are excelling at hide and seek their ability to hide in plain sight amazes me. My sister seems restless she doesn't say it but I see it in her face when she's with the kids, she wants her own life." They had expected it to come as she recovered that she would want her own space. Maybe it was time. They'd have to trust in that.

"Patches wants to go traveling again, and I think Zacka wants another adventure. I hope are as spry as he when we are his age. So what do you think want to investigate a new place?" Zacka had been with them from the first with his old worn hat.

Elara's fingers interlaced with Kei's she wouldn't let go for some time she looked at him she had missed him so much.

Kei Amadis

 

[Amani Serys]

Acaadi

Amani laughed and playfully shoved at Acaadi for even suggesting something out of the ordinary, "You can do all the funny dances you want when I'm as far away from you as possible."

Still Amani idled a moment. She looked around one last time at the other party goers; Maybe Acaadi was right, people didn't really seem to care. Shaking her head, she joined her new dance partner on the floor.

"Maybe not, but I care about what we're doing," she stifled an awkward giggle. It was clear she didn't do much dancing of her own. Her coy and conservative movements were accompanied by a constant change in gaze, from looking at Acaadi then back down to her feet for fear of messing up the motions. Despite all this, Amani couldn't help but crack a slight smile. She was having fun.

 

[Acaadi]

Acaadi laughed and lifted his elbows to threaten a ridiculous dance. The truth was that his teenage anxieties wouldn't let him do such a thing in public anyway. He returned to his usual mediocre level of dance.

"I mean...there are all kinds of important people here. It wouldn't be appropriate," he said. Why he felt the need to excuse himself for not making an ass of himself was anyone's guess. He was probably almost an nervous as Amani, just hidden beneath the surface.

"So for just being a healer, you've had to deal with zombies and all sorts?" he mused.

 

[Kyra Perl]

Kyra appeared by Jerek Zenduu 's and Allya Vi'Dreya 's arms, her face peaking between two elbows to avoid catching the sight of the others. "Pst. Wanna have some fun?" She grinned at them both, holding Damian Starchaser 's flask close to her chest. She glanced both ways, making sure no one noticed, then tucked it out of sight.

"Come on, let's get out of here. Too crowded for my tastes." Ironic coming from a Zeltron, but maybe they would understand. Too many vibes, not enough light heartedness. She saw them as an avenue to a little bit more of the latter.

She held out her hand in a silent offer, her eyes twinkling.

 

[Amani Serys]

Acaadi

Amani glanced down at her shoulder where she had been shot, after Acaadi's mention of the trouble on Kwenn. Her dress covered it now, and it had mostly healed over, but she could still picture it well. She shook off her negative thoughts, it wasn't something she wanted to delve into at the moment.

"Tch, yeah. You know, for someone who just wants to heal people for a living, I haven't really gotten a lot of chances to actually do it," Amani shrugged. "It feels like I've trained and trained, waiting my whole life for it, and-" she cut herself off, going on a tangent right now would probably spoil the mood, "I guess I'm just getting tired of waiting." Being a Padawan meant a lot of learning, Amani knew that, but everyone aspires to finally move past it one day, on to bigger and better things.

She turned it back on Acaadi, "So what about you, hotshot? You've been out in the field a lot more than me. I'm sure you've got loads of exciting tales of adventure, right? Something to impress all the girls?" she teased.

 

[Acaadi]

When Acaadi had first met Amani she had been healing a small bird that had hurt its wing. It made him feel a little uncomfortable to think about her standing in front of blasters when she wanted to be a healer. They all made their own choices.

He laughed with her, trying to think of which tales sounded the most impressive. They didn't feel like moments to be proud of. Acaadi had few real wins under his belt, always seeming to come up short. It was a constant battle with the prt of his psyche so used to succeeding in everything he attempted. He was slowly being beaten into a more humble man from the overconfident youth.

"We did face a Sith Lord. I impaled him with a bunch of stone spikes. Which...barely slowed him down. So we ran away." Acaadi smiled but a line of tension on his youthful brow showed that he was still coming to terms with it.

"You handled yourself so well back there with those...things..." Acaadi said. "I bet you're looking to do some more field medic work?" he asked. "Those little sparring sessions will be more useful than your thought!"

 

[Kei Amadis]

Zacka glanced on from the sidelines and the bar, young’uns! You could see him joke before he turned back to his cigar and tale he was spinning to the bartender. Spry. “Meanest whiskey-swilling, most beautiful, son of a gun, I’d ever want to call family.” Kei agreed. Wondering if Patches was having trouble with his lady, a look of concern for his friend.

A Dance.
At the very least.

All his attention. He thought her words over in the middle of the crowd, escorting her to the dance floor, the heart of the festival where the couples were moving and enjoying themselves. Placing one hand to her waist, keeping the other interlinked. Before he moved an inch he nodded again deciding.

“Yes.”

Kei took one step back with Elara and began to lead. He wasn’t a fancy dancer but he was solid and safe. With the occasional… dip as he dipped her back in his arms.

“Both.”

Bringing her back to his chest, closer in, leading Elara in a firm but gentle embrace. Eye to eye inches from her face. He looked into her eyes, love. Her face, her cheeks, her chin. In his darkest times he’d see her face and it’d be a hand to pull him out of trouble, to give him courage when he needed to push through.

“Our next adventure is to give her that home.”

There was a pause, he extended her hand to twirl his wife, then curl her back to him along his arm. Keeping her steady every step, then resting her toward his chest once again. “If you accept.”

Elara Amadis

 

[Jerek Zenduu]

The only reply Kyra gave Jerek's teasing reply was a bashful look before turning away. The Jedi youth was confused, wondering if he had offended her. It was true that the two padawans had barely ever talked outside of the necessities of their lesson, so maybe he just wasn't someone she would normally talk with. He looked over to Allya for any guidance, wondering if she could decipher the secret language of teenage girls. He fingered the ring he wore, wondering if he should ask her via their quiet method.

Then again, this was a gathering to meet and interact with other people, so it was worth just trying again.

But as Jerek opened his mouth to reply, their group was suddenly mobbed by various newcomers, and he grew quiet as he found himself uncomfortable again. Watching butterflies like Kyra and Allya approach socializing with ease made him wonder why it was so hard for him to do the same. Time to fall back on protocol after all.

...which totally did not include a dance-off!

Jerek stared wide-eyed at his girlfriend when she suggested it. A smile pulled at his lips as she teased him, but the warmth rising to his cheeks dulled the effects. The boy had come for the food and festivities, plus a chance to see his girlfriend. No one had said anything about dancing!

"Nobody needs to see me trying to dance, Allya," the boy said, and he was mostly serious. He had danced with her before in public, but that was in a dark nightclub with a bunch of Confederate folks who he hadn't seen since. Not here among his fellow Jedi. He leaned close to his girlfriend, brushing back her long, dark hair to add in a barely-perceptible whisper next to her ear, "Except for you, when we're in private somewhere."

He wriggled his shoulders, trying to be suggestive, but only managing to discover himself stiff from tension. Relax! Jerek shook his head a bit, tossing his hair, wishing he could settle into some kind of approach. These people were his peers, his classmates, his fellow Jedi, and he felt more comfortable around his ex-Sith girlfriend than them. Why were there no protocols for awkward Jedi gatherings?

As Jerek spied the entrance of Damian Starchaser, everything started to make sense. No sense in making any rules if they were just going to get broken.

To hell with the potocol.

So when Kyra approached him and Allya again, with a twinkle in her eye and something shiny in her hand, Jerek was ready to go along with whatever she had in mind. He was glad to get away from the crowded huddle anyway, the Silver Rest really needed to teach Jedi how to socialize responsibly.

Like with a meter or more spacing between each person would be a good start.

"So, whatcha got there?" Jerek asked as he followed his classmate away from the bulging group, craning his neck up to see around Kyra's protective grasp around the metal object. She clutched it tight to her chest, as if it was something treasured, but a wrinkling in the Force told him that wasn't the case. The other padawan was up to something wicked, he just knew it!

Reaching out with his hand, the boy touched the Force to compel the object toward him. As it leapt from her hand, Jerek recognized the shape of it immediately. "Kyra! I'm surprised at you!"

He snatched the flask from the air, and took a sip of the liquid inside. The bright burst of sweetness and lack of...well, anything else, turned down the corners of his mouth. He stared with a puzzled look on his face at Kyra, wondering why her flask didn't have any alcohol in it.

Then the answer came to him, "Oh, this is Damian's, isn't it? Is his Force Detoxify on the fritz, is that why he switched to sugar water?"

Jerek laughed at the thought of Damian without his superpowers, forced to rely on crafty rituals like mere subterfuge. The sometimes-spy was fun to be around, and had plenty to teach...though that was usually about what not to do!

"We should fill this up with something else that's really sweet and give it back to him," the boy chuckled, the mischievous grin from Kyra spreading to his own face. He beamed at Allya, handing her the flask to inspect for herself. "Any secret Sith recipes that pack a punch?"

And as he laughed, the padawan realized he was finally starting to relax.

Allya Vi'Dreya Kyra Perl​

 

[Wyatt Morga]

Wyatt glanced up from his drink with a quiet ‘hm’ before setting his azure, crystalline eyes upon Atlas. They were dull for a moment, as though trying to comprehend who he was looking at before a wide smile fell on the Master’s lips -​

​

“Atlas. A pleasure to meet you as well.”, he offered the warm introduction with a genuineness that seemed to betray any coldness a Jedi might give another - as though they’d been friends for years already.​

​

“Do you come to these things often?”, he said with a quick glance back to the others as they moved about, serenading one another with tales of grandeur and social deftness.​

​

“I don’t. It feels odd to even be drinking.”, he said with a return of his gaze to the drink before him - with the quiet look of slight disappointment fettering his otherwise jubilant expression.​

​

Atlas Kane​

 

[Auteme]

T H U S T R A
Tag: Ryv ​

---

Ryv really couldn't stop talking, could he? She bopped him on the head when he took out his holodevice. To be fair, nobody was watching, but it was rude to pull out one's holodevice in a social situation. If they'd been talking to the queen, and Ryv had decided to search something up, they'd probably get thrown out of the party... well, maybe not. She didn't know the queen. She did know manners, though. Auteme always wondered why Ryv spent so much time playing games and whatnot on the HoloNet.

"That implies you've drunk before," she pointed out, taking another sip of the fruit punch. It wasn't really meant to mock him -- she knew that before he'd come to the Jedi, that was probably lowest on the list of dangerous things he'd ingested. She gave a warm smile to make sure he didn't take it the wrong way, but at this point she was pretty sure he could tell anyways, what with them being so emotionally intertwined. Probably also meant he could tell that she was a little nervous at the idea of seeing some of the Silver padawans again.

Some dancing would get things off her mind. He was right, the queen could wait. "You realize I'm the one showing off here, right?" She patted his muscular arm, remembering when he'd been as skinny as her. Ryv wasn't quite Aaran, but he was doing pretty good. And so was she.

They hit the dance floor, and then he... what was he doing? When she saw his eyes glazing over she realized what he was up to, and was rather amazed at his creativity with his psychometry. When he came back she just smiled and laughed. "You really freaked out that couple," she said, glancing at the rather confused and startled woman whose dance with her date had been interrupted. But enough of that.

The band's song ended, and there was a small pause in the music. Auteme looked at Ryv and waited patiently. "I think you're the expert now. Lead the way." And of course, she'd follow.

 

[Amani Serys]

Acaadi

“Oh, wow. You faced a real, actual Sith Lord?” Amani wasn’t sure whether to sound impressed or concerned, and it came out as a mix of both. She could tell by Accadi’s expression that he was still conflicted about it as well, “At least you made it out safe.”

She considered herself lucky that run-ins with the Sith were not something she had dealt with yet. It seemed an inevitability, all things considered, but she was more than happy to keep that one at the bottom of the bucket list for as long as possible.

“I’d love to get the chance for some more in field experience. Sure I could study to my heart’s content in a classroom, but out there is where I can actually make a difference.” Amani gazed off, a look of reverie on her face as she imagined all the things she wanted to do.

“No kidding about our sparring sessions. I like to think they played a not-insignificant part in my ‘not getting blasted into a million pieces’ routine,” she said. “Gotten any better at the whole hand-sensing thing?”

 

[Acaadi]

"Just got out safe. Kyra threw up a barrier, I threw rocks at him. We were lucky we had some Jedi Knights close by to help us get away safely. That thing was...it was a monster. We barely slowed it down."

"Still, best not to worry about things like that too much!" Acaadi said, finding his smile again. They were dancing and there wasn't a sith lord in the whole sector. If they were, then they were also busy dancing and socialising.

"Getting better. Master said she would bring in a volunteer with a long term sickness so we could try and find out how to tell the difference between healthy and sick. I've just been busy away from Silver Rest for a while. You missed the afternoon cakes? I guess the lightsaber sparring was more important for keeping you alive... "

 

[Amani Serys]

Acaadi

The more Acaadi spoke of the encounter, the more Amani’s concern visibly grew. Still, as he seemed uneager to dwell on it, she didn’t press further. She had already stopped herself from dampening the mood, no need to turn back on that now.

“That’s good! And if you ever need a little extra help you know who to ask.” she grinned, pointing at herself exaggeratedly. “Sure the training is useful and all, but what good is it really if we can’t celebrate our successes with cake?” Amani’s eyes drifted over to the food as she touched on the subject. She wasn't even hungry, at least not enough to ruin the dance over, but it looked impressively delicious nonetheless.

 

[Ryv]

"Yeah, I've had a few too many drinks before," Ryv said softly as the music died down. It was a gross understatement, to say the least, the young kiffar spent years in a spice den, chugging down whatever booze he could get his hands-on. His most recent bender led him on a drunken adventure into the back of Bernard's starfighter before the events of Atrisia. He was lucky his fellow Jedi managed to get to the planet's surface amid all the turmoil; otherwise, the terrible habit would've been the death of Ryv. "Haven't drunk much at all in the last few months. Might've been due to the prison stuff, but you know, gotta take the small victories where you can," he shrugged before stepping closer.

As the music picked up once more, Ryv wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her towards him. His other hand took hold of hers. Other dancers appeared to follow the same line of action as the song begins to play slower than the last. He scanned their surroundings to ensure they had a reasonable amount of space before he began guiding her across the dance floor. While the kiffar wasn't an expert in any sense of the word, he knew enough from his trip down memory lane that he could manage something as simple as a waltz.

"By the way, why are you so nervous about seeing the Silver Jedi again?" Ryv's question came before he twirled her beneath his arm. "You leave on bad terms?" the follow-up question came out as his arm slid back into place around her, almost protectively. His gaze sought out other Jedi within the crowd, seeking out familiar and unfamiliar faces alike. He could feel the uneasiness that plagued his companion—the thought of her feeling such a way grated at his nerves. A part of him hoped she'd give him another reason to dislike the Silver Jedi, but he knew better. Auteme wouldn't feed into anything like that, plus, he needed to move beyond the order's past and see them for what they could become.

Auteme ​

 

[Elara Amadis]

They weren't going to win any dance contests but who needed to. A sure hand rested at her waist as she remembered to let him lead.. She had to come to terms with the idea that there were times society dictated she let him. Even though she was accustomed to taking the first steps. She smiled softly at him as they began to move across the floor.

A quick elegant move to dip her back and back up, it left her grinning which melted away as she laid her hand on his shoulder. She was still painfully aware of what her fangs looked like to others, too much so and they might think she was biting him.

A thought that always made her giggle.

"yes she needs a home. She has clan but she needs more." Clan, family, so many words to describe a relationship but it was different when one became mother over her own. She knew her sister wanted it.

"Have you thoughts on where to go to...um...look?"

There was a roar of laughter which she recognized as Zacka he seemed to be enjoying himself.

Kei Amadis

 

[Auteme]

T H U S T R A
Tag: Ryv ​

---

Right. Prison, too. She felt bad for bringing up his often painful past -- even if he didn't react, she felt that pain for him. She could practically feel the scars on his arms as they began to dance. If she was nervous about anything here, it'd be Ryv. He didn't want her to worry, but she couldn't help it. Auteme shook her head, trying to get the bad thoughts out of her head. They were at a party, dancing, together. She smiled warmly at the thought. If he was over it, she should be as well.

The two weren't exactly professional dancers, but with the Force and Jedi training they were as graceful as anyone else there. Auteme wasn't an expert, either, but she was passable. A waltz wasn't exactly a complex dance; they could talk while dancing. Also made sure that Ryv wasn't searching the HoloNet for Thustrian party drinks. It was always nice to be the centre of someone's attention.

Ryv's question made her glance at her feet. She never really had any problems admitting her insecurities, but it didn't mean she wasn't still a little nervous. "I'm just... it brings back memories." She exhaled.

"If I'm being honest... I barely did anything for the Silver Jedi. Didn't make many friends. I mean, they've been fighting the Sith for so long, and I didn't help at all," she said. Auteme held no ill will towards the Silver Jedi Order, but she always felt sick when she was reminded that she could have been doing so much more. "It's me. I mean, so many of them are warriors, and I'm... not. And yeah, I guess we need to fight the Sith, but... I didn't, really, so... I don't know. I'm being silly." Her gaze wandered over to some of padawans here who she only vaguely knew. Kyra, Acaadi, Ura... the memory of that swamp made her feel sick. Eventually her eyes came back to Ryv.

"I felt like a bad Jedi, because at every turn it felt like there was someone we needed to fight, but I didn't want to. But when I sat in the library and read my books, something terrible was always happening, and I wasn't doing anything. And I'm still..." Doing nothing.

 

[Acaadi]

Amani Serys

Acaadi barked out a laugh. He had entirely expected her to claim that the training wasn't worth it without getting to use it in practise.

"Was that a not-so-subtle hint that you've had enough of dancing and want to go get some food?" he asked.

"It's not like we are going to get to enjoy hospitality like this every week!"

 

[Allya Vi'Dreya]

Spoiler: Mood Music

Location: Thustra
Equipment: Blue dress, high heels, vambraces
Objective: Have a good time, make friends, try not to corrupt the padawans
Tags: Jerek Zenduu | Amani Serys | Kyra Perl | Ura Iolar | @ Kat Decoria | Acaadi | Kei Amadis | Lord Commander Relian Dorn | Damian Starchaser

Kat began to feel intense jealousy. Ura felt anxious, nervous, insecure. Acaadi and Amani were lost in their own worlds, interesting emotions swirling around them. Kyra felt mischievous, torn, and pulled in many different directions….she desperately wanted to escape, Jerek was nervous, and began to doubt himself. So many other emotions began to swirl across the room. The Darkness was so palpable, it could be taken in with each and every breath. It flowed deeply into the Dark Jedi, and filled her very essence.

Allya took a quick step back, and shook her head. It was intense, the desire to show each of these lost little ones the true way to surrender to their emotions, to feed their passions, and how to transfer their feelings into true power. Her hands clenched tightly and her eyes flickered with the yellow tinge of the Dark Side for a moment. It was a powerful addiction, and it demanded to be shared, to spread.

Her mind flooded with the pain of the last few months away from Jerek. The endless cycle of death and destruction, how...lonely it was. How much she wanted to teach each of these ones near her how to share it with her, so she wouldn’t be alone in it. However, it was at that moment Jerek handed her the flask. For the briefest moment their hands touched, and it was more than enough to snap her out of it.

The teen’s eyes went to Kei Amadis ...a Jedi whom she respected and fought alongside, talking to his wife across the room. Then her eyes flicked to Jerek’s face, and every ounce of that loneliness disappeared. He had already saved her from it, why was she worrying? Besides, wouldn’t it be more fun to simply make friends with them the way they were? They didn’t need to share her burden...but just by existing they made it so much more bearable.

She looked at the flask. “Oh I have a million and one ways to get Uncle Damian loopy as all get out. We both know this. There is this flower that can almost instantly turn sugars into alcohol. But he would notice it.”

Fingers traced the outside of the metal object a moment, then gave Kyra the biggest lopsided grin. “Oh totally. Way too many people here. It’s all a jumble, totally gets in the way of my groove! Let’s go have fun.” She elbows Jerek’s side softly and smirks. “Come on Flyguy. Let’s entertain a lady, huh?” Allya took Kyra’s hand in her own and gave it a quick squeeze. “Besides. It will vex Uncle Damian WAY more this way.” As she pulled on Kyra, to head outside, her other hand entwined with Jerek’s, and she gave it a loving hold. The dark skinned teen then began to race towards the exit. She stopped to look up at the giant Lord Commander Relian Dorn . “To have fun! I don’t get to as often as I would like. But duty can wait! See ya! Come visit me on Geonosis.”

Like a flash, she had pulled the two out. Truly, Jerek and the Jedi were her therapy. They took away so much pain, and had given her such purpose. She wasn't a Jedi. Honestly, at this rate she ever doubted she would be. But...they helped so much.

 

[Ryv]

Ryv tilted his head to the side as he listened, his intense gaze never leaving Auteme as she spoke. As much of a talker as he was, he knew when to shut up and listen. Before Auteme stepped into his life, the likes of Cedric Grayson and Wyatt Morga were the voices he yearned to hear. Ryv's mentors inspired him to strive for greatness. It often led him to trouble and pain in turn, but he worked to move past those haunting memories as he did so many others. Her voice was a different story altogether. It usually carried an unparalleled mirth, brightening his day at the drop of a hat. Seeing her struggle through her explanation left him regretful.

"Oh, sweet girl," he'd pull her closer, prematurely finishing the waltz to slow dance instead. "Being a Jedi is so much more than fighting. The galaxy sucks right now, it really does, but that doesn't mean you have to take up a weapon and crusade against every threat to be a good Jedi. Yeah, you do spend a lot of time reading and learning, so think about what you can do with all that knowledge. If I got sick and needed to be taken care of, I bet that wealth of knowledge you have up here," he pauses, gently pressing his forehead against her own. "Would make all the difference. And I think that's just as important as swinging around a big glowstick. Hell, I think its more important. Wyatt and I? We hurt people. We scare them. You? You can do so much more than what us warriors can do. You're everything the Silver Jedi want to be."

The dance slowed as Ryv stopped leading her in the drifting circle. He smiled warmly, taking a moment to look into her eyes. He could see the same feelings that ate away at him. The fear of never being able to do enough; being a burden to others who were considered exemplary in comparison. Those feelings held him back for so long, even now, the kiffar found himself struggling to break out of the shadow of his masters and his own insecurities. Looking into her green eyes was like looking into a mirror, one that helped him understand what the future meant to him.

"Auteme, you're everything a Jedi should be," he corrected himself as his hands rose to cup her cheeks. "Don't think any less of yourself because some of us are only good at hitting things. Okay?"

Auteme ​