Public New Year Gala | Kingdom of Naboo

[Elise Ahana-Gwyneira]

Elise immediately blushed at Malum's words. He never failed to catch her off guard, and it was exhilarating. Supposed to be the enemy, on the enemy's side, he meant so much to her. And his offer to dance immediately had her acceptance. She smirked and lifted her hand delicately, placing her gloved hand softly into his. The glove was insulated from the inside to block her own Psychometry, while leaving other Force Users' connection to the Force unaffected. It was perfect, as Elise already knew how much the Force tied Malum to his own identity. She took a step closer to him; biting her lip as she took another look at his dark, gloomy suit. It was just like him. A darkness so tempting, for it brought an unexpected warmth to her light.

They were close now. Their breath could be felt on each other's faces as Elise's eyes sparkled for him.

"When have you ever not been a danger? But when have I ever fled from danger either? I'm a Mandalorian, remember?"

Another playful smirk crossed her face. With her other arm, she laid her gloved hand on his shoulder, "If I owe you a dance, how dare I refuse to pay? I'm in your hands."

All around them, the party was ramping up as more and more people entered. Elise heard the entrance of a hutt crime lord, and her lips curled in disgust.

"Karking, revolting hutts. That slug just being in here kills the mood."

More Sith, some Jedi, other Mandalorians... so many people under one roof, unallowed to kill each other. But as much as she trusted Darth Malum of House Marr , could other Sith be trusted? And in this room full of nobles and royalty, she was a mere peasant. She felt small here, and realized how much she felt like she was actually in danger. She subconsciously pressed herself against Malum, as if seeking his protection. Seeking safety in an enemy? It was ironic. Realizing that she was pressed against him, she blushed and shifted to take a step back.

"S-sorry. The floor is slippery."

She looked away, shyly, yet still held onto him with her hands. She was a peasant, a fly. She did not want the King of Alvaria to leave her. Not for a Sith, not for a noble. Not for anything. She wanted him with her.

She realized just how tense she was, and she forced herself to heavy a breath.

"Sorry, I'm out of my depth here." She looked up to Malum, hopeful and begging for his attention, "You're going to have to teach me to ropes on the dance floor."

She chuckled nervously, but also with joy for being with him. This was likely one of the few times they were meeting on neutral ground, without conflict or war or loyalties to divide them. She did not want to waste a second with him, especially on her own anxieties.

 

[Kurayami Bloodborn]

Kurayami had never been one to look forward to galas or attending them. Force knew his wardrobe was devoid of anything one would consider fitting for such an occasion, but he had an easy enough solution around that problem, this time at least. The yacht he had hoped to bring had run into some issues with production when some of the parts had been found to have voids that presented during the manufacturing process of the frame. Meaning they would have to be remade from scratch, in house at Nubia StarDrives and at great cost. Such was the price for making sure every detail was perfect though. So instead of traveling onboard the yacht with Ivalyn Yvarro , Kurayami had selected two others from Jester Squadron to fly as escort along with him. Their ships looked to be nothing more than slightly modified N-1 interceptors at first glance, but the N-86's were fare more than they seemed. To drive home the non aggressive nature of the evening and the fact they were simply there as an honor guard, all weapons were completely offline as were all non essential sensors.

Once directed to land he did so at the same rate of descent as the yacht and his wingman, the four ships in perfect formation though only two would be attending the gala tonight. When he stepped out of the cockpit of his gleaming chrome and black fighter, he was dressed as one would have expected of a pilot from Corellia, or in other words, simply. Looking at the man though, it would have been hard to imagine him dressed to the nines in a suit and tie, , the black flight jacket though old was polished to a dull sheen, the top half of an armored flightsuit was visible under the jacket the plates adorned with golden trim, black slacks with first class Corellian bloodstripes, flight boots polished to a mirror shine, and his normal utility belt with empty holsters at either thigh. On his left hip hung a lightsaber, marking him as a Force user of some creed and in his left hand hung what looked to be a modified First Order TIE pilots helmet with golden squadron markings.

Standing next to Ivalyn he would have seemed almost no more than a standard escort pilot. And he would have done nothing to divorce anoy of that notion as he reached into his flight jacket and took a swig from a flask that seemed to magically appear from the right interior pocket. Capping it back up and replacing it as they made their way to present their invitations and finally inside the actual palace proper, Kurayami busied himself by looking around, helmet clipped in place opposite the saber, he knew why Ivalyn had decided to ditch the First Order/ Commonwealth Veterans crap, and he couldn't blame his...what was she? Grand niece? Great grand-niece? Damn, he had to read back up on the family tree to figure out where he was not-so-formally adopted into it by Fiolette.

Anyways. Yes Introductions to the Queen of Naboo were in order now apparently. He had missed his introduction if that had even been a thing for him, he wasn't here to represent anyone or anything that he was aware of. So he just bowed to the Queen.

"Thank you for the invite Your Highness. Kurayami Bloodborn, owner and CEO of Nubia StarDrives Incorporated. It is my pleasure to attend this evening."

For any who knew him the ease with which the words were spoken and the measured pace suggested that the Corellian was perhaps more versed in such matters than he let on normally. Especially when the smile that accompanied everything didn't seem as out of place as they had been led to believe it should have.

Kalantha | Rik Perris | Open to interaction ​

 

[Brandyn Sal-Soren]

​

Wearing: xxx
Equipment: Lightsaber
Tag: Corazona von Ascania Makko Vyres


All of this and Brandyn had failed to bring his fire extinguisher. It was absurdity really. Inviting known enemies to mingle with one another and just hope that they didn’t gut each other. It was the kind of absurdity that he got up for each day. So, he had been early. There was no announcement for Brandyn. He had been there long before the announcer started. Besides, his name was stupidly long, and he wasn’t that important. Everyone would just be saying, “Who?”

He had made a special order from the family business, Glitterstim, and was decked out in garb reminiscent of his ancestors that had forged their way in the Hapes Cluster. His boots were a deep black of velvet, with intricate embroidery at the top. Golden stitching ran up the sides and to said top where it flipped over to reveal the red inner lining. His pants, tucked in the boots, were loose fitting and of deep purple. They were good swashbuckling pants. Around his waist was tied a loose cream-coloured sash, it hung over his left thigh - something to balance out the extremes on the right. His shirt was nice, but mostly hidden under the show stopper, an asymmetrical jacket. It was a tailcoat on the right, sporting a popped collar that was sure to give him a massive blindspot, but on the left it was much more restrained.

All eyes were on a few recent arrivals, and Brandyn was curious to know why. Sure, Sith being Sith. Hutts being Hutts. And Mandalorians being loopy. But what was the story of the individuals that looked on but did not make any move to interact. It was with this intent, that he found himself settling next to two that he knew as a Jedi, if not by name or reputation, but definitely through seeing them in a hallway in a temple somewhere…sometime.

”Anyone want to give me odds on this ending poorly?” He said, icebreakers be damned, “I personally would put money on a quarter till midnight when the first person gets Force choked. Then its all on. Third Great Hyperspace War done and dusted in a night.”

​

 

[Sycorax Laveaux]

Objective I
Attire: xxx
Tags: Treoff Kellak​

“Not an aid bill, exactly. I wanted to ease the plight of Ukatian women. Apparently they’re viewed as the property of their fathers and husbands, despite being citizens of the Alliance.” She shrugged. “Some might think these are strange times to be pushing for an expansion of rights. But I believe it’s just as vitally important as it’s ever been. If it can be done now, it’s better than doing it tomorrow.”

Treoff’s explanation of StarGuard was still a bit vague, but he gave enough information for her to guess why he wasn’t so forthcoming. “You treat your employees like family?” she echoed, finishing off her drink before bluntly asking, “You wouldn't happen to be a member of the Coruscanti mafia, would you?”

 

[Treoff Kellak]

Objectives: 1 & 3 (later)
Sycorax Laveaux​

Outfit​

“Not an aid bill, exactly. I wanted to ease the plight of Ukatian women. Apparently they’re viewed as the property of their fathers and husbands, despite being citizens of the Alliance.” ... “Some might think these are strange times to be pushing for an expansion of rights. But I believe it’s just as vitally important as it’s ever been. If it can be done now, it’s better than doing it tomorrow."​

Treoff silenced the Gala for a moment from his mind as he listened intently, focusing only on her words. This is not what he expected as a response, so it caught him off guard. He slowly exhaled as he absorbed the words she spoke, finally nodding. "That is certainly a motion I support. The freedom of choice is bestowed to all who may choose life." He gained a stern, somewhat disappointed face, seemingly displeased with the way some governments were against freedom. "I regret that I may not vote on it,, seeing as I am incapable due to not being a Senator, but if I may ever offer my support in another way, know that if you ask me to do what is right, I will always do what is right."

"You treat your employees like family?" ... "You wouldn't happen to be a member of the Coruscanti mafia, would you?"​

Treoff changed the expression on his face quite quickly, reaching up to cover his mouth so he would not laugh aloud, though the Senator could see he took the question in jest. "Oh dear, ma'am, no. Oh hell, no!" His voice changed to a rough and gruff sound, sounding much more natural to his form and frame, than the artifical and well mannered sound from before. "No. But I will attest to the fact my father would do business with anyone who was honest with him. Which means I can walk into just about any Coruscanti Mafia den and almost offered a hug. My father never lied, never stole, but more... he never quite enjoyed life. He worked. He was the most honest man anyone could know in the 'Under. I'm known to many criminals in the 'Under as Little Treoff, due to my father." His voice changed back to that artificial nature the woman was first greeted with. It didn't have the same Underlevel accent, it was now clean and 'pretty'. "But I promise you this, Senator Laveaux; I do deal with criminals. Just not in any financial form you may understand." Treoff gained a new expression with his last statement, it was one of tense, stubborness, and perhaps hatred. Obviously, he doesn't take too kindly to criminals that cross the line.

 

[Vulpesen]

Objective: 1
Tags: Open

"Arch-Wilder, and Valde of Veradune, Vulpesen Torrevaso." The announcer at the door had handled Vulpesen's name and titles rather well, adn he gave a grateful nod to the man as he stepped into the spacious ballroom. All around him, the force swirled in a volatile cocktail of light and dark. Jedi, sith, and everyone in between mixed and mingled in this place. he had arrived a tad late, but that only gave him the chance to peer into the powder keg from the outside. Still, his acceptance of the naboo queen's invitation hadn't come with the usual flash of urgency that the force gave when combat was in his future. It was an odd thing to realize that you had the powers of precognition, and to know that you were safe in a place save whatever fights you picked. On that note however, it was a new year and while brawling was an acceptable way to welcome the new sun back home, here on Naboo, there was a sense of decorum that the Valde was eager to keep, if for no other reason than to break the peace would be to invite the wrath of his diplomatic advisors.

Making his way to the nearest counter where he could sniff out the bubbly wine, Vulpesen snatched himself a glass and turned to observe his surroundings. There was an excitement in his own self that he couldn't deny. Fighting the sith was all well and good, but he couldn't deny that things had often ended so well when he'd simply shared a few drinks with them. Such had been the birth of some of his greatest works against the workings of the dark.

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Where her free hand went to his shoulders, it was pure instinct that his went to her waist, after all, he had done this song and dance many a time before, had been trained for it all his life on how to be the perfect dancer, the perfect knight, the perfect gentleman.

Yet he found himself nervous still.

Not only for who they were surrounded by, who would see this all happen, for all the consequences that may be in store for them.

But for another reason entirely, one as childish as it was real.

For this would be the first time that all that training, all those classes, and all that time invested, would matter. For tonight would be the moment he would be dancing with the one woman in the galaxy he so desperately wished to actually impress with what he knew. The one woman he wished to twirl around the ballroom, so that their eyes would meet, so that all other worries would melt away, leaving them, and only them, the only two people who mattered, the only people here that he would give everything up for.

Unfortunately for him, her antics made it so focusing exclusively on the sway of the music, as they finally guided each other to the dance floor, all but impossible.

Did she bite her lip like that by design? Drawing his eyes towards her soft mouth as a man dying of thirst looked toward the distant oasis? It took all self-control to remain distant, even with her so close, even as her fragrance wafted over his nose, all but irresistible, there mattered little in the universe, his desire for his family's prominence? His fear at the nature of the Force? His views of Sith and Jedi alike? They all mattered little, for all that he desired right now, as he licked his rapidly drying lips, was to claim hers with his own.

"You have no idea what you do to me," He provided a genial smile, his eyes glimmering with mischief and ease, his mind tilted, yet he put it out of his thoughts, not even she could ruin this, "How could I ever forget what you are, after all, I find you in my thoughts always," Sometimes, those few days on Archais were the only joys he could count on, those moments of freedom, before he was chained both body, mind, and soul to this Empire, to his Mistress, to the House of Marr and all that would come of it.

He could not help the smirk that took over his face, "I would have you nowhere else..." He paused, pink dusting his face again, "...Well, maybe there would be other places too," He whispered, cautiously gazing about them, making certain no one else could hear him. Strange, not even a drop of alcohol in him, and he felt far more bold and courageous than he should feel.

Another of her secrets, another of the ways she held sway over him.

Yet for once, he did not care that one outside of his family held such power over him.

"My, my, I did not think my Elise so hostile to a creature for just who they were," Not that he entirely disagreed, the Hutt Empires of the past were foremost known for their cruelty and slavery, though perhaps considering the empire he so proudly represented, that was hypocrisy. Still, he at least might have argued that the Sith had one sole fact that made them superior.

The fact that the Sith were right, on the nature of the galaxy, on the nature of the Force.

All could be surrendered, untold billions slaughtered, if it gave them the only thing that mattered.

Freedom.

"Admittedly I am far more concerned about everyone else here, Sith, Jedi, even your Mandalorians, tell me you have a plan to escape from here if any of them come to blows," There was a softness in his eyes, an affection, an adoration, if war erupted here, then he would stay and fight it to the end, but he could not do that, if he was always watching out for the health and safety for one who by all rights would be on the opposing side.

He had been against her before.

He did not want that again.

If only she was Sith...

"If only indeed."

He stilled, there was no headache, no sharp pain, simply a statement, one he was not entirely sure how to interpret.

He spun her about his fingers, watching her dress seem to float with the wind, as he lost himself in her movements, her dress, in her. As she took a step back, breaking how so very close they stood, he could not help but follow forward into her, keeping themselves so very close, keeping themselves connected, their breaths fell on each other's faces, as he smirked down to her, "Indeed... very slippery," He spoke knowingly, eyes still shining with mischief, but too, desire. They had been this close back on Archais too, but back then it had been a fire that heralded their warmth, here it was the chandelier far above them, glimmering its spell for all its denizens below.

"You are doing remarkably well, you have not stepped on my feet even once, I would express envy at how easily you picked this up, but you always were a prodigy, weren't you?" The smirk transformed into a smile, a smile that unlike so many he had forged and faked, was real, was real enough to reach his eyes, "Come, I will lead you, show there is nothing to fear here." He led on, there was much to fear here.

But with her in his arms, he feared nothing at all.

Elise Ahana-Gwyneira

​

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Interacting With : Danger Arceneau | Tags : Open | Objectives I & III

There was a nod at the mention of their exit plan, the phrase that had been agreed upon by both. Makai hoped they wouldn't need to use the phrase but it was put into place in case the Queen of Trade got overwhelmed. The young half-Galan had given pause when Danger had accepted the invitation.

While she couldn't stay locked away forever, Makai was a bit concerned that this was her first outing. It was a hell of an outing to have after the death of her husband.

Speaking of, Makai was playing his role perfectly, skills honed over the past few months. Hand shook those who greeted the Trade Queen, thanking them for the condolences, fielding requests for her audience to Thirty-Seven.

Even the snarky protocol droid had seemed to reign in much of his usual banter,as if the good sense in his programming had kicked in, recognizing this was not the time nor place.

Iced-blue gaze had noted the woman's gaze to Darth Carnifex and he made a mental note to keep an eye in the man's direction. While he didn't expect anyone would dare harm the redhead in the physical sense, Makai was more worried about the emotional. Of all the facets of Danger Arceneau throughout the years, Makai had recently seen and experienced the ones hidden and buried deep, making their appearance known with fresh waves of grief.

It had made him more protective of her. It also made it easier to see behind the facade of poised widow.

"Just tell me when you want to gossip and talk shop with others and I'll get out of your hair."

A slight pause as he swore he caught sight of his father. A small frown, now there was an interesting piece of gossip.

"Would you like a drink? Might as well take advantage, I guarantee every drink has the words reserve or black label in the mixture."

 

[Vera Mina]

Wearing: Lawyer Suit

Armed with: Stunning Looks.


Objective: BYOO


Two hours earlier...


Vera Mina sat across the table from Nathan Bloodscrawl, who was dressed in a suit and tie combo of solid black.

Vera had the Droid chefs prepare a simple meal, as her psychoanalysis of him made her realize he didn't like to stand on ceremony. Raw Sashimi and Wine from Grapes grown in harsh Mustafar Soil, imparting a coppery taste not unlike that of human blood had been the meal she had come up with. He hadn't objected.

Her daughter, Sera, was off to the Gala, after having donated a number of toys to a local charity for children with life threatening illnesses.

"So this Planet, Kytrand..." Vera trailed. "You want House Li-Ves to be it's military force?"

"Where appropriate...where not, Bacta-Works security would handle the rest..." Nathan answered calmly. "Sera would effectively be planetary governor."

"Well, where is it?"

"Deep core. Coordinates hidden..." he answered. "And I'm the only soul alive other than Moya who knows where it is, and I'm preparing to tell you."

"A planet full of gems...lost treasures...and more Bacta than you can shake a lightsaber at." Vera grinned. "I have to say, it's one hell of a marriage proposal...and one hell of a wedding ring..."

Nathan was silent a few moments.

"When we first met you were concerned about not creating another Sith via negligence. Well, here is my ultimate reply: What Sith would surrender an irreplaceable resource like Kytrand and give an ally such an immense advantage that could be hung directly over his head?"

Vera leaned forward. "The kind of Sith who wants me." she answered in a prideful, quiet lust.

"You still think I'm a potential Sith?"

Vera chuckled. "No. I don't...but with a man like you...it's not out of the realm of possibility. I personally hope you don't go Sith...you'd be much less interesting if you did."

Vera took a sip of wine, savored its taste. Nathan took a sip as well.

"Strange taste." he noted.

"You'll get used to it..." she assured.

"I didn't intend this as a marriage proposal, Vera."

"And I'm sure you didn't intend for The Battalion to be made and massacre all those innocents and Jedi but here you are." she replied smugly. "Besides...you just offered my Family a planet to rule...in a lot of societies, that would count as a marriage proposal, complete with Dowry! I accept, obviously..."

Nathan offered no reply to this except to take another sip of the blood like wine.

"I...would...lack things...as a husband..."

Vera sighed. "You are not that complicated..." she replied. "You want bloody, brutal revenge, and after that, you're going to do what you want. Lies, deception, explosions, armies of beautiful gynoids in tight fitting catsuits...Marriages are built on much less..."

A flicker of a bemused smile played across his face for a split second and was gone.

"I don't feel much emotionally...even you feel more than I do, in that sense."

"You feel enough to eat with me in private. You feel enough that even though you can't speak her name out loud, you still collect everything of your wife that remains. You feel enough to react only with raw, seething hatred at the mere sight of a Brain Demon Cultist." Vera pointed out, even less convinced about his lack of emotion than Braze was.

"You feel enough that your stress levels lower whenever you are teaching my daughter something I can't." she rose. "I think you're wrong. It's there. It's just only able to come out in specific instances. Where you think only allies can see it."

Vera rose from the table, her curvaceous figure bundled in that tight fitting white dress. His eyes mechanically followed every movement of her artificial muscles as they slinked over next to him. He knew she exuded special pheromones designed to confuse Force Users that she was human. They mostly worked, but she still felt slightly off on occasion.

"Your mother was exceedingly clever in her design for you." he admitted, still haunted by Braze's words, the implication he was just frightened of living.

Braze had messed with Nathan's head more than he would ever realize. It was, in fact, those very words, that accusation, that had prompted him to go here, at least partially.

"I'll take that as a compliment..." Vera replied smoothly, running her finger under his chin. "We don't have to tie the knot right away...we can do that well after this legendary lost planet of yours is good and settled."

Nathan was silent a moment, Braze's taunt cutting deep, and savagely, it mixed with the critique made by no less than his Wife's killer:

A man without hope is not a man without fear, A man without hope? That man is nothing BUT fear.

"The planet has its own quirks. It's got a Nexus that can severely affect people's thinking."

"Like that's such a bad thing..." Vera trailed, smiling. "It'll make the challenge of conquering it all the sweeter."

"We would have to keep it secret. The Jedi cannot learn of the planet until it is well under the control of House Li-Ves and Bacta-Works." Nathan said.

Vera slinked even closer to him.

"Oooo, a Jedi Padawan with a secret marriage to a member of royalty! On Naboo no less! Where have I heard that one before?!" she joked softly.

Nathan, very much against his own will, burst out into laughter for a few seconds. He couldn't help it. It was funny. It was a really, really dark form of funny, but it was still funny.

"Look at it this way...at least I'm marrying into the family again..." he said in between the chuckling. Chuckling normally felt foreign to him. A completely alien experience. Mere laughter seemed normally impossible to him. Not with her...as sadistic and murderous as she was when she wasn't a lawyer...she still made him laugh...

Vera joined him in laughter at the first joke Nathan had ever deliberately, purposefully made, having actually got the joke. And then she impulsively pulled him to his feet, staring into his eyes.

"Kiss me, you machine minded fool..." she hissed passionately.

Nathan, his emotional blocks heavily weakened even more than they normally were around Vera, obliged.



Present...


Vera strutted into the gala like she owned it, whisking a glass of champagne away from a waiter on a tray and taking a sip. Nathan would be going in separate, which was a pity in some cases, yet made it more fun.

Vera was honestly elated. She thought she might drink a few criminals' dead in celebration after the Gala was over...but Theed was one of the safest cities in the Galaxy most times, and the messy behavior she indulged in would be looked here even less kindly than it was in other places.

No... she thought, her mind fighting its own moral limitations. He wouldn't want that...

Vera watched as she strutted across the Gala, internally sneering at the presence of Jedi, Sith, and Mandalorians all rubbing shoulders. It was moments like this where she was convinced none of the factions actually believed a thing they said: all the fighting, the dramatic monologues of power and freedom, the countless high value real estate destroyed in the process...it was all theater.

She felt a rare sting of pity afterward, but it was only for Nathan, and how he was still too attached to these systems, even as he was secretly in total rebellion to follow his own goals. What did he get, still working for the Jedi? Was it to prove something?

Oh well, she would ask him later. Even if he lied to himself in his answers, valuable data could still be derived from her future Husband.

Vera spotted Vulpesen and slinked over, looking absolutely gorgeous and immaculate.

"Quite the party the Naboo Royalty knows how to throw, eh?" Vera asked him, recognizing him as a figure of significance in multiple battles she had read about so far. "Vera Mina. Coreward Lawyer. A pleasure."

 

[Lina Djo]

"They are the one ones always in armor right?" She asked somewhat innocently and her clear disregard for the of others cultures. "By the way, your tattoo, I could not help but stare earlier but I quite like it."

"Typically, yes. Though some of their clans have been known to shed their dredded 'second skin'" Lina's eyes followed the blonde petit form of Elise Ahana-Gwyneira across the dancefloor, watching intently until she met Darth Malum of House Marr . An eyebrow arched, but she said nothing watching the pair as Teresa commented on her tattoo. She snapped her attention fully, back to the valkyrie, her expression hardening.

"A gift, from our gracious Lord." Her eyes flicked to Darth Carnifex loathing burning through the back of his skull as he dealt with a fumbling Jedi child. She had to pity Braze , he clearly had no idea who he was dealing with. Somewhere, she was sure his master had noticed, and was likely having a heart attack.

Lina's green eyed gaze shifted again, seeking the Mandalorian and Malum, finding them on the dance floor. A small smile tugged atvthe corner of her lips. She'd every intention of speaking with Malum this evening, they had a great deal to discuss, not that he knew it yet and this observation would no doubt help her cause.

"Prince Sarlow Kaine Zambrano, Son of Kaine Zambrano."

Lina's heart jumped and her head snapped round. He had come. She hadn't been certain if he would or not. Their time together, tracking down Zambrano loyalists had been...intense.

Her eyes found him, as he weaved through the crowd towards them and the rest of the party fell away frok her mind. For the breifest of moments as he approached and said her name, there was no one else.

"Lina," he called to the green-eyed beauty, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "While I certainly understand her importance to you, Father, I have some unfinished business with her," he asserted. With a hand pushing back stray tresses of hair, he continued, "If I may," extending his hand to Lina, "speak with you in private."

Lina lowered her gaze, the moment he addressed Carnifex.

He is Carnifex's son.

The same mantra, the same warning, yet as he pushed a stray lock from her face, the thought melted into nothing. She settled her hand in his. "Of course, my lord."

 

[Ansisa]

OBJECTIVE 2: A Walk in the Park
Tags: Annika Starfire | Open

Ansisa smiled, though it was not a friendly smile, more the smile someone gave to a good meal before it devoured it. "Oh, little Anni-K," she purred, reaching to brush a stray strand of hair out of the half zeltrons face, before placing her fingers under her chin.

"When I kill you, I'll make sure you can see me coming. I want to see the fear in your eyes as you die." A thumb brushed Annika's cheek before Ansisa let her go. Looping an arm through hers and moving them along the gardens in a slow amble.

"Master Vazz sent me, though I'm not entirely sure whyyer. He likes to see if I can figure things out for myself." She smiled in amusement. "Tell me, have you found a replacement for your ever absent Master? Must be quite a thing to overcome, abandonment. Can't be good for ones reputation" she teased.

 

[Teresa Pelles | Darth Pellax]

Outfit: Blood infused Liquid Laminanium Bracelets, Earings, Dress
Zambrano's: Darth Carnifex | Lina Djo | Darth Xyrah | Lucia Naberrie | Sarlow Zambrano
Others: Braze


"Oh how delightful. Well it looks beautiful." She said beaming with a smile, her Master sure was gracious with gifts. Teresa had something similar that trailed over her body, though Kaine was able to make those patterns and symbols appear. There was the intention to pester the man on telling her how to make them.

Her eyes wandered around at a room of strangers, really, not a single face was recognisable to her besides those in His entourage. As more entered, she realised this event was perhaps bigger than she had expected. Normally it would bother her insanely so that she'd wish it a battlefield. Rather Teresa was perhaps a little glad it was not because she was getting hungry again. She could not help but feel like her stomach had an opening to the vacuum of space. The real reason why was much more simple, it just seemed hard on how to bring it up without feeling flustered. Regardless of the matter, her nose could pick up the scent of something sweet.

As the woman thought about it well it arrived, just not in her hands but all over her Masters clothes. It was hard to hold back a giggle despite wanting to. While her Master drew out the contents from His clothes, It made the Blackened Valkyrie if she was able to do the same, to split spilt liquid from fabric with no trace. It was not something that had been tested by herself and felt like it would come to good use in the near future. Given a small bit had splattered as far over to her, she would try it.

The boy stayed close and continued to converse offering his opinions. Then the comment about never having an inconvenient bath time, did really make Teresa laugh sweetly that pushed a tear to her eye. What made it more was he sounded teasing about it. "My, you are too innocent. Why use the force, when others are willing?" The wink she gave cemented the suggestive nature of the comment and wondered the kind of reaction the boy may give.

Once more her eyes wandered, this time looking for the buffet, more hoping there is a buffet as she could indulge her own portians. Even after knowing why, the cravings were brutal, the desire for sweet, sour and strong blends of flavor. Just thinking about it was salivating and these fancy parties usually came with cooks that made food taste devine. Still as Teresa stood their listening, hearing that last line made her find interest in Braze , rather he seemed very entertaining. "My he's a little like me. I had no idea who you where either when I was brought before you on Bastion." Strangely the kid might be the first Jedi she did not want to turn into a sick and twisted state of fun. Waiting for Carnifex to say his name built a moments anticipation for another kind of reaction.

Another came towards the group, one she did at least recognise as Kaine's son. She had not really conversed with this one but had seen the man a couple times on Malsheem. His eagerness however made Teresa curious to the relationship between Sarlow and Lina. From the smile, to brushing back a piece of hair, then there was the eagerness too. The Valkyrie had a guess, but nothing more than that. Perhaps it would be something she'd learn about in time. There was a lot of free time and more so soon.

The Blackened Valkyrie decided to wait for a few moments more before becoming proactive to sate the sudden urge.

 

[Makko Vyres]

GALA

"That is Darth Carnifex. He's the one who gave me…"

Makko stood straighter. His demeanour shifted. He didn't quite bristle. His right foot shifted ever so slightly. Makko didn't even realise the subconscious action of taking one of the defensive stances that had been drilled into him at the academy.

Some of the rough edges might have been ground down, but he had still been a member of a Denon gang. They had been tribal scrappers who postured and riled each other up when they met the other side.

"I fear I’ll be needing another drink."

"It'll be alright," he said through clenched teeth. "That's not just any mandalorian is it?" Makko asked. He took her empty glass and drained his own. By contrast, he did nothing to disguise the action.

The mandalorians had sacked the capital city of Ukatis. He had been helping to set up the infrastructure on the 'net to support her funding campaign recently. He knew her well enough to tell the difference between her feelings on the matter and something more personal.

"Entering Naboo's Courts, representing the Sith Empire, Darth..."

Makko visibly tensed. Then he obviously took a breath when the name Malum was called out. That was not the name he was just waiting to here. He had only recently learned the other name and he didn't feel ready to face up to its owner. Not yet.

Then he caught sight of Braze spilling drinks on the Dark Lord. This was not the evening he had expected.

”Anyone want to give me odds on this ending poorly?” He said, icebreakers be damned, “I personally would put money on a quarter till midnight when the first person gets Force choked. Then its all on. Third Great Hyperspace War done and dusted in a night.”

Makko turned to face the man. He glanced down at both occupied hands, before shifting the stem of one empty glass to his left. Grasping both glasses in one hand freed up his right to offer to shake.

"Yeah, you said it," Makko replied to the rather startlingly handsome man. "I'm Makko."

He left a space for Cora to introduce herself. If it was someone he knew, he would have offered her name out of politeness. But he never knew how these things were supposed to unfold at formal affairs.

"How many hours does that give us? I'd put down credits on before eleven."

 

[Rayth]

Objective 2: Park
Annika Starfire Ansisa

Annika had gone for a walk around the gardens. The tension in the main room was building. Whilst Rayth - with no other acolytes in sight to talk to - had found it rather awkward, he suspect Annika would have found it delightful.

In going to find her, he found her walking arm in arm with a chiss in a particularly slinky dress.

Ah

Rayth was not a socialite like Annika. He didn't need to be to read the tension between them. Given the amount of messages he'd received on the subject of Ansisa he certainly didn't need to hear a word of conversation to know how this might be playing out.

At least no one had been stabbed yet.

He kept a distance and tried to catch Annika's gaze. He bottled out on directly intercepting their path.

 

[Vulpesen]

Obj: 1
Wearing: Twilight Coat
Vulpesen wasn't blind. Even with champagne glasses falling like a row of sith troopers before him, he could tell that the brunette that came forward to introduce herself was a stunning creature. A younger jedi Vulpesen might have even been flustered at the sudden attention. But the 91 year old Wilder simply rose his drink to his lips, drained it, and ordered another. A jedi might have had difficulty telling her lack of humanity. For a Wilder, in tune with the presence of nature, Vera's very presence caused the force to scream at him. It wasn't a sense of evil or darkness, however. He would need to delve deeper to find that. She was simply unnatural. "Vulpesen Torrevaso, Valde of Veradune. The pleasure is mine miss Mina."

Despite his senses shouting at him about an aberration, he kept his smile polite and kind, his posture inviting to the company. It wasn't necessarily his years as a diplomat that helped him in this regard. That was the specialty of his Howlaw excelsis, the leader of his legal and diplomatic corp. Rather, it was years of smiling and lying to the entirety of the sith order that made it so easy to be at ease. "The nobles of Naboo certainly know how to keep things lavish. Though its a bit of a dull affair compared to home." He glanced over to the dance floor, making a small motion with a clawed finger. "No ones drawn a single knife in a dancing duel, or walked outside demanding satisfaction."

Vera Mina

 

[Osiris Thul]

Kalantha Natasi Fortan Jenn Kryze​

---

Silver trumpets rang out in a clarion call.

"Duke Osiris Thul of Alderaan, Son of Horis, Warden of the Castle Lands, Sword of Kaamos, and Lord of Tides!" the herald cleared their threat, "High Councilor to the Throne, Recipient of the Royal Chalcedony Shield, Sacred Guardian-"

He marched imperiously through palace crowds while a few more traditional laurels were recited. Exquisite fabrics tailored in the latest Core World fashion to an adonis whose face was all perfectly sculpted angles. Even among their fellow nobility the Great Houses of Alderaan commanded admiration for their influence and grace.

"Your Majesty, on behalf of Queen Organa I am here to celebrate the enduring bond between our two worlds."

Osiris swept his calculating gaze over Naboo's gathered court. Having paid his respects to the local monarch, the duke found himself free to mingle with an astonishing variety of socialites. Most of them were simply not in his league. Before some local nerf rancher with delusions of grandeur attempted to strike up conversation, Thul unwittingly stepped between a Supreme Leader and her mandalorian prey.

"Senator Fortan," he smiled, "Would you care to dance?"

 

[BB-610]

IN YOUR HEART SHALL BURN

| LOCATION: Naboo |
| TAG: Jasper Kai'el |


Buried beneath the swarm of legs that cluttered the palace floors, BB-610 slowly made his way over to a less than densely populated spot - being a small little droid could make life hard, especially when he felt as meaningless as today. Unsurprisingly, nobody stopped him to ask him questions or gawk about his popularity, nor was he acknowledged to begin with. Pettiness wasn't something that droids were meant to have, and yet here he was.

To break up the monotonous chatter of surrounding strangers, Jasper Kai'el made his way over, something that perked the astromech up. He chirped in greeting, a happy little whir rumbling at his voicebox as the flat of his head was nuzzled into the man's palm. BB-610 took a downward glance at his own snazzy bow tie, a cyan blue to match his accents, and wiggled with a humble bweep. Already, he'd started to feel a little better.

Peering over at what had just caught Jasper's attention, the droid tilted his head, finally managing to catch sight of Braze stumbling into Darth Carnifex -- the latter making the droid's system freeze. A blistering frost welled at his core, tugging at his circuits as all photoreceptors glared at the Sith's features. Him. It was really Him.

The man he had encountered all of those months ago, having barely made it out alive. Their interaction had been minimal - BB-610 knew that - and yet he couldn't help but feel like something was missing the longer he stared.

Finally, the droid snapped out of his trance, returning his gaze to Jasper. With a skittish bwirp, BB-610 said that he had Valery's lightsaber inside him should they need it. Cautiously, the astromech inched closer to the Jedi, hiding a part of him behind the man's legs.

This was, of course, a festival of no conflict. It was less of a suggestion and more of a means to comfort his own rapidly increasing anxiety.

 

[Clarron Vall]

Objective I & 2
Open to Interaction​

Whether it was the substantial quantity of wine, or simply a nagging sense of curiosity, Vall made his way back indoors after a while. It hadn't taken long for him to warm up to the idea. He had nothing to be concerned about here, from what he could see. The locals were all far too invested in their own petty struggles. His eyes swept over the room, observing the heterogenous collection of oddballs therein. He wondered if the queen had meant to collect so many enemies in the same place, or if that was just a series of happy accidents, the same sort that had no doubt led to his invitation. Yes, even he, a stranger to all of them, could see that's what many were. Staring murder at some hated nemesis or trying to avoid the attentions of another.

That was unsurprising. He'd been born under rather humble circumstances, and risen to some small degree of comfort and education through cutthroat behavior (in more than one sense) before the incident undid it all in a single instant. In that period, he'd come to be intimately familiar with the sort who made all the decisions in the galaxy. One of the inherent truths of their class was the pettiness. As likely as not, the sort of grievances they had were things like spilled glasses of wine leading to stained dresses that cost more than a Star Destroyer, or that somebody had once recited somebody else's five-minute-long list of titles incorrectly.

That was a world Vall stood perpetually apart from, even if his appearance and the gulf of time between them didn't exist to widen the gap. Here he was, considering a few wine glasses, a stone bench, and a few moments without someone shooting at him to be the pinnacle of luxury. For him, it indeed had been. He felt like a glassy-eyed zoo patron watching exotic animals perform elaborate and visually-striking rituals to threaten rivals or attract mates. The sensation was not unwelcome. Novelty was rare for someone in his position, and as he courted something of a disdain for plump, comfortable noblefolk, seeing them focused on one another was amusing, if nothing else.

Still, others here in the ballroom held the poise of duelists. He knew it when he saw it. Some of the same skills carried over with dancing, after all. Balance, footwork, breathing, and no small degree of confidence. It made sense that a master of one would possess some innate skill in the other. That was something he could respect. He was something of a duelist himself, and certainly had the dexterity and grace for dancing, if not the inclination. What he didn't care for was the 'why' of what he saw. Vall was a skilled and successful hunter of Jedi in his time, and knew one when he saw one. A number were in attendance. Though others struck him as... rather darker. A familiar cloud of sorts hung over a few. He hadn't felt that way since he'd been summoned before the Emperor's black-clad enforcer for the first and last time. Vall was no more sensitive to the Force than a brick wall, but that gave him some pause. No good could come of getting too familiar with anyone here, he decided.

Not that he deemed that likely. Most were too busy glaring daggers at one sinister-looking guest or another, or hovering around them in the way sycophants always did around the powerful and the dangerous. Those, he decided, were the people to associate with if the locals started asking questions, given that they cleared a path through the crowd as effectively as a harvesting droid. That, however, would be a last resort. He didn't have much interest in being drawn into anyone's game. In his experience, those Force-users attuned to the more unwholesome side of things had too great a tendency to view others as pawns for their little games. An understandable view, and not one without merit, but he was a blunt lethal instrument for his long-dead superiors only, until he could re-establish contact with someone in charge.

That in mind, he stayed where he was, on the threshold door into the gardens outside, to keep an eye on both little worlds of the drama. He had little else to do, after all, and that position offered the view of the maximum amount of the night's unfolding entertainment. He sighed, finishing up what had to be his sixth or seventh glass of wine. Nothing. Maybe they'd replaced his liver, too. He felt no more results than if he'd been drinking water. Just another of life's little pleasures taken away by the Black Sun, he supposed. Add it to a long and ever-growing list. At least his eyes still worked, very different though they now were. If the poor fellow at the door earlier had reacted that badly to him, he couldn't imagine what the result would be if he'd left the lenses in his metal outer face transparent.

The lack of a detectable buzz didn't stop him from putting in a heroic continuing effort, though, as he claimed glass number eight and settled back in against the doorway with a contented sigh. Was this what these people did all the time? Their apparent familiarity with the social ritual certainly made it seem so. Practice indeed made perfect, he decided. Which meant he needed to practice getting more wine.

 

[Aiden Porte]

Naboo
Tags: Kalantha / Open


Many months had passed since he was found on Tatooine by Jun Chiyo

He had been back on Coruscant training under the tutelage of Masters Solenne Abraxas .

Learning, preparing, for whatever the galaxy was going to throw at him. He had indeed grown much over the course of the year and half. Dealing with the darkness that was out to end his family, and doing what he could to help his good friend Brandyn Sal-Soren

Which wasn't much at the time.

Learn and grow, that's what he was doing now. He hoped once that full day came he would be that beacon of light as his father was.

Hope, was indeed a pillar within the Porte family.

Aiden wasn't here really to socialize, more so to keep an eye on Queen Kalantha

The Jedi Padawan had met her once before and they had become friends. When he heard of the festivities taking place tonight. He would've have loved to attend just to relax and enjoy. With everything that was, he would offer his services to protect her as best as he could for the evening.

He was sure his father was around here somewhere. He hoped he would have fun for both of them.

 

[Vera Mina]

Vera smiled at Vulpesen . Her own analysis programming was highly advanced, and just a few seconds of watching and listening told her he had long time experience having to maneuver around such elites...and possibly under very dangerous circumstances. His posture though relaxed, had these subconscious, normally imperceptible muscle tenses at key areas that gave away that while he didn't expect violence, he was not entirely discounting the possibility of it erupting.

"Sounds like my kind of party..." she replied playfully as he described how parties where he was from went. "That said, pleasantries do have their advantages... otherwise the fair Queen would be calling up her insurance right about now at the presence of so many deadly people on her property."

"I've never been to Veradune, I'm afraid. My practices on both Atrisia and Coruscant keep me quite busy."

Busy was an understatement. Vera was one of the most ruthless lawyers in the core, whether acting as prosecution or defending attorney, she was considered such a potent factor that the government had actually paid her to stay out of a case at times, at exorbitant sums in exchange for her inactivity. The legal equivalent of an elite mercenary. It was why she was able to buy beachfront property.

"And speaking of dances... perhaps you would honor me with one. I have never danced with a Valde of Veradune before." Vera suggested politely.