Private Oh Rats!

[Dagmar Kortu]

Formal Outfit
Location: Melanie Sato home, Denon

Hard to believe that after a single meet up with Melanie it would transition into a date. Yet Dagmar was on her home planet driving towards her house. Denon was a city planet on the rise especially after Coruscant fell to the Sith. If the Core Worlds were boycotting Coruscant when it was occupied by the Galactic Empire, it's going to be complete shutout once the Sith fully take over. Dagmar didn't care much for Coruscant due to it being constantly a hotbed of corruption from the upper levels to the lower ones, it was sad seeing it being occupied by factions who were even worse. Melanie was determined not to have Denon suffer the social decay Coruscant something that Dagmar admired in her. However, Dagmar wanted Denon to be safe from Sith attacks.

Arriving at Melanie's home, Dagmar came out from his Repulsor Car that he bought from the family home in Denon and approached the door his heart thumping against his chest. "Deep breaths," Dagmar said knocking on the door. "It's just one date, who knows what's going to happen."

 

[Melanie Sato]

DENON, DISTRICT SEVEN

The past few weeks had been rough for Melanie.
​

Shortly after what had appeared to be a fairly uncontroversial debate of the Republic Safeguards bill in the Senate, tabloids had begun spreading vicious slander warning of a so-called “Denon Dependency”, a supposed conspiracy by the government of Denon to turn the High Republic into little more than a network of vassal states. As craven and fabricated as the report was, the damage it dealt to public perception of not only the government but the people of Denon was very real.

Melanie had been completely blindsided by the tabloids, expecting a certain level of respect and decorum on the topic of bills brought to the Senate floor. Her naivety meant that she had little time to prepare, and had spent the past few weeks performing nearly constant damage control. The confused and fearful voices of Senator Pallopides’ constituents still echoed in her head, threatening to drive her insane.

Fortunately, Melanie had been given a break before she could lose her sanity. She was now resting up in her family’s modest condo a few kilometers west of Denon’s entertainment district, just wrapping up a late breakfast when she heard a knock on the door.

“I’ll get it!” called Melanie deeper in the house’s interior, where her parents were at work.

She hastily sat up from her chair in the living room, placing her plate by the sink before walking towards the door to greet her guest. As she approached, she began to vaguely remember some sort of informal meeting scheduled for today. Yet it escaped her mind just who she was supposed to meet with.

That was, until she opened the door and was greeted by a certain Kortu heir.

Her heart jumped into her throat as Dagmar stood directly in front of the door, staring directly at Melanie. While her fashion sense was nowhere near as advanced that of as Senator Pallopides, she could objectively admit that Dagmar’s suit fit him well, offering a flattering view of his refined features. As for Melanie...

Her face flushed with embarrassment as she realized she was wearing little more than blue jeans and a gray T-shirt. Again, Melanie normally had little concern for fashion outside public events where clothes could deliver subtle political messages. But with Dagmar looking like a bona fide model in front of her, Melanie felt sorely underdressed the occasion.

“I-I’ll be right back!” stammered Melanie, slamming the door behind her as she rushed to her room to change into nicer clothes.

Dagmar Kortu ​

[div]

 

[Dagmar Kortu]

Formal Outfit

Dagmar had dated a few times in the past but that was before he enlisted in the Galactic Alliance Defense Force when he turned 18 years old. Dagmars father was outraged at Dagmars decision saying that he should’ve waited until he graduated from University of Alderaan. Thanks to his father’s legacy status, Dagmar managed to get accepted into the school.

Yet Dagmar was not interested in mingling with the socialites or forming business connections like his father wanted, Dagmar desired to be out in the field and protect the people like his ancestors did. His Grandpa didn’t have a college education when he enlisted and fought in the early Sith Wars and his father was an active combatant in the Clockwork Rebellion. Dagmar wanted to make his mark on his own terms.

Melanie Sato door swung open and before Dagmar could say anything, Melanie mentioned that she’ll be right back before slamming the door in front of his face. Dagmar stood there blinking. Melanie looked fine in her casual clothing, it wasn’t like they were going anywhere fancy but Dagmar continued to stand there awkwardly as if waiting for the door to sprout legs and walk away.

“Should I practice my pick up lines?” Dagmar muttered to himself before coughing. “Are you an angel? I heard the deep space pilots talk about them. They’re the most beautiful creatures in the universe.”

Okay that sounded really cheesy.

 

[Melanie Sato]

DENON, DISTRICT SEVEN

Melanie’s wardrobe had two types of clothes - casual and business formal.
​

On one side of the closet were four variations of the jeans-T shirt combination that Melanie was currently wearing. For this meeting, date, whatever it was, such casual clothes were not appropriate. On the other hand, her usual suit and tie pairings accompanied by a miniskirt were better suited for the Republic Senate and that of Denon. Technically, they would be appropriate for meeting with the son of a prominent noble family, but Melanie found herself not wanting to keep Dagmar at a formal distance. She respected him, and she felt as if their connection was closer than that of mere acquaintances.

That was when she saw it.

Nearly forgotten in the back corner of the closet behind the last of the suits was a dress she had not worn since her college days. A rare indulgence afforded to Melanie as a gift for her eighteenth birthday, the dress was the only piece of clothing in her wardrobe that even came close to rivaling her boss’ luxury outfits. While the white corset left little to the imagination, the long white cloth that accompanied it allowed her to conceal most of her features if she wished to. It meant Melanie could effectively modify her dress on the spot, allowing her to bridge the gap between casual and formal.

A few minutes later, Melanie once more stepped outside the front door, the white cloth slung over her shoulders.

“I apologize for the wait.” began Melanie. “Where do you want to take us?"

Dagmar Kortu ​

 

[Dagmar Kortu]

Formal Outfit


"All right," Dagmar clapped his hands trying to focus. "She's getting ready. Let's take advantage of this and come up with a great pickup line that'll blow her away!"

He survived, the Sith, Imperials, the Bryn, and just last week: The Geonosians and their Droid Army. Yet the biggest challenge for Dagmar of all things was not making a fool out of himself in front out of Melanie Sato : A petite woman who looked like she could barely lift a holopen. Petite but filled with so much passion for her cause. Many senators and nobles of the High Republic were self-serving sycophants which included his father. For all their talk about not making the mistakes that the Galactic Alliance made, the Republic is off to a great start by doubling down on their elitist views. Dagmar was apathetic to the nobility's vice but as he saw through Melanie, maybe apathy wasn't enough.

The door swung open and Dagmar jumped when Melanie apologized. "Oh!" Dagmar smiled. "No need to say you're sorry just-"

Dagmar's jaw dropped at the sight of Melanie. Her long black hair was styled in a high ponytail, her strapless white minidress gleamed against the moonlight and her matching white shawl was draped over her shoulders as well as her white pearl earrings, and white heels. Melanie was attractive, but her appearance made her look like a supermodel. "You look......" Dagmar struggled to find the words. "Drop dead gorgeous. I love that dress!"

He coughed taking a deep breath. "Yeah I mean you look good." Dagmar's cheeks heated up. His dark skin slowly turning red. "But yeah I was just thinking that maybe we could go to a ummmm a fancy restaurant. There's a place called Dina's: It's a place known for fancy Wines that are taken from all over the Galaxy, roasted ducks, great Bantha Burgers that's seared to your liking and many others."

There was the fact that Dagmar did not get a reservation. Hopefully he could get in at the last minute. "So shall we go?" Dagmar smiled. "The night is young. Might as well enjoy it."

 

[Melanie Sato]

DENON, DISTRICT SEVEN

Melanie could count on one hand the number of people who had ever called her gorgeous.
​

For most of her life, people had taken one look at her small, petite form and immediately underestimated her, writing her off as cute at best. Few people paused to really look at her, and fewer still saw her as a woman in her own right rather than an extension of Senator Pallopides’ will. Even before becoming Ayumi’s right-hand woman, Melanie had either been recognized for her wit or not recognized at all. She had convinced herself that she was unattractive, telling herself that she cared for the welfare of the people of Denon far more than her love life or lack thereof.

In recent months however, everything had changed. While Ayumi Pallopides was undoubtedly a shameless womanizer, her compliments and praise towards Melanie had begun to make her feel like something more than a faceless bureaucrat. Perhaps that was why she had felt drawn towards her old dress, even if it suited her about as well as a Gungan suited Tatooine. When Dagmar had frozen upon seeing her emerge wearing the dress, Melanie had prepared for the worst.

Instead, Dagmar’s praise made her heart swell as if she was still a teenage girl.

“Thank you.” replied Melanie, her soft voice barely above a whisper.

She was definitely blushing. For someone as stunning as Dagmar to be giving her so much attention was more than enough to make her heart start pounding. It didn’t help that the man seemed to be blushing as well, suggesting that she was affecting him just as much as he was affecting her.

A part of Melanie wanted to ask right then and there if their meeting was a date, but what remained of the rational side of her brain quickly shut the idea down. The vibe between the pair might have been great at the moment, but she did not want to ruin it by immediately bringing their status into question. It would be better for Melanie to wait until things were clearer before taking any action that would affect her personal life.

She reminded herself as such as she allowed herself to follow Dagmar to his waiting repulsorcar, taking a seat at shotgun and giving him a smile before strapping herself to her seat.

Dagmar Kortu
​

 

[Dagmar Kortu]

Formal Outfit


Dagmar mentally cursed himself for not opening the passenger door of his Repulsor Car. Not very gentlemen of him now was it? Not even a minute into their date and Dagmar was already messing up. Just goes to show how rusty he was in the dating game. From the corner of his eye, he could see Melanie's face turning cherry beet red. Unlike Dagmar's dark skin, Melanie's pale skin made it more apparent that she was just as embarrassed as he was. Whether she was offended or flattered by Dagmar's compliment was something that dominated his mind. He really hoped that he didn't humiliate her.

"Frack....." Dagmar muttered as he got in his car. "I just hope I didn't go too far with my comment."

Melanie was a driven woman she had ambition but not for herself but for others. Though she didn't know it, Dagmar did follow up on her projects, and they weren't self-serving rather that Melanie genuinely cared for helping people. He was always cynical about politicians but Melanie was the first person to Dagmar hope about a broken system. "So Melanie," Dagmar quickly turned on the Car as it hummed to life. The Holoradio played another romantic song much Dagmar's chagrin. "How are you tonight? I hope the politic stuff is going well."

As soon as he said that, Dagmar drove away from Melanie's home and headed towards Dinas.

Melanie Sato

 

[Melanie Sato]

Somehow the pair had gone from complimenting each other’s outfits to talking politics.
​

Yet Melanie would have it no other way. She knew Dagmar had a mind that was sharper than most, and she was not to self-absorbed to assume that she would not benefit from his feedback. More than that however, Melanie trusted Dagmar to listen without judgement. So she gave him the full truth of the situation.

“It’s been better.” remarked Melanie with a frown. “I’m sure you’ve heard the Republic tabloids going on about the so-called ‘Denon Dependency’. Utter rubbish, but it’s led to more than a few off-world contractors hesitating to invest. These past few weeks have largely been damage control for my office.”

She paused for a moment, giving Dagmar time to think and respond. As she did, she noticed that the music in the repulsorcar had taken on a romantic tone. Despite the seriousness of the topic, it made her heart race. Still, she knew better than to fool around in a moving vehicle in the middle of one of the most densely packed worlds in the entire High Republic. To distract herself, she brought up better news.

“But on the bright side,” continued Melanie, a smile returning to her face, “The plants you gave me on Naboo have been doing exactly what Senator Pallopides hoped they would. We’re starting off in District Three, which is basically an industrial slum. There is definitely much more that needs to be done, but these unique trees will go a long way in cleaning the district of its toxic pollution."

Dagmar Kortu
​

 

[Dagmar Kortu]

Formal Outfit

As the repuslcar whined through the traffic, Dagmar listened to Melanie talk about how the Republic Tabloids were creating stories regarding the Denon Dependacy. Given that Dagmar tried to remain apolitical and thus avoids the news, this was the first time he heard about this dependacy. Dagmar knew that Melanie was trying to help Denon but she seemed to be naive of the seedy underbelly the city planet had. It was worse than Courscant and Hosnan Prime combined.

“Never heard of it,” Dagmar said thankful the romantic song finished in favor of a more upbeat one. “I’m guessing political meeting didn’t go in your favor?”

Given that Melanies passion lay in politics, Dagmar felt bad for being disconnected to political events. Though he rather talk about politics rather than his awkward feelings towards Melanie. “Let me tell you something,” Dagmar said his gaze focused on the hyper road. “The tabloids are owned by the owners of big businesses, or big party donors. Whatever they say is just trying to to smear you. It means that they see you as a threat Melanie and that is a good and a bad thing.”

Melanie was a strong woman, Dagmar knew that much. Yet she was also a one woman army and to light up like a lifeday tree in a den of Grindalid. Like Gindalids they hate the light and will do anything to snuff it out. Still, Melanie needed help and what she told Dagmar back on Naboo suggested that she needed a big investment. “I’ll talk to some contractors after our date,” Dagmar said. “I know a couple of contractors via my father. They got deep pockets and are eager to spend. Besides, all of them owe me for saving their lives on Cato Nemodia. Don’t have personal use for their favors so I’ll leave them to you.”

He smiled when Melanie said that the Force Trees he gave her were making progress. “Good,” he said. “So much undeveloped land on Denon, we have to make sure to get more of those trees planted so we can avoid another Courscant. We have to breathe so much artificial air there because the landscapers didn’t bother to consider the destroyed atmosphere. Well that’s the Siths problem now.”

Melanie Sato

 

[Melanie Sato]

Melanie could not help but note how refreshing it felt to be supported by someone outside her family or office.
​

Dagmar’s words made her self-confidence soar, energizing her to keep on fighting. Furthermore, his intervention on her behalf practically made her swoon. She had been searching fruitlessly for years with an in with the social and economic elites of Denon, and now one was driving her to dinner while offering to take action right afterwards.

“Thank you so much.” spoke Melanie. “I appreciate everything you have done for Denon… and me.”

She shifted herself in her seat to fully face Dagmar, admiring his features as he confidently navigated the labyrinthine traffic lanes of Denon. He had finally acknowledged their outing as a date, breaking any remaining ambiguity Melanie could use to trick herself into thinking what they had was not special.

“I look forward to this date,” remarked Melanie, also accepting it as such. “As well as any that might come after."

She might not have been ready to outright ask him to be her boyfriend in the moment, but Melanie was more than willing to make Dagmar a regular feature in her life. From the effort he had put into meeting with her and his occasional flushed expression, Melanie could reasonably assume that it was at least mostly reciprocated.

“I’ve never been to Dinas before.” continued Melanie, changing the topic to their destination. “Have you?"

Dagmar Kortu
​

 

[Dagmar Kortu]

Formal Outfit

Dagmar emitted a nervous chuckle when Melanie praised him as if he saved the entire planet from a Sith invasion. "Hey all, I've done was just funnel some rich people your way!" Dagmar said. "I'm just a soldier with a trust fund!"

That part was true; Dagmar was the heir to the Kortu family fortune. That meant being under the magnifying glass for not only his demeanor but also his potential partner. He already knew that he failed on the former and his father won't be pleased that he was going out with somebody who was of "lower birth." Dagmar didn't give two chits though, Melanie may possess noble blood, but she had drive and determination to make the Galaxy a better place.

"Me too," Dagmar said looking at the air way, the restaurant was in view a few meters away. "It's been a decade since I've last dated."

He paused shaking his head. "I spent most of my life trying to defy my Dad who was trying to raise me as his heir." Dagmar chuckled at that statement. "The truth was that he wanted a clone of himself not a son who might think different from him. He hated everything I've done, from my political views to the fact that I chose to enlist in the military and fight on the frontlines. Hell, he'll hate the fact that I'm dating a woman whose outside the nobility."

Dagmar turned his gaze towards Melanie. "But I don't give too chits on what he says," Dagmar said. "I...... really like you and I hope maybe we could like you know? Boyfriend and girlfriend if this date is a success."

Dagmar really sucked at the whole dating thing. Markus was already married and was eager to supplant Dagmar's position as the heir. It helped that his wife was a noble. But Dagmar quickly that first born privileges will always trump everything and what really hurt Markus’ status is that he’s a Jedi. “I do," Dagmar said with a grin. "My family eats here all the time. Let's hope there's some room for us though. Seats fill up fast."

Melanie Sato

 

[Melanie Sato]

“I’ll be your girlfriend… if this date is a success.” teased Melanie.
​

Truthfully however, her heart was about to burst out of her chest. She now knew beyond a doubt that her feelings were reciprocated. Now for the first time since college, Melanie was on the verge of entering a relationship, and her first long-distance relationship at that. For now however, Melanie paused her line of thought, keeping herself from overthinking while the partner in question was right next to her.

As she returned her focus to the present, she felt the repulsorcar slow down. As much as she enjoyed her conversation with Dagmar on the road, she was very much looking forward to experiencing Dinas for the first time. Yet as she glanced out the window, she saw no hint of the restaurant’s name on the sides of any of the nearby high-rises. Perhaps it was a smaller, more discrete establishment?

“Which building are we heading in?” inquired Melanie. “I don’t think I’ve visited this area before."

Dagmar Kortu
​

 

[Dagmar Kortu]

Formal Outfit

Dagmar burst out laughing as when Melanie said that she would be his girlfriend if this date is successful. Looks like she can play hard to get after all. It eased the awkward tension for a little while at least. "Deal," Dagmar smiled as he drove the speeder towards the front of the restaurant. "This is the place," Dagmar said as he approached entrance, a valet was waiting for them ahead.

"Well, this is the area where all the nobles mingle," Dagmar said. "Dinas is a common place where the politicians and the real movers and shakers come down and discuss business. Plus, the steak is pretty good."

Melanie Sato