Public Partying at Rodia - (Open to All)

[Kaila Irons]

Location: Club, Rodia
Wearing: Dress + Gloves
Tag: Jacen Breska

Her lips pressed together, trying to wrangle that mischievous expression.

"Very well, Mister Breska. We'll call it a duel."

Kaila turned to the bartender as they approached, casting a quick glance at the same rack as Jacen before deciding on her order. There was no need to cheapen her tastes for the sake of a disguise tonight, not when her cover was a CEO, nor should she waste time with the formalities of a fruity cocktail when she had something to prove.

"Tevraki whiskey." she decided.

The bartender would nod and set out the shot glasses, about to pour when Kaila grabbed the bottle and flashed him a smile. They quirked a brow but understood, sliding her an electronic tab which she was quick to sync with her wrist computer and pay off before turning her attention on Jacen once more.

She waited until the bartender had moved out of earshot before pouring herself a glass, then passed the bottle to him.

"You know... It's been too long since I last went drinking with stormtroopers like this." she chuckled quietly.

"Or asked cliché questions like 'why did you join the legion'...?"

There was a certain curiosity in her eye before she knocked back a glass, a genuine desire to know more about the soldiers she fought beside that transcended mere efficiency and analysis.

An expression interrupted by the sting in her throat. Kaila could shoot whiskey with the best of them, yes, but it had been quite some time now.

​

 

[Malrok Duskwell]

OPEN

Malrok hadn’t meant to enter the building.
It had looked roughly like a storage dome from the outside. Subterranean vents. Steel archway. Neon signs arranged in some erratic dialect that his translation implant refused to touch. The bouncer hadn’t even stopped him. Just stared. Blinked. Let him in like he was expected.

The unholy sound hit him in the sternum with a repetitive concussive burst.

Malrok Duskwell stopped three steps past the threshold. He struggled to breathe. Couldn't bring himself to blink. Just watched the chaos unfold around him with the grim poise of a man who walked into a trap. This was the most foreign, alien environment the man had ever seen since departing Condoriah.

Flashing lights. Swirling smoke. Glass-bodied drinks. Dancers moved like possessed zealots around a crystalline altar that pulsed with music. Bodies glittered with sweat and pheromones. And through it all: a pervasive hum. A haze of sound that... Stuck in his mind like accursed chanting, but without words. Something whispering, laughing, pressing. An invisible hum lending a hot tinge to the humours of this place. Mostly sanguine. Slightly choleric.

He couldn't think. He needed clarity. He focused himself and... then the hum vanished. Like a switch flipped.
A field muting the intense emotions, a small sphere of phlegmatic calm, impassivity. Malrok finally breathed and observed more objectively.

Oddly, stabilizing the humours here made the patrons act strangely. A Rodian server dropped her tray as he passed. A Mirialan girl on the dance floor stopped mid-spin, head snapping to the emptiness she felt behind her. Someone’s third eye—Force-touched or spice-smeared—started to water.

Malrok walked through it all, unwittingly killing the vibe in a radius around him. He was dressed like he'd been dredged up from a mine shaft, cloak hanging in torn folds, spear strapped to his back. His armor, soot-dark and spiked with ash, clanked softly against the polished floor. His eyes, a flat slate gray, scanned the crowd like a surgeon trying to piece together a species he’d never seen before.

One woman offered him a drink. Another tried to dance – extremely immodestly! –against him.

He returned a blank stare to both. This surely was some sort of... Temptress wyrdwitch's illusion. Malrok was sure of it.

He turned to a glowing wall display pulsing in time with the beat… and stared at it with cautious suspicion, like it might explode or bite. "...What is this place?" he asked aloud, staring at the wall fixture. He spoke to no one in particular. His voice sounded like gravel. He wasn’t sure if it was a shrine, a test, or some form of torture that these people - half naked with their shoulders and ankles exposed! - were subjected to. They didn't appear to be in distress...

All he knew was that the only exit he trusted was behind him.

 

[Jacen Breska]

Rodia Nights​

WEARING:: This
EQUIPMENT: Nothing
LOCATION: :: Rodia Nightclub ::
TAG: Kaila Irons

"A duel it is," he responded, smiling.

He whistled in appreciation and admiration when she made her decision, "Tevraki Whiskey," he clicked his tongue, "I've only had that once before. Back at home, my father had a bottle. I stole it from him." He chuckled at the memory, then added, "I don't remember much about if I liked it or not. I do remember how furious he was."

He took the bottle and raised it in cheers to her before he poured himself a shot glass. Jacen set the bottle aside and grabbed the glass, slamming it back. As the liquid coated his tongue and burned his throat, he let out a sharp gutteral grunt and shook his head, "Wow."
"That, woo," he took a second to compose himself, then nodded, his voice raspy, "that's some good whiskey."
A chuckle escaped his lips as he imagined that that must have been the same reaction he had the last time he drank it as well.

"Well, I've never gone out drinking with a S...commander like this before," he said with a smile, catching himself before he called her what she was. Sith, in front of any leering ears.

"Question for a question, shot for shot?" He asked, as he grabbed the bottle and filled up both of their shot glasses again,
"Joining the Second is...easy to answer. It's where I'd be able to stay me. Not become...whatever those in the Null are. And," he shrugged, "They're who picked me up." He chuckled sheepishly, "But I feel like that's a boring answer, so let me answer a different question. Why did I join the army. I dunno if you read my file. Or...even if there is one. Born on Bespin. My family owns Breska Tibanna. Our own little floating heaven in the clouds..." he clicked his tongue again, his eyes wondering across the bar as he recalled his life, "I was groomed to just take over. Be a gas baron. Make credits. But I wanted more. The Empire provided safety for my family, our own business empire, so I felt I could do something to serve. I enlisted in the Officer academy."

He stopped, then erupted in a laugh, "They didn't much care for me. I had an ego. But, they wouldn't let me go home. You have to enlist to attend...so I was in the military," he shrugged playfully, "so, several misadventures later, here I am. Drinking with you." He smiled again, the same sheepish nature he had had. "Not at all the life I expected," he shook his head, and looked down at their shot glasses, "Your turn. I'm really curious. I guess I don't really know how exactly to ask just one question." He paused and looked at her, studying her, "Maybe it's obvious what I'm gonna ask. But how did you...become like you are?" he tried to keep it as vague as possible.

He wanted to learn, know more about his 'masters'.

​

 

[Kaila Irons]

Location: Club, Rodia
Wearing: Dress + Gloves
Tag: Jacen Breska

Stealing whiskey from one's father, it reminded her of the other foundlings.

A rebellious streak in his youth perhaps? not something most would want in a trooper, but a part of Kaila hoped that spark remained. Whether it validated her own tendencies, or she simply wanted soldiers who could think for themselves when command breaks down, even she couldn't decide.

"Well... you both have good taste." she chuckled softly.

"Question for a question, shot for shot?" He asked,

"Mhm." she nodded, "shot for shot."

His story was not what she expected. Avoiding the Null legion was a wise choice, but hearing that name caused the governor to glance away with a faint unease. It was his life on Bespin that drew her gaze back and rose a brow. From gas baron heir to the academy, and from there to grunt fighting gods and monsters beside lords and ladies of similar description.

He was not at all what she thought he was, and yet now it all made sense.

"so, several misadventures later, here I am. Drinking with you." He smiled again, the same sheepish nature he had had. "Not at all the life I expected,"

"Wow." she murmured.

"I never would have guessed. Fate has a way of changing our lives in such unpredictable ways."

Then came his question, one she should have expected. And yet she remained silent for a time, drumming her fingers against the glass she'd only now noticed poured for her. Her story was highly classified once, something even she did not know, and shared with so few even now.

Not even the emperor fully understood her past.

But Jacen was no sith, she reminded herself, and so there was no reason to believe he'd use that knowledge against her.

"I was a conscript." she finally answered.

Kaila knocked back another shot, using the burn to ground herself. She would grunt before speaking again.

"The old empire conquered my world. Couldn't have been older than sixteen when they took me. A couple years in, I suppose the Dathomiri in me finally manifested."

She glanced from side to side, then leaned in a little closer, speaking in hushed tones.

"The Butcher King took notice. Took my as an apprentice, after a memory scrub."

The former Kainite leaned back then, staring into the ice filled glass, still contemplating how much to say.

"I've since reacquired what was taken. But after so long training like that, fighting, like that..."

"It's too late to be anyone else."

"Suppose you're all stuck with me now, yes?" she feigned a laugh, but hurriedly poured the next round.

​

 

[Jacen Breska]

Rodia Nights​

WEARING:: This
EQUIPMENT: Nothing
LOCATION: :: Rodia Nightclub ::
TAG: Kaila Irons

"I try not to place much faith in fate," he eyed the shot glass in front of himself, and picked it up. He held the drink in his hands, studying the liquid before he shifted his gaze to Kaila and listened as she answered his question.

As she spoke, the more she spoke, a frown would grow on Jacen's face but he continued to listen intently. She deserved that from him. His undivided attention. And the things she was saying deserved his respect.

He didn't speak right away. He let the words hang in the air, let himself feel their meaning.

So...not all Sith had the choice. That changed things. Made it harder to categorize them. It was easier to have a general opinion of them when they were all just raving lunatics. Now he'd learned that at least one, the one he was arguably closest with, was forced to start down this path. Not only that, her her was taken from her. All she was, her memories, stolen. How could Jacen, how could anyone, blame her from drinking from that cup? That cup of proving yourself, becoming stronger, using unnatural gifts and powers, exerting your will on the galaxy?

She hadn't asked a question, and he hadn't earned another shot with his own, but listening to that story caused him to become suddenly parched and he knocked the shot back in quick succession to hers, and gently nudged his shot glass towards hers with a finger.

"I'm...I'm sorry." He said, meeting her gaze. "For what it's worth I don't think I'm stuck with you." He tried to force a smile, be comforting to his friend. He hoped it was working. "I uh... I don't know what else to say beyond that." One question in and she had given him much to think about. Opened him up to a possibility he'd foolishly or stubbornly refused to consider.

Her life, everything she could have been, stolen from her. It wasn't like Jacen. The path he was on was one he himself paved. Still a child, and Kaila was forced to become what she is. Who knew what she could have been? In a way...it made him despise the Sith even more. Not as individuals, as a collective. To force someone to become something, shape their destiny and call it fate...who had that right?

Was it truly too late for her to become anyone else? Was it that hard of a path to turn away from?
Why couldn't he know the answer? Why was the right thing to say slipping away from him in his mind?

"'Spose I'll ask an easier question next," he said, rubbing the back of his neck and smiling a bit more naturally, "But it's your turn, Kaila, if you still want to play."

​

 

[Kaila Irons]

Location: Rodia, Club
Wearing: Dress + Gloves
Tag: Jacen Breska

She could see what he was hiding behind that smile.

It was looked dangerously close to pity.

If he were Sith it would have made her feel small, something she historically reacted very poorly to, but coming from him it felt less like exposing her weakness and more of an understanding.

"I'm...I'm sorry." He said, meeting her gaze. "For what it's worth I don't think I'm stuck with you." He tried to force a smile, be comforting to his friend. He hoped it was working. "I uh... I don't know what else to say beyond that."

"Most people don't." she chuckled awkwardly.

"At least, the few that know."

The silence which followed was thankfully filled by the thrums of music elsewhere in the club. Truth be told she felt awful for so thoughtlessly asking a question which would inevitably lead him to ask the same, for dropping such a sad tale in his lap when it could have been avoided.

Yet a small part of her was glad. She wanted to know the legionnaire better, it was only fair he know her too.

Even the parts she wasn't proud of.

"'Spose I'll ask an easier question next," he said, rubbing the back of his neck and smiling a bit more naturally, "But it's your turn, Kaila, if you still want to play."

"Oh." she gasped.

Kaila had forgotten all about the game.

The young Sith was quick to pour them another round while she thought up a question, and already lost count.

"Well... forgive me if this is a hard one, but..."

"I realize we lead very different lives now. I mean you're always being ordered where to go, what to do, when you can leave-"

She paused. Glowing eyes flicked towards him, rendered corrupt and inhuman by that very difference between them. They were searching, but afraid of the answer.

"I suppose what I'm asking is... does the imbalance of power between us, between our... stations, discomfort you?"

​

 

[Jacen Breska]

Rodia Nights​

WEARING:: This
EQUIPMENT: Nothing
LOCATION: :: Rodia Nightclub ::
TAG: Kaila Irons

Jacen chuckled. This humanizing moment with her was something he didn't know he needed. Seeing someone--someone like her--seem almost vulnerable, so imperfect.
"Thank you for telling me, though," he was quick to say. That level of vulnerability, that truth, couldn't have been easy for someone in her position, and Jacen respected it, even admired it. He wasn't sure in the same position he'd be able to tell someone something like that. It was a faith she had placed in him that he wanted to see rewarded.

He met her eyes as she slowly voiced her question, and the smile on his lips faded slightly. Jacen pursed his lips and exhaled slowly.

"Hmm..." he started, then looked down at the bar in front of him as he searched for the answer and what exactly she had meant by the question.

"Between you and I?" He asked, looking back at her and raising an eyebrow, "specifically?"
He studied her face, trying to suss out any hidden meanings. Stations? Imbalance of power?
"You remember that day on the Dar-" he paused and blinked before correcting himself, "...at the thing. And that guy came in? With all the weird cult guys? And they...did something to the guards stationed to greet people?" he asked, his blue eyes staying locked on her gold. He squinted and nodded his head, "Ssssomething in me changed seeing that. I guess I..." He paused to run his hand through his hair and collect his thoughts before he continued, "I never really cared too much about the difference between us before that day. But I saw that," he said, looking off as if picturing the event, "I saw just one of you, probably a weak one with something to prove, do that to my," he jabbed his fingers into his chest repeatedly and grit his teeth as the words seethed out, "my people."

His cheek twitched a little in suppressed anger, he clicked his tongue and turned away, "I never felt more helpless in my life. More expendable. More useless." He shook his head, crossing his arms and leaning on the bartop. "None of you seemed human. Mortal...after that. That happened to loyal soldiers. Men who probably never had an anti-imperial thought once in their lives. Sent to medical. For nothing," he turned and met her gaze again, repeating, "Nothing."

"That made me realize...or fear...did any of you care about us? Taeli talked to the guy, I didn't catch what was said, but...A-are we people to you? Or toys? 'Cause I feel like a toy. I don't feel like a soldier. I'm property. I mean...I feel good now. I enjoy my time with you now. But I'm scared, Kaila. Karking terrified. All the time." He shook his head, feeling the alcohol start to lighten his head. He absentmindedly wiped his eye, "I ain't never been this scared on a mission. 'Cause I know the people who are trying to kill me are my enemies. I don't know about you. I can never. That's all it took. One time. One of you," he held up a single finger for emphasis, "Just one. And my faith was shattered. 'Cause all it'd ever take is one."

He snapped his fingers, "Like that. Gone. For any--or no reason. And it doesn't matter how good I am at my job. How loyal I am. All that matters is is the nearest Ssss...commander a psycho or not."

He chuckled humorlessly and looked down at his glass, "Yes. I am...discomforted. Generally."

Jacen sighed and picked up the glass, downing it like the previous two, grunting out as the whiskey burned his throat on the way down. "My turn," he said, turning to face her with another smile on his face, "Something light maybe. How did you get into gardening? Two-parter: What's your favorite thing to grow?"

​

 

[Kaila Irons]

Location: Club, Rodia
Wearing: Dress + Gloves
Tag: Jacen Breska

She knew when she was being studied.

Because It was exactly the way she looked at most people.

He was right to of course. This could have easily been a trick question, Gods know she'd set people up like this before, that she had the makings of a great Inquisitor, once. He was right of course, she—or anyone else—could kill him without a second thought on a bad day. With her mind, no less.

She'd trusted him with some vulnerability.

He was trusting her with his very life. Every time they spoke.

It took a lot to maintain eye contact. Every time they did, her frown grew, as did a sense of guilt she did not fully understand. Perhaps deep down a part of her understood she was propping up the very system by why which men like him died each day.

"I'm sorry." she breathed, voice small.

The neon light caught but a faint glimmer of suppressed moisture in her eye, until she turned away and shut them to the world.

"I was so... livid when it happened. This used to be quite common in the old empire, you see. It still is, in the holy worlds."

"On Kainite worlds." she clarified.

Even when here eyes opened again, she found it difficult to look at anything but her drink.

"That's why I do what I do. Someone has to make them change."

"The empire is better now, but it could be better still."

Kaila leaned forward, elbows against the bartop, and quickly knocked back another drink before either had spoken.

"My turn," he said, turning to face her with another smile on his face, "Something light maybe. How did you get into gardening? Two-parter: What's your favorite thing to grow?"

She glanced sidelong at her companion, but her eyes had lost a bit of that fire.

The young Darth had gotten what she wanted, she supposed. They both knew something of the other which few, if any, did. No longer just commander and soldier, but—she dared hope—friends.

They deserved something lighter now.

"Well," she managed the faintest smile "My mother was Dathomiri, you see. I was raised elsewhere but the wilds have always called to me, so I wanted to bring a bit of home to Echnos."

"Even if it took a lot of trial and error, and dead plants."

A small chuckle barely escaped.

"I think Hwotha berry is my favorite thing to grow at the moment."

"I've been mixing them into my tea of late."

She smiled a little, pouring them yet another round.

"And you? what sort of hobbies do you enjoy, between the madness?"

​

 

[Jacen Breska]

Rodia Nights​

WEARING:: This
EQUIPMENT: Nothing
LOCATION: :: Rodia Nightclub ::
TAG: Kaila Irons

Jacen tilted his head as she spoke, his eyes softening. There was something different in her voice now. Not weak, never weak, but gentler. More real. He felt himself relax with her, like the jagged edges of both their defenses had dulled just a bit more. He made sure to keep his eyes on her, if she wasn't looking at him, he was still trying to show he'd see her. He'd listen, he was listening. He had trusted her, probably, with the most damning thing he could say to someone of her station. She hadn't killed him yet. In fact, she apologized. That was unexpected.

"...Thank you," he said softly. It was a small gesture, but it had an impact. It was as if a weight was lifted off of Jacen's heart. One single apology, recognizing the ill, the injustice. He remembered how she responded on the day. On the day, it made him feel like only hers to break as a soldier of the Second Legion. Now? Hearing an apology? It was comforting, soothing.

"I couldn't possibly understand why the Civil War happened," Jacen said, sarcasm laced in every single word, "It blows my mind the lesson hasn't been learned. What happens when you push someone far enough," He shook his head in disbelief, scoffing to himself.

"So I'm never going to the Holy Worlds. Kainites," he shrugged his shoulders, "I guess I don't really understand the religion aspect of it. What it means to be what you are. I dunno. Maybe it's better I don't."

Kaila turned to look at her own glass, and Jacen turned to look at his as well, then allowed his eyes to wonder around behind the bar, see what else they had. Anything to draw his attention, any bright colors or quirky looking bottle. Anything to speed time up just a bit, get past this emotional moment together.

"I appreciate you," he said, finally, "just being here, getting the chance to speak. Get to know eachother, just the two of us. It's...nice. I don't know if I trust the Sith. But I trust you." He looked back at her and smiled wide. A genuine feeling of...perhaps not happiness, but contentment, filled the space in his chest.

As she began to answer his question, he leaned forward, ensuring he heard everything. The conversation had been a bit heavy thus far, they could both do with some elation. So he hung on every word, gave 110% of his attention, and smiled as she spoke.

He knew very little of Dathomir, besides for witches came from there, and even less about Echnos, "I love that," he said with a nod, "That's actually very sweet," he paused and leaned forward, squinting, "are you sure you're Sith?" He asked a bit quietly, then chuckled, "You're the best one I've met. I'd love to try your Hwotha Berry tea one of these days. I'm not really a tea drinker, honestly, but I'll give it a go."

"And you? what sort of hobbies do you enjoy, between the madness?"

He blew air out of his mouth and widened his eyes as he sat back into his chair as he thought about the question.

"D'ya know I have a couple," he answered, a soft smile on his lips, "First, and--don't laugh. I love Holotactics. I like thinking about strategies and tactics and stuff, I dunno. It's just real fun. I've been collecting characters for a few years now. Same with other kinds of like...miniatures. I prefer physical things but they're so hard to find inside the blackwall...I was actually hoping to pop into a shop while we were out." He smiled sheepishly, "Oh, and uh...okay and really don't laugh. I collect Holosonic archives. Y'know...like old Holorecordings, old digital stuff. Like uh...y'know like uh weird or obscure outer rim jizz artists, old recordings like historical stuff...just any unique thing."

He felt his cheeks flush, a small wave of embarrassment washing over him, "it's silly. I know. But I love it. I like collecting things. Physical things. Things I can touch, show people. More then...like...clicking something on a personal terminal. Being able to open a box and go, 'see, look at all the music I have and the minis I've found.'"

He felt his cheeks redden even more, "I don't know why it's the holorecordings. It's like...moments. Pieces of the galaxy that were important enough to commit to this little thing, for someone, somewhere, sometime, to listen to."

He grabbed his now full glass of whiskey and slammed it back. He was starting to not notice the burn. That was a bad sign, but he still let out a subdued 'woo' proclaiming his victory over the substance.
"Alright, something nicer. OH! Got it."
He flung an arm up toward the ceiling, like he was painting the stars above them.
"If you could go anywhere, Galaxy-wide, no limits, where would it be? Your dream destination, vacation, escape. Your own little paradise."
He paused, squinting.
"Actually...that's a better question. Where is your paradise? What's it look like? Perfect everything?"
Jacen laughed at himself, waving a hand.
"No wait. You pick. Either. Both. Dealer's choice."


​

 

[Lily Decoria]

​

Location: Rodia - Nightclub
Outfit: Party Dress
Tag: Colette

Lily knew that Colette had been pushing for what she had just said before when they first discussed things. However, Lily had also been dealing with issues, with things that were building fears and doubts in herself that made the Padawan overreact to the idea of dealing with the growing problem that was Quinn Varanin.

For now, it was time to relax and have some fun. Pulling Colette onto the dancefloor, Lily placed her hands on Colette's hips as they danced. Enjoying the moment and the beat of the music together. Looking over to the redhead, Lily tilted her head and was surprised to hear that Colette had a student. She did not think her friend would be the one to get a Padawan, especially since there was a lot of patience and limitations on what you could do when dealing with a Padawan.

"Didn't think they would get you tied down with a Padawan learner, how did you end up getting roped into that?" Lily smirked, curious to hear how Colette was finding it as a teacher. Already several steps more advanced than Lily was even though they had started at the Order at the same time. It was demonstrating to Lily that she needed to crackdown on her training and get prepared for the next step.

 

[Colette]

Lily Decoria

The beat of the drum, the wailing of the synth, the just unintelligible lyrics that was drowned out by the crudely boosted bassline on an expensive set of cheap stereo speakers; it all seemed to mix together into the perfect mixture of atmosphere for this. Colette's sway was immaculate, the steps perfectly on-beat, and the hands on her hip weighed just right enough to ground her as—

Wait, the… The what? No, something definitely had her by the hips alright and it wasn't the most horrible feeling she had felt.

Colette's eyes finally opened again to find herself being held by her friend. She wasn't a very touchy kind of person, in fact she was one of the least prominent huggers in the world because of her background and beliefs. And yet for a moment she swore she could feel the world stop. Her skin started to burn as if she had gotten herself too close to the fire and her breath hitched for a very brief moment before she was thrown right back into reality again, her friend's hands on her hips, swaying side to side without much of a care at all.

She permitted the hands to linger for a moment longer and let out a quick chuckle to hide her confusion.

"It— It wasn't 'they' who got me tied up, it was me." She grinned again. The brief flash of heat began to die down once more and she could breathe just fine again. "I met her at the gym, got to know her, and she was in a situation I didn't want to see her go through alone."

"And she's… A lot like me, actually. Y'know, before I got all civilized and stuff. You'd love to meet her, I think."

Her head bobbed side to side to admit at least a minor defeat as they danced.

"... Some other day. I refuse to get near that whole area of the room right now, we're here to dance."

 

[Lily Decoria]

​

Location: Rodia - Nightclub
Outfit: Party Dress
Tag: Colette

Lily hadn't even thought about how her touch was bold and invasive, to her, she had asked Colette to dance and had wanted to keep her friend close. Ensure that they did not lost in the crowds. Best way to do that was to keep her hands on Colette, at least in Lily's mind. When she felt Colette's body tense and not react positively to the touch, Lily's steely gaze flicker over and concern danced around them. Her hands removed themselves from Colette's hips quickly, not wanting to keep lingering on the awkwardness of it all.

"So sorry if my hands on your hips were not welcomed, I didn't even think about it." Lily frowned feeling bad for doing anything to upset her friend.

Hearing about how Colette ended up with a Padawan, Lily raised an eyebrow in surprise since it was far from what Lily expected. She was sure someone would have had to tie Colette down and pin the Padawan on her before pushing them out the door. Lily shook her head, "civilised? Oh wow, I have to meet civilised Colette before I get to meet her Padawan." Lily poked her tongue out as she teased her friend.

"I would love to meet her, I am sure we can arrange something after this." Lily nodded her head, excited to learn more about her friend's life and those closest to her. "And I get that, we can definitely just focus on dancing tonight!" Lily grinned widely to her friend.

 

[Colette]

Lily Decoria

The apology brought an uncharacteristically, almost girly giggle out of Colette.

"Nooo, no, don't worry about it." She chuckled and lingered in the awkwardness of the moment for just a bit longer. Part of her wasn't sure if she wanted the moment to last or just go away as fast as possible. "It was nice. We're friends."

I have to meet civilised Colette before I get to meet her Padawan.

"Oh-hoo…" Colette feigned hurt.

We can definitely just focus on dancing tonight!

"Hell yes we are! The feeling of the speakers forcing the soundwaves to brush against our skins as the bassline sweeps across the floor. The rhythm of the people's feet. Just two friends, a whole bunch of bad people, and we have noooo jury's diction."

Although it was hard to tell whether or not Lily got any of that given how keen the DJ seemed to be on turning the volume up.

 

[Lily Decoria]

​

Location: Rodia - Nightclub
Outfit: Party Dress
Tag: Colette

A smile formed on her lips and she nodded her head, "well that is good. And yes, we are friends." Lily moved in a little closer to dance a little more intimately with her friend, just enjoying the beat of the music but also a chance to easily hear what Colette was trying to say to her.

Seeing the feign hurt on Colette from Lily's friendly jab caused the Padawan to giggle and wink to Colette, "I mean, any reason to get you to hang out with me more often, I will take!" Lily exclaimed.

The music getting ramped up higher, Lily struggled to hear everything that Colette was trying to say. While still dancing, Lily moved in closer and got deep in Colette's personal space, wanting to make sure that she heard everything her friend said since she did not wish to misunderstand Colette again. "What did you say? The DJ seems to be trying to drown out what you were saying." Lily explained as she spoke intimately into Colette's ear. The Echani having moved in a lot closer now.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Location: Club, Rodia
Wearing: Dress + Gloves
Tag: Jacen Breska

He appreciated her?

Trusted her even still, knowing what she was.

Well, an approximation at least. Maybe he didn't know what that meant, did not understand the faith, but a part of her wanted him to. She flicked her eyes towards him, and smiled a little.

"Perhaps I can teach you, sometime. Not our faith, but what it means to me."

And that was an important distinction to make; the whole and the individual Sith. She wondered if it might be beneficial to better his understanding of the "immortals" he served. Would he then navigate that cruel world safely and be better off for it, or would the weight of these truths break him?

"That's actually very sweet," he paused and leaned forward, squinting, "are you sure you're Sith?" He asked a bit quietly, then chuckled, "You're the best one I've met. I'd love to try your Hwotha Berry tea one of these days. I'm not really a tea drinker, honestly, but I'll give it a go."

The questioning of her Sithdom gave her pause however.

She did not take offense to the jest, rather it was the idea that she could not be both which bothered her... because it forced her to ask questions she was not ready to answer.

Still she faked a smile and moved them along.

"I'll brew us some next time we deploy to the same battlefront."

Thankfully it wasn't long before Jacen had answers of his own for her to focus on, ones which brought some genuine quality back into her smile.

"Holotactics? with the little guys who fight each other?"

"You know, I do govern a trade port. I could keep an eye out for games and miniatures when the ships come in? Antiques and old music too, I made a career out of hunting historical finds you know."

"Though I suspect the miniatures are less likely to be cursed." she chuckled.

It felt strange but... sweet, to speak like this with a soldier. They came from such different lives and yet they understood one another, enough to laugh and drink at least.

And perhaps, even if she'd been running from them for so long, she needed someone to ask her such introspective questions.

"If you could go anywhere, Galaxy-wide, no limits, where would it be? Your dream destination, vacation, escape. Your own little paradise."
He paused, squinting.
"Actually...that's a better question. Where is your paradise? What's it look like? Perfect everything?"

"Hmh."

Kaila took a moment to think on it.

Not because she didn't know, in fact she'd thought of this question often, but because she needed to phrase it in a way which did cause alarm to one so uninitiated in her plans.

She finished her drink, taking a little longer to recover this time as her freckled cheeks took on a lively color.

Then finally, she answered.

"I think that my perfect world is less a place, and more a way of being."

"One in which I am my own master in all things, irrevocably, eternal. So too are those I care for, just... themselves."

She smiled wistfully.

Then chuckled; "with lots of nature, of course."

"I should thank you, by the way. You could have kept that 'on the job' attitude the whole way through, instead of playing silly games with a witch."

"...I needed this."

​

 

[Jacen Breska]

Rodia Nights​

WEARING:: This
EQUIPMENT: Nothing
LOCATION: :: Rodia Nightclub ::
TAG: Kaila Irons

Sometimes, thank goodness for alcohol for helping you not notice when you've made a faux pas.

"I'd love to hear about it," he answered, to his surprise, honestly. Perhaps it was that it was Kaila who wanted to explain it to him. When Lirka Ka tried to explain her way of thinking it left Jacen more confused and terrified, and he was sure the insane elf-creature thought of him as a friend too. Perhaps it was more Lirka was trying to convert Jacen.

Kaila just seemed like she wanted him to understand. That little distinction meant a lot to him.

"and over a nice cup of tea. Sounds lovely." He smiled and nodded. A very relaxing evening, learning about a friend's beliefs and sipping tea. He could think of an infinite amount of worse things to do.

"Holotactics? with the little guys who fight each other?"

"You know, I do govern a trade port. I could keep an eye out for games and miniatures when the ships come in? Antiques and old music too, I made a career out of hunting historical finds you know."

"Though I suspect the miniatures are less likely to be cursed." she chuckled.

The smile grew wider on his face and he nodded excitedly, "Yeah! I dunno why, right? Like it's my life to fight and think about this stuff, you'd think the last thing I wanna do when I'm on my time is still do it. I dunno there's just somethin' about it!"

The excitement in his eyes and the shine they'd gained could be seen across the solar system when Kaila mentioned her position.

"I'd never have dared to ask, but...would you?" A sincerity flowed from Jacen as he posed the question. "With my luck, I'm sure I'd get the one mini haunted by the spirit of a long-dead conqueror or something." He chuckled, but then his face dropped, "that couldn't actually happen, could it?"

He shook his head and forced the thought away, "of course it isn't. That's silly. Haha. Ahem. But yeah, uh yeah I'd love that so much. I wish I could...like...genuinely think of something to offer to help you with your hobby." He paused, then the lightbulb in his head went off and his eyebrows raised, "Dirt! I can getcha dirt. Want dirt? From anywhere? I can getcha dirt! Big ol' handful'a dirt. Proper soil. Good soil. Grow good. mmm." He nodded, then looked down at his drink, then up at the bartender. He raised a hand and got their attention before he placed an order for two waters. "I need a break from the alcohol before it turns me into some raving lunatic," he grabbed the water glass when it arrived and chugged it down, exasperatedly gasping as he slammed the empty glass back on the bartop,

"Why do they make water taste so good when you haven't had it for a bit?!" He asked, mostly rhetorically, and flagged the waiter down for a refill.
"Don't think I'm givin' up though. I'm sstill in this duel. Shot for shot. I'm a winner." He nodded sagely and sipped the water as it was refilled before he turned his attention back to Kaila, listening as she answered his question.

"So...uh...your paradise is just like...it's where you are, just at peace. No nothin' to worry about, just you and the people you love happy and in peace?"
Jacen nodded. That sounded a whole lot like his own paradise. The idea of it, anyway. "That sounds lovely. I hope I'm a-one of those people you care about," he smiled and took another sip of his water. "Nature n'all."

"If I kept it business I'd wake up tomorrow still afraid of you." He shook his head, "I'm not anymore. Not really. I MEAN. Don't get me wrong, right, you're impressive. That sounds really clinical. You're...strong. Powerful. On a whole 'other level. Could kill me with a thought for sure. But...you won't, I don't think. At least not for no reason, and not without warning. I know that now, if I didn't before. And that's thanks to this super serious and not at all a game duel for our honor!" He threw a hand in the air in a triumphant, yet remarkably quiet, cheer.

"I dunno if that's like...an insult to you or 'cause you're kinda from Dathomir kinda it's like an actual title. But you're my friend. I'm not drinking with a witch, or a Sith, or a commander, or anythin' like that. I'm drinkin' with my friend. That's the most important thing to me about you. And right now I wouldn't change you for anyone in the galaxy." Instinctively, drunkenly, Jacen reached and patted Kaila's back reassuringly, "And I'd do it again."
​

 

[Kaila Irons]

Wearing: Dress + Gloves
Tag: Jacen Breska

"I would." she nodded.

Of all the strange things the half-witch bought at market, miniatures were perhaps the least concerning to all parties.

Kaila wouldn't dare say it aloud, but it was nice to just do something for someone of her own volition. This wasn't like cozying up to some underworld contact or acquiring ritual components for her master. They were just, as he put it, two friends.

Something she needed more of, now more than ever.

Still, his reaction to the possibility of haunted miniatures caused the woman to stare, then smile just short of a grin as if daring him to explore the thought further. She didn't want to be mean, not truly, but it was just too much fun to spook regular folk from time to time.

Perhaps it really was the witch in her.

"Pff!"

It broke into something more genuine when he began to speak of dirt, squeezing her eyes shut while she tried in vane to control her expression. She'd hardly realized just how drunk they both were until she was offered soil, good soil it seemed.

"You know-" she laughed.

Not chuckled, even if similar in it's subdued volume, but laughed.

"-Unironically I could use better soil. Echnos is a toxic moon you see, so I'm constructing a biodome for agriculture—not just gardening, but certainly that too."

Perhaps it was the conversation or the alcohol speaking, but she has having good enough of a time to distract from the strange and perhaps sorry state of affairs which led to dirt being such a valuable gift.

"I will accept your dirt, mister Breska."

She took up her glass, water this time, lest she also rave about nature and Echnos or other passions.

Although Jacen had a way of speaking enough for the both of them, and keeping her entertained for sure.

"If I kept it business I'd wake up tomorrow still afraid of you." He shook his head, "I'm not anymore. Not really. I MEAN. Don't get me wrong, right, you're impressive. That sounds really clinical. You're...strong. Powerful.

She waved her gloved hand dismissively, finishing her drink.

"Oh please, you make me sound like the Empress or something."

But she could do nothing to hide the toothy little curl in the corner of her lip.

Kaila enjoyed this. Perhaps too much, she thought. If one ever a quality may allude to the truth of her Sithdom, this was one of them.

Even if, on occasion, she made up for it.

"I dunno if that's like...an insult to you or 'cause you're kinda from Dathomir kinda it's like an actual title. But you're my friend. I'm not drinking with a witch, or a Sith, or a commander, or anythin' like that. I'm drinkin' with my friend. That's the most important thing to me about you. And right now I wouldn't change you for anyone in the galaxy." Instinctively, drunkenly, Jacen reached and patted Kaila's back reassuringly, "And I'd do it again."

There were few in the galaxy who may touch her unprompted and keep the hand.

She glanced at his momentarily, quietly considered something for a moment.

And decided to pour them each a new glass.

"Hmh."

"To drinking with our friends." she held her glass up to toast.

"I don't remember if this was your question, so I'll give you this one for free; I do care. And I would like to count you among my friends. I think that... it's a little easier to trust you than my colleagues."

She chuckled nervously, drumming her fingers against the glass while thinking up a question of her own.

"What are your other friends like? anyone from your unit?"

​

 

[Colette]

Lily Decoria

There was something in the lean. In the way their cheeks brushed and the sensation of another person's voice straight in her ear. Colette felt that unexpected warmth come back again, her voice caught in her throat with a gentle but clearly unintended whine.

What did you say? The DJ seems to be trying to drown out what you were saying.

"N- nothing." Colette stammered and cleared her throat. Moving was difficult again, the joints in her arms and legs having tensed up in anticipation of something that didn't come, like a prisoner readying themselves to be sprayed by a water hose. Except there was no water. There was nothing.

What could have caused this? Had the bartender drugged her bottle? The symptoms were there. Difficulty of movement, difficulty of speaking, and confusion. Only thing missing was the panic and nausea and the dizziness, but maybe those just hadn't hit her yet.

No, wait, they were there too. Was it something Lily had done? Colette's thought lingered on her friend's voice, the way she had pulled herself in particularly close and whispered in her ear. The realization caused her heart to skip for a moment. Had her friend done this? Had she drugged the bottle?

Colette's eyes quickly darted around the place, set on Lily for a moment longer. Wait, no, she had drunk from the bottle too and she seemed just fine. As a practiced Jedi Knight she tried to detox herself with the force, but even so the feelings and the sensations and the confusion just lingered. Colette swallowed her growing panic for a moment before she took a deep breath.

"I…" She tried to speak but failed.

Something more psychological then? Some kind of… Mental attack maybe?

For the time being, Colette stood frozen on the dance floor. Like a small rock amongst an ocean of people.

 

[Lily Decoria]

​

Location: Rodia - Nightclub
Outfit: Party Dress
Tag: Colette

The body language coming from Colette was something that Lily knew a little about from both experience as well as seeing the effect she had on others. Did Colette not understand the sensation of being attracted to another person? Another woman? It was a little sad to see but there was something that made her smile, that there was a shared attraction.

But Lily knew better than pushing that house of cards. Especially now, especially here so publicly. It was something Lily knew to be delicate with since she did not wish to embarrass or humiliate her friend.

Placing her hands gently on the hips of Colette, "don't panic, the feelings you have are normal and not a poison or trick." Lily whispered loud enough to be heard but also quiet enough that others could not overhear them. Lily did not want her friend panicked or stressed over what this sensation she was feeling was.

"Let us go sit, there is a private booth where we can talk without others hearing and the music quieter." Lily mentioned, wrapping her one arm around Colette's waist to help guide her frozen friend away from the dancefloor so that she can recover from this. It had been a bit since Lily had stun someone like this but it was always a compliment to Lily when it happened. Especially when it was someone she liked as well.

And Lily was going to ensure that later, when Colette was able to look back at the moment with laughter, Lily would be prepared to tease her all over about what happened on this dancefloor between them. For now, a softer, more considerate part of Lily was guiding her friend away from the dancefloor to ensure Colette did not get bumped or knocked over by the other dancers.

 

[Jacen Breska]

Rodia Nights​

WEARING:: This
EQUIPMENT: Nothing
LOCATION: :: Rodia Nightclub ::
TAG: Kaila Irons

The look on her face when talking about the possibility of haunted memories both said alot and was agonizingly vague.

"No don't do that," he said, shaking his head, "that's not real. You're screwing with me."

Then suddenly, he furrowed his brow and a small smile began to creep across his face as he thought of a little voice coming out of a mini and declaring that all should love it and despair. The image did make him giggle, "oh alright maybe it wouldn't be so bad," he said as he continued to laugh. "Imagine a little voice. 'Fear me!'" He squeezed his eyes shut and laughed harder. It'd almost be worth being haunted to own the trapped soul of a powerful figure of history inside a little painted model of itself.

He finally got his giggle fit under control when the dirt conversation picked back up. He couldn't help but beam as she accepted his offer of galactic dirt.
"I'll getcha the best dang dirt in the land. And don't you think I won't,"

It was said in a half jest, but the alcohol in his system ensured he meant it. It was a silly thing, something ultimately insignificant against the enormity of the galaxy, but the thought of sending a bag of dirt back to a friend put a smile on Jacen's face. Something goofy yet something he knew would have meaning.

"Oh please, you make me sound like the Empress or something."

"It's the truth, though," he said with a shrug, "at some point the differences in power between you guys gets...I dunno...it becomes just...noise? I mean, you'd know more then me for sure. But you all can do the same stuff from what I've seen. At least if anyone does anything crazy at this point I'd probably just nod my head, 'yeah alright.' Opening like...a portal to another universe full of little tiny furry critters that attacked on command and spoke in your mind? Yeah alright, that's just another day at the office."

He shrugged his arms very animatedly, "Not saying you should coup the Emperor or anythin' like that! I'm just sayin' to me, to me, right, you're already as strong as anyone I'd ever seen. And probably will only get stronger."

He shook his head, "That's insane to me, a bit. How strong you could get. Any of you. Hunh." He picked up his glass of water and took another drink, then he followed the movement of the bottle of whiskey as close as he could as she filled his shot glass up again and raised hers in toast, "Ey that's a proper thing to toast to. Cheers, to friends, to those who didn't make it and to us who still can."

He slammed the drink back and gently rapped his fist on the bar top. "Oh god," he said exasperatedly, then looked at Kaila, "I've no chance have I?" he asked, smiling, "Not that I'm givin' up. Ain't an ounce of quit in me, boss. But damn." Jacen shook his head and exhaled slowly, "I'm going to be very sick tonight I can feel it. Churnin'. Like a cauldron."

He breathed in deep, controlled. Trying to keep himself upright was getting harder and harder by the second. But victory was just over the hill, he was sure of it. Less sure then he was six shots ago, but sure of it.

"I don't remember if this was your question, so I'll give you this one for free; I do care. And I would like to count you among my friends. I think that... it's a little easier to trust you than my colleagues."

"Huh? Oh right a question. I didn't ask one did I? Unless-actually yeah, no, yeah we'll go with this bein' my question. Saves me having to think of one." He nodded repeatedly, then stopped, putting a hand on the side of his head. "That's enough of that," he said quietly, in to himself, then looked at her and smiled.

"Well. I'm kinda in a spot aren't I? Yeah you can trust me, don't think I'd ever betray anything you told me in confidence. Who would I say it to, for one, for two it'd be awful easy for you to plug the leak. I'm kind of the perfect confidant. Doubt I'd ever be in a position to betray your trust and live to a ripe old age. You're also the only you I trust. So it'd be real dumb to ruin that. Plus, I don't think any of the others would drink with me."
He paused, lost in thought, "Loyalty matters to me. Faith deserves to be rewarded. I don't think I could ever really look at myself in the mirror if I turned something someone said to me in confidence against them. That's..." he paused, looked at Kaila and held her gaze, "I've done bad things for our cause. I suspect I'll do more. Killed squad mates who jeopardized the mission, sent friends to their deaths, killed people who wanted to flee to the Alliance, poisoned the water supply of a group of houses just to kill one or two actual rebels. That's the job. It's what our Empire needs from me. But those are my enemies. I'll never put myself in a position to intentionally hurt someone whose put faith in me."

He couldn't help but chuckle, "That's a bit hypocritical ain't it? I'll kill another living being but gossip? Never." He laughed again, "maybe I'm just very melodramatic." He shrugged his hands and turned, facing out to the club and leaning back on the bar.

"What are your other friends like? anyone from your unit?"

He thought for a moment. He could count people he considered friends on one hand. Probably two fingers on one hand.

"I got you," he said, "and I got CT-312 . She's like a sister to me. Be together since Woostri. God, feels like ages. I have other guys and girls I'm friendly with. No one really I-...truth be told, the concept of friends gets a bit strange after a while." Jacen rubbed the back of his head, "growin' up, every other kid's parents worked for mine. So everyone was told to treat me good. Be my friend. It made everything seem so...hollow. Then I get here, and people are nice and then they die. Sorry I'm tryin' to keep it light. We're havin' a real good time I'd hate to bring the mood down."

He cleared his throat, "312. Don't even know her real name. Only ever her number. She only calls me by mine. But she comes back every mission, we protect each other every mission. There's a couple others," he thought of the spy woman on Trenwyth, the one who called herself Aedan, "but...honestly I don't think I have friends besides for you two." He felt a sting of pain in his heart. A sudden realization in just how lonely he was.

The words sat heavier then expected.

"...Huh." He shook his head slightly, not enough to jostle his drunken brain, but enough to clear the thought. Jacen immediately pivoted, trying to bring the conversation back into a lighthearted territory, "Hey I gotta know, here's my question. Really, what is it like to do the things you can do? To be able to move stuff, control stuff. Is there ever a moment where you're just like 'yeah I can do really cool chit'?"

​