Junction Sun & Starlight: Evening Gala

[Adelle Bastiel]

Tags: Aselia Verd | Tessa Monroe
Wearing: [X]

“My my, don’t you clean up nicely.”​

The sudden touch at the small of her back startled her. Adelle tensed until a moment later when she heard Tess speak close to her ear. She exhaled slowly and softly, feeling her heart pound against her ribs as relief followed hot on the heels of panic and dread, then turned to face her friend. Her eyebrows rose appreciatively as she turned and took in Tess’ attire.

“I could say the same,” she said, one half of her mouth curling up in a mischievous smile she couldn’t help around the smuggler. “Where in the Nine Hells did you get a dress like that?”

It was by far the nicest thing Adelle had seen Tess in while at the same time showing the most skin she’d ever seen from her friend. Idly, Adelle wondered how Aselia would look in the same dress and in the same breath, dismissed the idea. Aselia would never touch a dress like that, probably criticizing it for “too much fabric” or being “too impractical.” Still, a girl could dream.

Adelle slipped her hand from Aselia’s, lighting brushing her fingertips against her palm, and stepped to the side.

“Aselia, this is Tess. I met her back before the Yaga Minor osik,” she said, looking back at her girlfriend. “Tess, Aselia. My partner.”

She tried to convince herself that saying ‘my partner’ sounded better, more mature than ‘my girlfriend’ but she’d be lying if she said it didn’t also feel safer.

“So.” Adelle flashed an impish grin at Tess. “Who did you drag here? Or did you get dragged here?”

 

[Sovereign Echoes]

[The Grand Vizier's entrance music for the event]

​

There was a moment, brief, almost imperceptible, when the room seemed to turn.

It began at the top of the marble stair, where the lanternlight pooled gold against the deco arches, and it moved outward through the crowd the way a change in the wind moves through a field: a head lifting here, a conversation faltering there, a hundred small recognitions rippling toward the stage. And the Goldleaf Orchestra, who missed nothing, felt it too. The number they'd been playing drew to its close, and then, with a conductor's knowing smile and a shimmer of strings, the band struck up something new. Something bright. Something with a wink built into its very bones: a lush, brassy, diamond-bright swing of a tune, all glitter and mischief, the kind of song that announced an arrival.

Because there was one.

They came down the stair together, and the room forgot, for a moment, to breathe.

Merryn on the left, dark-haired and luminous, poured into emerald silk shot through with threads of gold, a gown that caught the lantern light and held it, the deep green of it flashing bronze with every movement, cinched at the waist with a band of worked gold that gleamed like something ceremonial. She wore it the way she wore everything: as though it had been fortunate to be chosen. One hand rested easy at her wife's back. Her chin was high, her dark eyes moving over the crowd with frank and unhurried pleasure, a woman entirely at home in being looked at.

And beside her, Ivalyn. The Grand Vizier. Gold-haired and coral-clad, in a gown the color of the sunset the day had promised and delivered, chiffon that moved like water and caught the light in long liquid ribbons as she descended, a high slit flashing with each step, gold at her throat and wrists. Where Merryn was the held breath, Ivalyn was the exhale, a poised and gracious warmth, a small knowing smile playing at her mouth, the look of a host surveying a thing she had built and finding it good. This was her shore. Her sky. Her gathering. Ivalyn arrived simply as a woman walking into a room full of people she was genuinely, warmly glad to see.

The music swelled around them, glittering and playful. The lanterns swayed. Somewhere near the front the two lady singers had reappeared to lend the number their voices, trading the bright knowing lines back and forth with a laugh in them, and the whole terrace seemed lit from within.

At the foot of the stair the two women paused, together, unhurried, framed in gold, and let the room have its moment. From the microphone the singer, with his gorgeous baritone speaking voice announced them. "If all gentlepersons could direct their attention, please welcome the Grand Vizier Ivalyn Yvarro and her wife Merryn Sellek!"

Then the Grand Vizier of the Imperial Commonwealth of Dosuun stepped out onto the floor of her own party, her wife's hand in hers, and the night truly began. Music continued on, and transitioned as the next performer was announced.

​

 

[Allyson Locke]

//: Taiia Mataan //:
//: Attire //:

It had taken Taiia several minutes to convince the Corellian to leave the suite without her. Allyson knew the reason, but that didn't mean she was going to listen. Still, she found herself standing outside of the suite, her jacket in her hand and her tie still undone.

Allyson turned the room's handle and found it locked; if she had wanted to, she could have maneuvered her way in. But listening to Taiia meant that she was on her good side.

"Fine, fine," Allyson sighed and looked at the ceiling.

The annoyances of being able to get dressed and ready faster than your wife. Along with the inability to deny temptations. Speaking of the temptations she often failed to deny, she pressed her eye to the peephole; maybe she could catch a glimpse… unfortunately, Taiia was smart and put the cover over the only way to look in.

"When did she get so clever…?" The Corellian groaned as she pulled on her jacket and buttoned it just enough to look presentable. As much as she wanted to wear her eyepatch, she decided against it. After the appearance of the man on the beach, Allyson didn't want to risk anything.

Slowly but surely, she headed down to the event. Music was already playing, and the woman entered quietly. To several people, she was just another face in the crowd, not one to turn heads nor garner any added attention. This was a good thing; the last thing Allyson wanted was attention. Her eyes filtered through the guests in the area, her gaze settling quietly on a white-haired Echani.

Kat was here; Allyson was surprised, but also not surprised. Like Allyson, Kat knew where to go where pretty women were plentiful, and the drinks always flowed. She thought about talking to her, catching up — but after their last encounter, she decided against it for now, since everything Allyson had caught her up on.

Instead, she waited till a waiter passed by and Allyson collected two glasses of champagne. One for her, and one for her wife when she arrived.

Time continued to pass as Allyson quietly sipped her drink till it was done. Handing off the empty glass, she reached into her pocket and continued to watch the attendees.

She didn't look, not yet, but Allyson could feel the moment Taiia drew near. It was the comfort of their bond, something Allyson had never shared with anyone other than Taiia. A hardline connection between them that spanned distance and time, something that Allyson often grasped onto like a lifeline in her worst times.

As much benefit as the connection had, there were downsides… Taiia could feel her pain and vice versa. Exhaling softly, she tried to put out the millions of times she probably had driven Taiia insane with the bond.

The moment Taiia's shoulder carefully nearly brushed against Allyson's — the Corellian's mind quieted.

"No, it wasn't that…" Allyson turned to face Taiia, and everything mentally short-circuited. They had attended events like this before, and Taiia was always dressed to impress, to the point that they once disappeared for several hours.

Still, tonight Allyson's heart stopped the moment her eyes fell on her wife.

"My stars… you're gorgeous." A rare blush crossed the Spy's cheeks as she let her eyes trail along the silhouette of the dark gown with crimson accents involuntarily. She also noted the casual confidence that had drawn Allyson to Taiia when they had first met.

Her eyes would slowly trail back to her wife's face, and she'd offer the glass of champagne in her hand. Stepping closer, her free hand would remove itself from the pocket and carefully snake almost possessively around her wife's waist.

"I'm going to have to pretend how to honestly behave at this event, even if you've made it impossible." Allyson sighed with amusement as the blush never left her face. Her eyes never leaving Taiia.

"Shh, Don't." Allyson would interject.

"I know, I'm staring. And I'm going to keep staring because I've seen you in armor, I've seen you covered in dust after a fight…"

She'd lean closer, her lips gently pressing a kiss on the woman's cheek.

"I've seen you first thing in the morning…" Allyson continued to smile.

"And somehow," she mused, "...you keep finding new ways to steal what's left of my composure."

 

[Taiia Mataan]

//: Allyson Locke //:
Attire: [X]​

Taiia accepted the champagne with a smile that lingered just a little longer than normal. She had noticed every stolen glance from the moment she stepped into the ballroom, the way Allyson's thoughts had simply ground to a halt the instant she turned around, the blush that had unexpectedly found its way to the Corellian's cheeks, and even through their bond, that brief moment where everything else in the room had quietly ceased to exist. It drew an almost imperceptible smile from her as she glanced briefly down at the gown before looking back up at her wife. "I was beginning to wonder whether I had been overly ambitious." A quiet laugh escaped her. "I spent rather a long time deciding whether I ought to wear it." Her eyes lingered on Allyson's face for another moment, warmth settling comfortably into her expression. "I believe it accomplished exactly what I had hoped."

Her hand rose almost absentmindedly to straighten the tie Allyson had never quite finished adjusting. It scarcely needed the attention, but that had never really been the point. Her fingertips lingered lightly against the front of the jacket before settling there for just a heartbeat. "You are blushing." There was the faintest trace of amusement in her voice, her smile growing ever so slightly as green eyes met Allyson's once more. "I cannot remember the last time I managed to surprise you. Have I ever?" A soft laugh escaped her. "I confess... it is rather satisfying."

As Allyson's arm settled around her waist, Taiia leaned naturally into her, the movement coming as naturally as ever. Her free hand smoothed an imaginary wrinkle from Allyson's lapel before resting lightly against her chest. "I thought you might enjoy the dress. I suspected you would stare." The corner of her mouth lifted just a little further. "I did not expect to leave one of the galaxy's most accomplished spies entirely speechless." She let the words linger for a moment before lifting the champagne to her lips, taking a small sip without ever quite looking away from Allyson. "I find I rather like this version of you."

Her fingers slipped naturally into Allyson's free hand as the orchestra drifted into the opening notes of another waltz. Taiia glanced briefly toward the dance floor before looking back at her wife, a familiar warmth settling into her smile. "Come." The invitation was gentle. "I know I can't keep you at bay for long." A faint sparkle of mischief found its way into her eyes. "Indulge me for a dance or two," she leaned forward before whispering into the Corellian's ear. "Then we can make an early exit." The words were barely above a whisper, meant for her alone.

​

 

[Lily Decoria]

​

Outfit: Echani Dress
Tag: Caelan Mataan

Lily giggled softly and shook her head, "very disappointing that you didn't see that one coming, I thought it was going to be too obvious." There was a soft tease to her voice as she turned on the dance floor and faced Caelan. "Hmmm... Well, plenty of Echani on Eshan for a Mandalorian like yourself to easily meet and spar with to get an idea." Lily's lips smirked as she enjoyed being a little flirtatious and teasing once again. It had been a while since Lily could do that.

"I never allow the bar to be set low, especially if someone wants to entertain my time more than just a single chance encounter." She took Caelan's hands and guided them to her hips, seeing that he was offering her the chance to lead. "And I get the sense that you don't want this to just be the only time we meet." Lily mentioned as she draped her arms around his neck. There was a warmth in her silver eyes as she slowly moved in step, letting Caelan a chance to follow and match her pace.

"Tell me more about yourself, Caelan." Lily asked, curious to know more about the man who approached her and was willing to dance with her. Her heels clicked softly on the surface as Lily demonstrated the grace and skill that she had as someone with ballet experience as well as experience in other dance forms.

 

[Kat Decoria]

​

Outfit: Dress Shirt and Slacks
Tag: Vaux Gred

Kat chuckled deeply and nodded her head, "both, nice. I pilot a bit myself, developed some ships and ship engines as well. Mechanic." Kat stated, it was a past that was something that she hadn't thought about in a long time but she always enjoyed that part of her life. "Nowadays, I tend to be doing more mercenary and occasional field medic work. If the pay is good."

Hearing that Vaux wanted a strong drink, Kat smiled. "Good choice, sounds like some more whisky for us both." As Kat gestured the server previously she talked to, she spotted Allyson and her stomach dropped. Of course the Shadow would be here. And even more, of course, she was looking amazing. Kat composed herself since she knew couldn't just walk over there. Allyson was not seeking attention from anyone else.

However, a mischievous thought crossed her mind. Whispering in to the ear of the server, he blinked wondering if she was truly serious which was met with Kat's firm nod.

Once he left, she turned her attention back to Vaux, "sorry. I spotted a friend and wished to send her a gift. Tell me, what is your favourite type of ship to pilot? I've always been a starfighter type myself."

A server arrived to Kat and Vaux with two glasses, "this should be a good strong drink for you." Kat mentioned to Vaux.

The server that Kat had whispered to arrived next to Allyson and Taiia, there was a slight hesitation in his voice before he coughed. "Excuse me ma'am, but I was requested to deliver this drink to you with a message from the Echani lady over there," gesturing over to Kat. "She wishes you a fine evening and wanted me to inform you that you look as delicious as this glass of whisky. Believing it should be more than satisfactory for your rules on Corellian whisky."

He offered Allyson the neat whisky on a plate for her to take.