Junction Sun & Starlight [ME][TSO][THR] | [Empty Hex][TBD][Iphigin]

[Kasir Dorran]

Cali Ziiva
Objective: Dancing maybe? Hoping for snacks. Prepared for violence.
​

Something instinctive bristled at the nickname, even if he still couldn’t articulate why. “Kasir,” came the correction. His tone was low enough the music probably swallowed it whole. Then again, raising his voice had never been necessary in his line of work.

Fingers closed around the chilled glass like another serrated ceremonial dagger. The examination of it was precise. One suspicious sniff brought summer.. syrupiness? Whatever it may be, this was also too bright, too foreign. The smallest sip imaginable followed, lips barely brushing the rim. “It’s.. kind of sweet.” Words floated on the breeze. Brows furrowed anyway; sweetness meant different pastries, things he actually understood. Perhaps his palate was calibrated solely from bitter dark chocolate and dry rations.

Either way, the cup remained in hand. Maybe that was one of the secrets of blending in when out in the open like this. Holding a drink. Pretending he belonged here, like camouflage in a way.

Memory dredged up their first encounter. It hadn’t really been that long since the Sith decided to jump the Black Wall again into Republic space. “I wasn’t trying to shake chocolate out of you, I just.." Another slow blink. "You hid things in your hair before. Or I thought you did. When you were smuggling things on New Cov. Most systems consider that illegal."

The winter chill of fingers twitched when her hand reached for his. Something nudged his spine. He didn’t pull away, but he didn’t know how to resist at first. One finger, then another slipped, until his palm fell back into the air.

Questions were processed like a tactical assault. The Sangnir began to calculate the spatial awareness required for the dance floor before sighing. "Enjoying isn’t the word I’d use, but I’m managing." He looked out at a crowd swaying erratically, his gaze lost. Most could probably even appreciate the golden horizon. "I’ve survived far worse environments than this. So far."

The concept of idle chatter hadn't so much as grazed the Sangnir's consciousness. "Zero. Why should I generate data where none is required?" Then the final strike. "My instincts don’t translate into music. If I dance, someone will get hurt." Not that he’d ever been opposed to violence.

"So," barely a breath. "What did you want to do next?"

Clearing his throat, dark orbs darted down to her feet, then tentatively back up to her bright gaze. "Are you.. were you intending for me to join you? In the dancing?" The thought sounded more perilous than a room full of armed mercenaries. "If it involves chocolate afterwards, I suppose I wouldn't object. That would make it highly logical."

 

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace | Cross Guard Broadsaber

It was the third time he had been on a tropical beach. But a first time he had witnessed black sands. It was quite different for him and the volcanic elements within the granular minerals seemed to speak to him. They were all standing upon the ground that had been destroyed and rebuilt over and over several times over the course of years.

But, it was not the only destructive force that would grace the presence of this beach.

Varin had his arm hooked with Seren’s as they walked the beach. The waves quietly crashed along the shoreline, various carrion called to one another as they waited for some poor soul to leave their food lying about.

Though they did not walk alone on this small trek to the party ahead. Joining with them were his battle brother, Lysander and the Empress of the Core herself, Mercy. The mountainous woman towered over the three of them practically blotting out the sun.

Varin was still not used to walking on shifting sands beneath his feet and the exposure of his legs just felt…wrong to him. He never liked shorts, but it would have been weird if he decided to wear his armor to a beach gathering.

He learned his lesson of wearing armor in sandy places like Korriban. It was…not optimal to put nicely.

Varin’s gaze pointed towards the mass gathering along the beach. Lounges, swimmers, small bars littered about the beach, familiar faces and unfamiliar faces alike all socializing in their own way.

Probably the most uncomfortable thing about the event for him was the fact he left his weapons. He always had them with him, and without his saber or his blade, he felt…further exposed. But he buried that feeling deep and remained focused on the upcoming events of the day and night.

The waves slowly ran up the sands, covering his feet with the oceanic chill of its natural temperature, the hissing of the waves grew once it came in contact with his flesh and a slight sigh left him when he realised it.

“Beaches tend to just not like me I see.”

He spoke more to himself than anyone else before a quiet chuckle left him. Oddly enough, he seemed more…upbeat for the day. Why, Mercy may have even seen him smile at one point before getting to the event.

Truth was, though he sometimes seemed to dislike the beach, he actually liked it. A lot.

Seren Gwyn | Mercy | Lysander von Ascania​

 

[Seren Gwyn]

The beach was beautiful; Seren would admit that much without hesitation. The black sands glittered beneath the morning sun, each grain catching the golden light pouring across the shoreline until the entire coast seemed suspended somewhere between volcanic ruin and paradise. The contrast was striking, dark earth born from destruction meeting impossibly bright waters that stretched toward the horizon. Perhaps that was why she liked it; there was a certain honesty in landscapes that survived catastrophe.

Her arm remained comfortably linked through Varin's as they made their way along the shore, the rhythmic crash of the waves accompanying the distant music drifting from the gathering crowd. She could feel the subtle shifts of the sand beneath her bare feet and the unfamiliar warmth of the sun against her skin, a sensation she had spent enough years without to appreciate properly.

Unlike many of the guests, Seren had not dressed to attract attention. She never really knew how. Instead, she wore a flowing, sleeveless dress of deep sea-green that gradually faded to lighter shades near the hem, the fabric light enough to catch the ocean breeze while retaining an understated elegance. The open back revealed sun-kissed skin rarely visible beneath her usual heavy robes, while silver embroidery traced subtle patterns along the neckline and waist, reminiscent of curling waves and climbing vines. Her dark hair had been left mostly loose for once, with only a small portion gathered and pinned at the back by a simple silver clasp shaped like intertwined leaves. It allowed the rest to fall freely over her shoulders, the sea wind occasionally scattering stray strands across her face.

The overall effect was softer than the imposing image many associated with her.

It was less Sith and more simply Seren.

The atmosphere around them felt unusually light, elevated by the music, the setting, and the remarkably rare sight of Varin smiling. That alone felt noteworthy enough to warrant documentation. Her glowing amber eyes shifted toward him as another wave rushed up the shore, hissing against his feet before retreating back into the sea.

The reaction earned her a faint smile.

"I believe the beach is attempting to make your acquaintance," she observed, amusement threading gently through her voice. "Though judging by the steam, the relationship may be off to a complicated start."

As her smile lingered, her gaze drifted across the expanding party, taking in the easy laughter carried on the wind.

For once, there were no missions, no crises, and no looming disasters demanding their immediate attention.

There was just a beach, good friends, and a day she fully intended to enjoy, for however long the galaxy allowed such moments to last.

Varin Mortifer Lysander von Ascania Mercy

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Seris Mataan //: CT-312 //:
//: Attire //:

A vacation was something she desperately needed. To be away from the eyes of the High Republic Senate and their Jedi was a reprieve the Queen needed. Things had been turbulent, more so than she had wanted. In her mind she was just a visiting sovereign interested in the way the Republic functioned. Instead she was met with animosity and fast talking politicians. But at least for the most part it was behind her.

She had decided to not return home right away. Instead, she chose to make her way towards the Commonwealth — a place where she was able to indulge and relax. Here no one judged her for anything, no one followed her or tried to pin something on her. Here she was just able to be Quinn, the the Sith Princess, the Queen of Eshan — whatever she wanted.

Carefully she had laid out her towel, the umbrella tilted just enough so she could get some sun while avoiding any burning. CT-312 was close, despite being in Sith territory, the Commonwealth functioned on their own set of standards and rules. The last thing she needed was someone here wanting to drag her into the streets and call her a monster.

312, made her feel safe. She was enough.

Quinn leaned back on the small rest she had propped up, her legs long and her shoulders and arms exposed to the elements. A pair of dark sunglasses lingered on her nose as she read the pages of her favorite Lady Velvet novel. There was a time that she wondered if she could have a romance like the one in the book. A dangerous romance between a Jedi and a Sith, unfortunately, she found herself with something a little more one sided.

Her heart ached thinking about it, but she was doing her best to follow her mother’s advice. Guard her heart, and give it to someone that was worth it. Frowning, she didn’t fully understand the concept, but she was going to try.

At least the novels were substantial enough.

She heard her name in the distance, through the familiar pings of others that were connected to her. She hoped that they would reach out to her unlike the last time.

Eyes glanced up from the pages, after hearing her name. Looking up, over the top of the book she raised her brows over the sunglasses. “Oh?” She closed the book with a small smile as she let her eyes respectfully look at the copper haired Mandalorian. She felt a lump in her throat tighten, as she tried to swallow. Quinn let Seris talk as she let the moment pass her and when she found her voice she laughed.

“Brothers?” She echoed as she was thankful the sun made her skin flush with the heat.

“I’m unsure if it works on brothers, I only had sisters growing up.” Quinn stood carefully as she adjusted the swimsuit and pushed her sunglasses up the bridge of her small nose.

“I’m happy you came, I didn’t know if you were going to be able to with how far it was from home.” A smile as she stepped forward and hesitated wanting to lean in for a hug, but the young Queen was unsure if it was appropriate or if Seris wanted it. Either way, she smiled and offered a bit of the towel to sit.

 

[Aether Verd]

Wearing:
Armor - Darksaber - Mask of Mandalore
Beach Bum Attire
.​

BEACHFRONT, GILARIA

Officially, everything was per the usual.

If the prying eyes of the Galaxy dared to settle on Mandalore, the Sole Ruler would be widely visible on the capital. Within his Court of Iron, he would be attending meetings with the Clan Alors, organizing the Great Heathen Army, and overall preparing his people for the next conquest. There would be confirmed sightings of him. Numerous souls would be able to report that they personally rubbed elbows with him. Everything was, quite literally, as it should be.

Of course, that was the official story. Unofficially?

Mand'alor the Iron's beskar'gam was indeed being paraded about Sundari conducting business as usual. The meetings occurred without a hitch. His will was made manifest across his Empire. Yet the one in the driving seat was not Aether personally - but rather his sibling. The Mand'alor's will had been provided to him directly in advance, freeing Aether to make good on something that he desired. For this one day, he would follow the roar of his thundering heart. And where it led was somewhere...sandy.

The conversation leading up to now had been...nerve-wracking...

Aether didn't just decide to pop over to the other end of the Galaxy on a whim, mind. There was indeed a method to his madness. More specifically, there was a woman whose presence in his life was something he...wanted. As time moved ever forward, the seldom moments of tea breaks between great battles, or aiding their people together...they were beautiful, but he wanted more. It had taken months for him to come to terms with it. Even longer for him to put words to how and what he was feeling. Thus, he approached the Healer wearing his heart upon his sleeve.

He had never asked anyone on a date before. The word hadn't been part of his vocabulary until now. Yet he asked for her presence all the same. This wasn't to be like the time they spent together on Zeltros, as friends. Aether laid it clear, albeit nervously, that he was...very interested in her. And that this request? It wasn't coming from the throne of Mandalore. It was coming from the man she met in the caverns whilst taming a storm. It was coming from the man who defiled tea with copious amounts of sugar and honey.

Aether did not receive an answer right away...nor at all to be honest. The shock that claimed Persephone's face was so much that he cleared his throat and quietly excused himself. But, before leaving, he said simply that if she came, she would be with him - strictly off the clock. And he had a plan in mind to prove how serious he was about that fact. Thus, when the day arrived, the Mand'alor truly felt...naked. He sat upon the shining beach of a distant world, a small walk's distance away from the ongoing festivities.

He could hear the DJ's set faintly in the distance, rumbling apace with the soothing noise of the ocean. Aether almost couldn't hear either over the nerves which were running rampant. For one, he was metaphorically twiddling his thumbs, hoping that the platnium-haired woman decided to join him on the beach. For another...he had literally left his beskar'gam on Mandalore. True to the occasion, he wore a pair of teal swim trunks and nothing else. To say that he felt exposed without his armor was the understatement of the century.

Nonetheless, he was here.

Nonetheless, for her, he would wait.

Persephone Halcyon