The Noble Dance

[Orion Darkstar]

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Faith. ​

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It was the downfall and rise to many worlds. In fact, without it; the force wouldn't exist. Well, at least to those who walked the dignified path of divinity. Each and every person had their own beliefs. It's what separated many species through the galaxy to begin with. Religion was a way of life on Entralla. So much so, that they had multiple places of worship throughout the enormous city. Every individual church or sanctimonious areas were carefully built. Almost all the faithful buildings were aged in the industrial advanced city. Of course, like all peculiar things there was a reason behind it. ​

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The historic district facilitated the city with a rich and thick study of lore. The amount of information logged into the database of the historic district, stretched back to its origins. Although, in light of the random aged buildings throughout the Overhang, creative artists and sculptors built them. It reminded the people on Entralla, the strength of hope and faith. It was a sincere concept, but most didn't realize that the only true divine power was the darkside. ​

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A solid week of consistent training had forced the sound of crackling sabers to invade his mind. Orion had been zoning out every so often, careful to remember the scarlet killer's teachings. The patterns flowed through his calculating mind. A slight grin reached his face. The mirror that displayed his features, showed his delicate, soft white face. His long black hair was slicked back nicely and the formal suit added a touch of handsome. He could hear the teasing hums of his new master's lunges and slashes. It excited him, because now; he could use them for real. Orion snapped back into reality, wiping away the distractions of his mind. He straightened his suit jacket and slowly brushed tiny balls of lint from the sleeves. ​

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"There we go...Perfect." Orion said, talking to himself in the mirror. "Would you like a dance? M'lady?" Again, Orion acted for the mirror, pretending to get into character for the event. ​

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Most men, didn't like to dress in a nicely tailored suit. Orion wasn't most men, in fact, just being able to get out of Darth Avacyn's chambers was good enough for him. Going on a mission though, so soon, made him giddy with anticipation. He rarely acted like a child, some even considered him an old spirit and wise. But something about getting dressed to kill, really got him going. He didn't know all the details. All Orion knew was that Darth Avacyn wanted him fitted and ready. He glanced at the time. He took a deep breath and let out a sigh. ​

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Orion stepped down from the mirror stand and patted down his belongings. The two most important things were needed before he stepped out to meet with his master. Two shiny silver hilts slipped out from his usual attire. Looking down at his nicely pressed pants, he let out a light chuckle. Checking his jacket, he found a tiny compartment that would only fit one. It would have to do. One thought crossed his mind as he turned the knob on the dressing room. ​

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I wonder where we are going? ​

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[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

There came a time in the process of training an apprentice where the time was right to put what had been taught into practice. Although it had only been a week of combat training, it was the previous experience the apprentice possessed that had brought Orion to this point. Krest had taught him well in many things already, there had been no need to undo what he had done and begin from scratch. What they were going to do this time, however, would require a much more subtle touch than the training he had gone through previously. There was no doubt in Darth Avacyn's mind that he was capable of subtlety, but what mattered was that he could do so in the completion of the objective of tonight. That was what remained to be seen.

In her own dressing room, the woman had taken her time to dress for the occassion just like her apprentice had. A hairdresser had done his work in bringing her red locks into a knot, her visage had been touched up with makeup and lastly she had gotten her hands on a classy yet maneuverable black dress and a matching pair of heels, allowing her to fit in perfectly with the crowd they would join very soon. Underneath the dress however, her pair of twin lightsabers rested at her thighs, as hidden as her deadly intentions. After admiring the effort that was made in the mirror she turned to a pair of boxes that rested on a table, making her way to it and picking them up. Afterwards she walked over to the door and opened it, revealing herself to the room where only one other person was found.

"I see you are looking quite comfortable in a more sophisticated outfit. That will make things much easier." The woman flashed him a grin and approached him, offering him one of the boxes she had taken with her. "This is for you. You will not be able to enter the venue without it, I'm afraid." She would wait until he had opened it before doing so herself, taking out a mask and settling it onto her face. "We will be attending a masquerade tonight, hosted by the lovely Lady Valen. A fundraiser for the war veterans of the Sith Empire. A noble goal, wouldn't you agree?" With a signal to follow her, Avacyn started walking towards the door that would lead outside and to their transport to the Valen estate.

"Unfortunately, some people, myself included, believe that is not where the credits shall be going towards. The Saaraishash have recently discovered she has secretly been funding the war efforts of the League of Voss, which brings us to tonight." The clicking of her heels against the floor stopped in front of the door and the woman turned towards Orion. "Unfortunately, this was done in a way that would raise many question marks if Lady Valen was publicly prosecuted. That means it has become a job for the Assassins." She then stepped outside into the evening breeze, the speeder already waiting for them. "Tonight, we are the business associates with a pretty credit to spend," she explained as she patted the handbag that was flung over her shoulder, "and that will be our way in. Our objective is to identify Lady Valen and make sure she does not leave the party alive. Specifically, I want you to be the one to do the latter."

[member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

Orion stepped out into the dimly lit storefront. The slow beat to some old instrumental performance started playing overhead. While the music was gratifying to his ears, his eyes were stuck on the bombshell that stood in front of him. The perfectly designed red knot that flowed to the top of his master's head revealed her natural beauty. It was odd an odd to be attracted to his own master, especially after how brutal her training tactics were. Then again, Darth Avacyn's dress hugged her perfectly, all the way to the very last hemming at the bottom. Its black design fit her well, but as Orion glanced up again at her face, he couldn't help but stare. His emerald irises were caught in her own lavishly dense forest of the same color.​

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Darth Avacyn's voice broke him free as she continued on about a gift. It was vital to getting into the Valen Estate, if at all. A square shaped box was placed in his hands. He examined it, a brow arching upwards. His attention shifted to his master, a mask accompanying her face. It turned out Lady Valen was having a masquerade ball. Fitting for someone so rich and upper class. It seemed money made her delusional. Crossing the wrong bridges against the Sith Empire's blessing would be her downfall. Following behind, he considered the words of his master. She wanted him to kill her, not identify her. It would be his full responsibility to make sure the serpent's head was cut off. He felt the weight of darkside anchor on his shoulders, at least that's what it felt like. Ignoring it, he stepped out into the open and nodded to Darth Avacyn. ​

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"Got it, Business Associates." Orion had forgotten about the box in his hands as he walked. Opening it, Orion observed the crisp edged of a swede black mask. It would fit well around his eyes. He grabbed it by the creased bubble, a design crafted for breathing through the nose. He tossed the box onto the sidewalk and took the small twine and placed it onto his face. He hurried past his counter part and grinned as he reached the door to the speeder. He propped it open for her and extended his arm. "Your chariot awaits..Mi'lady." Orion said, a streaking smile forming on his face. ​

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The sun began to set and those that believed in anything, only had two gods to fear...​

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[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Although Avacyn's keen eye quite easily picked up on the fact that Orion wasn't all too far off from downright gawking at her, the knowledge was not aired back to him. Despite that, she found it quite amusing. She was quite confident that it wouldn't be taken any further than that, there was no doubt he knew better. In previous meetings her hands were always concealed underneath the gloves that accompanied her armor, but them out in the open now it was difficult to miss the ring that wrapped around her finger. Letting even the smallest bits and pieces of her personal life out in the open for other Sith to pick up on was something she was very careful about, the short time she had taken Orion under her wing had already shown her that him finding out she was a married woman would not pose any real risk and seeing she saw no reason to make him target her in any way through her actions. None of it would be of any benefit, after all.

Once outside, Acacyn would be left amused once more as her apprentice rushed past her to open the speeder door open for her. This time a light chuckle was exerted and carefully she would step inside. "If I were you, I'd save the chivalry for the event," she responded with a grin before moving to the other side of the speeder to make room for her 'business associate' to join her. "Let's not keep miss Valen waiting, shall we?"

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The speeder would come to a halt in front of the gate that on a regular night guarded the estate from the outside world, but now was open and welcomed in the guests that would be attenting the event its owner hosted. A valet hurried over to open the door and repeated Orion's previous gesture towards Avacyn, this time inviting both to join the people that had already arrived. As the woman gracefully stepped out she gave him a nod but was quick to move on after her apprentice had made it out of the speeder as well, wasting little time making her approach to towards where the masquerade was taking place.

After arriving at the entrance a simple mentioning of the name Akacia, an alias crafted specifically to ensure no traces could be led to either them or the Empire once it was all said and done, was enough for the two to be let in. Now, it was time to set things in motion and the first step was to connect the masked face of lady Valen to her name. "As I explained, how this will be done comes down to your judgment. Good luck," she said just quietly enough to only be able to be picked up by Orion as they approached the mass of people.

[member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

The speeder began to slow, the view of large trees and well trimmed bushes overtaking the scenery. Moments later, a thin pattern of black bars cascaded further below. Where they ended was lost as the speeder came to a complete stop. The same black steel presented it self in the image of a magnificent gate. The perimeter was well contained, a normal precaution for rich figure heads in the galaxy. Although, this time, at least by design to the whole mission, the gate was ajar. A flood of guests followed along and entered the sacred land of the Valen estate. Orion couldn't believe people lived in such conditions. A waste of credits, at least to him. He didn't know it, but in time he would come to enjoy these opportunities. It wasn't everyday you were allowed into an event with billionaires. ​

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The steward approached and helped Avacyn out. Following, Orion stepped off and onto the ground. The dimly lit pathway that led up to the estate itself was dark. If not for the tiny lanterns casting light along the black pavement, no one would have been able to find their way through. He scanned the inner area of the entrance to the gate, the count was already ten. His mind had already started to plot. The gears cranked left and right as the circuits of his mind began to fire off outcomes. He was truly a chess master. He could see the integrate designs on the Valen Estate gate doors. Something many would have missed, given it's tiny size and peculiar symbol, a letter 'V' with a crescent moon crossing through it in the background. Orion took a mental note of it and was thrown back into reality by the familiar voice of his master. ​

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"As I explained, how this will be done comes down to your judgment. Good luck,"​

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"I wouldn't have it any other way." Orion replied, his attire showing a sharp and fitted figure. The only thing that really hid his young complexion was the black mask. As he walked closer to the gate a young women in a full black dress handed him a pamphlet. It was a program letter. Looking down at it he began to examine all the times for auctions and exhibits. He grinned, he already saw an opening time wise, whether that would coincide with him making his move was yet to be decided. He took one more step and thought about the whole concept of masquerade balls. It gave others a chance to be someone they weren't or better, hid who they really were. On a different spectrum, it allowed one of the most ironic things to happen. It helped those truly lost, to find themselves. It was quite fascinating, luckily, getting into character was necessary...the party demanded it of him. ​

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So with a smooth tuck of his arm he placed it around his masters. The motion wasn't meant to make her uncomfortable, instead with one sentence the mission had begun. He closed the pamphlet and looked to Avacyn. ​

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"Akacia, we should hurry, the exhibits start next. Our donations will mean the world to Sir Gregor." Orion said, an odd accent hanging in the air as he finished. ​

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He was no longer Orion, but a young entrepreneur by the name of Mister Castle. ​

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[member="Kaalia Pavanos"] ​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Avacyn had to admit that it was quite impressive of Orion to so quickly and effortlessly pair the physical mask with one that held an entirely different persona. His entire demeanor seemed different now but he was not the only one who had a change of attitude, for the woman herself somehow didn't eye quite the same as before. It was difficult to place what it was exactly, but perhaps that made it even better of a crafted persona. As the years had gone on she had learned to take one part of who she was and expand it to the point where it was almost dramaticized, a method that had served her very well in the past. The best lies were based in truth, after all.

Orion's arm wrapped itself around hers smoothly and Avacyn, or perhaps Akacia Penning, reacted with a smile and a small nod being sent the way of her 'business partner'. Perhaps a long time ago she would've felt uncomfortable, but much had changed since then. Someone who was once insecure and struggling with her own feelings had become someone nearly unrecognizable. The person she was now was a confident one, who knew who she was through and through. So, now that she was someone else, none of the insecurities that once plagued her were there to taint the façade.

"Of course. We have been given quite the budget for tonight, after all. Who knew he had a heart for charity?" The remark was followed by a modest laugh befitting of the thick accent she had put up. Growing up she was never on one planet for very long, which had resulted in her normally speaking with an unconventional mix of many different accents. A fortunate side effect of that, however, was that adapting her speech to the setting was almost second nature to her.

"In any case, lead the way. I am intrigued to see what exhibits they have brought in this year." The operation was still for Orion to plan out, and as such Avacyn would simply follow suit. She was there to provide a second pair of hands, eyes, and ears, but when it came to what moves to make it was in the hands of her apprentice. He was to learn from the experience after all, and the redhead was not one to hold someone's hand through a process. If disaster struck she would make sure the both of them got out clean, but that was as far as she was going to go in terms of taking the lead.

[member="Orion Darkstar"]