Dominion This, I Vow || EE Dominion of Cattamascar

[Kalic Daws]

Loreena Arenais-Valhoun Curtis Learchin LE-03 (Leigh) Kyle Ajahn

Kalic nodded to Leigh as he took the comm and slipped it into his ear, slowly setting it while making it look like he was rubbing his ear. He nodded to her though, looking at the "Rodian."

"Don't worry. It's understood." He then saw Lori, and smiled as she introduced Curtis. He quickly and carefully pulled the comm from his ear, and when to shake the woman's hand to pass it off. "Nice to see you again, ma'am, and to meet your date here. This is someone who helped us out a while back, though." Kalic was surprising good at this. Then again he'd had to sweet talk a Hutt or two out of some crazy situations before. He also nodded to Curtis, smiling a bit from under his hood. He could see the Force on the man, so this would be interesting.

"Kalic. Nice to meet ya."

 

[Taozi Fuyuan]

Objective: 1A
Tags: Vidalu Na'an
Attire: Dress Mask​

A smile curled Taozi's lips upwards beneath her mask as the woman in gold whispered to her.

"Of course. You can have whoever needs to contact me whenever they wish. Be sure to tell them that if they need medical assistance... Well, neutral space would be easiest for that, if they can."

As the song ended, and couples parted, Taozi pulled away from the woman in gold and bowed.

"It's been a pleasure, but I fear my vode are likely having a panic over me with all the Sith running about. Have a wonderful rest of your evening."

Now, all Taozi had to do was wait for whoever was in charge of this rebellion against the Empire, and figure out the best course of action. She walked through the crowd, and back to the two Tal members she came here with.

 

[Eliana Shan]

Objective 1A


There was a lot to process here.

The guests, of course, were many. This wasn't something she hadn't expected; she'd known, somewhat, what she was getting into. While most of their presences were calm, or at least manageable - wedding festivities were rather exciting, after all - there were a few that reeked of bad news. Elly had prepared for some of this, of course, but still.. from the moment Darth Prazutis made himself known, she had felt largely uncomfortable.

It wasn't the overbearing size of the man, though that certainly played into the intimidating factor he obviously had on those around him. It was his presence, the reek of death, the screams of a thousand victims that emanated from his being. The weight of it whisked around her as he entered the room, pulling her attention towards the masked behemoth in a sickly fascinated awe. As he strode forward, part of her admired the way the crowd parted before him, the brutal efficiency with which he dispatched or dispersed those in his way; but against this onslaught of her senses, the objective part of her mind had no say in her presence right now. Darkness pushed at and surrounded her, and her breath caught in her throat as she tried to adjust.

Control.

Elly needed to handle this. She needed to be able to, or else this would've been a mistake to come here, a mistake to reach out, and she wasn't ready to admit defeat so easily. Her hand went to her necklace, slender fingers wrapping around the crystal protectively, letting its center radiate into her.

Prazutis made for an intimidating figure, yes, but she was not going to allow that to break her. She took a breath slowly and held it, centering herself before letting it out and expanding her focus to the rest of the room. The deadly behemoth was moving with purpose, toward-..

Vyra.

There was no mistaking the figure that Prazutis soon dwarfed, dressed in a macabre-yet-fascinating wedding dress, staring up at him unmovingly.

Vyra. Seriously.

It didn't surprise her in the least that the dignitary could withstand - and match - such a presence. She'd always been so stubborn, so resolute.. it was something Elly had always admired about the woman. A wry smile alit her face at the irony of seeing her old friend in the same glance as such a deathly figure. The smile faded slightly, however, as she realized that this also meant a delay in their eventual yet inevitable encounter. And.. something seemed off. There was worry in those elegantly defined features. At this distance, Elly couldn't tell much more, and she certainly wasn't going to approach Vyra Silara while in present company.. So, she supposed, she could wait. Keeping her eye on the larger man, she slowly backed away, making her way toward the only other constant in the room: the drink table.

There wasn't much of an issue finding it. After all, a reception as lavish as this was bound to make itself fairly intuitive to navigate. Still keeping an eye on her main objective - and her main problem - she sidled up toward one of the other wallflowers, a lone figure in a suit and half-mask, and reached for a wine glass of her own.

"Some reception, huh?" she said idly, playing the part of a conversation-maker as she observed the ebb and flow of the crowd. Surely there would be an opportunity to make her way through it again at some point, but for now it seemed fitting to mingle until things settled.

As she raised the glass to her lips, Elly finally took a moment to glance over the person she had spoken to, trying to...

....Wait...

Why did they seem familiar?

....

Inside, wheels began to turn rapidly, as she once again reached for her necklace, the small sip of wine a scant cover for her expression..

========

Attn: Vyra Silara | Adelle Bastiel

 

[Kyle Ajahn]

​

Objective 1A: The Reception
Wearing: This | Mask: None
ATTN: Loreena Arenais-Valhoun | Vyra Silara | Darth Tacitus | Darth Prazutis | Mythos | Vidalu Na'an | Adelle Bastiel | OPEN

Pain.

Pain was a constant.

A constant that had become apparent in his mind as he passed from world to world within the Unknown Regions to reach his destination. Pain that could be seen on the faces of the oppressed even under their smiles of gratitude towards their so-called Emperor. For even if he could not see it he could sense it deep beneath the surface as the Force provided what was needed to combat a callous corruption.

Even as he danced between the variety of individuals in the crowd, each step taking him too and from people with varying views on the Empire, he was hard pressed to draw his attention away from her. From her and the question that burned itself fiercely into his mind: Why had she come here to this desolate and vicious part of space?

But, as his thoughts pored over the others that had attended this very same event with him, tearing his attention away from her was the necessary pain he would have to suffer to provide the service he'd pledged. Even within his scarred, hardened and pained exterior there was a light that burned within him with the desire to do right in a galaxy turned so sourly to evil.

Perhaps had his family not been lost, his wife disappeared and so many of his friends not abandoned him he might have taken a different course. Such possibilities were dust in the solar winds, however, and the hopes attached to them trivialities he would have to cast aside. For something else had begun to snare his attention as his presence lingered at the reception.

Something he had not sensed since he had last seen Vyra on their shared home planet of Naboo so many years ago. If one of them were here, that presented a far different angle to this game he'd begun to play.

Tearing his eyes away from her, casting them to the floor before drawing them up to the faces around him, Kyle was quick to erase his visible presence upon the spot which she'd likely have seen him. Where any would likely have seen him with eyes that he dared not ensnare for too long. With quick steps, the cleverly woven energies of the Force and a trace of a scent only the Force could grant he made his plunged into the crowd.

He could sense it, even at it's faintest, in a manner which he'd felt it before so long ago. Pressed precariously away from immediate focus but still graspable with the most keen of focus. The challenge that presented itself was identifying it between the variety of individuals that it could have belonged to. He had not seen them in over a decade, least of all a select few he had chosen to inventively forget.

This one, however, was not one he had forgotten. Rather, it was one that had become buried in his subconscious that represented a part of him that he'd tucked away for it's own safety. One that he dared not expose in the presence of such darkness and corruption, but that he could probe for information in his pursuit of such a curious enigma.

Following it like a Vornskr followed the signature of it's prey, weaving through the crowd with an almost graceful ease, he felt the presence grow stronger. A dark presence here, a light one there and a mass of confusion that represented those who had not quite made their decision all passed by him as he searched.

It was upon noticing a curious pair dancing together that he stopped and half-fixed his gaze. The sight was curious, one taller than the other by at least a half a foot while the shorter of the two lead the dance in what would have been considered a distracting display on the part of the individual. Or so that was the perspective of a mind not accustomed to dance nor welcome to the idea of ready judgement.

It was then, and only then, as his eyes fell on the shorter woman, and a select few distinguishing features he could make out, that he began to make the connection.

Her presence was obscured from that which he was familiar, and her features were aged and worn similar to his own from the years that had passed but he could not mistake her from the rest of the people that crowded around them. Had she managed to find her way here on her own? Managed to bring herself to oppose the danger that he could sense growing here? Or was she a prisoner as well?

Rather than answering the questions himself, complicating his train of thought further than it had already become, he pressed past the one the partner who had begun to depart and approached his present center of focus.

"Na'an," he breathed in a tone almost akin to a hushed whisper as he brought himself close enough that it would appear he was proposing an initiation to another dance. "It has been far too long."

Did she remember him? Perhaps not. His approach had been graced with an introduction disguised as a happenstance pass between two very different party guests. Visibly she'd changed, her very presence felt different, but despite what became immediately apparent in form of a lost eye and the rugged disposition of a weathered, damaged soul, he knew her as though he were seeing her some many years younger.

"We cannot speak here."

 

[Vidalu Na'an]

Objective 1A: The Reception
Attire: Formal Wear, Mask, Hair
Tags: Taozi Fuyuan , Kyle Ajahn
​

Na'an nodded wordlessly, and let the rabbit trail away from her along with the song. The frequency they'd exchanged was simple, a string of letters and numbers she took a few seconds to memorize before the music struck up again. As she mouthed the code to herself, her good eye closed, something odd struck her. For whatever reason, this stranger--Mando, Doctor, pink rabbit in a den of wolves--had not even bothered to ask Na'an for her name.

Somehow, that made her sincerity seem more likely to be the real thing. An Imperial would have wanted to know the name under the mask that had caused them so much damage on Bakura, if only to give it up to the authorities. Right?

Na'an opened her eyes, realizing she could hear the twang of the hallikset starting up again. She should get herself clear of the dancefloor. If she didn't, it wouldn't be long before one of the nobles tried to accost her into another dance. She moved to sidle past a tall gentleman in a brown vest, keeping her eyes cast downward and readying an excuse in her mouth in case he was already drunk and confrontational. The ridiculously tall ones always seemed to be, when they saw a thing as small as her out on a dance floor alone. But the gentleman sidestepped easily along with her, as if they were already dancing, and then--

"Na'an," he breathed in a tone almost akin to a hushed whisper as he brought himself close enough that it would appear he was proposing an initiation to another dance. "It has been far too long."

Did she remember him? Perhaps not. His approach had been graced with an introduction disguised as a happenstance pass between two very different party guests. Visibly she'd changed, her very presence felt different, but despite what became immediately apparent in form of a lost eye and the rugged disposition of a weathered, damaged soul, he knew her as though he were seeing her some many years younger.

"We cannot speak here."

Na'an froze momentarily at the sound of her name. So few people on Kalidan ever bothered with her name, she wasn't convinced that most of them even knew it. The Emperor did, of course--the memory of their only real conversation sent a shiver down the length of her spine. And the Empress used it, when she bothered to speak to her. Who else would know her? Who else would say that it had been too long?

Baron Goetz? Viktor? She hadn't met the Baron since their time dragon-hunting, and he didn't seem the type to be so familiar as to want to speak to her again after that. If anything, she'd been rather crude: the impression she had left with him would probably have offended the Imperial's delicate sensibilities more than impressed them. Besides, this voice...it was far too warm for an Imperial.

So, no. No, this wasn't Viktor. Then, who?

She raised her eyes to his, taking him in detail by detail.

A sharp-lined face, with a downturned mouth that might have been handsome, once, if it weren't so dour. Dark hair, unrulier than was the fashion on Kalidan, cresting the edge of his collar in a tangle of curls. The lines of shallow scars around his left eye, etched into his right cheek, long since healed but never erased with bacta. Heavy, close-knit brows obscuring green eyes, watching her with the kind of intensity that only came with familiarity--eyes that were looking for something they were already sure was there.

"I'm sorry," she said, her head cocked to the side. Something about this moment prickled at the edge of her mind. "Do I know you?"

 

[Kyle Ajahn]

​

Objective 1A: The Reception
Wearing: This | Mask: None
ATTN: Loreena Arenais-Valhoun | Vyra Silara | Darth Tacitus | Darth Prazutis | Mythos | Vidalu Na'an | Adelle Bastiel | OPEN

Enigma.

There were thousands of words one could have chosen to describe her. A thousand and one he could have chosen to cast aside into the void that he felt were the farthest thing from exemplary for such an enigma.

Na'an. He remembered her as vividly as he remembered the day he'd met each member of that tight knit Family he'd met so many years ago. Each of them a piece of a collective whole fighting against the growing darkness that threatened to encroach the galaxy; yet each of them different in their own unique ways as to prevent them from overlapping one another and drowning them out with a sea of shining characteristics.

And yet it was Na'an who had always been an enigma. Fashioned into an aspiration of light that he had challenged himself to aspire to, but with a manner about her that presented an intimidation that kept him just at bay enough to admire her from afar. Perhaps it was the boyish man in him that continued to whirl his mind around those memories of her and the others who had seemingly vanished into the void of space.

Nevertheless he could not avoid such thoughts now, as he stood so close to her with nothing but the music and the air of the Imperial gala to keep them just mildly aloft of one another.

The years had been kind to neither of them, yet had allowed them the chance to cross paths once again after what felt like nearly a decade or more. What secrets hid behind those tired eyes? Hidden beneath the surface carefully enclosed around a presence in the Force he had sensed had become something of an impression upon the shadows rather than a standing beacon against them.

​

At first, in those small moments in which she'd attempted to dodge him, part of him almost hesitated. Her face, lost to the thoughts he could not read painted a mixture of the anger resting upon it and the cloudiness filling her mind. In the moment he'd reached out to step with her, holding her presence in tandem with his own to the flow of the music, he came to understand her discomfort through her thin lips drawn tight and gaze cast to the floor.

When she lifted her head up to meet his gaze, her head cocking to the side and almost adding an obvious perplexity to her already lean, narrow face, he felt himself deviate from the consistency of his thoughts. As if the very same thoughts of identity that were prickling at her mind had begun to prickle at his, her very energy casting itself into the confusion that he'd formulated about her.

Bringing one hand to hover just at the right of her waist, grazing delicately the dress she'd glittering gold dress she'd chosen to adorn herself with, he took her left hand in his own to give prolong the effect of dance he had sought to propose to the surrounding collective. Her hand brought about a strange accumulation of sensory amalgamations as his mind registered their calloused palms and slender digits; the scars upon her palm and thumb drawing curiosity as to what might have caused them.

It was as he began to guide her off the dance floor, carefully and with a mild haste, that he fully studied the expression on her face. Her large, good eye fixed upon him, it's silver-grey color reflecting the mind behind it while the other posed as a potential distraction to the indignant. If he had noticed her posture prior to approaching her, fixated as he was upon her presence before her physical matter, he would have noted that her face was painting a much different picture than any rigidness she was likely experiencing.

Rather he could see she was studying him, analyzing him or perhaps trying to remember him, the question that slipped through her lips bringing to life the theory.

"Perhaps," he breathed as he took to spin a bit and imitate the motions that others were taking before striding off the floor and towards what he assumed to be a less populated corner of the room. "Once. Long ago on Naboo with others I have not seen in as many years."

He dared not mention Dantooine, the world on which many of their histories were tethered and many of the scars were shared due to his father, and instead chose the safest bet he could attest.

"My name is Kyle Ajahn, the son of Jaren Ajahn," he continued, his voice choked with a pain he could not readily express in words as he hesitated in his recounted introduction. He remembered her, she was still the same woman he had been so strongly inspired by, yet even now he found himself incapable of making a proper sense of what he wished to say. "I was much younger then, but I've not forgotten your inspiration. You are still as much as I remember you."

As his voice trailed off, finally planted with her at a point in the room where he knew he'd likely not be seen to openly or heard, and he raised the hand that had been holding hers to touch the base of her gilded mask.

"Perhaps it may come as a bit forward, but I would like to see your face," his voice quieted more as he pushed up slightly on the mask barely a few inches edge back from her to give her a space between them. He then lifted the mask slowly and with a care to avoid abruptness, and raised it just enough to see every contour of her face as he remembered it without the golden gloss to mask it.

"You have endured as I have," he added with admiration and a hint of awe as he let it drop once more over her face. "As I should have expected you would."

 

[Vidalu Na'an]

Objective 1A: The Reception
Attire: Formal Wear, Mask, Hair
Tags: Kyle Ajahn​

She'd let this guy lead her off the dance floor, as mildly as a tamed animal. She'd followed him past the tables to the balcony outside without complaint. She'd let him speak his name into the relative quiet of the Cattamascar gardens--Kyle Ajahn, son of Jaren Ajahn--and claim that he'd known her from Naboo, without so much as a grimace. She'd even listened to him call her an inspiration.

But then he'd reached for her mask, and tipped it up to look at her face. He'd see the dark circles, know she wasn't sleeping, see her weakness. And worse-- he'd get a good hard look at the scars.

Na'an's hand reached up to snap the mask back into place, fast and sharp as a snake. She backed away from Kyle Ajahn, feeling the old heat creep up the back of her neck, and wished for a moment she hadn't left her eyepatch back in her quarters, mask or no, Vyra be damned.

"You're Family," she said. The f on her lips felt sharp enough to cut. "The name rings a bell. You're gorram Family, or something like it."

She could have run. She could have smacked him, played the offended wedding guest, and for once acted grateful when the Imperial guards ran him out or ran him through. But, crazily enough, Na'an was still calmer than she thought she would be. Maybe even Family couldn't touch her, in this strange mental space, not with a green dream still so fresh from the night before. And she'd promised Leigh she wouldn't cause trouble, no matter what. Instead, Na'an sucked in a deep breath, releasing it in a sigh as she forced herself to relax against the bannister.

"I should have known it wasn't done," she said quietly, watching the festival far below instead of looking at him. "It's never done. So. Ajahn. What awful errand brings you to Cattamascar?"

 

[Neferisa]

Objective: 1a
Post: 3

Neferisa allowed a sigh to be released from her maw. This ceremony was progressing slowly. As much as she enjoyed chances to leave her grand palace to see such sights and celebrate while throwing around her glory, Neferisa had her patience tested with all the waiting to this wedding. Her nailed fingers tapped against the top of the table she sat at.

"Fear? Fear can control the minds of the many. But upfront fear, this brings uprising. Subtle fear can keep them all in line. A strong grip leads to order. Too tight, and it will slip...I will keep a close eye here, to see how it goes. The possible future is exciting, isn't it?" Neferisa posed the question to her seated new talkative friend, with what seemed to be a smile across her lips. The dance had been quite a show, and she raised her brows to those that passed into the crowd. "Tell me...do you know who I am? You seem to know much of those around, yes?"

Krae

 

[Curtis Learchin]

Objective 2:
Suit
Significant Tags: Loreena Arenais-Valhoun / LE-03 (Leigh) / Kalic Daws / Kyle Ajahn / Will Westender
​

Curtis nodded politely to the Miraluka, knowing that the being was probably sensing his Dark Side leaning. However he wasn't worried, as far as he was concerned, they were on the same side. Or at least, they were on Lori's side.

"Important message?" He whispered to his date as he leaned closer to her, his hand brushing against her own. Looking round, he noticed that the Rodian seemed oddly... still. Almost as if it had been raised by humans instead of its biological parents. He shrugged off the suspicion, instead looking over the festivities with a queer smile.

​

 

[LE-03 (Leigh)]

Objective 2: House of Troubles
Tags: Loreena Arenais-Valhoun , Kalic Daws , Curtis Learchin , Will Westender
​

Kalic nodded to Leigh as he took the comm and slipped it into his ear, slowly setting it while making it look like he was rubbing his ear. He nodded to her though, looking at the "Rodian."

"Don't worry. It's understood." He then saw Lori, and smiled as she introduced Curtis. He quickly and carefully pulled the comm from his ear, and when to shake the woman's hand to pass it off. "Nice to see you again, ma'am, and to meet your date here. This is someone who helped us out a while back, though." Kalic was surprising good at this. Then again he'd had to sweet talk a Hutt or two out of some crazy situations before. He also nodded to Curtis, smiling a bit from under his hood. He could see the Force on the man, so this would be interesting.

"Kalic. Nice to meet ya."

Leigh nodded smoothly, watching the Miraluka slip the earpiece under his hood, then stood. "If you will excuse me," she said, "I would be inappropriate for me to occupy a seat better held by your organic friends. I will return and ensure that my Master is enjoying the festivities."

The projected Rodian faced nodded and winked at Loreena Arenais as she walked back towards a nearby group of dancers. As she melted best she could into the crowd, moving through circle after circle, she re-keyed her audio settings to dampen the noise the music, and redirected her 'spoken' thoughts into the transmitter. As long as she was within range, it would be as effective as having a conversation with her newfound compatriots in person.

"Mr. Daws. I appreciate your discretion. As your source inside the Imperial capital, and as the original coder of the Abbaji signal, it would risk compromise for me to be seen with Ms. Aranais too publicly for too long. As this Rebellion is my main hope for the future, I do not intend to risk compromise. As a result, I will need you to relay my information accurately and with the same discretion, so that this meeting can be productive.

I would like you to start by confirming whether she was able to provide a destination for the weapons shipment I arranged, and recommending that said destination be an indirect one. I have observed requests through the network for said destination from parties claiming they are managing the shipment--have they contacted you?"

A reveler in a jester's mask popped up out of nowhere as Leigh spoke, drunkenly draping himself over her cannon with seemingly no concern that what he was draping himself over was a cannon. Leigh gently picked at the jester's back, wondering how on earth he had ingested so much alcohol so quickly. There were, after all, two more hours left before sundown.

​

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

Objective 1A


There was a lot to process here.

The guests, of course, were many. This wasn't something she hadn't expected; she'd known, somewhat, what she was getting into. While most of their presences were calm, or at least manageable - wedding festivities were rather exciting, after all - there were a few that reeked of bad news. Elly had prepared for some of this, of course, but still.. from the moment Darth Prazutis made himself known, she had felt largely uncomfortable.

It wasn't the overbearing size of the man, though that certainly played into the intimidating factor he obviously had on those around him. It was his presence, the reek of death, the screams of a thousand victims that emanated from his being. The weight of it whisked around her as he entered the room, pulling her attention towards the masked behemoth in a sickly fascinated awe. As he strode forward, part of her admired the way the crowd parted before him, the brutal efficiency with which he dispatched or dispersed those in his way; but against this onslaught of her senses, the objective part of her mind had no say in her presence right now. Darkness pushed at and surrounded her, and her breath caught in her throat as she tried to adjust.

Control.

Elly needed to handle this. She needed to be able to, or else this would've been a mistake to come here, a mistake to reach out, and she wasn't ready to admit defeat so easily. Her hand went to her necklace, slender fingers wrapping around the crystal protectively, letting its center radiate into her.

Prazutis made for an intimidating figure, yes, but she was not going to allow that to break her. She took a breath slowly and held it, centering herself before letting it out and expanding her focus to the rest of the room. The deadly behemoth was moving with purpose, toward-..

Vyra.

There was no mistaking the figure that Prazutis soon dwarfed, dressed in a macabre-yet-fascinating wedding dress, staring up at him unmovingly.

Vyra. Seriously.

It didn't surprise her in the least that the dignitary could withstand - and match - such a presence. She'd always been so stubborn, so resolute.. it was something Elly had always admired about the woman. A wry smile alit her face at the irony of seeing her old friend in the same glance as such a deathly figure. The smile faded slightly, however, as she realized that this also meant a delay in their eventual yet inevitable encounter. And.. something seemed off. There was worry in those elegantly defined features. At this distance, Elly couldn't tell much more, and she certainly wasn't going to approach Vyra Silara while in present company.. So, she supposed, she could wait. Keeping her eye on the larger man, she slowly backed away, making her way toward the only other constant in the room: the drink table.

There wasn't much of an issue finding it. After all, a reception as lavish as this was bound to make itself fairly intuitive to navigate. Still keeping an eye on her main objective - and her main problem - she sidled up toward one of the other wallflowers, a lone figure in a suit and half-mask, and reached for a wine glass of her own.

"Some reception, huh?" she said idly, playing the part of a conversation-maker as she observed the ebb and flow of the crowd. Surely there would be an opportunity to make her way through it again at some point, but for now it seemed fitting to mingle until things settled.

As she raised the glass to her lips, Elly finally took a moment to glance over the person she had spoken to, trying to...

....Wait...

Why did they seem familiar?

....

Inside, wheels began to turn rapidly, as she once again reached for her necklace, the small sip of wine a scant cover for her expression..

========

Attn: Vyra Silara | Adelle Bastiel

Adelle felt the sudden change from forced politeness to awkward unease and internally frowned. She had a much less imposing presence than the majority of the guests here, given that she was actively hiding it.. Perhaps the woman had mistaken her for a man and upon closer inspection, realized her mistake? Possible but it wasn't like the woman had said anything untoward or inappropriate for either sex. In either case, it wouldn't hurt to at least entertain this guest for a minute or two before she fled.

"Given the status of the newlyweds," she said, "it ought to be."



Eliana Shan

 

[Chaf'arry'nuruodo]

Wearing: Dress | Mask
ATTN: Mythos | NPC Treasury ​

Nice to meet you?

There was something about the character of a man, or any individual for that matter, who could not compose themselves in the company of an individual of a particular stature. Or, as she'd observed in the case of this particular man, in the presence of a woman that was worth more than the credits she carried herself to be valued in.

Though she was hardly one to admit to such a triviality; the more practical type to press forward how she saw fit and answer to the repercussions in due time.

We were just... commenting your look.

It was almost as if she'd expected something of the sort to come out of the woman's mouth. Her stature, her posture and her very figure represented an air of signification and dignity accompanied with that of a higher class. It was either that or she was baring fangs in light of the condition of the man presently in her company. Whichever the case, the Chiss let out a soft and breathy laugh through her nostrils.

"No, one does not often find themselves in the company of a Chiss," she mused as she panned her gaze between the two standing before her. It went without any need for obvious indication that her eyes fell upon the man for far longer than was likely necessary. It was what was behind those glances in the recesses of her mind that drew that attention.

Though the question remained as to whether or not she would mention anything to him as of yet. He had already shown a lack of competence to meet up with the standard in the visions she had witnessed, and she was not one to subject herself to disappointment for the sake of anothers' ego.

"However, yes, it is nice to meet me. Isn't it, Mythos?" She chided and asked simultaneously as she tilted her gaze back to the man once more. "Though it would seem you are ill prepared for what I'd expected of this interaction."

As she finished, idly passing her gaze down towards the woman's feet as she presented them to Mythos, and shot a rather skeptical look at the woman before turning away.

"Perhaps the bigger one over there might prove more useful for my inquiries into matters I though you would be a fitting wellspring for." The words came with a bite, her lips pursing together tightly as she let her gaze fall upon Darth Prazutis where he stood near the Emperor and his Empress. She'd give Mythos a few moments to reconsider whatever meager thoughts might be passing through his mind.

Then? She was moving on.

 

[Mythos]

Mask/Suit

Kings had suitors, few actually had a spitting chance, fewer still knew they had the whole cards and played their set. He poured another drink, downed it, shook himself like a willow tree and steeled himself. The Chiss flayed him alive, with few words and fewer body language she stabbed him with a thousand steely knives in the worst of places, his ego.

NPC Treasury most definitely did her best, she brought him down to the world as he was flanked by his two favorite vices, blue flesh and bare flesh. It took a few moments but the old Silver Tounge shook it off and cleared his throat. From his suit he produced his trusted weapons, ones he admittedly used more for formal gatherings such as these.

He said nothing and met her gaze, sliding his two songsteel lightsabers across the table with the ignition facing her. The ignition button was a symbol both of them would recognize, the insignia of house Chaf, the Yellow of their nobility. His hands wandered across the legs of his date as he looked at her and sat back, his posture now relaxed as the incredibly powerful mead warmed his very blood.

When he spoke he did so in perfect Chiss, learned through decades of study and practice. "I find myself with your kind more than most" He said while puffing at the cigar causing a mist to wall the two from each other, his yellow eyes however pierced even the wall of smoke. "Blue always goes good with whatever I'm wearing. "

He raised his left hand and with a small nudge moved the chair beside her slightly open and invited the Chiss to sit on his left. After he took the cigar and put out the cherry blaze out on the fine china Vyra Silara had so graciously prepared. He thought a bit on how to handle her, conscious that Kay was next to him, he would have to be careful not to end up with both of them leaving to Prazutis. Now that he would never hear the end of.

"One cannot prepare for perfection Miss" He stated plainly, a slight smirk dancing on his lips. It was true, and she was. He could almost taste her lips as she bit them, her gaze falling on the giant across the hall causing Mythos to smile. He knew more than anyone else in the galaxy that tree she threatened to bark up was definently not going to end the way she was thinking it would.

"I am a friend of Sarvchi, former suitor of your predecessor Chaf'anta'natrano, benefactor of Csilla." He smiled, turned to Kay and switched to common. "This is my date, noble from the Tingel Arm and good company."

Now it was his turn to play and he had a couple of tricks up his sleeve even now. Now that his confidence was back, he knew where he was and noting the unusually long amount of time her eyes danced around him, he had a plan, he was still in this.

"But if you insist, I personally know The Dark Hand. I could introduce you two" He spoke and stood up, Mythos was calling her bluff. Maybe she didint know who she tried to make him jealous with but being in the oppressive presence of the Dark Lord of Panatha, The Right Hand of the Emperor, was an experience that was not pleasant for anyone that didint enjoy genocide, butchery and human sacrifice.

Mythos loved all these things, he felt safe among monsters because he was a monster too. All the gold, the fancy clothes, the fine jewellery, the tacky suits, the fine crafted china, it was to make people forget that simple fact. He gave Kay an assured wink, straightened his suit, removed his mask for a slight second and offered the Chiss his arm.

Chaf'arry'nuruodo​

 

[NPC Treasury]

One doesn't often find themselves in the company of a twin of themselves either. It was obviously some kind of ploy. Afterall, what were the odds? Mythos just stumbled over himself around Chaf'arry'nuruodo and given that he could pick up on all of the woman's measurements with just a glance, it was clear that he was completely and utterly taken by her.

The promises made, the visions that he had shown her seemed to be thrown to the wind once this new player came into play. He was doing his best to impress her, speaking in non-basic which Kay did not understand. Who knows what he was saying to her? Yet it was clear enough as he invited her to sit by his side. But Kay wasn't here as herself, right? She was just a date; merely arm candy of which he now wanted two of. That was not something that she wanted to be a part of here. It was bad enough being surrounded by enemies.

As he got to his feet, Kay slipped her shoe back on. But not after she removed a ring. She contemplated just leaving it on the table, but put it in the tea cup instead, letting the sound of it easily be heard before she too got to her feet, with the tea cup in hand. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to get some air for a while."

Without another word she weaved her way through the other guests and headed out the door. She needed some fresh air and to not have Mythos inside of her mind. Was she jealous? Sure. Everything that he loved was right there waiting to take his arm. Now she knew how he felt when he saw her with Veiere. Kay sat down on the steps and just stared at the sky after removing her mask. The night would be over soon enough and then she could decide on what to do.

 

[Krae]

Objective: The reception
Tags I know are nearby: Neferisa
Posts: 3
Items:
Black and gold robes and cape.
shruuk (Sheathed at his side.)
Accompaniment:
(Waiting aside further back, merely observing and awaiting orders silently)
2 Zhorngi each with an alchemy sword and shield.
4 Jkri.


Nexus hummed as she said fear could control minds of the enemy. But that it had to be subtle, and that control had to be done a certain way. He gave a slight nod to himself, she was right about that. Push something into too much fear, and even if it knows it doesn't stand a chance, it may fight back simply because it sees that as the only real option. Her final comment about the future being interesting made him chuckle, "It can be." He responded simply. She was indeed an interesting individual.

She then asked him about herself, and what he knew. He secretly sent a telepathic message to someone aboard the Goran to check to see if they had any updates on her, but while he waited, he answered with what he was aware of, he made a point to keep tabs on the more important threats to Vran'Ti, or potential associates, that meant everyone nearby, "Annubian Queen, or Pharoah, Neferisa, of the House of Bakari. Force sensitive. Ruler of Duatiel I believe. If I'm correct there aren't many of your line, if any. I don't remember. I believe your species, and another of Duatiel, is commonly force sensitive. I think this is all correct, unless I have mistaken your identity."

He leaned an elbow against the table, looking at her through the dragon mask, "Now, your turn. Do you know me?" he smiled underneath. Vran'Ti was not a particularly famous planet, most who knew about it, knew it for having a force user as leader seemingly for millenias, extremely advanced medical technology, dangerous animals, an almost militaristic setting, melee experts, and careful with outsiders, being almost isolationist. But, those were mostly random traders. Many buying art rather than their BIOMED's or other items. He wondered if she'd know about him, or if she did know, if she was aware he was the one under the mask. He wasn't exactly hiding his force sensitivity, he was incredibly strong and had never learned to attempt to hide it. Simply didn't use it to overwhelm others as some did. In spite of his coward nature underneath, Nexus never truly hid anything but his intentions and his planet.

His robes, the dragon mask, and the Zhorngi he came in with, might be the most obvious apparent pieces.

 

[Neferisa]

Objective: 1a
Post: 4

Neferisa had her teeth gleam from under her lips in a smirk, a nearly child-like to the interest of what was to come. Something would happen and cause a break in the infrastructure. This government with such a rule would not last. And the thought was mere entertainment to her.

"Impressive....and how is it you know so much of the queen of the desert? Did you...do your research?" Of course he must have. And truly, she did not mind. She wanted as many as possible to know of her and her history. The man posed her a question, and Neferisa smiled for a moment.

"I do not have the pleasure of knowing you by name...care to introduce yourself to me?" While around was interesting, she favored the attention of this man for now.

Krae

 

[Darth Prazutis]

Location: Reception Hall
Tags: Vyra Silara

F E A R ​

This wasn't supposed to happen.

In a perfect world these were two vastly different people who never should've crossed paths. He didn't belong here. Vyra Silara was the monarch of a remote world, a home tucked far into the unknown regions of space. In all accounts she stood before what many considered to be a living, breathing god of war in the flesh. A colossal form that looked as if it was some living, breathing statue chiseled out of marble or granite. It was engineered for war down to the very genes encompassing the body it's genetic makeup a mystery and a mastery of modern engineering. But even this form struggled as the blood flowing through this living nightmare struggled to maintain the flesh of the Shadow Hand. Although this vessel was a modern of engineering even it was an imperfect creation, even it was unable to contain the immense power of the Sith Lord standing before her, slowly it would wither and die under the titanic weight of his spirit.​

​

Bad sign.​

​

To anyone who knew the myths and legends surrounding the horrifying reputation of the Shadow Hand, fear crept down their spines seeing his presence. It was so often a bad omen to see him appear for he was the word, will, and the wrath of the Sith Emperor. So often he was seen leading troops into the worst conflicts imaginable, so often were the stories told and retold of the fearsome enemies of the Sith Empire that had been dispatched by his hand. The most recent being that the Lord of Death had recently taken from this world a Jedi Grandmaster, that he faced him down and took the full fury of the light side of the force, only to live through it's blast and come back stronger. It felt as if every moment he was present the area, the world was at risk of breaking out in intense conflict simply from his being there. It was the presence he carried himself with that made him so impossible to read, so mysterious.​

​

As she spoke of anticipations he lightly and delaying his path he shook his head "Nonsense. You were just the person I came to see. Come. Walk with me." The Shadow Hand said his tone making it unclear as to whether he was asking or not when he brushed ever so slowly past her, his hands clasped behind him as he moved. "The Emperor sends his congratulations and best wishes on your blessed union, affairs of state have prevented him from participating in the nights events, I have come in his stead." The Lord of Lies said as he slowly began to walk off alongside Vyra, his eyes scanning every room, every face. No one dared step in his way as he moved ensuring a certain freedom even in crowded events. "You have made a wise choice for your people, your majesty." ​

 

[Krae]

Objective: The reception
Tags I know are nearby: Neferisa
Posts: 3
Items:
Black and gold robes and cape.
shruuk (Sheathed at his side.)
Accompaniment:
(Waiting aside further back, merely observing and awaiting orders silently)
2 Zhorngi each with an alchemy sword and shield.
4 Jkri.

She seemed impressed, or at least interested, in how he'd learned what he had about her. Though she did seem to not know of him, but that was fine, why should she? He hadn't pushed Vran'Ti to be well known and neither had any of his predecessors.

He answered the questions in order, his tone wasn't unfriendly, in fact so far he kind of enjoyed the discussion "We value knowledge, it is one of the most important things to us Vran. And for a time I was in charge of Intelligence for the Corporate Protectorate, however they made ill decisions and I cut ties with them. But I've maintained much of what I gained. You're a planet nearby, so I figured it was important to know about it."

"Ah, I am Nexus Krae, Vran'Ti Vo Ni. That is, I am the Hand of the Soul of Vran'Ti, which is our planet. Long title perhaps, but it's quite descriptive. A Vo Ni is just a hand of a soul, or, a Vo. If it weren't for that I had said not to, Vran'Ti would absolutely have gone to war with the Eternal Empire. They'd never allow outside rule willingly. They'd lose, most likely. We don't have the number of ships the Eternal Empire has. But it'd still be a considerable conflict. And that isn't accounting for the fact that we're probably the greatest organic scientists in the universe. The Kaminoans and the Sith don't hold a candle to what an average Vo Ni has access to should they so choose." He chuckled to himself, looking at the emperor, but still speaking quietly, "If it weren't for me, the Eternal Empire would be facing disease after disease as revenge until people would fear so much as breathing."

And there was the arrogance. Nexus had trouble with that, he rarely hid it. Naturally he fully believed what he said. While, perhaps, he was somewhat right. Vran'Ti did have some of the greatest medical science in existence, few creatures had the ability to completely change a creatures species and memories with a single machine, although that was a specific feature that was limited in who was allowed to use it. But it didn't mean they would succeed in destroying the Eternal Empire, though he hadn't said that. It was certainly something that some Vran believed, that if they were actually attacked from the outside, and defeated, they'd destroy the intruders by turning their own planets against them. Whether or not they could actually manage something so incredible had yet to be seen, the only thing close was the Revenge Stem.


Neferisa

 

[Kyle Ajahn]

​

Objective 1A: The Reception
Wearing: This | Mask: None
ATTN: Vidalu Na'an | OPEN

Embers.

He could feel them in her presence even as he guided them across the room and out onto the balcony. Smoldering beneath the surface up throw her very demeanor as she snapped her hand up to move the mask back into place. He had anticipated a reaction, but not quite as the one he received as he brought his hand down to his side as quickly as it was met with mild enmity.

When the mask fell back down over her face, her eye the only thing he could see visibly beyond it, he took to listening to her words instead. Words that displayed themselves in her body language as well as she directed her tone heavily on a single word. Family. She knew what he was talking about, or at least an inkling of the concept, but had not grasped the entire story.

"No, I'm not Family, but I knew them. I knew you," he uttered in a calm and dignified tone that contrasted her own. It was impossible to avoid the feeling that came with the her delivery of her words. The sharpness that lingered with the f as it left her lips. Bitterness and anger were visibly adorned upon her presence as he allowed the Force to grant him insight into what was hidden beneath the surface.

If she held such distaste, why had she not left?

Then her question came.

"So. Ajahn. What awful errand brings you to Cattamascar?"

Awful would not have been the word he'd have chosen in retrospective contemplation of his arrival. Nor would he have called it an errand. Yet, as the question lingered upon his brain, like the spreading embers on parchment, he knew there was no denying her the answer she sought. Or perhaps it was the idea that, perhaps, she was not here for the same reasons as he'd considered.

"One that could get me killed," he breathed crisply and with a hint of reservation behind the lack of explanation. "Saying more would be to put you at further risk than being here entails, and I dare not cultivate the possibility of such an occurrence."

His words spoken, his posture resolved and his mind settled past the initial apprehension he once again turned the court to her. The question once again rose the front of his mind as to why she was here of all places. The curiosity as to what could have brought her to this edge of the galaxy, so far from everything he knew of her and more. What he knew of Family.

He dared not anticipate what might come next.

His heart however, remained true to the words of rebellion he dared not speak.

 

[Neferisa]

Objective: 1A
Post: 5

Neferisa looked to her table before picking up her 'gift' as she weighed it in her grasp. Holding it up to eye level, looking over the amber surface. And the jewelry within. An artifact of a lost time, no doubt. And she was sure it was of her own people...it was rightful to be returned to her. She believed so. While looking it over, she half listened. Almost acting as if not listening at all, but she did pick up on his name when he spoke it.

"At least it would have provided some galactic entertainment" she absentmindedly murmured while still examining her gift from this ceremony. The ambered artifact took her mind off the ceremony, as Neferisa had waited for it to truly end. "And just where is this planet of...Vran'Ti? What is your trade?"

She set down the artifact for now. And glanced to the entrance, where her guard waited patiently. "You speak as if you know war against others. I too understand war, to some degree. And how such conflicts begin. It is sad...but it is not so monotonous."

Krae