Faction [THP] Among Rebels and Stars

[Jane]

Tag: Lestra Thairk l Open

---

Jane's eyelids flickered open as she jumped over the floor, catching Lestra lying on the floor, smiling and giving her a thumbs up. Her wig quickly became a mess, the petals of her dress flying all around her, and she vaguely felt her lungs burn from the energy all her frantic waves and jumps required.

Lestra's encouraging words helped to calm the franticness a bit, and the flow she had at the beginning returned slightly as she moved on the tips of her toes. All while that feeling of familiarity lingered in the distance.

That was until the wind brushed past her, a trick performed by the blue-haired Padawan. And just like that, the girl wasn't on the dance floor anymore. Instead, she found herself in a meadow, with a golden beam of sunlight falling on her, the wind brushing past her arms, and the scent of morning dew and spring flowers drifting through the air. She was dancing through the grass blades, when gentle pink hands with glittering nail polish reached for hers.

"Come, my darlin', let yourself flow." She heard a familiar voice with an accent she recognized. She couldn't see the figure in front of her; they were just a pink silhouette, but together they danced through the meadow with laughter of joy and happiness, until the bustling of the dance floor drew her back.

Throughout it all, Jane never stopped dancing, twirling through the wind Lestra had created for her. She was letting go more and more; it wasn't just her muscles that had relaxed; deep inside she had let go as well. It was a far cry from healing, yet a first step none the less. The style of the dance had gradually changed, with the franticness giving way to an almost tribal-like flow to the rhythm of the Living Force all around her, combined with the beat of the song playing.

As she whirled on her spot, Jane let out a little giggle for the first time ever since she'd woken up that fateful day, followed by another. Until the quiet giggles bubbled out of her, an unfamiliar and strange, yet freeing experience. She moved towards Lestra, extending both of her hands to him. "Come, let's dance together."

 

[Vess Sadragen]

She heard him coming, of course the steps, the rhythm of motion, the kinetic restlessness he carried like static. That constant movement, like he needed to burn energy to stay steady. It was familiar. Not exactly comforting, but familiar.

When he spoke, her gaze slid his way. Amusement tugged at the corner of her mouth, just a little.

"You're not crazy," she said after brief pause. "It is a fever dream."

Her voice was soft, dry more commentary than conversation but her eyes held the kind of clarity that made her words feel grounded. Real. "Half of them probably haven't danced since before the war. Now here we are, pretending it's normal." She gave a glance toward the dancefloor brief, thoughtful then back to him, brow raising just a bit.

"For what it's worth, it looks good on you. Even if it is uncomfortable." Her eyes dropped to the blazer he'd tugged at, and she let out a low hum, somewhere between amusement and resignation. "Still feels like someone else's skin though, doesn't it?"

"You're not the only one," she added, shifting her weight against the wall. She nodded toward Valery Noble "That one basically made me show up. Give me a terminal some caf and some beats that's more my element.."

​

TAG: Kain Aldore + OPEN

 

[Torin Emberlain]

Tag: Katherine Holt

Torin let out a low chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck with a thumb before reaching for her hands. The bowtie at his throat felt a bit like a noose, but the warmth in her eyes softened every edge of discomfort.

"A kata, hm? Then I'll follow your lead," he said, voice a little rougher than usual, betraying nerves he rarely let slip. A faint grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Just… don't scold me too harshly if I tread on your toes."

He drew a breath, grey eyes locking with her golden ones for a moment. The grin eased into something warmer, more vulnerable.

The music swelled around them, strings and woodwinds carrying a graceful rhythm through the hall. Torin let Katherine guide him onto the floor, his height making him all too aware of the eyes that followed. Normally such attention set his shoulders rigid, but her arm slipped into his and the noise of it all seemed to blur.

The lights above caught in her hair, in the curve of her smile, and his nerves quieted. When they found their place, he settled a large hand carefully at her waist, cautious and reverent, as if unsure whether he deserved the moment.

The hall seemed to narrow down to the two of them: her wings catching the light in soft arcs, his frame steadying into hers as though what was to follow would be less a performance and more a conversation they alone would hear.

 

[Lestra Thairk]

Tags: Jane
Outfit

More little brushes of the wind as Lestra flicked his hands forward, letting the wind swirl around his friend. The elements were one of the few things that came naturally to Lestra when he tried to use the Force. Nature. That's Lestra to a tee. He did not care about technology, politics, popularity. No. What he cared about at the end of the day was nature and emotions. Making people feel good and happy. And as Jane giggled, it seemed like Lestra had succeeded in his mission! Time to give himself a pat on the back! He wasn't some kind of mess up. Lestra was a true Jedi!...Even if it wasn't anything big. Though for him, this was one of the biggest results in the Galaxy, his grin growing and beaming with pride in himself.

But then Jane suggested Lestra to dance with her, and he blinked to himself. Lestra wasn't good at dancing with someone. His whole style was more of a lone wolf kinda thing. If he danced with someone, there was always a high likelihood he was going to slap them in the face...and whilst Lestra wasn't entirely opposed to the idea of hurting someone accidentally through dancing, he felt like if he ended up slapping Jane in the face, it was him who would get hurt...Hm...

"You know I don't know how to dance, right Jane? It's just going to be a bunch of jumpin' about."

With that being said, he still reached out to take Jane's hands. There was a small bit of discomfort at the sensation of holding onto metal but Lestra would get over it quickly. He wasn't like some kind of druid that couldn't touch metal. No, no. After all, his spear he liked to use was made out of metal. It was better than using a Lightsaber...Wait. Where was he going with this train of thought? Lestra shook his head, trying not to focus on it and instead prepare to make a fool of himself on the dance floor once again.

 

[Caelan Valoren]

They had excused themselves politely. It was obvious, at least to Caelan, that Connel needed the space to make his move. He didn't blame the guy in the slightest. There was a lot to love about beautiful redheads. Speaking of which, how was that he had ended up being drawn to another one after everything that had happened? It didn't seem logical. But then, perhaps it was simply the will of the Force at work. After all, the color of her hair didn't matter in comparison to the content of her character.

He led her to a spot where they could claim a table and set his drink down to do so. The halls were busy with people. He spotted Valery and Kahlil among those on the dance floor. There were others he recognized. A giant scaley brute of creature among them. He couldn't help but wonder what someone like that was doing there. He also saw someone that looked suspiciously like Line, but there was enough difference to them that he decided the resemblance was probably just coincidental.

But he wasn't there to investigate the people on the dance floor. His reason for attending was simple: get his mind off the things that happened, and spend time with Xian.

"Let's dance," he said, smiling at the young woman. "I think we'll both enjoy that."

He waited for her to set her drink down, and then tugged her out to the floor, gently of course. It wasn't his first time at such an event. He showed that when he spun her around, seemingly out of nowhere, only to draw her back in and up against him. His dominant hand slid around to the small of her back and held her close as he began to lead them to the beat.

ATTIRE: LINK | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

A thought crossed Xian's mind as they walked over to one of the empty tables and set their drinks down. How was it that a street rat orphan could be holding hands with a king? She suddenly felt very out of place and more than a little nervous. She tried not to let that show, though. However, he might feel it through the Force. She didn't keep it hidden from Caelan entirely, but she did keep it under control.

The people he knew weren't the ones she knew, and that was fine with her. If she continued spending time with him, then she might have to learn who these people were. If they played an important role in his life, then they might play an important role in hers as well. It was just something she would need to consider as they grew closer. And she had no doubt that was going to happen.

She'd already felt drawn to him when they met. When he was mourning the loss of his wife, which he probably still was, but he didn't allow it to hold him back. He needed to show his face in public, and he picked her to appear at his side. What did that mean?

Setting her drink down next to his, his gentle tug pulled her onto the dance floor. Out of the blue, he spun her around and pulled her close. It caught her by surprise, but she recovered quickly and rested comfortably in his hold. Xian was used to using air to enhance her movement. Only this time, she included Caelan in her weaving. Two people moving in unison, as if they were meant to be together.

Looking up at him, she smiled calmly and seemed to melt into him and his arms.

I could get used to this

Just a simple message meant for him alone. Something she admitted for the first time as they danced.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Connel Vanagor]

REBELS AND STARS
ODESSEN
OBJ 1

Michael, Gabriel, Azrael, Sariel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel, Raguel
[Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]

If he didn’t know any better, Connel could swear that she was lying when she said she wanted to dance. It made him feel somewhat like a charity case, but he would let it go. Alrighty.

Buster of course was Buster, walking out with them and circling repeatedly, not to look for attention but to give them a sort of “perimeter”.

When she asked him the question, he pondered it for a moment. It was more than fair to wonder. If you had asked this a year ago… I don’t know if I would have been able to answer it. However, my father… may he rest in the Force… he had a phrase that was his motto. I didn’t understand it until he died. Then he gave her the quick synopsis of how it happened, nothing graphic, just a quick recap. ... anyway he lived by the phrase “I have to be able to look myself in the mirror”. Yeah, the Code was important, but that was his. He stood, he fought, he did everything to be a Guardian, in every sense of the word. He did so to protect others.

A step or two went by before he continued. I didn’t understand this part until he told me about how he finally married my mother. Then he told her the story about them, how they met, how they always seemed to cross each other, how they both ended up in some sort of stasis for over eight hundred fifty years and then came out, finding each other again.

It was something that could not be ignored. He knew if he did not address his long time belief that life would not be the same. I finally understood. A year ago… six months ago… I wouldn’t bother being here. I mean, let’s face it, one powerful bomb and a lot of Jedi are dead. However if we don’t do these sorts of things once in a while, what is the point? We lose the reason for why we do what we do.

He shrugged. It wasn’t the best answer, but it was true. It took the death of his father to truly learn how to live. It ends for me when I have a reason to hang up my weapons. When I don't have to use them in defense of others anymore.

TAGS • ARE • WIDE • OPEN • Caelan Valoren • Xian Xiao • Katarine Ryiah • Thurion Heavenshield​

 

[Calyx Sundrift]

Objective 1 - Outfit - Ines Pen-Ar-Lan - Thexann Pehnataur
​

He’d pointed out his favourites, but there was no escaping her commentary. Couldn’t handle her? He glanced at the tall Mandalorian again. “Probably not,” Calyx admitted with a laugh. “But it’d still be the best thirty seconds of my life.” Searching her out was tempting, if only because he’d never actually spoken to a Mandalorian.

Verse, in turn, gestured to a few people across the room. Curious, Calyx followed her line of sight to Gavin Restur . “Him?” he squinted. “Wait, I think I know him. Think it’s Gael? Gaimon? No- Gavin! That’s it! Lovely guy. Bit rough around the edges.” He shot Verse a sidelong look. “You should try talking to him. I think you’d like him.”

She pointed again, this time at someone unfamiliar. Threw another small jab at him too. “How I can what?” he asked, feigning innocence, then winked back.
He liked these back-and-forths. They were playful but revealing. The complete opposite of Thexan, the banker. The man looked like he’d rather be anywhere else, a sentiment reflected in his harsh handshake. His demeanour also revealed that he tended to judge on first impressions. Calyx guessed he stuck to them too, no matter what you were selling.

And he had the sinking feeling he hadn’t gotten the man’s approval.

“Yes, Council,” Calyx pressed on, forcing a polite smile. “I’d assume you’d know if you were part of it.” He tilted his head. “Unless your very secret organization keeps its council hidden from its own members, too.” A small jab. The least provocative he could manage under the circumstances.

Verse smoothly de-escalated, steering the conversation, to his dismay, toward recruitment. Just as the band changed tune. From swoony ballad to swinging, full-bodied jizz.

Calyx pounced before Thexan could reply. “Oh, Verse! That’s our song!”

It wasn’t. They didn’t have a song. Yet.

“Allow me-” He turned to Thexan. “Ah. Apologies, Mr. Phenataur. I shall seek you out later.” With that, he whisked Verse onto the dancefloor.
Slow songs were easy. Confidence, a hug, and a gentle sway. That was enough to make it look convincing But this? This required a sense of rhythm. Loose hips too, while you were at it.
Calyx pulled Verse close and whirled them into motion.
“I forgot to ask, can you dance?” He flung his arm outward, letting her spin - if she was smooth enough. “Or would you rather let me lead?” He reeled her back in with a gentle tug, aiming to catch the hand he’d let go.
“And recruitment?” He arched a brow. “Really?”
He considered throwing her into an elaborate move. A low dip, maybe. Perhaps that would teach her not to try that again. “How am I supposed to get the man to part with his credits if I’m being recruited to his cause?”

 

[Tigris Aphra]

Outfit: Dress
Tag: Everest Vale
Objective: I

It had taken some time to recover from the harrowing trip to Narg, but Tigirs had been able to harvest the ghostfire crystal she required to craft her new lightsaber. The events on the mountain had taxed more than her physical body, and echoes of the mental struggles required not only the solitude of Snowpeak Sanctuary, but Everest's unwavering love and support.

The event on Odessen was the evidence of her recovery. As Everest and she strode into the hanger-made-ballroom, Tigris glided with a sultry saunter. She felt a swelling of pride and joy to have the gorgeous Echani on her arm. Her wholeness was complete at Eve's side. Arm in arm, there was not formal posturing. They held each other close, their shared affection obvious.

Tigris' dress was chosen to match Eve's though, while the Echani's gown was elegant, Tigris black and silver dress was simpler and hugged her lithe frame less modestly, revealing the intricate designs inked on her flesh. Dark, almond-shaped eyes glinted from under raven black locks. The engaged couple were like the brilliance of the day, and the shadows of the night, paired together in perfect harmony. Then, Eve leaned close, conspiratory.

"Do you remember the first time we went to something like this?"

"Yes, you convinced me to go to that Lady Velvet dance." She answered with a smirk. She too let her mind wander to that night, when she was already in love with Eve and didn't know it. That was until that night, and that kiss.

"Let's see if our dance moves have improved since then?"

They hadn't danced, not publicly, since that night. But they had fought, side by side, since then, with grace that admittedly seemed more like dancing. Tigris didn't hesitate to respond.

"I don't know, I will be as distracted tonight as I was back then." Tigris quipped, giving Eve a kiss on the cheek and a quick nuzzle before drawing her fiance to the dance floor.

 

[Everest Vale]

Outfit: Gown
Tag: Tigris Aphra

Eve couldn't help the way her smile broke wide when Tigris leaned in with that cheek kiss and nuzzle. Her cheeks flushed hot, and a giggle slipped out before she playfully swatted at her fiancé's arm.

"Oh stop it," she whispered between laughter, her voice soft but bubbling with joy.

Hand in hand, she let herself be guided toward the dance floor. The ballroom around them was awash with soft light, lanterns strung overhead casting a gentle glow that shimmered off polished marble. Music spilled across the room in a melody that begged to be danced to. Laughter, chatter, and the clink of glasses filled the air, but all of it seemed distant as Eve focused on the warmth of Tigris' hand, the steady lead that drew her close.

She glanced around as they reached the floor, her eye catching on so many familiar faces. Friends, allies, family—people she hadn't seen gathered together like this in far too long. It warmed her deeply, a rare sense of belonging blooming in her chest. She held on a little tighter to Tigris, her silver eye gleaming as she looked up to her, heart fluttering at the closeness.

They began to sway, her steps following Tigris' with ease, and Eve found herself blushing again, unable to stop the way her smile lingered. She leaned closer, her whisper meant only for her.

"I'm so happy we get to do this," she murmured, her voice carrying the weight of all that had come before, and the relief of being here now. "After everything."

 

[Caelan Valoren]

The way she melted against him, as if she were meant to fit perfectly, made him feel a bit queasy inside. Not in a bad way, just not in a way he’d experienced in a long time. He’d felt it early in his relationship with Anavi, but that was several years ago, when they had tried to make things work and he had thought she would grow closer to him. But that hadn’t happened, and the feelings between them had drifted further and further apart. That was over now, though. It was time for a new page in the book of Caelan, and that new page began with Xian.

Her head nestled against his chest, and one of his hands held hers while the other rested at the small of her back, keeping her close to him as they danced across the busy dance floor. When her words drifted into his mind, he smiled and decided to spin her again, this time not just away from him, but around him as well, until he brought her back in once more.

I do rather enjoy it myself, he sent back to her.

Having grown up royalty he had the advantage of a lot of instruction in such events. Even though he had never paid a ton of attention in his lessons, he’d still picked it up. Besides, dancing was really just trusting the person you were dancing with, and a partner willing to allow him to lead. Xian seemed content with that aspect, though that could be because of a lack of experience on her part, he didn’t know.

Enjoying it most because you’re here.

ATTIRE: LINK | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Xian Xiao ​

 

[Thexann Pehnataur]

PERSONAL MEMO (Encrypted)
Author: Thexann Pehnataur
Subject: Showing up and Showing out
Location: [REDACTED]
Access Level: [Red-Alpha Priority]

A polite smile.

A subtle dig.

He definitely thinks he has something.

I wasn’t going to give him anything either way. He may very well prove to be a valuable ally in the future, but he is going to have to prove himself valuable, and right now he is showing me that he knows more than he should. That tells me that there is more to why he is truly here. I suppose that there is some level of silver lining in the fact that he is a “mercenary” as “Verse” put it. Dangle credits in front of him with the promise of more if he listens and follows. Like a good little boy.

If you say so.

A simple shrug.

Hands into the pockets of my jacket, faking how “deep” they are.

Hey? He can dig, so can I.

He would get nothing else but increasing space as he walked to the dance floor and decreasing attention on my part.

I let them leave to their dance and wonder if they had gotten one over on me. The thought lingered, but I knew better than to show it. I’d play along for now, observe, and wait for the right moment to act. Oh, nothing overt, the right moment will present itself and how direct I act to be sure.

However, one thing is for certain…

…. This is not a game.





TAG: Calyx Sundrift | Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

This is what he is saying to people, just like a cutaway

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Interacting with: Aris Noble

Needless to say, it was an adorable wash of iridescence that spilled across Zaiya's rosy golden skin, the colors shimmering like waves on a lake at dawn. Joyful blues and giddy teals rippled outward, flecked with threads of golden bioluminescence.

Her right hand came up easily to slip into Aris's hair. Crimson. THe sight of it still caught her every time. A corusca gem red, bright and alive in a way that was different from his silver hair, but equally as silky. Beautiful, yes -- but also different. A mark of change. Of all that he'd endured, all that he became. She admired it, but the admiration carried with it a quiet ache, a reminder that he was not the same boy she had first known.

There were questions she could ask. Things she wanted to understand. But questions could wait. What mattered now was this: the simple joyful act of running her fingers gently through his hair, feeling him beneath her touch. The bond they shared thrummed softly in answer, the twin necklaces amplifying the quiet resonance of her affection until it felt like warmth blooming through her chest.

"Training's going well..." she said at last, her voice perking up with thought. The words were lighter than what sat in her mind, but it was easier to start there.

"Busy. If I'm not doing one thing, it's another. Feels like I'm living out of my backpack." A faint smile pulled at her lips, tinged with fondness and an equal amouth of fatigue.

Her gaze softened as she looked at him, fingers still trailing through crimson strands.

"I keep wondering what comes next. Where I should put my focus. There are so many paths, and I... I just don't know which one is right. You know?"

She let a lock of his hair twirl around her finger, enjoying how its silky feel swirled around it.

"What about you?"

 

[Jane]

Tag: Lestra Thairk

---

"No, no. That is not what I meant." Jane replied, gently taking both of his hands in hers. Although, in a galaxy where she didn't want to be gentle, she didn't have the strength to offer a forceful or painful handshake. "Like the fish you do. And the wooshing of your legs. But then together."

"Like this." Jane would raise their hands high above her head, which would be near Lestra's shoulders, before attempting a swimming motion from left to right while sinking downwards, similar to a fish drifting through the ocean but with four hands rather than two. It was clearly not as good as Lestra's fish dance, but she was trying to copy it none the less.

"And then..." She took a moment to ground herself before making a small bunny hop into the air. She landed on her feet, but immediately kicked out her left leg, as if to kick away some grass. All the while, she didn't let go of his hands.

"I would also do that thing you did on the ground. But I do not think I can." While her giggle was long gone, her lips were curled up into the slightest smile. It wasn't big or dazzling, and the Force knew how rare her smiles were, yet there it was. "If neither of us can dance, then we do this."

 

[Aether Verd]

Assets: Beskar'gam | Basilisk
Darksaber | Resolute Dawn​

ODESSEN - HILL

Aether’s helm tilted faintly at the words that rolled from his brother’s tongue, the syllables of Mando’a carrying a meaning that was not lost on him. A smile stirred unseen as he answered in kind, voice smooth with approval. “All we need now is to get you fitted with proper beskar’gam, and then we will have ourselves a true Mandalorian yet.” The comment was easy, but the pride beneath it was genuine, for hearing Acier make the effort at all was worth far more than polished armor. "And thank you, I'm just trying to keep up with you looks-wise."

His gaze shifted then to the girl who had spoken so directly a moment before, her tone colored with the kind of casual boldness that amused him. Aether inclined his head, words warm despite the steel of his helm. “The hill is important because you are here. I am simply here to make Acier’s evening slightly more difficult.” His voice carried the faint edge of humor, the sort that revealed itself only in moments such as this, when he was not Mand’alor addressing warriors, but an older brother and a guest among potential friends.

Without further ceremony he moved past the railing, choosing the opposite side of Acier to lower himself down. The polished beskar was no stranger to discomfort, yet he stretched onto the grass with a fluid motion, settling back until the stars framed themselves above. One arm rested across his chest while the other reached toward the tiny droid that had so eagerly circled him moments before. The light pat of his offhand against Tic’s plating was deliberate, an acknowledgement of the little machine’s enthusiasm and a silent assurance that he was welcome here too.

When his attention turned again, it was to the two younger arrivals making their way closer. The girl’s smile was bright, her bag of cookies offered freely, while the boy carried himself with the look of someone still deciding how to fit into the moment. Aether inclined his helm toward them both. “It is good to meet you! You have chosen the best hill tonight.” His tone held a note of exaggerated ceremony despite the ease of the words.

For a time he let the company settle, stars above, the grass cool beneath the armor, voices nearby familiar and new alike. Then, in the kind of lightheartedness that only came when he was surrounded by those younger than himself, his voice broke the quiet with something that was both jest and inquiry. “Since this is a rare opportunity to speak with so many fresh faces, let me ask you something. I have been told there are thirty two flavors of Jedi. Which one are you?” His tone was rich with amusement, but beneath it lay honest curiosity, the sort of question only a Mandalorian might pose without irony, seeking to cut to the heart of how they saw themselves.​

Vera Noble , Acier Moonbound , Pari Sylune , Michael Angellus + Open