Dominion Wedlocked and Loaded | GA Dominion of Ukatis

[Corazona von Ascania]

​

Nestled just on the border of Alliance space between Janara III and Yag'Dhul, Ukatis is a relatively unknown, unremarkable planet. A hospitable world to organics, Ukatis’ generally temperate climate tends towards the colder side, though not as frigid as systems like Csilla or Midvinter. A handful of sprawling cities are flanked by bodies of water, rural farmlands and mountain ranges. The capital of Axilla is slowly becoming modernized; however, Ukatis is a traditionally agrarian world with an industrial creep slowly overtaking less fertile farmlands.

Though ushering in an age of modern technology, Ukatis operates under a feudal system overseen by the ruling monarchy. The planet’s past is rife with power struggles between noble houses, often leading to bloody wars and the throne changing hands. Fifteen years ago, Ukatis was on the brink of collapse under the isolationist rule of House Throaen. Several years of poor harvests and the king’s refusal to open trade routes or accept offworld intervention lead to a sweeping famine. In response to King Throaen's attempt to keep Ukatis insular, several of the noble houses banded together and rebelled against the throne, overthrowing the current monarch and decimating House Throaen. Among the noble lords who'd vanquished their king, the forward thinking House Cholmondeley was chosen to ascend to the throne.

Trade routes reopened, allowing food and offworld goods to flow into Ukatis once more. The planet and her people slowly recovered, accepting aid from the Confederacy of Independent Systems. When the Confederacy’s power waned and the galaxy ablaze, Ukatis looked to the Galactic Alliance for protection.

Having just stabilized Kinyen's agriculture works with an uplift that rejuvenated their food production's stability, The Galactic Alliance intends to connect the two planets, Kinyen and Ukatis, to work together and mutually strengthen each of their agricultural output.

However, not everyone on Ukatis is thrilled that their home is joining the Galactic Alliance. Though their actual political power has long since been depleated, loyalists to the former crown want to return to Ukatis’ previous isolationist ways. Recently, there have been several reports of noble children being kidnapped and held for ransom. Though not yet endemic, masked individuals wielding shock weaponry have been targeting shipments of off-world goods and harassing shopkeepers who sell foreign wares.

Obj I: A Royal Engagement​

The engagement between Prince Horace von Cholmondeley III and the daughter of Viscount Marcel von Ascania, Corazona von Ascania has been announced. A celebration is being throw in the capital city of Axilla, and Alliance personnel are invited to attend as a show of good faith. Rub shoulders with the aristocrats of Ukatis, and offer your congratulations to the 'happy' couple.

Given the recent string of attacks by insurgents, Alliance personnel are also requested to provide security detail at this high profile event.

Obj II: Supply Chain Crisis
​

Due to a series of continually poor harvests, the native food stores of Ukatis are dwindling rapidly. As a form of humanitarian aid, the Alliance has agreed to supply Ukatis with basic food staples until the planet can once again produce its own crops. As a sizable shipment of foodstuffs is being unloaded into a warehouse on the outskirts of Axilla, the building is set aflame by a group of darkly garbed, masked troublemakers wielding stun batons, taser staves, and electro darts. Protect the supplies from turning to ash, and catch those who are responsible.

Obj III: Bring Your Own
​

The capital city of Axilla is known for its confections and vodka production. Explore some of the galaxy’s most reknowned chocolatiers and distilleries, or hit up the shopping district. Go nuts idk.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Ukatis, Ascania Estate
One week prior.​

"I'm...I'm what?!"

Voice crackling on an exhale, Cora felt as if the air had been ripped from her lungs. Certainly she'd heard him wrong. This couldn't be true.

Marcel von Ascania stared down at his daughter, iron gaze inspiring the Padawan to grimace shrink back for the folly of raising her voice.

"You are engaged, Corazona."

The Viscount's words rolled like thunder, reverberating off of the walls of his study. Well into his fifth decade of life, the towering form of Marcel had yet to wither under age. An injury to his leg incurred during the planetary uprising nearly fifteen years ago necessitated the occasional use of a cane, but he was still a powerfully built man who cut an imposing figure. No sign of commiseration played out across his face, no sigh of condolence passed his lips.

"I understand that the speed at which this arrangement happened is...unprecedented. But you would do well to adjust quickly."

Cora chanced raising her gaze to him, tilting her head upward carefully. Shock was still written heavily across her features, from the tensing of her jaw to the way she gripped the skirt of her dress fervently with both hands.

"But I…how. Father, you said that I would not be wed until I've finished my training with the Jed—"

"The circumstances have changed. Unexpected as it was given your recent folly, Prince Horace's proposal takes precedence over your personal matters, Corazona."

Marcel raised his arm, then sent the butt of his cane crashing against the floor. The decisive thud startled Cora to inaction, and it did nothing to ease the rigidity from her body. Heavy silence permeated the room, daring her to speak further. The Viscount's daughter swallowed thickly around the lump in her throat, unsure of where exactly she was drawing the strength to challenge him from. Back and shoulders straight, she wore her anxieties plainly but not let them ruin her posture.

"Father, you've sent me to the Alliance's New Jedi Order in order to strengthen our position at home—a decision that even the crown has supported. Wouldn't it be ill advised to pull me away from this task too soon, even for marriage?"

The words slipped from her so easily, but her even tone, her courtly approach were all painstakingly controlled. Right now, Cora desperately clung to the idea that she had some level of importance on Ukatis, that her joining the Jedi Order had some significance for her world beyond becoming a neat little token of the Ascania family. Slated to be yet another faceless noblewoman who'd fade into the background of Ukatian society, who's life ultimately culminated into becoming marriage fodder for her father's political aspirations.

Marcel regarded his daughter with a hint of surprise; a raised chin and a lofted brow. Corazona had always been a willful child, yet dutiful in the end. He had hoped that the Jedi Order would have provided more disciplinary guidance.

SMACK.​

Free hand held aloft, the Viscount watched callously as Corazona stumbled back, cradling her cheek. His palm tingled faintly, but it didn't nearly match the stinging red welt he'd left on his eldest child's face.

"It seems the longer you are away from the estate, the more you forget how to conduct yourself, Corazona. Do take care to ensure that this little outburst does not occur at the celebration of your engagement."

A guttural sigh rumbled from Marcel's throat. "Once your are wed, it will be within the purview of your husband to decide whether or not you may continue your Jedi activities. Until then, you will proceed with your Jedi training. And you will act with respect and grace."

Obj I: A Royal Engagement
Present day Axilla​

The capital really was something else.

The Ascania estate was in the heart of rural Ukatis; while expansive, it was also old-fashioned and conservative. Axilla had much more modern architecture and access to goods from all across the galaxy. Cora had marveled at the extravagantly decorated banquet hall that had been procured for her engagement celebration; while a full meal would not be served, tables of lavishly decorated and overly posh finger foods were readily available. An open bar served guests, and neatly dressed attendants floated seamlessly through the crowds carrying all manner of drink and appetizers.

At the center of it all stood Prince Horace von Cholmondeley III and his newly announced fiancée: Corazona von Ascania, daughter of Viscount Marcel von Ascania. The pair stood arm in arm, greeting guests and making small talk with the various members of Ukatian aristocracy and foreign diplomats who had stopped by to give the couple their well wishes.

Cora's face ached for more than one reason. Several well applied layers of concealer disguised the dark bruise on her cheek, but her jaw was sore from maintaining that same hollow, phony smile she'd pinned to her face for hours. Several years ago she would have been over the moon at the prospect of being engaged to royalty, but after having experienced a level of independence within the NJO, an arrainged marriage had become a much harder pill to swallow. Yet, on the surface she looked like any other young noblewoman; dignified, demure, and attired in high a quality, traditional dress.

Alliance personnel had been invited to the celebration as a show of good faith, but the crown had also requested their attendance for security purposes. There was a little irony in noble partygoers consuming an abundance of decadent treats while elsewhere in the city, warehouses of staple foods burned at the hands of insurgents.

Still, Cora did as she was told and smiled through the agony while maintaining a courtly, graceful demeanor as she and Horace moved on to greet the next guest.

 

[Valery Noble]

Ukatis

​

Outfit: dress
Appearance: Link
Tag: Kahlil Noble
Target: Marcel von Ascania

"Please stop me if I'm about to strangle him," Valery told her husband as they entered the hall. Normally, she would have been overjoyed at the idea of someone so close to her getting married. But given the nature of this wedding, Valery just wasn't quite sure how to feel. Cora had told her that honoring her people was important to her, and this was part of their culture. However, she also knew how much Cora had grown to care about Makko.

How did she really feel about this arranged marriage?

She was going to find out as soon as she got a chance to talk to Cora, but first, another important meeting was on her schedule. Together with Kahlil, she was going to meet Marcel von Ascania — Cora's father. Valery knew about the abuse from him towards his children and now this wedding was added on top of that. It brought out motherly anger inside the Keshian that even Kahlil rarely got to see.

Still, she did not want to cause too much of a scene if she could help it. So in the beautiful dress Thelma Goth had made her, and with her arms locked around one of Kahlil's, she calmly walked through the hall and looked at the people who had gathered. From familiar faces to Nobles who didn't see the problem with what was happening here today.

"He'll be waiting for us in a private room there. I..." she sighed. "I really hope that this goes alright. I want things to change and get better for Cora, but I'm afraid that it could get worse too."

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Approaching Ukatis
Tags: Corazona von Ascania , Valery Noble

​

"Bullchit. This is bullchit."

Jasper was fuming in the pilot's seat of the Lonestar 1. There was nothing that enraged him more than people being used for others ends, especially those he cared about. Cora was being used, plain and simple, a political pawn in the game of nobility. The fact that she was being forced into a marriage was disgusting. It angered the Jedi Knight to his very core, and he was rarely angry. He made no effort to dress in an appropriate manner for such a "high class" event. It wasn't high class, really. It was a barbaric echo chamber, a vacuum that convinced those with wealth to sacrifice the next generation on the alter of success and alliance. It was a façade, and there was no way in hell that Jasper was going to adhere to the customs of a frankly uncivilized court.

"Jasper," Pyf began, "You really should calm down."

"I am calm," Jasper insisted. "And I'm about to calmly beat Cora's rat bastard of a father into paste..."

He sighed, slouching in his seat. His companion was right. All Jasper would achieve was making the situation worse. It was terrible. Everything was terrible.

"This isn't right," he muttered. "It's barbaric, inhumane, disgusting... It's like they don't even see her as a person. Just a tool. Some means to an ends for power."

"And what's best for Cora now is that you show up to support her," the droid stated. "Talk her into standing her ground."

"You're right," the knight nodded. "You're right... Thanks, buddy."

That's what he needed to do. Cora needed to know that she didn't have to stand for this. She could walk out. No doubt Valery was already there trying to do what she could, what any master would do for their student. He needed to be there for her as well. After all, she looked up to him in a manner not many others did. It would be like abandoning his brother.

Jasper couldn't do that.

Before long, he had entered the atmosphere of Ukatis.

 

[Desric Terassi]

Obj I: A Royal Engagement
Corazona von Ascania​

An arranged marriage? It seemed rather dated, as far as Desric was concerned. There was an expectation that those of high standing find partners of similar pedigree, to be sure, but leaving the choice to the parents seemed archaic at best.

An adequately educated noble should be more than capable of finding a proper spouse.

Nevertheless, here he was - though not alone. Having noted well the spike in violence targetting the pro-Alliance powers that be, Desric had brought a date. Specifically, he had requisitioned a 'Heavy Combat Human Replica Droid' in the shape of an attractive young woman. Apparently, the thing came equipped with a genuine disruptor cannon. How fun!

"Lady Ascania. Your Highness." Desric bowed, as decorum dictated, but a subtle twitch of his lips made it clear that he knew exactly what he was doing by addressing Cora first. "It is impressive how much you have built, in so little time." A compliment? Perhaps, but it was just as easily interpreted as a jab towards the youth of the current monarchy.

Not to mention the somewhat lacking development elsewhere on the planet.

At least compared to his ancient and glorious homeworld of Serenno.

Desric had noted Cora's carefully concealed bruise, of course - his eyes were sensitive enough to count the hairs on someone's head from across a room - but had erronously attributed it to 'aggressive Jedi training'.

He had, after all, experienced the 'full-contact swordsmanship' of the Jedi firsthand.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"He's very fortunate."

Kahlil turned his gaze around the estate. But he didn't smile. Gone was the calm smile he often employed, even when he felt annoyed, stressed, or at it's worse, anger. No, he wasn't bothering to hide his displeasure. Nobility, snobbery disguised as duty in most cases. And right now, all he could see were the coverups of someone who put station and power above anything else. His eyes narrowed for a moment as he caught sight of Cora and her new.. Fiance.

It was a daughter's duty to solidify the position of their father. He knew that rule very well from his own upbringing. There was nothing like a marriage to further blend a conquered culture into the Epicanthix. He was also pretty familiar with covering up.

He didn't explain himself. The moment they emerged on the balcony to speak with this man who'd call himself a father, a man who'd parade his daughter's misery out in the open like it was a celebration, he stepped over, as if to do the usual thing of shaking a man's hand.

SMACK.
​

Kahlil didn't hold back. Just brought his fist across the man's jaw as his silver gaze focused down on him. He shook his hand out after a moment, taking a breath to steady his emotions. One punch was fine, all things considered.

"There. You should match your daughter on this joyous day, no?"

Valery Noble | Marcel von Ascania

 

[Makko Vyres]

M A K K O​

Makko, like several other padawans and knights, stood dutifully around the perimeter of the room. They had been called in to provide some protection for the guests. They had been told to greet people, make pleasant conversation if initiated by one of the guests and to provide directions if asked. Makko - deciding that he wanted to actually make a good impression - had actually saved a map of the public areas to his implants.

Makko had never seen Utakis and he had thought it was an opportunity to see where Cora had come from. He knew the rules about being near her father, but thought it would be a fun story to bring up later. Being on formal duty rather than joining the party itself meant he would stay out of sight.

What a fething idiot.

Unlike some of the other padawans on formal duty, Makko was staring at his feet and grinding his teeth together. He felt sick. He felt genuinely, physically sick.

He had known this was an inevitable conclusion. No conversation had ever steered Cora from the loyalty she had to her family. Her unshakeable belief that her duties to them came first. Maybe, he had seen some hints of cracks and thought that with a few more years of training with the jedi she would value her independence enough to rebel against his rule.

It had always been a tenuous hope, but a few years had always felt like a very long time to the teenager. The longest relationship he'd had before had barely lasted months. Suddenly years had been cut down to nothing at all.

He couldn't look up. Couldn't watch her walking through the crowd on his arm, smiling at everyone who greeted them. He didn't want her to see him. He wanted the ground to swallow him up.

 

[Auteme]

Corazona von Ascania Horace von Cholmondeley III Desric Terassi ​

Auteme found the place to be empty. The room was, of course, full; Ukatis's aristocracy would be remiss to not attend the engagement party of their royals. No, the presence of others instead made Auteme more aware of the lack. It was difficult to describe. Lack of care? Lack of connection? Lack of interest?

Ukatis was by no means an important world on the galactic stage. No one here demanded her presence, no deal needed to be struck, no one needed any great convincing. Save the supposed loyalists who wanted isolationism, the political elite of this world were content to join the Alliance and partake in all the benefits that brought. Auteme's arrival signalled the final nail in the coffin, an acknowledgement of Ukatis's membership in the Alliance.

This was technically the first day of a state visit -- tomorrow she'd get a full tour of Axilla, and the day after that she'd be meeting some of Ukatis's rural farmers. Those would be more interesting than this; the moment she entered the room, she would be swarmed by clout-chasing aristocrats if she didn't move carefully. These people lacked the genuine power to do anything more than annoy her, but already she felt exhausted.

Auteme didn't allow herself to slip. She entered the room with the same flair as usual; a sudden gust of wind accompanying her through the tall ballroom doors. She left it at that, though -- unfortunately the title of Chancellor demanded attention anyways.

She scanned the room for a moment before spotting the couple across the room. The moment of hesitation by the partygoers allowed her enough time to glide over to the royals without being intercepted, but not enough to be first up to greet them, as the Senator of Arcadia (accompanied by another empty husk, of course) cut in just before her.

"Prince Horace, Lady Ascania." Auteme missed Desric's calculated introduction; her own was slightly disrespectful more out of an ideological disdain for royalty than any specific dislike. She much preferred names to titles. Still, she gave a flawless curtsy and a warm smile. "I believe congratulations are in order," she said, before immediately turning to Desric.

"Senator Terassi, reliable as ever in places like these. Though this is surely one of the best." Her gaze swung to Horace. "Are all parties on Ukatis like this? Truly there is a mastery of hosting here, I must visit more often."

 

[Hex]

Tag: Corazona von Ascania Makko Vyres open
Location: Axilla
Objective: Party

Spoiler: Equipment

• Neon Lady suit
• ap-25i SIMP pistol
• 'Candles' Heavy particle blaster
• 'confetti' Rocket launcher
• Party Poppers (0 explosive, 0 gas)
• Dancer repulsor board
• Jade Void Amulet
• Dervish Knife
• Roadrunner chewing gum

Spoiler: Hex dialogue colors

Poor Hex hears voices in her head

Hex speech to others
Hex speech to herself

Hexes inner voices
'...Neutral...'
'...Doubt...'
'...Anger...'
Coloured '.....' are also words that Hex can hear , but I decided not to write them to reduce clutter

Hex began the final descent of her little fighter craft, she had travelled a long way and had had to pack extra fuel cells into her sleeping pod so had barely enough room to take a nap, but this was rough living Ukatis was a long way from home but she wanted to attend this party. The guy she had been briefly interested in turned out to be dating a girl who was now getting engaged? So confusing, but the party might be fun. Hex had dyed her hair for this, this place was far from denon, but being the blue haired girl was not the attention she was going for, she wanted to be a normal 18 years old and attend a party.

'...filled with Jedi...'
"shhh..."
"One of who you tried to murder"
"details, details"
"Who might kill you on sight?"

Hex growled and landed the ship before hopping out and heading to the party. She almost forgot her gift for the beautiful Corazona von Ascania but grabbed the box just before she left her M3 behind her. The landing crew gave her a judgemental look at the battered ship next to a lot of very attractive expensive starships.

She wrinkled her nose and stuck her tongue out before heading to the party. It was going to be good fun tonight. She walked past the guards, the girl had no weapons on her, it was crazy, but getting arrested for carrying a gun would lead to too many question.

Finally she was in the party and she waltzed across the dance floor looking for the girl of the hour. And there she was, she looked gorgeous, but out of place, for some reason. Hex couldn't walk right up to her "who is that? Oh, just some girl from denon, blah blah blah... dead Hex" she muttered to herself and approached the table. She put her little box on the table. A handwritten and unnamed label adorned the box.

Inside was a neatly wrapped Dervish Knife, a little fun gift that Hex had no idea why she thought the young woman might enjoy.

After putting her gift down made her way over to the food table and grabbed several wonderful looking delicacies, but another caught her eye, one she recognised, and a man who did not look like he wished to be celebrating at all, he looked drawn in on himself, he was clearly a Jedi, a handsome one that she knew, but looked sad. Hex decided to grab another pair of small cream horns and add them to her plate.

'...This is a bad move...'
"Maybe, but i like him so feth it."

The girl with the bright pink hair leaned up against the wall next to Makko Vyres and offered him the spare horns woth a smile and a sparkle in her blue eyes. He had been in her bedroom, she had helped save him from droids, she trusted him to see through her disguise and not blow it for her. "If i was one of your space wizards I might tell you your feelings betray you or some chit.... but you just wanna chill and eat junk food with me?"

​

 

[Maeve Linahan]

Maeve prayed to the gods no one had noticed she was wearing the same exact dress from the one back at the Hapes charity gala. She was nothing but practical, and the only outfits she kept in her wardrobe were either pressed Jedi robes or heavy sets of armor.

The gown she requested from Thelma had not yet been quite finished, and she'd already worn her only other dress to Amani's wedding. Now, it was back to the green.

She walked the ballroom slowly, part of the security detail and also part of the guests. Again, like Hapes, she had determined the best way to protect the partygoers was by blending in with them. By being a Shadow.

But what if the real enemy were the hosts themselves?

When Maeve heard the news about Cora's engagement, she'd been unsure. It was obviously arranged, but what did she know? Maybe Cora wanted this. Maybe it was for the best. Or so, up until she saw the delicately disguised bruise on her cheek, or the fake smile she'd been wearing since the doors opened. Maeve knew, because she wore that same smile during all her missions.

Her mood had soured considerably since then. The urge to intercept Cora, to say something, tugged at her like a rope, but instead she stayed her distance, watching the girl and her fiance wander from one guest to another, her eyes rarely leaving them. She had little idea of what to think about the prince, besides noting how much gel he’d clearly waxed into his hair.

"Handsome, isn't he?" said a voice. A younger girl, hiding behind a fan patterned with lilacs. She was heavy in blush and perfume. "A rare sight in the royal court. The jewel of Ukatis. I find it hard not to stare, too." She let out a sigh, swooning. "He looks like a dream."

"He looks like a prick," Maeve muttered.

The girl blinked in response. "I'm sorry?"

"He looks very slick," she amended with a smile. "Very handsome, yes."

Tags: Open​

​

 

[BB-610]

A ROYAL ENGAGEMENT

| LOCATION: Ukatis |
| TAG: Open! |


Another wedding! Technically. It was an engagement party, but that was the same thing, right? A hat trick for the astromech by now, which was a rather bizarre thing to reflect on, but organics simply functioned on a different wavelength to him - their short lives required an anchor to ground them together lest they die without fulfilment. BB-610 was ever so fond of the ceremonies, as they offered an isolated slice of peace and tranquillity amongst a time of war, providing a much needed breath of fresh air for those invited. Strangely, this particular party didn't seem to elicit that response from Valery and Kahlil, whom the droid had arrived with, which was - frankly - rather absurd. The bride was Cora, after all, a beloved friend to their family and one of Valery's prized Padawans; it struck him as odd to see the thinly-veiled scowls on their faces as they entered Ukatis' atmosphere. Standard procedure unfortunately dictated that BB-610 not accompany his Masters, given the confidentiality involved in the meeting of the high-class noble in Cora's father, and what was essentially chalked up to a roly-poly recording camera was all but barred from this anticipated encounter.

Still, as the Nobles entered the hall with the idle nods and greetings of Ukatis' peoples, BB-610 was determined to enjoy himself, and while he'd been robbed of the satisfaction of setting up the room, he nonetheless wanted to deliver his congratulations to the Padawan. She was, admittedly, much younger than the brides he'd seen prior, but the astromech thought little of it due to the extreme differences of lifespans between them to begin with. Trailing behind Valery and Kahlil, he bweeped them a 'see you soon!' as they were summoned to the balcony, which left BB-610 all on his lonesome.

...Well. Not really.

Peering down at one of his tool-bay disks, the grid surrounding it opened up, and out popped Scampi, the Nobles' pet porg, sneezing from the collected dust in the droid's hull. The seabird promptly hopped out, webbed feet clinging onto the rim of BB-610's compartment, before stretching his wings and fluttering down to the ground, already mesmerized by his own reflection along the hall's flawless, pristine floors. Utility arm emerging to grab the porg's attention, BB-610 chirped a stern command for Scampi to behave himself-- something that earned little more than the tilt of a head and some idle cooing. A quick glance around the room, and there Cora was, standing as prim and proper as usual, arms locked with who BB-610 could only guess to be the boyfriend Vera had mentioned at the annual Eshan bazaar. Eager to see her, the BB unit wasted no time in rolling on over, though he soon found his efforts irritatingly thwarted by an ensemble of legs crowding around the happy (outwardly, at least) couple.

It was times like these that he cursed his height, not being able to see past the countless heads queueing in line for chit-chat and pleasantries, but an adventurous nature and motherly instincts weren't the only things he'd taken after Valery: he also had her stubborn determination. So around swerved the astromech, fruitlessly trying to re-gain view of Cora, and it was only as he slowly scaled the nearby stairs that he managed to catch a glimpse of her, having been approached by a... pretty boy, it seemed? Groaning impatiently, BB-610 inched closer, and it was only then that he noticed the distinct lack of bird-like mewls and the pitter-patter of tiny, webbed feet. Optic widening in abject horror, the droid squeaked, head immediately circling all around his body in order to try and locate Scampi, spherical body rotating in tandem to give his advanced photoreceptors all the more angles to pinpoint where the porg had--

Oh no.

BB-610 perked up, eyeing the seabird from halfway across the hall, curiously hopping across the floor and flapping his wings to approach the bar. In a matter of seconds, Scampi neared one of the glasses, eyes glued to his reflection, stubby nose pressed against it, only to watch as the glass slooooowly tipped backwards, stumbling off the counter and onto the floor with a wince inducing smash. As though the fate of the universe depended on it, BB-610 sped down the stairs, screeching desperately as he rolled over to the porg in an attempt to catch him, but all it did was kickstart Scampi's playful instincts, taking flight and soaring across the room right onto one of the plates of food being offered to the guests. To nobody's surprise, the food was subsequently devoured, and what wasn't had been mindlessly tossed onto the floor.

BB-610 could only think of how lucky he'd be if he came out of tonight as anything more than a scrap heap.

 

[Makko Vyres]

M A K K O​

"If i was one of your space wizards I might tell you your feelings betray you or some chit.... but you just wanna chill and eat junk food with me?"

Makko had been very close to working up some more courage. Enough courage to look across the room at Cora and stare until she had to see him and meet his gaze.

And if that didn't work, part of his was trying to work out what else he could do. Perhaps something to make a scene.

He took the offered pastry politely and sighed.

"Didn't expect to see you here," he admitted. He stared at the pastry as if it had offended him. A slight squeeze and the cream threatened to drop to the floor in a dollap.

Hearing someone remark on how amazing Cora's new fiancé looked, he wondered what it would feel like to strange a person. He popped the pastry into his mouth before he could squash it.

"You don't often get to come to an engagement party and find out it's for your girlfriend," he said, nodding towards the couple.

"What else they got to eat?" he asked Hex.

 

[Marcel von Ascania]

Obj I: A Royal Engagement
Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble
​

Standing at the edge of a balcony overlooking the banquet hall, Marcel von Ascania observed the celebration with a stalwart gaze. All had gone to plan thus far—guests of both Ukatian aristocracy and Galactic Alliance affiliation had been steadily filtering in, and Corazona was behaving herself.
He knew that this would be hard on her, and perhaps he'd mistakenly believed that his expectations were understood.

A crystalline smash from below drew the Viscount's gaze to the little seabird, watching as it flew away from the shattered glass with a screaming BB unit in tow. A graying brow lofted at the unruly scene, but his attention quickly refocused on the door behind him sliding open.

Turning in place, Marcel grunted in recognition at the couple who crossed the threshold into the private room. So this was Valery Noble, the famed Sword of the Jedi, the woman who'd been instructing his eldest daughter. Corazona had indicated that her Master wanted to meet with him, to which the Viscount readily agreed.

He'd been prepared to offer his apologies for what he presumed would be his daughter's dismal performance as a Jedi.

He did not expect to be struck across the face with a fist.

Stumbling back, Marcel dropped his cane and braced himself against the balcony with one hand. The other came to cradle his jaw, fingers coming to swipe away the trace of blood from the corner of his split lip.

Slowly, he bent down to retrieve his cane. After taking his time to straighten, both hands clasped atop the handle with a pained sigh.

"Master Noble." He tilted his head in a nod of greeting to Valery, before his gaze swept to Kahlil. "And Master Noble's guest."

"I thank you for coming all this way to join in the festivities. Forgive me, but I did not realize that my daughter's poor performance necessitated such a violent introduction."

 

[Thelma Goth]

Tags: Corazona von Ascania Horace von Cholmondeley III

Thelma would have gone to the engagement party. Honest. She liked Cora, after all. But the rumor mill had revealed the less-than-happy circumstances surrounding the betrothal, and Thelma smelled trouble.

If anyone asked, she’d tell them she had too much work to do. Which was true—she spent the evening at her sewing machine, stitching gowns and suits and repairing robes. Word had gotten around about her little hobby, and in the span of a short time Thelma had developed an impressive backlog of commissions. Add to that the high likelihood that Cora would ask her to make a wedding dress—in fact, Thelma had already sent a few preliminary ideas to the noblewoman—and she couldn’t afford to put off her work anymore. She sent the pictures and an apology to Cora, promising she would attend the actual wedding ceremony.

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Obj II: Supply Chain Crisis

Axilla Outskirts​

Flames lit up the roof of the warehouse in a bright glow while below chaos reigned. Local workers and Alliance personnel flee out to save themselves from the flames with a number of them screaming about the fire. Quickly alarms sounded out while some tried to make holocalls and others scrambled to find means to put out the now raging fire.

Soon however, the masked arsonists jumped into the fray, attacking them. Men and women dropped with some crying out as they were electrocuted by the stun weapons the attackers wielded. A security guard attempted to draw his pistol but he was bashed in the back of the head by a baton being shocked in the process.

"We're under attack I repeat we under attack!" A Ukatis woman said in a commlink before she screamed in agony with an electric dart shot into her side.

Becoming more bold the insurgents pressed their assault, knocking out people with impunity.

One masked man kicked a Rodian aid worker to the ground. She looked up toward him pleading.

"Please stop we're only trying—

He answered with a swift punch to her face exclaiming.

"Silence Alliance dog! We don't need your charity!"

Without warning a blaster bolt struck the insurgent in the chest, knocking him down with his final breath being a feeble gasp. Immediately his comrades turned to the direction of the shot. They beheld a hooded figure with a raised Westar pistol who didn't hesitate to fire again, wounding another in the left thigh. The rest scattered before charging toward their new enemy from several directions. Some fired darts at their target but the hooded defender lifted the other arm, activating a personal deflector shield.

The darts exploded on impact while the hooded person fired again, blasting one dart shooter in the head. Others leaped from both flanks with their batons and staves but the stranger flew back meters away causing two insurgents to be shocked by incoming darts from their own side. Tossing the cloak aside, Minerva revealed herself fully clad in her armor and gear.

This assignment is more dangerous than I thought it would be. She thought glaring at the zealots behind her T-Visor.

Swifty she ascended in the air via jetpack, turning off the shield while sending out an alert to Jedi and Alliance forces nearby, requesting for aid. Evading more darts she drew her second pistol. The fight was on!

 

[Valery Noble]

Ukatis

​

Outfit: dress
Appearance: Link
Tag: Kahlil Noble
Target: Marcel von Ascania

The second they stepped onto the balcony, Valery's eyes shifted to Cora's father, but her focus was on her husband instead. She felt a shift within him and through their bond, she knew what was about to happen. As a result, she let go of his arm and watched as Kahlil punched the man across the cheek. Kahlil was... strong, so it wasn't surprising to see Marcel stumbling back and having to brace himself by grabbing hold of the Balcony's railing.

Internally, Valery grinned and she looked at her husband in quiet admiration for a moment.

But knowing that things could escalate, she was also quick to wrap herself around his arm again. Both to keep him steady and to make sure nobody else made a move against him.

"He's my husband, not my guest," Valery insisted, her voice much colder than it usually would be if she met someone related to her Padawans. Her fiery eyes glared directly into his soul, and Kahlil would be able to feel her grip on his bicep tighten when the man talked about Cora's performance. "Cora..." she said through a clenched jaw.

"Cora has been an excellent Padawan," she said. "Deserving of praise, not physical and emotional abuse." She let that linger for a moment while she stared him down, just to make sure that he knew that she knew. "As I'm sure you know, as her Master it's my responsibility to not only teach but protect and act in the best interest of my students." With every word, her struggle to remain professional grew, and Kahlil could feel that tension rising.

"If something... or someone... threatens that, I will stop it." This was a warning for the man but spoken like it was a threat to him directly. His abuse of his daughter was going to have to stop, or the punch he collected from her husband would only be the beginning of his punishment.

If Ukatis was to join the Alliance, even he would have to abide by its laws and there was zero tolerance for his behavior.

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Ukatis
Tags: Open...

​

Jasper was very upset when he entered the estate of the Ascania's, giving the staff the cold shoulder as he promptly made his way to where the drinks were being served. Rather than take a glass of champagne, the knight seized an entire bottle, setting off with it to some secluded corner. It was very clear from expression alone how greatly upset he was.

"My, aren't you improper."

Some random noble had walked up on him, commenting on his far from formal attire.

"I didn't know they were allowing common folk in," the man chuckled. "What's your deal?"

"Who cares?" Jasper shrugged. "You often approach strangers with your head up your own ass?"

"Pardon?!" the man scoffed, his face now appearing rather shocked.

"You're wasting your time," the knight continued. "Being all up and indignant about appearing proper, like it has some grand cosmic significance. The universe dwarfs you in age and scale. We're all specs on a near infinite timeline that march on to the inevitable death of matter itself. Anything that you could ever say about how I'm dressed means nothing."

Jasper took a swig from the champagne bottle he had procured, leaving the noble man in a daze. It seemed that, in that moment, he man began to question the purpose of everything he was doing for the very first time. In a trance brought about by sudden shock, the noble went off to get himself a drink.

The Jedi Knight was unconcerned. He was just here for Cora, but there was no way he was approaching her. He'd wind up knocking out her snot of a fiancé. There had to be some way to reach her...

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil had to give credit where it was due.

The man kept his composure, even with getting punched right across the chin. Honestly, it just made him feel worse. For Cora, for her family. A man like this was not built to be a father. A Sith, perhaps. His gaze shifted to Valery, who spoke calm, veiled threats. She'd make a good noblewoman herself, if that was ever something they both cared to do. Right now, though? His gaze shifted back towards him, cold as ever.

"I don't bother with veiled words, Marcel. Your daughter has been fighting on the front lines among other Jedi. Risking her life. To come home to an abuser like you sickens me greatly. So I'll make it clear."

He glanced to Valery. Just for a moment. A silent apology, really, before he turned his attention back towards the man.

"Give me a reason not to hurt you in every way you've hurt your family. The Epicathix do not suffer an abuser, and as prince I will make an example out of you before I let you raise another hand towards her."

Valery Noble | Marcel von Ascania

 

[Alicio Organa]

Axilla, Ukatis
- Amani Serys - Open -​

"Does something feel... off... to you?"

Alicio made sure to murmur the words quietly into Amani's ear as they entered the ballroom, his dark liveries, while expected from the Count, made him stick out like a sore thumb among the bright colors and self-important smiling faces of the Ukatian nobility.

Though, if the conflicting tastes in the air were of any indication, perhaps he fit in more than he thought.

It wasn't just the Force that set Alicio off, though. There was tension in the faces of the Jedi he saw around the room, many he recognized from their wedding. There, they had been happy, excited... but Alicio tasted anger here.

What could cause so many Jedi to come so close to abject rage?

Guiding Amani off to the side, where they could spy the entire area, Alicio frowned heavily. He eyed the shifting crowd, looking for the answer to their mystery. "Should we investigate?"

He didn't want to meddle with things they shouldn't. But perhaps they should meddle. The least they could do was get all sides of the story.

 

[Dominik Borra]

Security at a Wedding. Decades ago he had done this before, but it was far less royal, more Mandalorian. Then he had worn his armor, but at an event like this that wasn't possible. However, he was easily able to wear Armored fancy clothing with his connections, allowing for protection while looking formal.

He was supposed to be working usual security, but he only showed up to this gig because it included Corazona von Ascania , the engaged party to the prince. And as such, he kept close to her as a bodyguard. He had gotten to know her a bit on Exegol when they fought together and he rather liked the young girl. He also had a soft spot for Jedi Padawans in general. Jedi were the best defense and way forward in this Galaxy, he believed. And now a good one was getting married off. That would ruin her whole career, her future as a Jedi and the good she could do in that position.

It seemed like, from his position, none of her Jedi friends liked this either. Jasper showed up in less than appropriate clothing and was mouthing off to a noble, Valery and her husband were off meeting with Cora's father, something he knew because of his position in security, and other Jedi were milling about.

Dominik, from all his experience in the fields of espionage and assassination, knew how to read people pretty well. And Corazona was wearing out her smile. Her jaw was tensing up too much, and at times that not even she might notice she rolled her jaw to try and ease the stress of keeping it on. The way she held onto her fiance's arm wasn't that of a girl excited to be wed, but one who was forced to hold onto something that reeked. She didn't touch him anymore than she had to, no part of her hip, leg, arm or head touched him than the arm she held. Corazona didn't like this arrangement, him, or this party.

A glass crashed on the floor not too far away( BB-610 ), giving Dominik the perfect excuse to lean into Cora's ear and whisper something: "If you want some time away from him, I can make that happen. Just say 'circle'."

Desric Terassi , a senator within the GA, and Auteme , the chancellor herself came up to greet the engaged princess. Dominik would stand nearby Corazona and her fiance, not engaging in the conversation or taking notice of them other than a nod.​