Dominion Wedlocked and Loaded | GA Dominion of Ukatis

[Dominik Borra]

"Huh?" Jasper frowned. "Oh, who knows. I can't assess the danger here. Everyone is... clouded. Jeez, we're all a disaster."

Dominik's wry smirk lowered into a frown. Jasper really was disaster, he didn't even get the joke. Throwing a backpack full of stolen explosives in a place like this would be terrible, he thought it a funny joke. The agent understood political marriages and how the Jedi, the brotherhood and sisterhood that Cora was a part of, felt like she was being taken away from them.

"What the fuck?"

He didn't understand the degree they were getting upset over it. He opened his mouth to say-

A cracking, tinkling sound caught his attention. He turned to see the chandelier brake free of the ceiling, plummeting towards Horace von Cholmondeley III and Corazona von Ascania . Reflexively his hand reached for his weapon, his call of warning drowned out by the sound of the crystal chandelier.

CRRRAASSHHHH

He lifted his elbow to help protect his face from the flying shrapnel, stepping closer to help pull a noblewoman to her feet. She was screaming hysterically, panicked by almost being crushed.

Then he noticed the little droid ( BB-610 ) and the porg.

"This is a travesty to the respect and honor of the Ukatis monarchy, an insult to the heir apparent, Prince Horace von Cholmondeley, third of his name and this royal hall will see order restored now!"

Jasper Kai'el pulled the porg to him and another Jedi, a Padawan, Sion Lorray , both addressed the guards while Iris Arani started tearing her dress to use as bandages. Nothing like innocents in danger to spring Jedi to action.

He looked around and could see Prince Horace being escorted away, but the princess was no where to be seen. He covered his left Eye and, using it's interface, quickly reviewed the last few seconds of footage. Although his he hadn't kept her in his focus the entire while, the eye saved the whole spectrum on his vision. He saw her take advantage of the situation and run off. If she wanted to be alone he wouldn't chase after her.

 

[Maeve Linahan]

"A welcome distraction," Maeve said to Amani, barely hiding the tug on the corner of her lip. The ruined chandelier served as a convenient means to derail the reception and steal the prince's attention away from his betrothed, even if it did leave a handful of nobles reeling.

She had to admit her surprise when Alicio dove headfirst into the mayhem, the worry on his face plain. Despite the controversy haunting the party, he still cared for its guests.

"No offense," Maeve told Amani teasingly and with a smile, "but your husband... he is a good man. Better than most. I'm glad you found each other."

For all her woefully blunt remarks, she respected the Count, more than he might've thought possible, even though she'd probably never admit it.

Knowing his wife would follow shortly after him, being a healer and all, Maeve did the same, wandering around the wreckage of the chandelier. Dust and ceiling plaster wafted in the air. She waved away at it, face falling back to its usual grimace. Glass crunched underneath her heels.

Ahead, through the debris, she searched for Cora, but in the fashion of a Jedi Shadow, the girl had vanished.

Her eyes moved on to Prince Horace. A literal royal pain, the young man was shielded behind a wall of guards, shrieking like a banshee for someone to disable the poor BB unit caught in the middle of the disaster. Thankfully, several Jedi, including a clearly exasperated Jasper and a half-scarred padawan, came to its rescue.

This was what she'd meant. Jedi—no, the Alliance—would always have each other's back. For senators, for droids, for girls crushed under the weight of tradition. They were family. The only family one ever needed. Bonds forged not in blood or shiny rings, but loyalty.

Tags: Amani Serys , Alicio Organa , Open​

​

 

[Desric Terassi]

Obj I: A Royal Engagement
OPEN​

The waste of oxygen who called himself a prince thought him insane? How delightful.

His other remarks were less amusing. Continuing the royal line? No doubt these degenerate troglodytes were focused on such matters on account of their inferior technology. He, on the other hand, fully expected not the inherit the title of Baron for at least fifty years. His grandparents were projected to live well into their second century, after all.

Before he could calm down, the chandelier came crashing down and he laughed out loud. The laughter died in his throat as he noticed that while no one had been crushed, the flying shards of crystal had caused several injuries.

While some ran to help and some fled in terror, the sheltered noble looked a bit queasy.

He was not used to people getting hurt, let alone bleeding, in his presence.

Soon enough, he was guided towards the side of the room by his 'date'. Apparently, the Prince's DNA would have to be retrieved on another occasion. To be perfectly honest, Desric had mostly forgotten about that command until now.

<You don't actually think the royal guard and the Jedi will skirmish, do you?> His mental inquiry was met with reassurance, but there had to be at least a small chance, or she would not be so eager to get him out of the 'line of fire'.

 

[BB-610]

A ROYAL ENGAGEMENT

| LOCATION: Ukatis |
| TAG: Jasper Kai'el | Sion Lorray | Horace von Cholmondeley III |


The world was slowed to a sluggish crawl, enclosed and suffocating as it clamped around his self and crushed his train of thought. Every where he turned, there were looks of disgust, disdain, and bitterness against him, peering and judging. BB-610 felt the urge to ask if they were okay, concerned for their safety, yet that strength never manifested, leaving him frozen amidst broken floors and shattered glass. A pang of emotion he could only describe as acrid filled his servos, and in that moment, it was as though he'd never left The First Order. That'ss what this felt like-- to be viewed as a machine to break down at the slightest of inconveniences, to have his rights stripped and feelings deemed invalid simply because of the metal of his chassis. Hatred directed entirely at him: a scapegoat for the Alliance's impulsions and irrationality towards tonight's events, daggers stared into him by complete strangers.

BB-610 had felt fear before. Xolu. Byss. Xa Fel. Selvaris. Exegol. He'd been ripped apart, broken, tossed and discarded and shot at more times than he'd have liked, and every single time he grew braver because of it. Fear was common, and for better or for worse, he'd grown somewhat accustomed to it. Ukatis, however, wasn't simply fear - it was the drowning glares of unfiltered disappointment from the people around him that the droid couldn't handle. His core ached, an unsteady pulsing drumming against his shell, body trembling from the overwhelming anxiety that had swarmed every inch of him. The Alliance had been his home, he'd gotten a family and friends and a purpose he was happy with, and it had almost made him forget of his prior life at the hands of the multiple resistances and organizations he'd been passed between, ever so disposable and utterly meaningless without restraining bolts and memory wipes. BB-610 had failed so, so many times in the past, and every time resulted in the same outcome.

Stern words, laced in venom, each more insulting than the last. Dents in his chassis, a vessel for his angered superiors to vent their frustrations on to. The threat of replacement, to get tossed aside for a different BB unit, one not plagued by lingering First Order programming, until the day finally came in which one mistake proved too many. Thrown onto sand, reassured with the "Stay here for now" and the "We'll be back soon"s of his handlers, as he'd sit there in place for hours. Days. Months. Years. Nobody came back for him, and nobody cared.

He wasn't a Jedi. He wasn't even organic. As far as anybody outside of his friends at the Alliance was concerned, he was the least valuable asset in the room. And that realization was soul crushing. Perhaps it's simply too unorthodox for a droid to feel, to preach for his humanity, because that felt like nothing more than an oxymoron. BB-610 lived for one purpose: to help, to love, to protect, and he'd done none of that. He had dragged Valery's image into the ground, he had ruined Cora's night, he had humiliated himself all of the people he loved. Anxiety. Guilt. He hated this. He hated this, he wanted to go home, to deactivate and never see the disappointment in anybody's face ever again-

Jasper and Sion's footsteps went ignored, their voices reduced to muted white noise within a sea of static. Scampi screeched as the Force pulled him into the former's grasp, the porg instinctively struggling with the kicking of his legs and the biting of his teeth, squirming helplessly. BB-610 stared at the ballroom, but nothing went registered. Buried memories resurfaced, intrusive thoughts scathing and relentless, his core overheating. He trembled, shaking and petrified as guards swarmed around him, threatening to destroy him just like the people he had trusted all of those years ago- those people he despised for abandoning him, for giving up on him, for treating him like an object.

And then, with one last tremble, his optic flickered to red.

BB-610 refocused his attention, his movements slow and mechanical, devoid of the human imperfections that had carried him for so long. Optic narrowing at one of the guards, his tool-bay disk slid open to let his electro-shock prod emerge, brimming with electricity. Perhaps it was foolish to think he could singlehandedly take on such a lethal swarm of guards, but BB-610 didn't care, because he couldn't. He had reverted into what everybody told him he was: an emotionless machine, driven by programming. Ones and zeroes.

Nothing more than a husk of First Order programming, the astromech lunged forward, an angered shriek echoing through the halls as BB-610 dismissed whatever self-preservation protocols he had and took a shot at one of the guards, shock prod dispensing its energy.

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Ukatis
Tags: BB-610 , Sion Lorray , Horace von Cholmondeley III , Valery Noble , Kahlil Noble

​

"Take the bird, kid," Jasper stated quickly, reacting to Bee's sudden shift in programming.

He promptly handed the porg to Sion, immediately leaping to grapple BB-610. Jasper winced as the shock prod went into his chest, but he didn't falter in his resolve. With all the strength he could muster, the Jedi Knight locked his mechanical arm into place, securing the astromech in his grasp. It was a position that would most likely see him continue to be shocked, but that was fine. He needed to get the droid to safety, even if it meant risking injury.

"I'm going to find Master Noble," he informed the guards. "Consider the damages my debt to pay. Charge me whatever you like when this is all said and done."

Jasper winced as he took another shock prod, scanning for the door that lead to the upper balcony, where he was sure he had gotten a glimpse of Kahlil.

"It's okay, buddy," the knight assured the droid, smiling even as he was being shocked. "Let's go find Val."

With a stagger in his walk, Jasper set off for the balcony access.

 

[Tenn Kalos]

Loomi | Others​

Shep panted contentedly in response to Loomi's pets, leaning in to where it felt best. But then he, like so many others, was soon startled by the crashing chandelier. The dog jumped and cowered, his hackles raising instinctively. Tenn stood up and moved to circle the commotion, unsure of how to act in the face of growing tension. Royal guards were already on the scene, and a few others had jumped in to help clean up the situation.

So much for Loomi getting to see the bird, as Jasper handed it off to Sion as soon as they arrived. Tenn remained on the sidelines, just waiting to make sure nothing spiraled completely out of control. Given the Prince's frustration, and the droid seemingly going haywire, it was hard to tell just how people were going to act.

 

[Loomi]

Ukatis, Security Detail
Tags: Tenn Kalos, Others

"Golly."

It was all Loomi could say as the entire party seemed to go to hell in a haystack. Were they supposed to do anything? It seemed like most of the present Jedi were already leaping into action and tending to injuries. All they could really do was stand there. It was a mess.

"Well, in our defense, they didn't prepare us for this," she finally decided, turning back to Tenn. "We were just bouncers, right?"

Although come to think of it, it seemed very unlikely that the two of them wouldn't be reprimanded to some degree. It seemed like a very easy solution to turn and blame the volunteer security for some ongoing disaster, and Loomi certainly didn't wanna be the fall guy, or fall gal in this instance, for what was most likely just some freak accident. That would be far from desirable, and Loomi didn't trust these rich folk to be honorable for reasons she couldn't exactly explain.

"Maybe we should go," the Godoan whispered. "If the royal court has us take the fall, I don't wanna find out what the council will do to us."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Obj I: A Royal Engagement
Horace von Cholmondeley III | Makko Vyres ​

Cora lifted her head to face Makko, her own face caught somewhere between a grimace and the tense features of sorrow. The first thing she'd notice was his ire, the tremble of anger that irritated his nerves. She could only imagine what he'd thought of her, how betrayed he felt seeing her on the arm of another man, a man who she'd intended to wed. Frozen in place, her lips quivered as a thousand unspoken thoughts fought to be voiced. Facing the anger of someone you cared for had always been intimidating, but it wouldn't do to back down.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Makko, I never meant- this wasn't- I didn't-"

Her mouth snapped shut and Cora inhaled deeply, drawing a measure of Sion's peace into her lungs. Babbling was unbecoming of a young woman, so she steadied her words.

"I was only told after I'd arrived that my father had accepted the engagement terms. I hadn't even known that there were terms to discuss."

A thread of bitterness worked its way into her tone, and she turned her chin to pointedly ignore his searching gaze, ignore how broken and hurt he'd looked. If she met him head on, she'd break. Embarrassment and shame bloomed across her face in the form of a red flush over pale cheeks.

"I couldn't find the words to tell you, so I…didn't. I should have. I'm sorry, I thought we'd have years-"

Her voice cracked into a squeak, and Cora took a moment to gather herself and swallow down what she could of her nerves.

"-too."

Still clutching her dress, her fingers twitched with the urge to go to him for comfort. In the shade beneath the stairs, Cora wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms and sob for her troubles. But they were still technically in public, and Cora somberly reminded herself that she did not deserve his compassion.

"I should be out there," She murmured. "I shouldn't be hiding like a coward in a situation like this. This is my home, my people—I should be doing something to fix whatever happened, to help smooth the transition of Ukatis into Alliance protection. So, no-"

The wild shriek from BB-610 pierced through the tense air of the banquet hall, and it was reason enough for Cora's head to turn sharply in the direction it had come from, eyes flaring and jaw set.

"-I'm not okay, Makko."

​

 

[Marcel von Ascania]

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

Marcel had no more words for the Nobles who'd approached him with fists and harsh language. Unexpected, but it told the Viscount all that he needed to know about the Jedi his daughter was being trained by, about the environment she was exposed to.

Valery Noble was revered as a galactic hero—it was a high honor for his daughter to be chosen as a personal student of hers. This fact had not been lost on Marcel. He hoped that his pride in his daughter's accomplishment had not been misplaced.

Still, he was taken aback by how nonchalant the Masters Noble appeared to approach the destruction beneath them—destruction wrought by their own droid, it seemed.

Before they left, Marcel grunted.

"Thank you, Master Valery Noble and Kahlil, for looking after my daughter. I'm sure that Coruscant has been a rather…distressing change for her. Clearly, we all want what is best for Corazona, and that may be for her to return to Ukatis."

With lumbering movements, this Viscount turned to half-face them.

"To her family."

"Farewell, Master Valery Noble, and Kahlil."

Marcel turned back to watch the scene below. Cooler heads were intervening, with royal personnel and Jedi alike tending to the wounded. The frightened BB unit suddenly shrieked with anger, a switch flipped, and bolted towards the line of guards with a shock prod. The Viscount's stony face set into a deep grimace even as one of the blonde Jedi—who appeared to be a vagabond with a cybernetic limb—strong armed the angry droid and dragged it from the banquet floor, all while being electrocuted.

Such strange fellows.

That event had put a rather abrupt end to the party, an aspect that was likely appreciated by these ill-mannered Alliance representatives. Already, Marcel could feel his visit to the capital stretch into a number of days filled with emergency diplomatic meetings to address Ukatis' position in joining the Galactic Alliance.

​

​

 

[Amani Serys]

Alicio Organa | Maeve Linahan | Others​

After the initial surprise had faded, and it was evident that a few people had gotten hurt, Amani was struck with a pang of guilt. She groaned beneath a facepalm, but did find a semblance of a smile returning at Maeve's next comment. Alicio took off to help, at which point she gave a genuine compliment- yet still prefaced it with 'No offense'. The mirialan admired her husband from afar, and replied softly, "Me too." Then, she moved to join him with Maeve in tow.

None of the injuries seemed all that major, thankfully. A few cuts and scrapes from broken glass, but it's not like anyone had been caught under the chandelier when it fell. This night would have become exponentially more disastrous if so. "Stay calm, everything will be fine. Give me your arm…" Amani lent healing aid to whomever she came across, trying to keep her focus on that, rather than the confrontation between the Prince and the culprits. Jasper seemed to be covering it for now, although what actually came of it was still up in the air. She pleaded silently for a quiet resolution.

 

[Valery Noble]

Ukatis

Outfit: dress
Appearance: Link
Tag: Kahlil Noble | Jasper Kai'el BB-610

Valery had, admittedly, not picked up on everything that was happening down below. She had heard the commotion, but her focus had primarily been on Marcel and Kahlil. But now that they were turning away to leave, she was becoming more receptive to the emotions of people in the hall. From her struggling Padawan to those who had gotten injured, and even Jasper Kai'el , as he made his approach.

It wasn't looking great, and after a very intense meeting, she was feeling almost overwhelmed by it. Still, she sucked in a deep breath and walked down the stairs to meet Jasper halfway.

"Did you see what was happening down there?" she asked Kahlil. "I only heard a few things, but... I don't know. It doesn't feel right." She frowned and looked up to see the Jedi Knight approaching them while he carried Bee with him. He had been shocked a couple of times as well, by the looks of it.

"Oh no..." She looked at Jasper, then at Kahlil with a worried expression.

What had even happened?

 

[Makko Vyres]

Corazona von Ascania

I guess you get to be a princess then?

The accusation was kept to himself and all the venom was gone, even from his inner voice. He could have guessed everything she had said if he'd stopped and thought about it.

He was aware that he was running on adrenaline and emotions. Hearing it from her lips had a wave of guilt come crashing down.

"I didn't mean to..."

Starlin wanted him to do something rash, to rescue her from this. He didn't agree with Cora, but he had come to understand the way she thought. There was no rescue, he had nothing to offer in the moment. A small boy in front of a huge wheel of tradition and responsibility that had turned for a thousand years.

Makko had opened himself up again. He almost knew her body language better than she did.

He swore under his breath. He took half a step forwards and lifted his hand as if to reach for her, knowing intrinsically what was on her mind. He let his hand fall back to his side, also knowing that they couldn't dare show any physical affection here.

"Hell of a storm you're in the middle of," he said. She would know what that meant. That it was when she found herself alone and frightened that Makko let her see a side of him that no one else did.

"You're coming back to the temple? I'll be waiting for you?"

Fear flashed across his face. What if she wasn't? What I'd this was goodbye forever. His stomach sank. He could be there for her, he could make some kind of fight against the turning of the wheel, but not if this was it.

 

[Dominik Borra]

Valery Noble | Jasper Kai'el | BB-610 | Kahlil Noble

BB-610 was still while the guards came forward and the Jedi fended them off. Dominik wasn't getting involved, there was no need for another voice and he wasn't acquainted with the droid. The porg seemed somehow at fault, not the droid. He stood near the Jedi though, silently supporting them. Then the droid's lights turned red and his shock prod released. Jasper, probably warned by the force of another's danger, however small, jumped and took the shock himself.

Dominik surged forward, placing himself between the guards and Jasper to keep them from taking the opportunity to smash the droid despite his Jedi protector. If Jasper was going these lengths to save the droid, he was valuable in some way. He helped Jasper to his feet, legs and muscles hardly wanted to work correctly after being shocked, and kept his eyes on the guards, his hand on the grip of his gun inside his coat. "Let the droid go. It's not worth making more of a mess."

Dominik was impressed by the Jedi's quick claim to cost of damages. Though he had no idea if a Jedi's pension would be enough to cover what had happened. "I know where Valery and the Count are meeting, come on." He had wanted to say more, comment on how the Jedi were reacting to all of this, but now wasn't the time. Maybe he could bring it up to Valery after they saw her. He led Jasper and the droid through the halls. They met Valery while heading up the stairs. Still in bodyguard mode, he kept his eyes and ears open while they talked.

 

[Horace von Cholmondeley III]

ɪ. ᴀ ʀᴏʏᴀʟ ᴇɴɢᴀɢᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ

"My, my, my..."

The Prince's voice dripped with venom, as he stepped around from the staircase.

"How utterly touching."

With blue eyes steely, enough to burn a hole through the mysterious stranger that spoke so familiarly with Corazona, it was all Horace could do to keep from sighing at the mundanity of it all. Under the stairs, really, how commonplace and completely boring. And the way they both flirted with controlling themselves, clearly awash with emotion and despondency at the situation...

UGH.

"What? Did you believe I would not look for you, my fiancée?" the Prince paused and raised a hand to his chest, as he mimicked shock. He grunted and rolled his eyes. "But really, meeting your - oh so clearly and obvious - secret lover under the stair alcove? It's just so... so... pedestrian."

With a sigh, the Prince walked over to the pair, as he looked the other man up and down. He didn't find anything particularly special, nothing that implied he was anything beyond a passing phase of infatuation for Corazona, as Makko's appearance certainly didn't attest to any kind of financial freedom or upbringing pedigree.

"Were you going to kiss, perhaps? Hold hands comfortingly?" Horace did laugh that time, as he stopped within inches of Makko. "What is stopping you? Afraid you might be caught? Well, you have been, so now what I dare ask..."

With a scoff, the Prince turned to Corazona, as he ignored the other completely.

"Listen to me, and listen well: only a fool marries for something as trivial as love, especially when presented with an entire world as their future. You may think your petty infatuation is strong enough to love one another when you have nothing else - and you will have nothing, because you will be disowned by your father, I am certain - should you choose this street rat instead--"

Horace glared at Makko, but didn't speak to him.

"--and when you are both old, living in squalor, and struggling to push through the degradation of your love to the point that you detest looking at one another... you will realize that you once had it all, everything presented to you, everything you could have hoped for. Why? Because love is trivial, love passes, but being a Queen lasts a lifetime."

With a snide grin, the Prince turned and started to walk away, as he added over his shoulder:

"Enjoy flirting with your peasant. It will not happen again, not if you know what is good for you... the both of you."

SHORTLY AFTER...​

Prince Horace rounded the staircase and straightened his shirt, as he motioned to the guards that had been stationed nearby.

"Bring the seer to me," he said, as he paused and waited. "Is she certain?"

"Yes, my lord," the Guard said, as he ushered in a middle-aged humanoid in a hood and cloak. "The seer is very certain. The attempt was detected and the culprit was pin pointed."

"Good, follow me," the Prince smiled pleasantly, as he walked back toward the middle of the hall, his eyes seeking. "That one?"

"Yes, my Prince," the Seer nodded as she spoke softly.

"You, yes, you," Horace called out as he stomped over and pointed a finger at Starlin Rand and sneered. "We have unfinished business, you and I... guards, arrest this man."

The four guards approached with hands tight on their force pikes, as the Guard Captain stepped forward and spoke:

"For the crime of unlawful attempt at influencing the Prince's mind, and trying to bend his will to your own, you are being placed under arrest. Your accuser is a Seer of this court, one that sensed your use of the Force, and the attempt on the Prince's mind. Come with us peacefully, or we will respond with appropriate force..."

The Prince smirked, as he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, staring at Starlin...

"Did you think your thought trick would work on me? Fool. You will soon see the folly of that error... especially when we find out who your accomplice with the account fraud is."

The guards moved in metallic restraints, weapons on hand and ready, should the Force User resist...

Corazona von Ascania | Makko Vyres | Starlin Rand​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

They left.

They had to leave. Kahlil was going to beat that.. Creature, out of this existence if they didn't. His jaw was clenched. His eyebrows furrowed. Marcel was someone he simply couldn't understand. Or wanted to understand.

"If she stays here, she'll one day do something she can't take back."

Either the prince, or her father. Someone was going to die. And he'd certainly only made it worse for her. A heavy sigh escaped the older man as he rubbed at his brow. He'd given into too much emotion. And it certainly was going to cost Cora something, wasn't it?

"Politics are trash."

That summed up his whole feelings about all of this. Though now there was a different look of concern on his face as Valery started to talk about what was going on.

".. Something that'll only make it easier for Marcel to twist everything to his favor. It'd be easier if I could just beat him up."

Valery Noble | Jasper Kai'el | BB-610 | Dominik Borra

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Ukatis
Tags: Valery Noble , Kahlil Noble , BB-610 , Dominik Borra

​

Dominic was quick to offer directions.

"Thank you."

He wasn't going to say a word more on the matter. Jasper simply made his way to the staircase of the balcony, lead by the SIA agent, where Valery and Kahlil were waiting.

"Oh no..."

"He's fine," the knight assured. "Well, not damaged anyways. Sion Lorray has your bird. It seems it got lose and, well, things didn't go down very well after that. There's no need to worry about it. I've assured the court that I'll be taking full responsibility for the damages..."

Valery wasn't going to like that, but Jasper didn't care. Well, his wallet did, but that was a matter for later.

"We need to leave," he sighed. "Cora's distress has brought out the worst in us. Much as the stripping of her freedom... upsets me, I can't imagine what one of us lashing out would inevitably cause..."

Jasper looked between the two, his face becoming grim.

"I guess things didn't go well up there... I'm sorry."

 

[Starlin Rand]

"You!"

Standing in the middle of the wreckage, Starlin's eyebrows rose as he pointed to himself. "Me?"

"Yes, you. We have unfinished business, you and I... guards, arrest this man.""

Starlin eyed the royal guards, eyebrows climbing still higher. Jasper Kai'el had already dragged BB-610 outside, so like most of the other Jedi he had been helping with the cleanup and assisting the injured. As the captain read off his accusation, Starlin's face fell. Everything had become so chaotic, he had actually forgotten about the mind trick altogether. Catching a glimpse of the stairwell the prince had just come from, Starlin's shoulders slumped even further. It had all been for naught, hadn't it?

"Well, chit," he said. "You caught me. Although, buddy... I'm pretty sure it did work on you. You're lucky your seers noticed." He smirked. "There was no accomplice, I did it all by myself. It was easy, too. Y'all need to get better cybersecurity." Starlin wasn't a narc. He willingly presented his wrists to be clapped in irons, ready to take the fall for his admittedly poor decisions that night. "I haven't been thrown in the slammer since I was seventeen... I wonder if Ukatian jails stink as bad as Coruscant's?"

Horace von Cholmondeley III Hex Makko Vyres Corazona von Ascania​

 

[Auteme]

Corin Trenor | Alicio Organa Amani Serys Iris Arani Maeve Linahan | THE WHOLE GANG idk​

"Oh, you'd be surprised," she said. "Luxury is still new to me."

Not entirely true, but if she didn't say as much, she suspected she'd lose her grasp on reality much faster. How privileged did she have to be to enter a room like this and feel like everything was normal? No, even beyond that -- feel as though this was, in some sense, beneath her? She forcefully shook herself from this 'normalcy', and took a step back to her roots.

Corin had clearly grown up; it'd been a long time since they'd spoken directly, but Auteme always made an effort to check in with some of her old peers when she could. Everything on Denon, however -- that... eluded her, for the most part.

"Speaking of, ah, robed few- I admit I'm surprised. Seems like an awful lot of Jedi here. And... I get the sense they're not super happy about their friend's situation. What exactly-"

Auteme flinched a split second before the massive chandelier crashed down at the center of the room. Not a moment later a half dozen Senate Guard operatives practically materialized around her to secure her from potential danger. General chaos broke out; some guards yelled, a droid screamed, people moved about, some towards and some away.

She tapped her head of security's shoulder and made two quick signals to him. After a moment's hesitation he relaxed slightly and stepped a little further away. She turned to Corin. "Let's, ah, go be Jedi," she said, giving a somewhat empty smile.

Some of her security peeled off, but two stayed close and walked with her towards the chandelier's wreckage. Already a number of people -- Jedi and not -- were helping those who'd been injured. Amani was a skilled healer, and Alicio looked like he was helping out, alongside a young woman who Auteme only saw from behind, but she thought they had rather similar hair and skin. Weird. She gave them all a nod and a smile, before walking a little closer to the chandelier's wrecked frame and kneeling down.

She placed her hand on the floor -- carefully, as to not cut herself on the glass shards -- and expanded her senses for a moment, reading the ripples left by the miniature disaster. She exhaled, then inhaled, focusing her energy on bringing it all back. A low wind swept through the room, and the many tiny shards were brought swiftly back to the centre and piled up together with the rest of the wreckage. Then she stood, and with a wave of her hand fashioned a large simple box of ethereal threads to keep all the pieces together, and out of the way of those tending to the injured.

"Mm- something's still missing," she murmured, and looked back up at the now rather sparse ceiling. She raised her hand, and once more the same ethereal Force sprung forth to recreate-

She stopped; the threads fell limp, and she looked around. No, this was fitting enough. She would leave things as is. The aesthetics were not her responsibility; not here, at least. She satisfied herself with her small part for now.

 

[Makko Vyres]

Corazona von Ascania Horace von Cholmondeley III

Not a princess then, but a queen of a whole damned planet.

His hands clenched into fists at his sides as the Prince launched into his diatribe. It was painfully logical, something he expected she'd heard from her father too. Trained from birth by the system to be obedient.

He'd been called worse. Wouldn't make the situation even more difficult for Cora for a few insults. Besides, he was also given the favour of being made forbidden fruit in one sweeping statement.

The Prince swept away and Makko counted silently to three. He looked up from the floor to Cora and despite it all, actually wore his mischievous, lopsided grin.

"Bit of klunt that one, eh?" he said casually, tilted his head towards the Prince.

He could hear the commotion continue, but didn't yet realise what was happening to his mentor.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Obj I: A Royal Engagement
Horace von Cholmondeley III | Makko Vyres ​

Cora visibly tensed, flinching as Horace's voice interjected into the muted turmoil of her rendezvous with Makko. Panic welled in her throat, threatening to constrict her breathing entirely. This was not good. Potentially even worse than the chandelier crash.

She didn't know what hurt the most—was it the way he laughed cruelly, mocking their need to comfort one another? Or the cold truth to his words? When the Prince turned his threatening ire onto her, Cora could only regard him with shock, unclenching the hand wound in the fabric of her skirt so that it could rest over her mouth.

Becoming Queen wasn't as tantalizing to her as Horace seemed to think. Perhaps it would have been, had this conversation taken place several years ago. Now it was duty, plain and simple, that made her determined to go through with this engagement. Duty to her station in life, but also duty to her family and the people within their territory. Where a Jedi would give their life to protect the innocents of the galaxy, so would Cora give up her freedom to protect the farmers who worked the fields of Ukatis to provide their world with the necessary food staples.

Breaking the arrangement would not be so simple. If she told Horace to feth off and sauntered out of the banquet hall, the repercussions would fall unto her family. Unto her frail mother who'd already been through so much, unto the seven younger siblings who meant the galaxy to her. Unto the common folk who lived and labored in rural Ascania territory, who's only crime would have been being born into world fraught with bickering nobles.

It was always the common people who suffered the most.

House Cholmondeley had the power to crush them. If she left now, would Horace seek out another bride? Would that burden instead fall on Fantine, her fourteen year old sister?

That thought caused Cora to bristle, grimacing at Horace's back while he retreated. Her gaze drifted to Makko, shoulders slumping in defeat. A heavy sigh passed her lips, and they almost twitched into a smile at his comment.

"More than a bit." She agreed, voice strained and throat dry. It was impressive that Makko had managed to hold his tongue. "I'll be returning to Coruscant in a few days." She assured him.

Until the…

Cora's fingers twitched, wanting simply to reach out and touch Makko. Even squeezing his arm would provide a measure of reassurance, but she didn't dare. Horace may have left them with a not-so-veiled threat, but she doubted that his reach would extend as far as the Alliance's capital. And with the anger and distaste radiating from the Jedi in the room, he'd be remiss to even try.

Exhaling slowly, Cora straightened and smoothed out the bodice of her dress with both hands. Turning to Makko, she managed a small, sad, weary smile.

"Quite the storm indeed."

There was comfort to be found in just having him near.

Horace's voice broke their quiet reprieve, demanding an arrest. Alarmed, Cora shot Makko a look before picking up her skirts and slipping back onto the banquet hall floor.

It took a few moments of observation for the Padawan to process the scene before her. They'd been fortunate that skilled healers— Amani Serys and Iris Arani —were in attendance, even if the wounds they tended to were not grievous. Iris had torn strips of fabric from her dress, and Alicio Organa from his cloak as makeshift bandages. With a steady gait, she drifted over to the group.

"Thank you for your swift assistance, Knights Serys and Arani, Count Organa." Back on went the mask, and with it that easy, polite smile. "I'm very grateful that you all were in attendance, today." Her gaze shifted to Auteme , watching with no small sense of awe as the Chancellor swept up the glass shards with a controlled pulse of the Force, even like a swift summer breeze. A scan at the back of the room found her cousin, Giselle Dune with her Aunt Amanoa, both unharmed. A wave of relief crept through her chest at seeing her family out of harm's way.

A few paces brought her to the threshold of another staircase, over to Dominik Borra who'd been flanking her before Horace had sent him away. A gentle hand placed on his broad shoulder. "Agent, would you mind accompanying me?" Blue eyes drifted up the staircase to see Jasper Kai'el wrangling an upset BB-610 , and her heart sank for both of them. It was clear that being here had not been easy for neither the mechanic nor the droid, and she flashed Jasper a grateful, albeit muted smile.

Exchanging a glance with Dominik, Cora drew in a heavy breath, inhaling the sense of peace imparted by Sion Lorray . She'd have to ask him more about his abilities later, but now, there was a more pressing matter ahead…

Instead of trying to influence the guards—which would have been an ironic yet poor choice in tactics—Cora altered her own presence, subtly and quietly enough to allow her to slip through and approach the situation between Horace and Starlin Rand .

"My Prince, please-" She looked to Makko's mentor, silently wishing that he hadn't confessed so immediately. It might have been easier to call the Seer's abilities into question, then. Still, she had to hand it to the Knight—he seemed entirely unruffled by the situation.

"I beg you to observe what little harm that Knight Rand has done. A simple mind trick is, very likely, at the lesser end of a Jedi's abilities. Perhaps it was merely in jest, an aspect of Knight Rand's culture that he now understands to be impermissible?"

Cora glanced to Starlin, then back to Horace pleadingly. She couldn't comment on the account fraud, largely because she had no idea what the hell Starlin had done.

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