Riya Parshen marched with a certain stride in the crowd. Outwardly, she was the very model of a well drilled soldier, but within her soul she wanted to sigh.
Just my luck, I get dragged into this. She kept that frustrated thought entirely buried, assuming someone who wielded the force didn't sense it.
The young Pantoran Officer wore her formal dress uniform with crisp, unmistakable authority. The deep burgundy-red tunic hugged her athletic frame perfectly — high-collared with mandarin neckline trimmed in gleaming gold, a double row of polished gold buttons, and elegant gold piping tracing the seams. Structured shoulder boards before the insignia of her junior rank, while a modest rack of service ribbons and campaign medals adorned her left breast. Matching trousers with a sharp gold stripe running down each leg disappeared into gleaming black dress shoes. A traditional peaked cap in the same rich red sat at a regulation angle on her head, its gold band and insignia catching the lamplight.
Her vibrant blue skin seemed to glow softly against the dark uniform, complemented by her short, neatly styled dark hair and sharp golden eyes that scanned the surroundings with quiet alertness.
"Relax Lieutenant, this is a party not an inspection." Whispered the officer directly in front of her, a dark skinned human in his late twenties, wearing a similar uniform but with a captain's rank and more medals. He didn't even look in her direction when saying that.
Riya's cheeks flushed with embarrassment before clearing her throat as they navigated the ballroom.
"With respect sir, it's hard to be so in a place like this."
A brief chuckle escaped Captain Kran Jordel. "I know, I know. But you're going to have to get used to more of these events when you get promoted."
He paused to grab a glass of wine from a silver tray of a protocol droid. The latter waited for Riya to do the same but she shook her head and the droid went on his way. Captain Jordel shook his head at his subordinate's stubbornness though he remained patient he sipped the drink and looked around the room. Riya with her gloved hands folded behind her back did the same before asking.
"So Captan you said your fiance should be here?"
Jordel nodded, before answering. "Yes, as a matter of fact. Masi is more of a marine life researcher despite her noble title. She wouldn't miss this opportunity."
Riya turned and raised an eyebrow.
"Meaning the event or you sir?"
Smirking back confidently Captain Jorel answered with a shrug. "Both and I'm fine with that. Despite it being an arrangement set by our parents years ago, we talked and worked things out. She's an incredible woman and I'm blessed that she still wants to marry the likes of me."
Riya can tell her company's CO was telling the truth and she actually smiled.
"Sounds like the two of you are quite the couple already sir. Though I still don't understand why I'm here." Jordel sighed heavily before drinking more of his wine.
"Lieutenant Parshen, you have distinguished yourself recently. Both on Geonosis and that Corellian business. Like I told you, forming connections outside the ranks is essential. Effort certainly does matter a great deal in our profession but having someone in your corner like Lady Masi Thence can help protect you off the battlefield, especially when there are some who resent your newfound fame."
Riya resisted the urge to bite her lower lip. She can't deny that there are a few fellow graduates with wealth and noble connections who don't take kindly to her presence, "a junk rat" in the same ranks as them.
Her commander observed her silence before drinking down the rest of his glass. "How about you just go and socialize? I'll introduce you to my beloved later."
Turning to face him fully Riya gave a crisp salute and Jordel returned it with his free hand and looked on to go find his beloved.
The Pantoran didn't spare him a further glance. She appreciated that her commander and mentor only wanted to look out for his subordinates, though Riya still felt uncomfortable being here. She noticed a few curious stares in her direction and pretended not to.
Wanting to get her mind off of it she walked toward a gallery of holo-photos displaying various creatures that live in Naboo's waters, even in the planet's core. She was especially drawn to one photo of two Sando aqua monsters circling one another.
