Populate Where the Light Gathers | THR Populate of Siskeen

[Mykel Dawson]

___________________________________________________________________​

Formal Wear

He followed Senator Pallopides to one of the more secluded areas of the ballroom, empty hands folded behind his back. Studying her just off to his side with a few fleeting glances, he noted her choice of beverage. Clear, but with no stinging notes of spirts. Water? She was more restrained than she initially let on with her lascivious display.

When she finally took a seat in one of the plush lounge chairs, he followed suit in an adjacent chair, one foot resting over his knee as he leaned back comfortably.

"Ahhh that is nice, always good to get off your feet. Now about your proposition? Lets talk but we'll just call is a business potential Proposition sounds a little to much like it would mess with my record and reputation."

"As you like it," He replied with an amused huff. "Your honor must not be besmirched."

"It's been well reported that your home government is currently offering generous benefits in exchange for external investments and development on Denon. I'm speaking on behalf of a consortium of interests who are inclined to take advantage of said opportunity. Focusing on uplifting the most impoverished districts in the lower levels of the planet with new construction of residential blocks, agri-zones, and high-end factories."

When the Galactic Empire had seized the Coruscant and the rest of the Alliance-held Deep Core, some of the wealthiest members of the galaxy had quickly found themselves physically displaced, but their capital remained largely intact, preserved by carefully layered financial instruments managed by private institutions. Sith and Imperial incursions, along with the inevitable looting, had become so routine they had been folded into long-term projections like any other boom-and-bust cycle. Now somewhat settled, the former Alliance citizens were ready to unleash this capital once more, in hopes of rebuilding the homes they had lost. Denon, with its vast labor pools and deep web of trade connections, was perfectly positioned for an infusion.

"Millions of jobs will be immediately created for the construction efforts, and employment levels should be sustained once the new factories are fully operational."

Ayumi Pallopides​

 

[Casaana]

Objective III
Tag: Davik Haize

A little uncertain of what was going on, Casaana took the offered card. Usually it was other people calling on Jedi for help. Though she nodded her thanks to him and tucked it away. Sending out an emergency call for help had already saved her life once already. At his thanks, she returned a two fingered wave, not wanting to raise her voice over the noise of the crowd before returning her attention to the little droid she was putting together, a new problem tumbling around in her head.

Davik had seemed more at peace as he left, but she wasn't sure if it was something she'd said or a realization he'd come to himself. He'd left rather abruptly, right as she was opening up to try and get him to talk more about losing his ship and friends, and she wasn't sure if it was something she'd said, so she played over the conversation in her head a few times, looking for a social cue she missed while she fiddled with the droid. Eventually she shrugged and decided to just be happy Davik seemed to have settled whatever was on his mind.

 

[Pari Sylune]

"you...that was all you and you...you looked amazing doing it. Better than anyone else here."

Pari beamed at him, then shook her head. "I don't know about that. All of these noble women are extremely gorgeous."

Flirting was still new to her. Gentle and earnest by nature, Pari rarely caught the subtle currents beneath people's words, and she certainly wasn't quick to assume she was the subject of them. She'd never really been flirted with before, at least not that she recognized. Everything she knew about flirting came from holo-movies.

She suddenly seized his hand and tugged him through the swaying crowd, weaving between dancers until they reached a spread of food and drinks near the back of the room. "Oh look! They have a dessert bar." She pointed excitedly, already pulling him closer.

"I don't usually eat dessert because of training," she said, grinning as she reached for a cupcake, "but I guess tonight is a special occasion."


Aileni Ifor Xeraic

 

[Guinevere Cavello]

​

"Skipped walking and went straight into running. He's four now, just starting his tutoring. Thank you for asking about him."

Gwen laughed happily at the mental image of the young boy running around. Despite her arranged marriage and the fact that her fiance seemed to hate her, she couldn't help but long to be a mother. Children were such a blessing, but now she thought it might be a blessing she would never see. Only time would tell.

"That is so great to hear. My mother said when my brother started running, he was a challenge to keep up with." She smiled at the memory of simpler times.

"I think the gala is a hit at least. People seem to be enjoying themselves."

Oriana Indupar​

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Mykel Dawson Melanie Sato

"We are and we do." She said it. "Denon is working towards something much better. That will be costly and our early projections show us operating at a financial loss at first but the improvements will benefit longer term then short term." SHe said it and was interested Denon wasn't broke it would never be easily. Dominique had ensured a lot and she invested a lot more thanks to her personal and Upcity. "The district revitalization efforts and reforms have been getting better now. Once there was a model for one they are able to do it faster and more efficient." She said it with more interest and no need to sell it or treat it as exclusive. They were working with the people to make their quality of life much better and paid to relocate them in some cases to new districts with more space and better facilities.

"Just make more of a meet, I didn't bring any of my information though my chief of staff is here somewhere. Hopefully enjoying herself if even for a moment. Poor thing think me openly flirting with almost any female we meet has shocked her.Imagine her reaction if she learns that before I was a senator again I ran a club for only women." She said it and it was more a joke meant to open report between them. Ayumi was already thinking of the proposal and how they would get it... better yet where to go as there were some almost dead and abandoned districts that could be used and given. "Do you know how much space you will need? Your facilities all those people that will be working and building them. Technicians, engineers, hundreds and thousands of people, who will be able to feed their children at night, so those children can grow up big and strong and have little teeny children of their own, and so on and so forth."

She said it but was looking at the man with a nod of her head as she was interested more and more that she thought about it. "The space will be important to it. We try and rebuild around the districts that are populated and offer either an upgrade for a time as we finish or they are able to move out and into a better home while a company takes over the district. Funding many of the aspects themselves but we provide the infrastructure. The power, the water and there are some regulations for materials and certain equipment. The tram and public transport lines as well as we try and make sure each district has enough processing and vertical farms built in they can sustain their own district and pool the excess with the planets reserves."

 

[Ulysses Renoux]

H O U S E • R E N O U X​

Wearing: xxx
Tag: Sibylla Abrantes

Ulysses listened as the fountain softened the edges of her words, the quiet of the gardens settling around them in a way the ballroom never allowed. He let her thoughts on unity and resolve stand without interruption, weighing them against what he had left behind.

“Unity has its place. Jaemus understood loyalty more than unity. Oaths held Houses together, but they were rarely gentle things. When the Empire, the Diarchy, and the Confederation pressed in at once, loyalty became a chain instead of a shield. Leaving was the only way to keep my people from being swallowed by a war that was no longer ours.”

He rested his hand against the stone rim of the fountain, watching the water move beneath the lanternlight before continuing.

“The Republic faces a tide few worlds can ignore. Refugees, fractured borders, allies who no longer recognize one another. Naboo choosing diplomacy over fear is not a weakness. It is a risk most worlds would not take.”

A faint hint of dry humor touched his expression when she spoke of a soft word balanced by a firm hand.

“Jaemus favored the firm hand. We learned too late that it does not hold everything together.”

He drew a slow breath, the air cooler away from the hall.

“House Renoux dealt in military technology. Weapons systems. Vehicles meant to endure long campaigns. We mined an ore that made much of that possible. Dense, adaptable, rare enough that leaving Jaemus meant leaving the heart of our industry behind. I have not found a world within the Republic where it exists in any real quantity.”

There was no frustration in the admission. It settled between them as simple truth.

“I am not seeking charity. I am looking for stability. A place where my House can begin again without becoming another weapon in someone else’s war. The High Republic appears to offer that chance, at least from where I stand.”

He inclined his head slightly, acknowledging her role without pressing it.

“If Naboo knows where conversations like that begin, I would welcome the introduction when the time is right. Until then, I prefer to learn what your world truly values beneath its elegance.”

His attention remained on her rather than the hall behind them.

“You carry that balance well. The soft word and the firm hand. It is rarer than most people realize.”

 

[Aiden Porte]

Alina Grayson​

Aiden smiled warmly as Alina chose the piece of chocolate, the brief brush of her fingers against his palm lingering just long enough to be noticed. He chuckled softly, a quiet spark of amusement in his eyes, and took a steady breath, letting the moment settle without trying make it into something else.

He looked down at Lira and found her already smiling up at him, content and bright, her earlier excitement softened into something comfortably happy. When she suggested they find a place to sit, Aiden nodded without hesitation.

They moved together toward a quieter corner, the noise of the ballroom fading into a gentle backdrop. There, they sat and shared sweets and small laughs, enjoying what was left of the evening. For Aiden, it felt like one of those rare nights where the galaxy eased its grip, and simply being there with them was more than enough.

-thread exit-

 

[Elian Abrantes]

Meri Vale
​

Elian's mouth curved into a familiar smirk, the kind he reached for when something got too close to the truth. He tipped his whiskey slightly, letting the light catch it, then glanced back at Meri with an easy confidence that tried to turn concern into a joke.

"You don't know me as well as you think, Meri," he said, and a chuckle slipped out of him, followed by a short, bright laugh that sounded almost convincing.

He lifted the glass and took a small sip, as if punctuation mattered. When he lowered it, his shoulders stayed loose, posture relaxed, like nothing in the galaxy could touch him if he acted casual enough.

"People drink for various reasons," Elian added, voice still light. "Escape is one of them. But that is not what I am doing right now."

His eyes flicked toward the music, toward the lanterns, toward the moving crowd that made it easy to disappear without leaving.

"I am just trying to have a good time," he said, smile still in place, even as something restless stirred beneath it. "There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

Objective II - The Grand Ballroom
Tags: Colette | Indirect: Renn Vizsla

This was, by far, the strangest night she’d had in a long time.

For the second time that night, Adelle had someone rip the rug of expectations out from under her. Fortunately the warmth of that blessed Corellian whiskey helped smooth the transition. Adelle managed to keep the look of utter bewilderment off her face as Vizsla put her hand in the young woman’s, his dry remark about stepping on toes noted but merely filed away. She didn’t miss his intense look at the young woman before something decidedly diplomatic replaced it. What was that.

She couldn’t help the scoff that escaped her when he teased about Skirata’s reputation but her atttention snapped back to the young woman when she thanked her before apologizing for the intrusion.

“Hey, no, it was not intruding,” Adelle said, brain re-engaging, and held her hand actively. “And I wasn’t lying when I said I’d be pleased to dance with you. I should be apologizing to you, for… whatever that was.”

Adelle gave an apologetic smile and started walking towards the dancefloor, still holding the woman’s hand but guiding rather than pulling.

“I’d like to make it up to you, if I can,” she said, turning to look up at her, “but first, I’d like to know who I have the pleasure of dancing with.”

 

[Feridade Parthi]

| Location | Grand Ballroom, Theed
| Objective | Accompany the Queen

Parthi paused when he felt the hand upon his shoulder, glancing over at the gesture that would indicate some familiarity. Once again, another face he did not recognize, but decided that it was prudent to speak their mind. Mykel Dawson 's response was noted, though Parthi still remain unchanged in his animosity towards the New Jedi Order. ​

​

The Jedi Knight did not stay long to entertain a conversation, and Parthi merely remained silent until they left before brushing at his shoulder and speaking, "What remained at least..." The New Jedi Order's involvement with protecting the Galactic Alliance had been meager at best, the defense of Atrisia, Arkania, and Coruscant had largely been spearheaded by other Jedi factions, and the reports regarding what remained of the New Jedi Order's involvement were less than savory. To him, most of the Jedi were vainglorious at best - talks of peace and such were only as good as the actions performed, and the NJO's actions had been found severely lacking.​

​

He redirected his attention back to the Queen, who deferred the topics and discussions of diplomacy to him. When Quinn Varanin excused herself, he offered a slight bow of his head, and allowing her to take her leave from the discussion, "As you wish, Your Grace." It was for the best if anything. Being Queen of Eshan was overshadowed by the fact that she was affiliated with the Sith, and her being around would only hinder the notion that Eshan sought peace and independence. He could not have potential allies and supporters within the High Republic believing that Eshan had ulterior motives. ​

​

His gaze shifted back to Dominique Vexx , "I would not wish to keep you from a social event, Chancellor. There will be plenty of opportunities for us to discuss relations between Eshan and the High Republic in the future. Perhaps in a more private setting, not surrounded by..." His gaze shifted over to the Mandalorians present, a sideways glare that quickly vanished as he looked back towards the Chancellor; a subtle gesture that spoke volumes in silence that only she would have been privy to notice. It might not have been apparent to the High Republic or the Chancellor, but neither Parthi nor Quinn was particularly fond of Mandalorians, given their past. Any opportunity to excise their presence from Echani space would be a boon.​

​

For obvious reasons, he could not openly discuss his more personal thoughts and reservations on the topic, but he had a wealth of knowledge to share, having pilfered the offices of the defense committee within the Galactic Alliance before its fall. Reports, missions, and intel within his purview to access at the time were readily available to be shared behind closed doors. ​

​

"In the meantime, taking office must have been quite the task and endeavor. A night to relax and enjoy some conversation without having to worry about the burden of democracy and peace is a welcome reprieve I imagine." He reached over to a server passing by, taking a glass for himself and one for the Chancellor, offering it to her to continue a more casual conversation. ​

​

​

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri didn't answer right away.

For a moment, she just watched him. With the practiced ease in his posture, the familiar half-smile he wore like armor, the way his eyes kept drifting anywhere except directly into hers. She had seen that look before. Not just on him. On people who were trying very hard to convince themselves of something.

When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet.

"You're right," she said gently. "I don't."

She lowered her gaze and reached for the glass of water in front of her, taking a careful sip that turned into a slightly rushed gulp, as if she hadn't realized how dry her throat had become. She set it down more softly than necessary.

"And…no," Meri added after a breath. "There's nothing wrong with that. With trying to have a good time."

She lifted one hand and brushed a loose curl back behind her ear, a small, nervous gesture that came automatically when she wasn't quite sure where she stood. Her eyes wandered briefly over the lantern-lit colonnade, the music, the drifting clusters of people laughing and talking, before slowly returning to him.

"I'm sorry," she said, almost under her breath. "I shouldn't have come over and bothered you. I think I…interrupted your solo fun."

There was no bitterness in it. Just uncertainty. A quiet acceptance that maybe she had stepped somewhere she wasn't meant to.

She managed a small, polite smile.

"Good night, Elian."

Meri smoothed the front of her dress without quite realizing she was doing it, then turned away and began to walk back into the flow of the evening. She didn't hurry, though. Her steps were slow, hesitant, as if she weren't entirely sure she wanted to leave, only that she thought she probably should.

Elian Abrantes

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra'a'mah followed his lead with effortless composure, allowing herself to be guided into the gentle spin without resistance, her movement smooth and precise, as though she had always known where his hand would be before it ever reached her. When he drew her back, her balance was perfect, her posture relaxed but assured, amber eyes briefly lifting to meet his with quiet amusement.

"A natural?" she echoed softly, a faint note of dry humor threading her voice. "That is generous."

Her free hand settled lightly at his shoulder again as they continued to glide across the floor, her steps measured, unhurried, shaped by awareness rather than showmanship.

"I learned long ago that movement is simply another form of listening," she continued, tone calm and reflective. "To rhythm. To intention. To the person beside you." A small pause followed, her gaze flicking briefly to the surrounding couples before returning to him. "It is not so different from command, in its own way. One must know when to lead, when to follow, and when to trust the space between."

At the mention of his daughter and her determined efforts, something warmer touched her expression.

"It seems you are well loved," Ra observed quietly. "Enough to be guarded not only on battlefields and councils… but in moments meant for living." There was no teasing in her voice, only sincerity. "That is a rare kind of protection."

She adjusted her step subtly to match his again, their movements settling into an easy rhythm.

"And for what it is worth," she added, her tone lightening just slightly, "your practice has not been wasted. You move with confidence now, not caution. That is usually the mark of someone who has learned for more than duty."

Vulpesen

 

[Colette]

Adelle Bastiel

The moment got a lot more tender than Colette had expected. Under most circumstances she kept herself hidden behind a mask of stoic indifference, but that mask had been dropped around the time the word 'intrude' had parted her lips.

The truth of the matter was that she was standing face-to-face with not just a completely new experience, but with a guide that spoke to her on more levels than just one. Of course, she would refuse one of those levels out of habit and instinct, but that didn't mean its presence wasn't felt.

A warmth spread throughout her body. She swallowed her words for a moment to buy herself time before "Colette." Escaped her lips. "Just Colette."

"And, who are you?" she asked back, "You're not from the Republic, right?"

Was that disrespectful to say? Did titles matter to this person? Did she step on the toes that were about to be crushed under her boots in a matter of seconds anyway?

… Why did Colette care?

"I… Heard you two mentioning clans. Skirata, and uh… Vizsla?"

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

Objective II - The Grand Ballroom
Interacting with: Ulysses Renoux
Indirect tag: Aurelian Veruna Adelle Bastiel

So the Duke wished not another front line but a place to begin anew. She respected that. And, unexpectedly, she found herself grateful again for the way he had led her earlier, giving her space when she needed it.

"When the time feels right, then," Sibylla agreed, giving an incline of her head, "I would be glad to help with introductions. Naboo believes in building careful yet strong foundations, and I imagine High Chancellor Vexx would welcome a conversation about your expertise in ores. Our recent endeavour with our Scientific Outbound Fleet research vessels is out there exploring and trying to identify new trade opportunities, resources, and materials that can better serve the Republic."

And yet, even as she addressed that thought, Aurelian intruded all the same, as he so often did in that persistent, maddening manner. She could not help but wonder what mischief he had wandered into now, and with whom.

The irritation was not that he might still be speaking to the blonde -- she trusted him. It was that it bothered her at all, when he himself seemed perfectly untroubled.

Nonetheless, Duke Renoux's compliment coaxed a soft warmth into Sibylla's eyes that soon graced her lips in gratitude.

"You are kind to say so," she replied lightly, a hint of teasing beneath the courtesy. "I do my best to carry that balance… though I promise you, it's more work than talent."

Her gaze drifted back toward the glow of the gala doors, the music threading faintly into the garden. She let out a small, honest breath.

"Which brings me to admitting that while the air and the company are welcome," Sibylla admitted, almost to herself. "...it is only borrowed. I do have duties waiting for me -- to His Majesty, and to the Chancellor."

She turned back to Ulysses, composure settling into place once more, yet the gratitude was still clearly reflected in her eyes for his assistance.

"Still, thank you, Your Grace, for your candor and for the company. Both were very much appreciated."

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

Objective II - The Grand Ballroom
Tags: Colette || Indirect: Aurelian Veruna | Sibylla Abrantes

The shield of nonchalance had slipped, laying bare the nerves underneath and something buried but deliberately ignored. Adelle listened as her dance partner gave her name a little quietly—Colette. She held a lot of similarities to Na’an, at least when Adelle first met her.

Adelle opened her mouth to introduce herself when asked but then Colette asked if she was from somewhere else and mentioned the clans. It turned into a bit of a wince.

“Ah, caught that, did you?” Adelle said. She still wasn’t sure what the general population thought about Mandalorians now. Especially after the broadcast. She nodded her head back in the direction Warden Vizsla had walked. “That was Renn Vizsla, the alor or leader of Clan Vizsla, Warden of Roon, and the Mandalorian envoy to the High Republic.”

“I don’t have that kind of authority,” Adelle said with a shrug. “I’m just Adelle Bastiel, an adopted member of Clan Skirata. I’m from the Mandalorian Empire.”

She looked up at Colette, watching for tells of disgust or dislike, a part of her tuned into the emotions the young woman wore almost openly. The odds of this dance falling through before it even began had increased.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Colette,” she said. “Have you ever danced before?”

 

[Colette]

Adelle Bastiel

Mandalorian.

A multitude of emotions washed over her, complex and momentarily overwhelming before they landed in something that surprised even Colette: acceptance. She looked Adelle in the eyes again as if the answer to ‘what kind of Mandlorian she was’ could be found there.

What Colette found was warmth, even if it was a bit guarded, and she decided to mirror it.

“Once, but it was a while ago.” She admitted as the last vestiges of her iron-clad facade was swept away with a lopsided smirk. “I will do my best to not step on your toes.”

The excruciating sensation of skin on skin slowly began to fade until it was no longer hot to the touch. Warm, but not unbearable. A dance would help her focus on something else, something beyond the fires of her own desires.

But with all of that said: Force, she was beautiful.

“You look great, by the way.” Colette admitted and tried her best not to freeze in horror. “I hadn’t planned on— It was, uh…”

She exhaled a laugh, finally, truly noticing the effect this whole thing was having on her nerves. She could stare down Sith Lords, but her nerves tangled at something so innocent as a dance. Colette’s brows sunk and she slowly began to nod and then shake her head.

“I’m not dressed up for this event at all. I’m Knight Colette, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Adelle.”

 

[Mykel Dawson]

___________________________________________________________________​

Formal Wear

Mykel nodded along as Senator Pallopides described the difficulties of orchestrating the massive endeavor of redeveloping the gargantuan ecuemnopolis that was Denon. He related to her struggles, now having a hand in managing a far flung diaspora of migrant fleets from the core.

"My associates will be more than happy to help fill in some of the funding gaps you may find yourself in with your projects. The investment will be costly to be sure, but the results will be more than worth it in the end. We recognize that centuries of corruption and inequality will not be undone in a day."

The Senator apologized for not having any technical or financial details on hand, but he offered a small handwave in understanding.

"It's quite alright. I didn't expect come here to get into the nitty gritty details of policy implementation - this is a night for entertainment after all. That's not my area anyway. I only wished to broach the subject of collaboration tonight. Permit requests and action plans can be forwarded to you and your home government's office for review at the gala's conclusion."

Now he had the ball rolling. With business settled for the moment, he actually allowed a small chuckle at one of her jokes. Her brand of humor wasn't usually to the Consular's taste, but he allowed himself to relax and go with it.

"It sounds like you keep your chief of staff busy with your...extracurriculars. You're not bothered by the prospect of the tabloids running with a story?"

Ayumi Pallopides , Melanie Sato​

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Sibylla Abrantes

Aurelian had lost count of the drinks somewhere between indignation and self-pity. He leaned on the bar now, glass sloshing as he gestured at nothing in particular.

"You see," he said to the bartender, voice lowered like he was imparting a state secret, "all I was doing was getting her a drink. A drink. Very thoughtful. Kingly, even." He squinted at his glass, then back up. "And suddenly I take too long. Unforgivable."

The bartender hummed noncommittally while polishing a glass.

"And then," Aurelian continued, warming to the injustice, "she goes off. With him." He jabbed a finger vaguely toward the gardens and nearly lost his balance. "That old man. Walks like he's never once had fun."

He frowned, offended all over again. "He asks her to dance. I blink. Next thing I know they're gone. Outside. Moonlight. Probably talking about duty and soil quality."

He took a long drink and grimaced.

"I was getting her a drink," he repeated, quieter now, as if that settled everything. The bartender slid another glass toward him. Aurelian accepted it with a solemn nod. "Thank you. You understand loyalty."

​

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Mykel Dawson

"There is always more paperwork and planning. We are unveiling many more aspects that we are developing. The smart water that is being designed for Denon will function to cleanse and purify the waterways. Better air scrubbers for everything as well as further developments. The medical district is also pulling in a lot from offworlders as it is becoming something in the region for being a far larger place. We can help many more and get them transferred to us, security concerns of Darkwire terrorists are also an important aspect of whaat we work to ensure ourr investors by actively hunting down cells and remnants of them with the new Lightwire." She listened to him talk about Melanie with a grin appeaaring on her face.

"And what would they run?" She offered a small smile that reached her eyes and glowed for a moment. "That Ayumi Pallopides enjoys the comfort of yet another women, this time a zeltron, a twi'lek, a zabrak?" Her eyebrows raised up for a moment. "It isn't just something they know happens it is almost expected. The big news, what will really catch there eye is when I embrace the silky marital bonds of monogamy. When someone finally manages to get close enough to bring out the best so I can return the favor." She held her hands out with a small shrug though and laugh. "It does drive Melanie crazy I was certain but she and the voters knew what I am like."

She offered a better idea though. "Just being honest with them worked a lot better, hard to blackmail, extort and scandalize when you openly do things and it is accepted. Because while the boards don't always like me or the decision to put lives over profits. They accept it as the projected profits are more then they are making now and more sustained over diminishing. The people of Denon love me because all improvements make their lives and dreams go much better. Making the world something that improves for their family. I might not be universally loved and accepted but it is enough that having an enjoyment of the female form is a quirk more then a problem."

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

Objective II - The Grand Ballroom
Tags: Colette

Emotions flickered over Colette’s face flared too quickly for Adelle to read properly before they calmed into something like equilibrium. Then it relaxed entirely as Colette answered about her inexperience with dancing. The young woman was pretty before but everyone looked better when they were relaxed. Same thing with confidence.

Adelle had been about to ask if Colette preferred to lead the dance when the compliment cut through. That was twice now. It lacked the impact Sibylla’s did, but only because Sibylla had already made the comment. With Sibylla, Adelle could have chalked it up to being gracious or kind or diplomatic. Except she knew Sibylla spoke more genuinely with the Mandalorians.

There wasn’t even that excuse with Colette.

And while it lacked the impact of a YT-1300 freighter, it still landed with weight. Colette, however, with her own nerves, gave her an out.

“You remind me of a friend of mine,” Adelle said. “You’re much taller than she was, but she wasn’t comfortable at fancy parties like this either. She preferred nicer jumpsuits or something that bordered working wear if she had to be at one. But much like her, if you ever did wear a dress, I think you’d be devastating.”

Her blue and brown eyes moved over the dance floor as she listened to the music playing. With Colette’s inexperience, somewhere away from the edges but with enough room for missteps would be ideal. Adelle returned her attention to the Jedi Knight.

“Would you prefer leading or being led?” Adelle asked.