Public A New Order Rises - Diarchy Grand Declaration Ceremony

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Darth Malum of House Marr //:
//: Bastion //:
//: Obj 1 //:
//: Dress //:

She hated him.

Quinn suddenly realized what Srina Talon had seen in Malum of House Marr. There was a gentleness to his touch and embrace, something that Quinn would have never expected. His ambitions were worn on his sleeve despite wanting to keep them quiet and close to his heart. Those ambitions and his nobility scared her, reminding her of someone who had taken advantage of her kindness in her youth. Quinn watched him, her eyes softening and her guard dropping. She was no longer the Princess of Eshan; she was just Quinn - a girl whose heart had been broken far too many times.

His words caressed her mind and eased the momentary pain in her heart. The way the Man spoke made her wonder if he had felt the pains of heartbreak as well. She held her breath, letting him speak to her curiosity. All of this lets the Echani see another side of the Man, the Lord of Snakes, in another light.

Malum had listened, granting the Princess a glimpse of his face. She hadn't expected him to give in to her demands, knowing that he used the mask as protection, especially in political settings such as this. Her understanding made her wish she also hid behind a more visible mask and not the metaphorical one she usually wore.

The one that Malum always saw through.

Their banter had been playful, which Quinn enjoyed, but he never felt he would retaliate or return. While they were in the same world, they were still lightyears away. Quinn reminded herself of the dangers of Malum's ambitions and his loyalties unknown. Yet, at this moment, she tried to forget them and allow him to provide the comfort she sought. Even if it was for one fleeting moment, she would allow him to comfort her beyond the means of a friend.

A smile curved her lips as she let him remain close. She felt the heat of his breath and the genuinity of his words. Her gaze moved over his face, taking it in as if she were seeing him for the first time. Long gone was the boy that she had met on Jutrand at her Godmother's request. In its place was a man who knew his place in the galaxy and sought to change it and grasp his destiny crafted beyond the will of the Force.

"What are you to me?" she repeated, her voice quiet - forgetting the public forum they were in. People whispered around them, and there were talks concerning the declaration made by the Diarchy. None of it mattered to Quinn, not now, but potentially in the future. A hand reached the curve of his face, her touch gently as she felt the smoothness of his face. He was a noble but had seen battle far more than anyone should. "Tonight," she started as her fingers laced through his raven locks, pushing them from his face. "Tonight, you're not a knight," she drew closer, her lips just millimeters from his. "Tonight, you shall be just Malum, my Lord." As she finished, Quinn gently kissed the Man her Godmother had chosen for her. Tonight, only she would allow the woman's choice to entertain her and reward him for being exactly what she needed. Vesta weighed on her heart, but the Dark Counselor would be her moment's reprieve.

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

His mind was a haze as his lips melted into softened opposites. She smelled of flowers; he could not tell how, but he only knew that as he took in air, so desperate to maintain this moment, this picture-clear perfect moment, that she smelled of flowers... he held onto that feeling with all his heart, as he pressed himself against those lips. How often had he idly wondered, how often had his mind considered, how often long forgotten had he dreamt of this moment, that day he had met the Princess of Eshan?

Ice crept along his heart, an ice that burned as hot as the most pale blue flames, his mind lost to the blizzard that overtook it as easily as the fireworks and flames of others past, her place in his mind cemented, just as easily as her place in his heart.

Roses and lavenders... that was what she smelt of. Beauty and grace, what better flora was her?

He shivered at her touch, his hair as ever his weakness as her petite fingers so easily undid him, as his own hands curled to touch her, to know her in a way that he had never known her before, held on the border between her waist and back, his touch was gentle as it was firm, as his heart hammered away at his chest. As his other hand followed northwards, finding her face, as easily as she had found hers, his fingers softly caressing her cheek, a face that had always confused him... not ever in its allure, but only in the question of how he was meant to feel, of the question of if she was a friend, or something more.

...Suddenly, there were no questions, everything was so perfectly clear.

It was the biological necessity that forced them apart, with every instinctive of his body resisting, the temptation to breathe in, only to take in again, the sensation that had him so unravelled. He held her close, as his breath was heavy on his lips, fluttering across her face the warmth of his life's essence, "Then tonight, be just Quinn, be my lady." He pressed forward for another sweet embrace.

Quinn Varanin

 

[Diarch Rellik]

Tags: Astride Velvet Ova Ziss

Location: Elevator

"My name is Astride Velvet. I'm a Dark Lord."

Rellik thought on if he had heard the name before yet nothing came to mind. A Dark Lord yet one who was more conservative in their nature than most. The Sith due tend to love spouting their accolades.

"A pleasure to meet you my dear." A slight wink and a sip of his glass following the statement. The elevator door opening and the Diarch searching for the one who had wished to speak to him earlier departed.

She imparted him with a private comlink and informed him he could call her when he wished. A nice gesture before he turned to approach his fellow statesmen.

Partially expecting his gravitas to bring the woman with him but when he turned around she was gone. "A mysterious beauty indeed." he thought before turning back to invest time into Ova Ziss.
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Speaking to Ova -
The governor turned to look at the Diarch. The two usually quite informal since meeting, his tone was more serious. A joke eased the tension in the air as he mentioned electoral chances.
"I will tell you this my friend. If there was one member of the Chancellorate that I could integrate into the high council, it would be you."

Giving an affirmative smile the Diarch listened to all Ova had to say. Having no doubts to the validity of Ova's words Rellik continued - his aura never changing with the circumstances of the conversation. The man a rock among the tidal wave of the chaotic force energy. Having been a master for some time now, the conversation was swayed with small mannerisms. Matching eyes, a focused touch, and balancing the air around his friend as he spoke.

"I will be there. Anytime you are in need you may seek me out. I look forward to our next meeting. If you feel yourself having any issues tonight come to speak with me." Glancing towards the purple haired woman who had disappeared from his side earlier. "Now for one of my faults to be put on display." He stated while patting Ova on the arm.

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Approaching the woman who had left him before he reached out and gently grabbed her by the arm at the elbow and twisted her around. "I think that is all my business for the evening. Lets return to the main floor and dance with my citizens."

 

[Ivalyn Yvarro]

The chandeliers overhead cast soft, golden light, reflecting off the intricate detailing of the ballroom's walls. Ivalyn's attention drifted to the smaller moments within the grand spectacle—a servant deftly refilling a glass, the subtle adjustments of a diplomat's expression as they navigated a pointed remark, the brief yet telling glance exchanged between allies. She whispered into Merryn's ear for a moment, as they both surveyed their surroundings.

She moved to the side of the room, where the flow of attendees ebbed slightly. There, she allowed herself a moment of quiet observation, her posture relaxed but her mind alert. Ivalyn appreciated these moments, where the veil of ceremony thinned, and the subtleties of power dynamics played out in the background.

Her fingertips lightly brushed the edge of a crystal flute resting on a nearby table as she turned her attention toward the crowd once more. The tapestry of beings from across the galaxy was striking—an intersection of ambition, curiosity, and intrigue. Ivalyn knew the potential for conversations here could ripple far beyond the confines of the room. She held Merryn Sellek 's hand in hers as they walked together, Ivalyn poised as ever as she and Merryn walked together.

She kept her expression neutral yet inviting, an open invitation for anyone to approach. Though she appeared at ease, her mind worked methodically, cataloging faces, noting affiliations, and considering possibilities. The evening was still young, and she knew that every encounter had the potential to shift the current of the conversation—and perhaps, the galaxy itself.

Madrona A’Mia ​