Private A Tale of Two Woes

[Zoraya Ives-Ayres]

Their home was alive with festivities, abundant with family and friends who had joined them to celebrate the rather bourgeoisie rendition of her parents' wedding anniversary. Dressed in a long, red dress, adorned in overly expensive jewellery and with a glass of champagne in her hand, she was in her element. Having been raised in privilege, she was accustomed to such social functions and as such found no issue mingling with familiars and strangers alike.

"Zoraya!" The voice of her mother called from behind her. Throwing a glance over her shoulder, she saw the woman beckoning to her. "Excuse me one moment." She excused herself from the group she was with and answered her mother's call. Beside each other, it was clear the pair weren't related with their stark differences in features. It was no secret that she had been adopted into the family but it made no difference.

As she neared her mother, as did a familiar Chiss family who shook her parents' hands before offering the same to Zoraya who returned the gesture with a polite smile. Considering the oftentimes rough and sometimes undignified nature of her job, it was relieving to go back to her roots, even if it did require a level of falseness from her at times. Any of her colleagues wouldn't be wrong in calling her two-faced.

"Tlorr, how nice to see you." She greeted him, holding a hand out, politely. "Been well, I hope?" She exchanged pleasantries while their parents did the same. "Can I get you a drink or anything?" She asked. They didn't know each other too well but there was a familiarity from years of such functions that they had both been in attendance of. Both only knew each other from the perspective of the socialite persona they wore at such events. Neither truly knew the other.

Tlorr​

 

[Tlorr]

Aristocratic parties like this were a bore - it wasn't always like this for the Chiss Imperial. Tlorr had remembered when he and his parents arrived to Bastion as refugees, escaping the Sith's takeover, there his father was able to enlist within the Imperial military and quickly rise through the ranks. With position came power and because of it, Tlorr and his family were able to live lavishly. Unfortunately, Tlorr wasn't able to adapt like his parents were - the fake smiles, the fake personoas, all of it, Tlorr held disdain for the bourgeoisie.

But for the sake of his family and their reputation, Tlorr resigned himself and plastered the same fake persona everyone else did. Dressed in a suit his parents had picked out for him, he accompanied them around the large manor and remained seen and not heard, smiling along with his parents as they conversed with their aristocratic friends. The conversations ranged from small talk, current news or boasting about their children.

Finally, they would encounter the hosts of this event - a wedding anniversary if he recalled correctly. Tlorr's father turned to face him, drink still in hand, "Tlorr'obath'leme, why don't you chat with the Ives' daughter." the expression that accompanied his 'request' informed Tlorr that this wasn't really a request. The Chiss sighed before glancing away "Yes, father." he obeyed.

Straightening up, Tlorr made his way over to the familiar red-haired aristocrat. "Evening, Zoraya. A pleasure." Tlorr greeted her, gently taking her hand and shaking it "I'm well, what about you?" he asked before declining her offer "Thank you but no thank you, I'm driving." he dryly quipped. He'd known Zoraya for since they were children, although they'd only met in scenarios like this - like him, she was an army brat and so he found a kindred spirit within her. They also attended the Imperial Academy together although they didn't talk much there either. Feigning interest, he asked "What have you been up to since graduation?"

Zoraya Ives-Ayres

 

[Zoraya Ives-Ayres]

"Not too bad myself, thank you." She replied. Though they shared a small amount of history, she was indifferent towards him, much like how she was towards most people. If he had caught her at the Academy or at work, there was no chance they would be having such a conversation.

Such interactions could often be a bore but it was who you were talking to rather than what you were talking about. Tlorr's family had been friends of her own family for as long as she could remember so it was no surprise given that they shared a social status. It was always valuable to have friends in high places.

"Working mostly. There's never a dull day and I'm always on the move. My parents were lucky to catch me in time for this." She told him, vaguely gesturing to the room. "What about yourself? I haven't seen you around recently." Though she wasn't sure why she would. The galaxy was wide and their jobs were far-reaching. It was just another peg on the ladder of the conversation.

As they continued with the formalities, the conversation grew stagnant. Neither seemed too enthusiastic to talk to the other. She was relieved when her father called for attention in the room, but that relief would soon prove to be short-lived.

"Thank you all for joining us today. Normally, we wouldn't hold such momentous celebrations but as this is our thirtieth wedding anniversary then some luxuries can be afforded." He brought his wife's hand to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss while the crowd looked on. "But today isn't all about us. We are also here to celebrate the engagement of our daughter Zoraya to the fine young gentleman Tlorr'obath'leme."

Zoraya froze and anything he said afterwards washed over her like a wave. As soon as she realised her expression resembled that of a rabbit caught in headlights, she immediately forced a smile.

"We were thinking a winter wedding." She told the eyes who were glued onto them.

What are you doing?

This was the first she had heard of it but she knew very well she couldn't just denounce it where she stood. Best thing she could do for now was try to get the heat off of them. Whatever arrangement their parents had made could be discussed behind closed doors. Both had a reputation to uphold.

Tlorr​

 

[Tlorr]

"Oh, I've just been doing a bit of this and a bit of that." Tlorr non-answered, flashing Zoraya a faux smirk - he wished he'd said yes to that drink now. Small talk was torture for the Chiss. The formalities continued but he soon began to run out of conversational topics as well as picking up on the redhead's obvious lack of interest. Good to know he wasn't the only one suffering.

However, Tlorr was able to breathe a metaphorical sigh of relief when he heard Zoraya's father call out to the party. Turning to face the two hosts, Tlorr stood beside Zoraya to get a better view of the two as he listened to whatever they had to say. It was hard for a bored sigh to escape him but Tlorr remained vigilant, keeping his aristocratic mask on as he watched and smiled at the two ahead of them.

"--We are also here to celebrate the engagement of our daughter Zoraya to the fine young gentleman Tlorr'obath'leme."​

The Chiss' crimson eyes then proceeded to widen with shock and his heart skipped a beat, having nearly broken his poker face, Tlorr quickly straightened up and plastered a fake smile onto his blue features. Playing along, he wrapped an affectionate arm around Zoraya's waist and pulled her in closer while she played along as well, mentioning a winter wedding. All eyes were on them, the two would really have to sell it despite not knowing each other very well.

Applause erupted and Tlorr just had to take it all in with his beaming fake smile. Once the applause had ceased and the party resumed, Tlorr let out a sigh and turned to Zoraya "Judging by how tense you are, I surmise you were in the dark about this as much as I was." Tlorr asked in a hushed but calm tone, before exchanging a look with his parents, who were still in the presence of Zoraya's parents up ahead "This was a trap."

Zoraya Ives-Ayres

 

[Zoraya Ives-Ayres]

Behind her stoic expression, a glare threatened to escape and pinpoint her parents across the room. There would no doubt be an argument tonight but for now, she would do what she did best and act the part, pressing into his side when pulled close as though they weren't virtual strangers.

"None the wiser." She replied before taking a casual sip of her drink, her movements relaxed. His analysis that the event was a trap prompted a brief, humourless chuckle from the woman. "You don't say." Her gaze flickered around the room to ensure there weren't many eyes on them when she offered her hand.

"Care to join me for some fresh air?" She asked politely but her expression suggested it wasn't a question.

Once she took his hand, she led him outside though there was no rush in her step. With no one around, they were at a lesser risk of being overseen by prying eyes. With this in mind, she immediately dropped her warm and relaxed persona and a scowl was set on her face.

"I can't believe they would do this. Well, I can but... ugh." She paced slightly, walking away from him and running her fingers through her hair before dropping her hands by her side and turning back to face him. "They're just using me as a means to get in with your family. They care more about politics and status than what I want." With a frustrated sigh, she sat down on the bench.

"I can't see a way out of this." She shook her head, her gaze vacant as she imagined any possible scenario from which they could escape this nightmare.

Tlorr​

 

[Tlorr]

This was a catastrophe, Tlorr's parents always felt the need to micromanage his life ever since they'd 'elevated' their status, shortly after his father's rank in the military drew more notoriety. Tlorr had even been coerced to enlist in the Imperial military as to 'follow in his father's footsteps', while it wasn't what he wanted, Tlorr knew that it would make them proud... but more importantly get them off his back. His rank as a Special Agent would at least grant him time to be away from his overbearing parents. Of course, the time he decided to visit them, they choose to blow up his entire life.

When Zoraya politely ordered him to follow her outside, he complied with a stern nod before following her out. Once they were outside, his bride-to-be was off, ranting and raving about the situation and her parents using her as a way to climb the social ladder. Tlorr scoffed, he knew what she was feeling all too well. The Chiss placed his hands in his finely tailored suit pockets, retained his calm exterior and allowed Zoraya to continue.

"Tell me about it." he sighed "I wish I'd said yes to your drink earlier." he dryly joked as he raised his hand to lightly pinch the bridge of his nose, trying to make some light out of their current predicament. Did their parents really value them so little? Was politics and status more important than the happiness of their children? Tlorr and Zoraya barely knew each other but their parents really thought it'd be a good idea to force these two strangers into a marriage? It was outrageos.

Tlorr sighed again, hanging his head low, he remembered a time where he knew his parents cared about him. As a child, his parents fled from their home planet and to the safety of Bastion, all because they were worried about their son and worried about Tlorr growing up in a Sith controlled environment. It was back in those days, which felt like another lifetime, Tlorr was certain his parents once priorised his happiness over anything. Now, he wasn't so sure.

"I suppose... we could do is try to talk to them about it... really talk to them." Tlorr suggested, although if Zoraya's parents were anyhting like his, trying to talk to them would be moot. "The best we can do for now is... play the part. At least until this drag of a party ends." he said absent-mindedly, he then cleared his throat and his blood red eyes shot the half-Sephi a glance "No offence." Tlorr said apologetically as he held his arm out for her to take, when she was ready to return to the party.

Zoraya Ives-Ayres

 

[Zoraya Ives-Ayres]

Zoraya shot him an unamused look over her shoulder at his joke. How could he be so flippant at a time like this? She wasn't totally without a sense of humour, though any appearances of it were rare and certainly not in their current predicament. Now alone and away from the prying eyes and ears of others, it was the first time the pair had the opportunity to express their true selves and already she didn't think it likely that she would get on well with her now fiancé.

Deep in pensive thought, she had her back to Tlorr as she stared in the distance at nothing in particular. She knew she had had a much better life with her adoptive parents than she would've had otherwise and while she owed them gratitude, she didn't owe them the rest of her life by being some pawn in the socio-political game they played.

She was drawn out of thought by the sound of Tlorr's voice so turned and approached him. She scoffed at his suggestion. "Like that's ever going to work." She shook her head. There was never a consideration to run away. Her devotion to her work ran deeper than blood so she could avoid her family as much as possible but she would always remain tied to her duty and so could never truly escape her fate.

"Yeah. Okay." She nodded in agreement and took his arm, seemingly unbothered by his other comment. She didn't care much for the party either. Perhaps they had at least one thing in common. Not that it mattered. Their betrothal was a scam and she wouldn't spend any more time with him than she had to and with her commitment to work it seemed it would be easy to avoid him.

Once inside, she picked up two glasses of something fizzy and alcoholic from a tray and downed one before placing the empty glass down and keeping hold of the second. "Something to take the edge off." She muttered, sipping the second.

Tlorr​

 

[Tlorr]

A frown took shape on the Chiss' blue features, the unamused look she shot at him didn't bode well. Zoraya's aloofness and genuine cold nature reminded him a lot of what he hated about his parents... and the military, the best thing to him about having graduated was that he no longer lived with his family and that Tlorr wasn't forced to be around his colleagues 24/7. Now? The prospect of spending every waking day with someone like his... fiancé... wasn't adequate. They needed to find a way out of this and fast.

As she took his arm, Tlorr turned his head to where Zoraya couldn't see and quickly rolled his eyes. The Chiss accompanied his wife-to-be back to the party, preparing himself for the mentally taxing act of putting on the fake persona once more. Back inside, Zoraya further displayed the stress she felt toward the situation with the two glasses of alcohol. At first he'd expected her to offer him the second, but quickly realised that wasn't the case. Inflating his cheeks, Tlorr blew out a sigh and avoided eye contact with his betrothed "Right." he replied. This was going to be a long night.

Hours passed and the party began to dwindle, guests begun to slowly filter out until Tlorr would decide now was the time to speak to their parents. Exchanging a knowing glance with Zoraya, the Chiss placed his blue hand in hers and began to search for them throughout the near-empty manor. Following a few minutes of searching, a familiar loud and jovial laugh reached his ears. "That's... my father..." Tlorr admitted in a sheepish tone before leading the redheaded agent in the direction of his father's laughter.

The two would find their parents stood together, drinks in hand and in animated conversation. Tlorr brought his fist to his hand and cleared his throat, making their presence known. It was now or never.

Zoraya Ives-Ayres