Faction Absolutely Girls Allowed!

[Roman Vossari]

Pillow Fort
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Braze | Casaana

​

Roman chuckled, instinctively raising his arms to shield himself from Casaana's playful swat, the cushion still nestled on her lap like a loyal companion. "Hey, watch it! I'm not just a pretty face!" He feigned a dramatic pout, straightening up proudly when Casaana teased him about his Pamarthen Lion genes. But the lightheartedness quickly dimmed as he turned his attention to Braze, who seemed to dissect him like a specimen under a microscope.

"Mr. Lion, huh?" Roman replied, a teasing glint still in his eyes despite the growing unease gnawing at him. Braze's compliments rolled off him like sun-drenched waves, filling him with temporary warmth. But as Braze plunged into a deeper analysis, his words struck a jarring chord. Roman's heart sank as Braze pointed out the carefully crafted facade he wore like armor.

"Too perfect," Braze had said, and Roman couldn't shake the feeling that the words were a little too close to home. He had spent years striving for an ideal--a perfect Jedi, the son of a renowned nobles, meeting familial expectations. But in that pursuit, had he also built a wall that set him apart from those he truly wanted to connect with? The thought sent a shiver down his spine.

He sat there, processing the weight of Braze's words, the laughter in the room fading into an uncomfortable silence. "I'm not that old," he finally mumbled, almost to himself, as if trying to convince not just Braze, but also his own insecurities.

Breaking the tension, Roman sprang up from the fort, needing to move, needing to escape the sudden heaviness that had settled around them. "I'll grab more food," he announced, forcing a smile as he turned and strode toward the table. The clatter of dishes echoed in the quiet, a small yet comforting reminder of normalcy as he sought solace in the simple act of gathering snacks.

With each step he took, he thought about Braze's words, contemplating how to unravel the layers he had built over the years--even as he focused on his next playful jab against the increasing weight of reality.

 

[Colette]

What was this? Absolutely no girls allowed? Colette's eyebrow raised for a moment as she saw someone she had assumed to be a girl enter the room and then seemingly stay in the room which would rather ironically defeat the purpose and veracity of this particular sign, wouldn't it? It was a small error, of course, but an easily adjusted one.

Colette withdrew the knife on her belt and began to carve away at the paper attached to the door with a mischievous grin. Take away the NO, use part of the N to create an exclamation point, use the other end of the N to create another...

There would be some rasping sounds on the other side of the door, most likely just loud enough for someone in there to hear, but it mattered little. The new sign was in place with the new and albeit very visibly tampered with sign saying:
Absolutely! Girls allowed!

Colette vacated the area with a slightly gleeful giggle and ran away before the others could pop their heads out and check out what the noise was and then went about her day feeling just a little better about herself.

Casaana Braze Roman Vossari

 

[Casaana]

"Braze, you don't even look like you shave yet. How can you call someone old?" Feeling defensive for her friend who was obviously stung by their fellow Padawan's words, Casaana shot the offending Padawan a dirty look behind Roman's back. She didn't care if it let him deduce who her crush had once been, she was over that now and there were more important things at stake. Really she wanted to give Braze a piece of her mind, but she was trying to do better and not start a fight. Especially one that would embarrass herself in front of her friend and probably embarrass him too. "Just come off it Braze, we're Padawans. We're all supposed to be mastering ourselves and our emotions to be better. A lot of the Masters are pretty distant too."

What she'd already eaten turned in her stomach, it'd been too sugary for as early as it was for her. "I'm good Roman, no more for me." She quietly called after him. Truth was, she still wasn't sleeping well or eating much after Tython. The sweet smells had tempted her, but now she was done eating. "Actually, some more tea please." She amended and then tensed as there was noise at the door as if someone were scratching or tapping the outside. She got ready for someone to come barging in and ruining their meditation time, but the noise passed and nothing happened. Weird. Maybe there really was a sign and it'd fallen?

"Well that was weird." She turned back to the others. "So favorite thing to do or learn or something? Mine's flying. I saved up pocket money and did some odd jobs. Picked up an amazing little Skyhopper!" She said it with false cheer, and it wasn't subtle, but hopefully the others would agree they could use a change of pace from calling each other out.
Braze Roman Vossari Colette

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Casaana Roman Vossari

"Braze, you don't even look like you shave yet. How can you call someone old?"

Without missing a beat, Braze grinned, a cattish smile that showed he wasn't fazed by the comment at all. "Because they're older than me. Easy," he said simply, with a little self-satisfied sound in his voice. Despite his childish mannerisms in many ways, he had matured too. He'd taken part in the Warrior's Rite of the Echani and performed the tea ceremony with Jasper Kai'el on his 14th birthday. If he were on Eshan, he'd already be part of the military at his age, seen as a young adult ready for more responsibility. With his fifteenth birthday approaching, he wasn't bothered by something as trivial as shaving. He'd probably hate it anyway—Echani were often seen as pristine and smooth, their defining features uncovered. Facial hair didn't really fit the cultural standard.

"Just come off it Braze, we're Padawans. We're all supposed to be mastering ourselves and our emotions to be better. A lot of the Masters are pretty distant too."

"Well yeah, of course. But is there really harm in discussing thoughts and feelings openly?" Braze asked, his tone curious. This sort of thing seemed to happen often—his directness and earnestness sometimes catching others off guard. Maybe it wasn't normal to be so open, even among fellow Padawans. Sure, there were things he kept to himself, but wasn't the whole point of having a sacred space like this to talk about things without worrying about judgment? Especially from the girls?

Maybe he still had a lot to learn about relationships and how others interacted.

He noticed the subject change again but perhaps thought that maybe Casanna was uncomfortable with opening up to guys. Maybe she was a girls girl after all. He wouldn't honestly know. He didn't want her to feel unwelcome if she'd come here looking for kinship whoever. Roman was older than he was or so Braze thought and yet it seemed like his feelings were hurt too. Braze frowned briefly listening to Casanna talk about how she'd saved money up.

He could feel the uneasiness settling in, unsure whether to address it or let it slide. In typical Braze fashion, his mind began to overthink, racing through tangents that spiraled out of control at lightspeed.

He sighed again, uncertain of what to offer. Was this really what bonding was supposed to be like? Awkwardly humoring one another? Everyone seemed so closed off, so rigidly stoic all the time. No one ever wanted to talk about love interests or offer advice on that kind of thing.

"What do you like about flying?" Braze decided to ask.

 

[Roman Vossari]

PILLOW FORT
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Braze | Casaana

​

Roman returned to the cozy confines of the pillow fort, balancing a plate stacked with an assortment of snacks--a colorful array of fruit, cheese, and crackers--alongside a steaming cup of tea carefully prepared for Casaana. As he settled back down, the plush surroundings enveloped him, creating a delightful haven against the worried atmosphere that had begun to take root.

He caught the tail end of Braze's question about flying, and while he sensed the young Padawan's mind wasn't really on the subject, he decided to lean into the moment. "You know, Casaana, I think we should all go flying together sometime," he said, a warm smile gracing his face. "I've been in a few flying classes, maybe we can all learn from each other." He keenly observed Casaana's expression, hoping to tap into her enthusiasm for flight, even if the topic felt a little distant from the warmth that was usually shared in their circle.

As he paused to plate a bite of cheese, he couldn't help but think back to the kind of peace and clarity he found in simpler activities. "For me, I really enjoy fishing," he shared, looking between his two companions. "When I get some alone time, it really clears my mind. There's something about just being there, waiting quietly, that brings me a sense of calm." He turned back to Braze, noting the slight furrow in his brow. "But hey, Braze, what about you? What do you like to do when you're not knee-deep in training? You seem a little off now--everything okay?"

With genuine concern etching his features, Roman leaned forward slightly. "I mean, you invited us here for a reason, right? If you need to talk about something, we're all ears." It was an open invitation, a chance for Braze to share whatever he was wrestling with.

 

[Casaana]

"Not if you don't sleep through your diplomacy and tact classes. There are nice and mean ways to say things." She muttered back quietly to Braze's first question before raising her voice back to normal as Roman returned to the fort. "I've got the codes to a few Kattadan ships!" She laughed and returned Roman's smile as she took the tea he brought her. "Thanks."

She sipped the hot drink as she listened to Roman. "I'm the opposite, fishing's boring. You just sit there and wonder why the fish aren't biting, only to find your bait's been stolen. Or you think about all the things you've been trying not to. Flying though," she shifted and tilted her head towards Braze, as she started to answer his earlier question. "You're acting, moving. Sounds silly, but you're free. Can hang in the air with everything tiny and laid out below you, or race the waves into shore. Twist, roll, flip to your heart's content, or set up a course to edge the seconds off of. I'd love to give canyon racing a try. It's supposed to really get the adrenalin going and push your skills and reflexes to the limit." While her face and voice were as animated and excited as they'd ever been since joining the two boys, she still kept mostly still, one arm resting on the pillow in her lap and the other keeping the tea steady.

She kept quiet about Braze after Roman's questions for him. He'd stayed out of her business when she hadn't wanted to go there. She wasn't about to press into his now unless her decided to open up. It might have been premature, but she felt like they might have started to come to an understanding. They each had thorns and soft spots, she could respect his if he didn't go poking hers.
Braze Roman Vossari

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Casaana Roman Vossari

"But hey, Braze, what about you? What do you like to do when you're not knee-deep in training? You seem a little off now--everything okay?"

"I just train," he lied, though it wasn't far from the truth. The vast majority of his time was spent in relentless, obsessive training, so much so that his master had to enforce rest days to prevent him from burning out. The overachiever try hard that he was with training, Braze wouldn't dare admit his secret hobby—sculpting figurines from clay. Epic depictions of people he knew or admired, crafted with an artist's care. He knew it was an odd pastime, one that might be poorly received.

He also wouldn't dare mention his newfound, somewhat embarrassing interest in flowery young adult romance novels—the kind that painted love in the most poetic hues. There was no way he could confess how much the wedding scene at the end of Love in the Starlight had captivated him. The story followed the radiant Princess Selendara, heir to the mystical Kingdom of Lunaristra, and the mysterious star-born warrior Orion. Bound by fate yet torn apart by duty, only Orion's celestial powers could save her kingdom. But Selendara was already betrothed to the pompous Duke Damaris, who sought her hand and the throne.

The wedding scene was pure, dramatic fantasy: just as Selendara prepared to marry Damaris, Orion burst through in a blaze of light, declaring his undying love. The stars aligned, sealing their fates as star-crossed lovers forevermore. It stirred something in Braze—though he'd never admit it.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Braze added simply, almost dismissively, as if the idea that anything could be wrong was absurd. After all, this was normal for him.

"Not if you don't sleep through your diplomacy and tact classes. There are nice and mean ways to say things."

"Yeah, I understand that too," Braze replied, though his thoughts were starting to drift. If these two were this sensitive, they would likely struggle if they ever crossed paths with a Sith—or someone truly malicious, the kind who thrived on exposing their deepest insecurities and tearing their weaknesses apart. He could almost see it now: their doubts laid bare, their fears used against them like a blade. It was a troubling thought, one he hoped they'd never have to face.

"Fishing can be boring, I guess. Depends on how you go about it. Maybe you should try just using your hands next time—makes it a lot more interesting. Canyon racing's dangerous, you know. One wrong move, and you're scrap metal. Ever tried it in the sims? Might not be the real thing, but it's close enough to get your heart pumping without the risk of turning into a crater."

 

[Nir Si]

​

It was often that Nir wandered the temple these days. After all, it was strange to be back on Coruscant now. After the invasion, Nir felt a little antsy being on a planet still being rebuilt.

But the sight of a pillow fort inside of a room caught his eye.

"...what are all you doing?"

Tag: Braze Casaana Roman Vossari Colette

 

[Roman Vossari]

pillow fort
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Braze | Casaana | Nir Si

​

Roman watched as Braze's demeanor shifted, a subtle distance creeping into the conversation. Braze's assertion that he was fine and just trains didn't quite align with the depth of care and intrigue Roman had seen from this curated meditation chamber. Something was amiss, but Roman decided not to pry; he valued a newfound friendship too much to push too hard.

Just as the tension thickened and awkward silence threatened to fill the air, a new presence interrupted. Roman turned, food still in his mouth, and spotted a young male Padawan of the feline-like Denik species peeking into their cozy pillow fort tea party.

"Hey there!" Roman exclaimed, swallowing hastily. "I'm Roman! Welcome to our fort. Want to join?" His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, grateful for the distraction and eager to include the newcomer in their little world.

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant
Tags: Braze , Casaana , Nir Si , Roman Vossari

​

Absolutely! Girls allowed!

"Ab...solutely... girls... allowed..."

Loomi sounded out the phonetics of the sign as she pondered it's meaning for a moment, taking a bit to process the words. She was still a slow reader, even as her reading level grew with each passing month of improvement. Suddenly her good eye lit up as she registered what the sign said.

"Oh! That's me!"

She was allowed. That was what that was indicating to her, right? It seemed to be very clearly expressed on the sign of whatever this pillow-formation was supposed to be. Loomi proudly stepped inside with a giddy smile and proclaimed her arrival.

"Hi!"

 

[Casaana]

Braze made a few good points, and she let him get away with dodging the question because as far as she knew that pretty much was all he did. "Sim's are good for time attack or when the instructor wants you to learn how to deal with an engine out or something. Hey man!" She perked up a bit as a Cathar joined them, he looked a little familiar, but she didn't place him.

She shifted a little as the door opened again, allowing Loomi to enter, aware they'd been talking about her just minutes ago. Briefly she considered leaving as the number of people in the already small room near doubled. Instead she just moved over to make room to not be rude. "Heya Loomie. You two help yourself to snacks or tea and cake. Whatever you like. Braze is putting on a little party."
Braze Roman Vossari Loomi Nir Si

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Nir Si Loomi Casaana Roman Vossari

"...what are all you doing?"

"Talking about girls, girlfriends, and hobbies," Braze chirped, a mischievous grin creeping onto his face. "And enjoying snacks and tea," he added, almost as an afterthought, lifting his cup for a sip. But the moment Loomi walked through the door, he nearly snorted into his tea, quickly choking down the liquid.

He coughed, sitting up straight and taking a moment to regain his composure as he fumbled for napkins to clean himself up. "H... Hello," he managed, still catching his breath. His mind raced for a second, wondering if some trickster had tampered with his signs outside. Loomi wasn't exactly known for reading well, after all but it had been a fairly simple and easy to read sign.

 

[Nir Si]

​

"Girlfriend, eh? I guess I'm the expert in that department then. As far as I'm aware, I'm the only one here who's actually already dating someone." Nir chuckled as he walked into the room. "Unless someone here wants to confess."

Nir wasn't completely caught up on the padawan gossip train, he tried his best to keep out of it, but it was pretty clear by just Braze 's reaction to her walking into the room, he and Loomi had a thing.

Tag: Roman Vossari Casaana

 

[Roman Vossari]

Pillow Fort
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Braze | Casaana | Nir Si | Loomi

​

As Loomi stepped in, Roman's curiosity piqued. She carried an air of warmth and intrigue that drew his attention immediately. He leaned over, the remnants of his snack forgotten for a moment. "Hi, I'm Roman," he said, extending a friendly hand towards her as she approached.

Nir, continued to rattle off his carefree banter. "Unless someone here wants to confess," his tone flicking with mischief.

Suddenly, a laugh erupted from Roman, cutting through the moment. "That's not true... I mean, not entirely." he blurted out, locking eyes with Braze, who looked as if he'd just caught fire, shades of crimson creeping across his cheeks. The revelation of Casaana's earlier gossip about Braze and Loomi raced through his mind, and he felt the atmosphere shift, becoming thick and charged.

An awkward silence settled in, his gaze flickering between Braze and Loomi, waiting for the next move. Roman could feel the weight of anticipation pressing against him, unsure if he should lighten the mood or if his words would tip the balance into an uncomfortable confession. He glanced sideways at Casaana, curious if she would say anything more about the pair.

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant
Tags: Roman Vossari , Braze , Nir Si , Casaana

​

"H... Hello,"

Loomi stood there for a moment taking in Braze's reaction. This was... new. He hadn't really reacted like this to her before. Had she done something wrong? Their Force Bond was still strong enough that she'd get the brunt of these emotions, no doubt increased by her natural empathic abilities. It seemed like... embarrassment?

Had she caused that?

"Sorry..." Loomi muttered, twiddling her thumbs awkwardly. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad..."

"Unless someone here wants to confess."

"That's not true... I mean, not entirely."

"...Confess?" the Godoan frowned, her antennae curling back.

What was going on here?

 

[Casaana]

Now she was glad she hadn't left, this was getting good. She knew about engagements and crushes, she held the power to reveal either and enjoyed the moment as she sipped on her cupped tea and watched Braze now that he was the one well and truly off balance. Her attention shifted to Roman, was he blushing as well? His engagement to Anneliese wasn't common knowledge either and he seemed undecided about sharing. She could share on their behalf, but it would be mean. Meddling in their heats' affairs would be too much, instead she provided a distraction. "I don't think we've met, I'm Casaana." She said, looking towards the Cathar still standing with Loomi where they'd entered. "Come and sit with us and tell us who you are and who this girlfriend of yours is."
Braze Roman Vossari Loomi Nir Si

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Casaana Loomi Roman Vossari Nir Si

"I didn't mean to make you feel bad..."

Braze frowned, his gaze dropping to the floor. Had he said something wrong? Done something inappropriate? A subtle tremor coursed through him. Were his mental shields faltering? Of course—that had to be it. Before he got really sick, he and Loomi shared a Force bond, an unusual connection that often blurred the lines between their thoughts and emotions.

Now, a knot of awkwardness twisted in his stomach, and he didn't know how to address the situation. He couldn't possibly tell someone like Loomi that he didn't want them around; just thinking about it made his heart race. Realizing he might have been inadvertently projecting his feelings again, he took a deep breath and concentrated on reinforcing his mental shields. The ambient sounds of the room faded as he centered himself.

Thankfully, Casaana broke the tension by turning to Nir. He just settled back and decidedly went further in to the odd little pillow fort disappearing from sight briefly to go find a blanket to wrap himself in to. IT was all he could do to keep from flushing pink.

 

[Nir Si]

​

Nir looked between the two, Braze and Loomi , and just shook his head. They weren't ready, and it certainly wasn't his place to force that.

Instead, he looked to the two new faces. "Nir. I'm Braze's old roommate from when he lived in the temple full time." The boy let out a chuckle, taking a seat in the small pillow fort. "And yeah, I got a girlfriend. She's my bass player, Erika Starfall. You uh..." He paused, frowning slightly. Was it egotistical to boast that they might've seen him on an album cover? He didn't like being egotistical when he wasn't on stage. On stage, sure, he was a rock star, but off?

It didn't feel right.

He let out a cough, before holding out a hand. A small flash of light, and a flat piece of cardboard appeared in his hands, the cover of it painted with four people on it, and the words "H.A.W.K., Force of Nature" painted behind them in a sort of graffiti font style on it. "We're in a band together." He said plainly. No need to brag, yeah?

Roman Vossari Casaana

 

[Roman Vossari]

Pillow Fort
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Braze | Casaana | Nir Si | Loomi

​

Roman sat curled up within the confines of the pillow fort, observing the electric tension between Braze and Loomi. Their shared glances were heavy with unspoken words, a silent conflict that set the atmosphere ablaze with awkwardness. He could sense Braze's discomfort, the way his shoulders hunched as if every inch of him wanted to shrink away. Loomi's uncertainty mirrored that of Braze, thickening the air between them. He hoped they'd navigate through it, but Roman felt like an intruder, nestled among the pillows while their connection unfolded in whispers and hesitations.

But then Nir, king of distraction, broke the silence with a chuckle, diverting his attention like a beacon of light in the dim tension. As Nir introduced himself, Roman couldn't help but be pulled into the whirlwind of confidence and warmth that seemed to seep from him. Intrigued, Roman leaned forward slightly, eager to know more about Nir and his band. He never expected to end up in a space like this with musicians.

Suddenly, Nir materialized an album cover into existence, a splash of color and energy in stark contrast to the muted stillness around them. "H.A.W.K., Force of Nature," it declared boldly, and Roman's curiosity piqued. "A band?" he blurted, excitement bubbling within him. "What's your music like?" The question escaped his lips before he reconsidered--would it be rock? Something softer? Given Nir's cool demeanor, it was hard to guess. Whatever it was, he wanted to delve deeper into this new revelation, eager to connect over something that made the awkwardness drift further away.

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant
Tags: Nir Si , Braze , Roman Vossari , Casaana

​

Loomi really wasn't sure what had happened. Braze didn't respond to her apology and only seemed to slip away as the conversation changed. Something about girlfriends? The Godoan was hardly paying attention, all she knew was that something clearly had her Echani friend upset. Or something along those lines, anyways.

The Godoan would ignore the conversation going on between everyone else present, following after Braze into the depths of the pillow fort. This time she wouldn't say anything, since that only seemed to make things weirder. Instead Loomi simply gave him a hug.