And So It Goes

[Ishana Pavanos]

Sundari Groves, Balmorra
Pavanos Family Estate.

In the clearing of the olive groves, wooden pews sat in rows with a beautiful white carpet rolled between them. The Balmorran sun shining through the trees as friends and family started to gather. Ishana never thought this day would arrive and if she were honest, she didn't believe she'd even survive to see it. As nervous as she was, she stood there and watched fellow pilots arrive in uniform. All with their sabers ready for both officer and wife to walk beneath them, and in that moment the thirty-something-year-old closed her eyes and recalled the vivid memories of Hoth. The alarms blaring, her TIE screaming in agony as it fell straight to the ground. The rapidly approaching snow and then black, everything went dark and she swore in that moment she had lost it all.

When Ishana opened her eyes she was met with the smiling face of her mother. "Mom," she greeted with a nervous smile.

"Yasmi, do not be so nervous. This is a beautiful day," replied the older Pavanos woman, "and I am so proud of you."

Ishana gave her mother a soft smile, "thanks."

Aalicya Pavanos made her way to her seat as her husband Daveeq pulled his daughter into a hug. "I love you so much, my Yasmi."

"I love you, too, dad."

"You'll be fine, I promise and after today you will be with her forever." He pointed out with a hand, "forever, just to remind you."

The woman chuckled, "thanks dad." Her father turned and took his seat beside his wife, Ishana's two sisters dressed in suits gave her a smile as they took their places behind their bride. It was finally happening, as she lived and breathed Ishana Pavanos was actually getting married. The thought was enough to make her want to question her sanity but the thought of waking up beside Kaalia every day made it more than worth it. A soft exhale followed as she got a look around the venue, her family's own olive grove would serve as the sight of their union.

The olive press which normally served in typical oil duties had been turned into a dressing room for [member="Kaalia Voldaren"]. Ishana's eyes drifted toward it she took in a deep breath and exhaled, and then a familiar face caught her eye. "Pierce?" A wide smile appeared on her face as she crossed the scene and headed for her good friend and squadmate. "Pierce, you made it!" Not that Ishana was surprised but a trip from First Order space all the way out to Balmorra wasn't easy but here he was, [member="Pierce Fortan III"] and of course she had no doubt that [member="Hazel Zanteres"] and whoever else Kaalia had invited were as well.

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QruSZ7xO7z4​

​

Deep breath in.
Deep breath out.

"It's not helping. I'm not even going to make it there like this, I'll just collapse and-" Kaalia forced herself to stop talking to take another deep breath. It was all starting to get to her, the nerves coming from the woman palpable to two people surrounding her as she spoke like her words were trying to keep up with a ship in hyperspace with varying volume throughout the sentences. All she could do was stare blankly towards the door in front of her as the others were putting the finishing touches on things, whether it was their own outfit, that of the bride, or whatever else, her inability to think straight preventing her from being sure. Everything around her was all nothing more than a blur, not even noticing that someone was doing her hair. "I can't handle this. I just can't." Her thoughts weren't helping either. What if she screwed everything up? Were there things to screw up? What if she invented new ways to screw up a wedding?

As the woman's hands were shaking she closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down. The mental image that appeared was that of the woman who would very soon be her wife and although her nerves were still very much affecting her, she couldn't help but smile. For a moment her mind drifted off as memories of her meeting Ishana flashed by, moments that would be with her forever. Even the name of the bar was remembered: The Jumping Rocket. Kaalia wasn't entirely sure she knew why she was playing Sabacc, she had never been the gambling kind, but regret it she certainly did not looking back. A brunette would come sit next to her to play at the same table, the stranger smiled once and what seemed like a flash later she was now here, moments away from getting married to her. Maybe she had gone insane, the Kro Varian thought, maybe this was all just a dream. She was almost convinced it had to be, yet it all felt so real. If it all was indeed a dream, she never wanted to wake up.

The particularly bad set of nerves had started to subside as her mind went over everything, distracting herself from it. Looking herself over as she sat there, Kaalia took in the dress she was wearing, the brilliant white color something she never thought she would ever wear. Dresses weren't even really something she wore at all, but if there was any event in which it was a given then it was right now. She did not want to pick one out on her own however, and so she had asked [member="Aria Vale"] to help her with what was probably one of the hardest choices she ever had to make. The echani was in the dressing room as well, something Kaalia was thankful for.

Her mind was snapped back into reality as she felt slight tugging at the dress, and as Kaalia turned her head she saw [member="Hazel Zanteres"] adjusting something. She smiled for a moment, albeit a nervous one. "Thank you for being here. The both of you. I don't know if I would've been able to keep my sanity without you." She had found Hazel willing to walk her down the aisle after she asked her out of impulse, but the woman did not regret it.

The two people she had wished to be here that weren't however, were her father and mother. They were still on Kro Var, incapable of leaving the planet, leaving them unable to attend. Although she was saddened by it she had promised them it wouldn't affect her, a promise she was going to keep. "How long before it's time?" The wait was slowly torturing her. If she had the option available to her she would have walked out right that instant, but she was able to restrain herself. And so she impatiently waited until it was time to get married.

[member="Ishana Pavanos"]​

 

[NightSister]

"Hey, don't thank us yet," a half-smiling Aria Vale said as she eyed the redhead with lifted eyebrows, "still plenty of time left to lose it."

The Sith Lord was, by all accounts, not one for occasions so formal as weddings. Bars, parties, those she liked - those she found some sort of solace in, the sort of loudness it took to drown out her mind. But this was something different. And it was something that she never would have thought of ever attending if Kaalia Voldaren hadn't invited her.

Aria and Kaalia had known each other for...goodness, it was some time now. They'd been side by side as the women had watched an Empire rise, as they had built their place within it, even as they'd been promoted.
Strange as it was, it never occurred to her when she received the invite not to attend.

Clad in a dress of flowing dark red material that gave off a certain elegance she would've liked if it had been where her mind was, Aria stood by the two women opposite, maintaining a quiet gladness. She didn't know the other woman and in many cases she would've shied away at being this isolated with a stranger, but a friend of Kaalia's was - well, if not a friend of Aria's, at least somebody she could wait with without the unease that came with her disinclination to new people.

"Patience, Kaal." Another smile, just shy of teasing. "I imagine you'll need a lot of it once you're married, after all." A joke, although she was hardly making it up. There was a very good reason why Aria was in no rush for anything more committal than something casual.

(Besides, single life was fun.)

"You look really nice," she offered after a pause, more genuine in her attempt to comfort Kaalia's nerves this time. Yes, she had helped the bride-to-be pick her dress. The point remained.

[member="Kaalia Voldaren"] | [member="Ishana Pavanos"] | [member="Hazel Zanteres"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"]​

 

[Hazel Zanteres]

"Breathe Kaalia, breathe." Those were words she had spoken several times at this point, each time trying to calm the redhead down as the nerves began to hit a crescendo in her mind. It brought an odd smile to the Hapan's face, to see that even without Ishana in the room, the Balmorran was still having this kind of effect on Kaalia. Albeit, this was pretty much the biggest day of their lives, so it could be excused for having such an impact. "You can do this, you've got a wonderful woman waiting for you."

It had become a known fact that reminding Kaalia to think of Ishana helped build confidence, or distract her. Although maybe it wasn't going to be quite effective this day. Either way, she gave the Kro Varian a comforting squeeze of the shoulder.

The Hapan's own thoughts fell back to what the redhead had revealed upon the two meeting up earlier in the day. It had broken Hazel's heart to hear how Kaalia's parents weren't going to be here to see their daughter's wedding. Which had been something Hazel had noted, finding it strange that they weren't present when she had met up with her. Not long after that revelation, Kaalia had dropped another one in suddenly asking the Hapan to walk her down the aisle.

Saying she was shocked would've been understating it. Hazel had never expected to be asked something like that, and it had taken her a bit to finally giver her answer. To say the least, Hazel agreed which relieved the redhead and had helped calm her nerves.

Until they had inevitable sprung to the surface later on.

"I would've never missed this," she smiled in response to Kaalia's words. The Hapan was currently fixated on adjusting something on the bride-to-be's dress - it had to be perfect and Hazel was going to make damn sure that was the case. The Hapan was adorned in the same flowing red dress as the other woman in the room.

She looked over at Aria, giving the other woman a nod of appreciation. Jokes were no doubt going to help ease the tension Kaalia was feeling, hopefully anyway. Hazel had yet to speak with the woman since they had first met, only knowing her name; Aria, and the fact she was friends with the bride.

"Not too much longer, you'll soon be walking down the aisle." And we'll be here to help you.

It had gone unsaid, but the meaning was still there.

[member="Kaalia Voldaren"] | [member="Ishana Pavanos"] | [member="Aria Vale"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"]​

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"You say that with such a tone of surprise, it's almost as if I had a choice in the matter," Pierce replied, switching his cigarette to his other hand so he could shake hands with [member="Ishana Pavanos"], his old squadmate and the bride -- err -- bride, I think -- of the upcoming nuptials. "When in reality," he said, after pulling Ishana into a full-on -- if one-armed -- embrace, "we both know I was dragooned here as much as if by an order from the Grand Moff herself -- and while we're on the subject of the Grand Moff, she thinks I'm attending a conference on advanced fighter techniques taught by our old CO, so mum's the word."

He finished his cigarette and put it out in a nearby ashtray before turning his full attention back to Pavanos.

"Look at all these people," he said, and it was entirely unclear whether he would approve or not, or whether it was just a general observation. "You know -- Pavanos, we really ought to have a drink before this all starts. For -- nerves, right?" He reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a flask, shaking it so she could hear the liquor sloshing within. "What do you say?"

 

[Ishana Pavanos]

[member="Pierce Fortan III"] | [member="Hazel Zanteres"] | [member="Aria Vale"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Kaalia Voldaren"]

"Ah yes, the Grand Moff. May her pictures forever grace the lockers of all fighter jockeys throughout the nation that is the First Order," Ishana replied with a smile as she returned Pierce's one-armed embrace with one of her own. "You and entire 588th," she gestured toward the squad of First Order pilots who were dressed in their finest blacks, "so your secret is safe with me but seriously, Pierce thanks. It means a lot to me." To say that the Balmorran was nervous was an understatement. Marriage was a huge commitment, and if time with the First Order had taught her anything it was that commitment took work and for someone who shied away from work. It was a big deal, but down in the press, she knew a wonderful woman was waiting to walk down the aisle. A woman who she proposed to, a woman who she wanted to wake up to every morning, and as she drew in a breath and exhaled.

The pilot turned and listened to her former squadmate, she was half tempted to say her people but choose to listen to the rest of Pierce's statement. "Nerves," she grinned like a Cheshire cat, "and you can probably take whatever's left of my rations for the year. Don't think I'm gonna need them."

Ishana heard the swosh of liquor and certainly took a swig or two herself as offered by her squadmate. Another exhale, "is it normal to be this nervous, look at this, my hands are shaking. They don't shake like this when we're in action." Shaking it off she adjusted her uniform and looked Pierce over just as well, she then wondered if [member="Nils Brenner"] or any of the other 181st Squadron members would be in attendance but if they weren't then that was just as well. Their attendance did not have a bearing on the wedding, at least in her mind, two of the most important people in her life were here. Kaalia and Pierce, with Hazel running in a close second to Pierce.

The olive grove grew quiet, the 588th got into their positions lined up with sabers at their side each one across from one another, the tips of their shoes just gracing the edge of the white carpet. Family and friends turned in their seat. The local minister who was here to officiate the wedding at his position and the woman hired to sing for the ceremony had also just arrived and Ishana motioned for Pierce to hand over the flask again. She took another swig for good measure before handing it back, it was all starting to become just a little too real. The only sound that could be heard now was the testing of the piano that laid out to Ishana's left just behind her and Pierce, a member of one her old One Sith Squadrons gave Ishana a small wave just as he took his place behind Pierce. "Pierce this is Zeke, Zeke this is Pierce," okay scratch that three of the most important people in her life. Although Zeke and only just recently reconnected with Ishana, she was invited all the same with the Galidraani given the honor of best man.

When the sound checks were complete, the music began to play and the crowd turned to face the fateful door...

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jfKMkzbyck[/media]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

As she looked down at the pair of heels next to her on the ground, Kaalia's right right foot tapped at a breakneck pace. Her left hand balled into a fist and she wedged her folded index finger between her front teeth, although it was only hard to leave tiny marks that would dissipate in a matter of seconds while her thumb rested on her cheek. There was indeed a very long time left to lose her mind although she expected, and dearly hoped, that her nerves would finally settle down a bit after speaking out the single most important word of this day, if not ever. Pulling back her fist a bit while keeping her thumb in place she took a deep breath once more. "As long as it happens after saying yes, I really don't care." It had a hint of truth to it, but fainting due to nerves in front of a crowd was definitely not on her list of things she wanted to experience. Still, as long as she survived the ceremony she wouldn't beat herself up over it.

"Breathe, right. Breathe." Her hands moved again, now straightened and pressed against like she was praying, her chin resting on her index fingers. "The most wonderful, beautiful, amazing woman in the galaxy." The redhead's voice trembled slightly, but contained a thick layer of dreaminess. "I can't still believe it." Nobody compared to Ishana. There were more than a thousand reasons, if they were to be written down the book would count a seemingly endless amount of pages, but the most important one was something that simply couldn't be described. Words were unable to contain that feeling, a feeling that only she could cause. Rarely would Kaalia only listen to her gut feeling, but when the question blindsided her in the harsh cold of Hoth with the love of her life in her arms, ripped out of the cold clutches of death, her rational mind simply shut down. There was no other answer than 'yes' in her heart, and that answer had now brought her here. And it felt right.

A nervous chuckle escaped the woman's lips at Aria's joke, bringing her back down to the present. "I hope you can forgive me for not being able to find my patience today. I think it's justified." The urge to tug at the fabric of her dress was resisted, wanting to preserve its condition. "But for Ishana I will have all the patience in the galaxy." The step was huge, something that only now really started to settle in. There was a real weight to the commitment they would promise each other today, but at that realization Kaalia did not start to regret anything. She would do anything for the brunette, for her happiness was the source of her own. There was no turning back, but she steadily pushed on forward. Whatever it took, she would do it without hesitation.

With her foot still tapping on the floor like it was possessed the Kro Varian smiled and tilted her head downwards for a moment at Aria's compliment. "In no small part because of you. I would still have been looking for a dress if I had to do it on my own." Kaalia considered the fact her friend had put up with her almost ridiculous indecision nothing short of a miracle, but in the end she was very much happy with her choice. It just took a very long time to make. "I swear, helping run Kova has made me much more picky when it comes to clothing." It wasn't a bad thing per se, but it had definitely made her fashion choices more time-consuming than ever.

Right after Hazel mentioned that it was not much longer, almost as if on cue, the sound of music started filling the redhead's ears. Her heart started racing as a rush came over her, knowing it was finally time. "I can do this. I can do this." She closed her eyes and took the deepest breath of her life, opening them again as she breathed out. A small but determined nod later the woman reach over to the heels and with slightly trembling hands put them on before standing up, giving Aria a smile before turning to Hazel. "Let's not keep them waiting, shall we?"

Right before the door opened Kaalia took another breath, reassuring herself as she revealed herself to the small crowd that had gathered. Her eyes immediately trailed towards Ishana however, completely failing to hold back a broad smile while locking eyes with the woman who would officially be her wife in a matter of minutes. For a hundreth time she had to convince herself this was a dream, that this was reality. It seemed too good to be true, yet it very much was.

[member="Ishana Pavanos"] | [member="Pierce Fortan III"] | [member="Hazel Zanteres"] | [member="Aria Vale"]​

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Oh, misty eye of the mountain below
Keep careful watch of my brothers' souls
And should the sky be filled with fire and smoke
Keep watching over Durin's son


Her invitation must have been lost in transit.

The Master hardly needed one, a simple flash of her family’s sigil and a murmured “The Dark Lord sends his best wishes”, garnered her entrance without much issue, a wave of the hand and firm expression punctuating her desire not to sign the guest book.

The corner of Ara’s lips pursed up in a slightly wicked smile as crimson eyes flecked in amber scanned the crowd gathered and the olive groves surrounding, mentally cataloging the sea of faces, many of which were unfamiliar and of little consequence to her. The dress uniforms of the 588th stood out among those dressed for an outdoor wedding, the black jackets crisp and recognizable, giving her a moment of pause as she surveyed the beginnings of the ceremony. Her gaze fell to each of the pilots for a moment, analyzing each face until she was assured that none were known to her personally, her anonymity preserved despite their presence. Her own dress of lace and bronze complemented her complexion and loose curls, but avoided drawing undue attention to the woman who observed from the outskirts of the friends and family settled among the wooden pews.

Turning her attention to the bride who waited at the head of the isle, a slight tilt of the head sending her hair tumbling over one shoulder. [member="Ishana Pavanos"] looked much the same as she had the few times Ara had had the pleasure of meeting her, albeit slightly more cleaned up and with a far more nervous countenance. Although, she supposed that was to be expected as the pilot stood, awaiting the music that would announce the arrival of her bride and the start of the ceremony that would bind their lives together.

Almost on cue, the music swelled, strains of a piano filling the grove and washing over those gathered. A shift of attention as the guests turned, almost as one, to the small, isolated building that must have served as a makeshift dressing room. The door opened and a deeper smile bloomed as a familiar woman with fiery red hair appeared.

It has been too long, old friend.

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"] | [member="Aria Vale"] | [member="Hazel Zanteres"] | [member="Pierce Fortan III"]​

 

[NightSister]

"'Course you can. Go on, it's gonna be great. And - good luck."

Aria flashed her friend a grin that she only hoped was reassuring, and with that she went to take her seat. The wedding ceremony was on a relatively small scale but decorated with clear good taste. Definitely a success on the Kova front, at least.

To the best of her knowledge, Kaalia was the only one here she could really claim to know. She knew Ishana by name and animated conversation with Kaalia before and especially leading up to the wedding, knew Hazel from stories she'd caught the tail end of purely by talking often enough to the Kro Varian, but the crowd gathered to witness the marriage was composed, to her, of strangers. Not that Aria really minded, of course. It was exceptionally rare that she went anywhere with the intention of socialising. No, she'd come to watch her friend get married. And maybe for the food. Maybe.

Deftly, she adjusted the knot her hair was tied into at the back of her head and then she sat comfortably, leaning forward as she watched the redhead step out to the end of the aisle, grin returning to match Kaalia's. She wasn't an empathic creature by any means but the bride radiated a shocked happiness that Aria couldn't help let infect her.

Aria didn't often relax, but she was relaxed now. She was glad for her friend. The rest could wait.

[member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Kaalia Pavanos"] | [member="Ishana Pavanos"] | [member="Pierce Fortan III"] | [member="Hazel Zanteres"]​

 

[Hazel Zanteres]

The music hit, and Hazel couldn't help but smile. Her eyes met Kaalia's as the Kro Varian's nerves continued to thrum through her body. The Hapan took her arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"You'll be fine Kaalia, just a few more minutes and you and Ishana will be married." Hazel had seen the love the two had for one another, and knew this moment was something that had been building for a long while now. Some nerves could be excused for that reason. Once the ceremony was over, both women would have the rest of the lives to enjoy together.

Hazel took a deep breath herself, walking with Kaalia towards the door. The Hapan had her own little bundle of nerves welling up. She had never come to this expecting to have the honour of walking Kaalia down the aisle, but if it meant their wedding went a lot more smoothly and complete? Then Hazel would do it in a heartbeat.

With the music finally hitting the right note, the door was opened and the pair walked out.

It was no doubt a rather odd sight to see the Hapan walking the bride down the aisle - but thankfully all eyes were pretty much on Kaalia as they walked. Well, most of them anyway. Hazel was certain [member="Shayra Zanteres"] was looking at her; from wherever the Dravala had seated herself. Hazel had stressed to the her to not to cause any trouble while she was away helping Kaalia. But she was confident Shay would be more curious about things around her, this was after all her first time witnessing a human tradition; specifically how weddings worked.

Soon they were at the end of the aisle. Hazel smiled as she saw Ishana's eyes were glued to Kaalia's, and knew the redhead's were much the same. She gave Kaalia another reassuing squeeze against her arm, before she stepped away and took her spot.

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"] | [member="Ishana Pavanos"] | [member="Aria Vale"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] | [member="Pierce Fortan III"]​