Bah Humbug! [ CIS Dominion of Y, 40 Hex ]

[Cameron Centurion]

Under the Tree
Attire: XXX
Tag: [member="Naedira Darcrath"] | [member="Scherezade deWinter"]

Aiden hadn't taken more than five steps away from Madalena before he felt it. Nae's presence had existed around him in a general sense ever since he stepped onboard the restored the flagship. However, now he could feel her presence pointedly. Truth be told, the reality that he'd not sensed it sooner was momentarily encouraging and disheartening at the same time. It was encouraging because, for a few brief moments, Aiden managed to trick himself into thinking the steadily increasing complication and confusion of his feelings for Naedira had been a temporary affair. Clearly he was capable of existing without the sense of her existence swirling around his mind and literally invigorating every aspect of his soul, right?

Wrong.

The truth was Aiden could feel the fog of Madalena's strong familial bond lifting the farther away he walked. As the Sith Lord's feet carried him towards the exit, Naedira's shockingly recent, nearly-as-strong bond filled his mind. It swelled to every corner of his being quickly enough to eradicate any momentary illusion of Aiden being anything other than what he legitimately feared he was becoming. No...what he had become.

Attached.

As if to seal the deal, the gentle tease of Nae's presence caressed the back of the Sith Lord's neck as her voice filled his mind. An uncontrollable and familiar warmth swelled throughout Aiden's being, bringing his body to an abrupt halt just short of the exit. Nothing on my level was enough to hold my interest for more than a handful of fleeting moments. Turning, Aiden slowly cast his bright gaze towards the walkway above the massive hall. A thin, mischievous smirk settled on his lips as his large frame levitated into the air. It was only a handful of seconds before the material of his boots came to rest on the mezzanine above the impromptu celebration below.

The moment his feet had touched solid ground, the Sith Lord moved with purpose towards the casually dressed Knight. Aiden's presence swelled and rolled over Naedira's as he drew near. Long strands of partially highlighted hair bounced on his shoulders slightly, a few strands resting in front of one of his eyes as his large frame swept towards the comparatively diminutive form of Naedira. Cognizant of the fact that they were in a slightly more professional setting than they normally interacted, Aiden contemplated a professional greeting.

Except that was boring, and he couldn't exactly much be bothered to care.

Stopping well inside of arm's reach, Aiden encircled Naedira's waist with a single arm as the hand of his opposite arm gently reached up to support the side of the Naboo native's face. Soft, full lips followed in a firm but gentle press to Naedira's lips. No further words were spoken, but a plethora of emotions and feelings drifted freely between them through the Force; even those Aiden refused to acknowledge.

 

[Naedira Darcrath]

Location: Mezzanine Overlooking the Dining Hall [Balcony]​

Wearing: XXX​

Tag: [member="Aiden"]​

---

​

---

​

Her expression remained empty when the broad-shouldered man stopped immediately before exiting the dining hall. It was so abrupt a movement that if anyone had been walking directly behind him they would have walked right into his back. His telepathic response caused the corner of her mouth to quirk into a partial smile before she did her best to clear it. The expression that Aiden wore when he began to ascend from the floor didn’t make it easy, and she bit her lip, in order to remain as the rest of the Confederacy knew her. Quiet, calm, and collected.

“Has that changed?”

Her question was lost when his feet touched the floor. For a few fleeting seconds, Naedira forgot where she was and air froze in her throat. Aiden was sure of himself when he moved, so much so, that a thrill of something akin to preparing for a fight ran down her spine when he approached. Fight or flight. It eased when his arm wrapped around her waist though she did catch herself with both hands on his chest. “Aiden…”, she murmured, but her eyes closed when he touched her cheek. Her hesitation melted as everything he was wrapped around her. As if that wasn’t enough—his kiss sealed it.

The Viceroy was surprisingly gentle, even, when she kissed him back. When she’d first met the Sith Lord she hadn’t really expected it. He was gruff, to the point, and didn’t suffer fools or flights of fancy. To be fair she had never actively hedged a thought about him that bordered anything past professional courtesy until it happened without her notice. The crimson and onyx clad Knight couldn’t help but momentarily languish in the sensation of his lips against her own. His arm around her made her feel safe, rather than small, and his touch to her cheek was reminiscent to Unity Day. Aiden either remembered, or, the action was simply becoming familiar.

There was a small warning bell going off in the back of her mind but it was hard to focus on when they were so close she was breathing the air he expelled. His penchant for going shirtless had always struck her as peculiar, but now, she had grown used to it. Feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her palms was intoxicating. ‘It seems like someone missed me.’

A wordless tease that would sneak past his walls and echo in his mind. Whereas his presence tended to wrap around her, endlessly, she typically remained contained. For all of her studies she could only liken it to the function of a lighthouse or a beacon. A bonfire. It brought him back. Through space, through a storm, fog, any metaphor available—she recognized a moth responding to a flame.

Naedira moved slightly, just enough, so that she could link her hands about his neck. When she pulled back it was to breathe. Her lungs were on fire and her head was swimming with a slew of potentially poor decisions. Her hesitation was delayed as she leaned up on her tiptoes, having forgotten the party below, so she could pepper a series of light kisses to the lips she was getting to know so well.

He was good, very good, at making her forget where she was.

Before she could forget, again, the Knight let the last kiss taper off. Every second it lingered made her want to surge forward and ignore the fact that they quite possibly had an audience in the form of her boss—Oh. Oh, hell. Chestnut eyes widened slightly as her hands slid back down, wrapping around his middle, so that she could rest her cheek against him for a moment. The movement was punctuated with a faint nuzzle whilst she remained near.

Hopefully he wouldn’t realize how red her cheeks were getting. Hopefully, he would let her stay there, so that no one else could see it either. Naedira wasn’t embarrassed of Aiden. Not in the slightest…There were just a lot of emotions she couldn’t place. A lot of control that she distinctly lacked once she got lost in their mutual affections. It left her exposed and the young Knight was extremely wary of that.

“Happy Life Day.”

Her muffled voice would carry to his ears, ironic, and tinged with unspoken desires that she was doing her best to put a lid on. Easier said than done.

 

[Helly Reyne]

[member="Lirka Ka"]

---

Helly tilted her head to one side after being given her answer. "Fair enough. I don't think I'll be doing much of the head-cracking, but I do plan on backing your cause. Sometimes I wonder if I missed my calling as a warrior instead of an entertainer..." She took a sip of her sweet whiskey and turned to face Lirka directly.

"You got an opinion on the Confederacy? Think they're doing what's right?" She was fully aware that this person may not have been the best among them to ask on the matter, but she had to start somewhere. Maybe someone without an agenda could give it to her straight.

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Dress | Honey Boo Prototype Combat Boots | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis
Wielding: 10 Czerka knivesHidden Wrist Blades
Location: Hall
Tags: feel free to join

---

Aiden had left her where they’d been standing, and Madalena found herself without the ability to move of speak for a few moments. New family, a big family, of which she knew nothing about, and no one would tell her anything about. Aiden supported whatever it was that Brayden was doing and her wishes to have her brother close to her meant nothing to anyone.

This Life Day was a mess. Everything about it was a mess. Madalena wished it could be Halloween season again. Everything had seemed so happy there; she’d had Brayden for the briefest of moments, she had her friends, she’d been happy. But there was no smile decorating her face now.

Her gaze followed her uncle [member="Aiden"] until she realized he was with what ws probably his own lady love, [member="Naedira Darcrath"]. Her best friend Josh was busy with his own lady. Brayden was busy with his own lady. Whether by design or circumstance, it appeared everyone she knew with the exception of perhaps one was busy with their chosen other halves, and those who were supposed to be her blood relatives had chosen to make her feel like chit.

Madalena glanced at the clock on the wall. She hadn’t even been at the party for half an hour.

She sighed, resolving to linger a little more. And then she would go home, alone as always.

 

[Alessandra Creed]

Wearing: XoXoXoXo
Location: Dining Hall
Tags: [member="Mishel Noren"] | [member="Scherezade deWinter"] | [member="Adron Malvern"]

---

---

Alessandra always looked like she’d recently walked from a holo-screen. Whether it was a party, an office meeting, or otherwise, she never appeared any less than stunning in some shade of patriotic purple. Some of the Confederacy seemed to be gathering for an informal event and far be it from her to halt the progress of her elder sister forming bonds that weren’t maladaptive speeder-wrecks. Perhaps, she would find something more interesting than the snacks. Doubtful, but, it was a Life Day soon.

Anything was possible.

That anything seemed to result in the transformation of the dining hall.

The Minister of Commerce stared for a long, hard moment. She hadn’t authorized this. Regardless, it was already done, and she, in turn, focused on her sibling. “Don’t fuss. You look lovely.”

Alé hadn’t dressed Mishel in anything too awful. The Minister had found a dress that was pleasing to the eye, festive for the time of year, but with leggings beneath it so she wouldn’t feel so exposed. At the very least she had kept the little urchin from wearing high heels. That might have been disastrous for the entirety of the Fortressa, not to mention, that she didn’t want to explain to their Mother why Mishel had a broken neck. Or a broken everything.

Especially with the foam that now coated the floor. The Minister had not worn footwear appropriate to walking on a slippery substance and she was rather frustrated whilst she tried to remain upright. Chocolate eyes flickered while Mishel removed foam from her hair. Alessandra frowned, deeply, and finally understood why Adron disliked droids so much. Menaces. The lot of them.

In the next two seconds, however, Mishel had found the goodies.

Alé shook her head and swallowed a vein of amusement. Looking after Mishel was like keeping an eye on a wayward teenager. A wayward teenager with superpowers and a bottomless pit for a stomach. “It’s hot Mishel don’t burn yourself.”

The Minister almost slid but caught herself on the edge of a table in the last second. She almost hadn’t. Rather than to reach out to catch herself from falling, or, even to use the Force to stave off a fall her hand had gone to her stomach instead. Pausing, she swore under her breath and thanked everything good in the verse than at the very least she’d chosen a cocktail dress for her adventures on the Fortressa. If it had been longer it would have been coated in wet foam by now. Disgusting.

Adron was supposed to make an appearance but she hadn’t seen him since training had left him with a headache. She supposed that he was probably resting. Part of her wanted to call the Exarch for backup, considering, Mishel-Sitting, but the rest of her wanted to let him sleep. He wouldn’t be sad to miss screwing up his shoes and cane in all this mess. “Vicelord.”, Alessandra greeted [member="Darth Metus"] as she passed, before, she nodded her head toward those he was speaking with. “Ladies.”

She had seen the new Minister of Science ([member="Rashae"]), but, they’d never formally spoken. She recognized [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"] from Unity Day and had met [member="Amaya Cardei"] previously. Briefly, Alessandra pinched the bridge of her nose. How many of the Vicelords children were currently housed on this ship? Truly, how many did he have out there?

There were a few others she knew the faces of. [member="Chikako Liona"] and even [member="Lirka Ka"]. There was one female she had never seen before wearing sunglasses [[member="Helly Reyne"]] but that didn’t surprise her. There were thousands of people associated with the Confederacy. It was impossible to know them all, considering, their nation swept much of the southern systems.

Alessandra excused herself from the group rather quickly. Not for a lack of wishing to indulge their company but because she didn’t exactly trust Mishel at the dessert table. When she turned around, however, she almost smacked into a woman with long auburn hair. The Minister of Commerce knew her for months that had passed by. This was a face she could not forget. Eyes that stood out. Her form was a little more womanly, however, it was still the same girl that she had caught completely drunk trying to destroy the Fortressa. “[member="Scherezade deWinter"]?”

Someone had come asking about the young lady not a long time ago. When she’d checked her records, all of her paychecks had been frozen, and untouched, simply waiting for activation and retrieval. Alessandra had directed her offices to try and find her to deliver the funds but to no avail.

“You’re a hard person to find.”

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Dress | Honey Boo Prototype Combat Boots | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis
Wielding: 10 Czerka knivesHidden Wrist Blades
Location: Hall
Tags: [member="Alessandra Creed"] | Anyone who wishes to join

---

There was only one thing one could do when one was miserable and did not wish to start crying in public. Well, technically, there was more than one thing, but since Madalena didn't want to just storm out as she had on Thaere Privo, her other option was to find distraction. Walking was a distraction. With all the snow falling down, she didn't even have to do too much of it. Within minutes she had managed to calm her mind down enough so that her features were mostly neutral.

Perhaps a few minutes more and-

"Sorry!" she said at the same time as another woman said a name that was not hers.

Another moment before Madalena recognized the Minister of Commerce. Of course, she knew what the faces of anyone high up enough looked like; it was publically available data, and Madalena had made sure to memorize them all so she would not make an embarrassment of herself should she ever stumble not any of them.

A hard woman to find?

"I apologize, Minister," she said as she made herself smile, "It is a common mistake. I am not Scherezade deWinter, I am Madalena Antares. Knights Obsidian Pathfinder. Quite easy to find most of the time."

Common mistake that she wished people would stop making. Madalena had never figured out why people called her that. As far as she was able to uncover, a woman by the name of Scherezade deWinter had never existed. Not a mention of her anywhere in the databases. They might have looked a bit alike, but usually, correcting people once was enough to make them understand that she was who she said she was – Madalena.

"If I may say," she added, smiling more genuinely this time, "your dress this evening is beautiful."

 

[Bestion Darklighter]

Up on the rooftop, Bestion paused. The blips on his arm-mounted computer pulsed out into the void of space, indicating that the crimson space-suited engineer was close to his target. Slowly and deliberately, he knelt and grabbed hold of the airlock door handle. He exhaled and tugged, feeling a slight give followed by immediate resistance. With a second tug, the handle locked defiantly into place, leaving an exasperated Bestion staring out into the infinite, star-studded expanse.

[SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]It's no good,[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]" his muffled voice spoke through his suit's com-link. "[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]The hatch is stuck from the inside.[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]A long pause followed, giving Bestion time to stand atop the ship and marvel at its immensity. He took the time to perform some status checks on his suit, including oxygen levels and integrity. All in the green.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]Hold tight. We're sending a nearby droid your way. It should be arriving momentarily.[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Bestion reviewed his mission briefing on his arm computer. Multiple breaches were reported across a number of decks near hydroponics. Additionally, coolant system malfunctions and unauthorized system overrides have caused erratic pressure in various non-critical hydraulic systems. Apparently, one of those non-critical systems was the airlock access to the maintenance shafts.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]The wait didn't bother Bestion, though. Most of Bestion's coworkers were eager to partake in some life day festivities. Bestion, however, found peace and solace outside of the ship. Away from the drinking and yammering. Away from the dancing and fighting. All the noise, noise, noise. For Bestion, peace was the stillness outside - a silent night.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]His moment of Zen was cut all-too-short. Although he couldn't hear it, he could feel the hissing of pressure moving the hydraulics beneath him. Bestion knelt his rotund form down and grasped the handle again.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]Okay, the maintenance droid is reporting green. Try the handle again.[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Bestion tested the handle again, feeling a little more give. It would still require a reasonable amount of effort, however. He braced himself, gripping the handle firmly, and gave not one, but three heavy tugs, exhaling a hearty "[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]Ho![/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]" each time. On the third, the metal handle shifted a full forty-five degrees and locked into place, allowing Bestion to open the airlock door.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]The hatch revealed a smokey maintenance tunnel and a single box-shaped droid that waited patiently for Bestion to enter. Bestion attached a tether to the inside of the tunnel, then released the tether linking him to the outside of the ship. Gracefully, he slid down into the maintenance tunnel as the smoke billowed out into space.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Bestion did a semi-flip after floating in and touched his feet to the ground. The flip was a particular trick he learned in training to re-orient himself, as certain concepts such as "down" were more relativistic than concrete in low-gravity scenarios. He closed his eyes at the beginning of the flip and upon reopening them, stared straight at his feet while they made contact with the surface. That surface became his new "down" and every other direction followed. The door, which was formerly "up" was now "behind".[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]He made his way back to the hatch and pumped a lever. He could feel the groans in the metal as pressure made its way back to the door. It automatically pulled it shut and engaged the bolts with a now audible hiss. Satisfied, Bestion activated his com-link. "[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]I've made it inside.[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]Good. What do you see?[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]Smoke.[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]" Bestion replied. Indeed, while some of the smoke was sucked out into space, more was pumped into the maintenance shaft at a quickening rate. "[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]Beyond that, nothing.[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"We're showing at least four overloaded systems. Maybe a fifth. You'll have to make your way down to them and pull the emergency release valve. They'll be gold colored rings."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]How the bloody Kark am I supposed to find five golden rings in this smoke?[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]Follow the droid.[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]" The voice at the end of the com-link replied.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Bestion turned toward the Droid, which beeped a reply. A single red light blinked atop its square-shaped head. With a cooing sound, it stopped in front of Bestion. He knelt and read the numbers on the side.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]RU-D01F.[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]" Bestion said aloud, before standing. "[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]Alright. Onward, RU-D01F.[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE]

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Under the Tree
Attire: XXX
Tags: [member="Naedira Darcrath"]

Aiden gave no verbal or mental response to any of Naedira's statements. However, he was fairly certain that his physical actions left little to the imagination as to whether or not he missed the woman wrapped in his arms or if she was genuinely important to him. Sure, the exact composition of that strange, overpowering, and steadily intensifying emotion shared between them was something they were both happy not to...well...complicate through discussion. Throughout the length of his life, Aiden had enjoyed many pleasured and endured many pains. If he had learned anything, it was that attempting to rush anything or put a label on it prematurely was the surest way to stress. In the end of the day, he did believe that everything happened for a reason. Further more, he did trust in the power and ever-present nature of the Force. If a time ever arrived for him to truly evaluate the full breadth of his emotions, he would.

As the initial kiss dissipated, both of them needing the access to air that Aiden had happily robbed of them both, a warm smile etched its way onto Aiden's face. The Sith's hand slowly slid from Naedira's face and snaked up the woman's back as she pressed her body against his exposed chest. Bending his head down slightly, Aiden deposited a soft kiss to the top of Naedira's head.

Whereas Naedira had thoughts of the people below them, Aiden could not care less. He knew very few of those assembled, and he couldn't really conceptualize much desire to get to know the rest. Any thoughts that the Sith Lord did have evaporated as he felt Naedira nuzzle softly against him. Happiness wasn't a new concept for the ordinarily solitary warrior. He'd known at several distinct points in his life, but it had never been quite so...poignant as it was with Naedira.

When Aiden had first met the woman, he took pleasure in tormenting her. At the same time, he enjoyed her willingness and ability to merely give it right back. She challenged concepts and ideas not because she was argumentative, but she was an independent thinker. Most importantly, she challenged him to evaluate even his own views in a different light. Then there was her combat prowess - which was generally the truest way to garner Aiden's respect. Sure, he'd always known that she was attractive, anyone with working eyes could see that. What he was sure most didn't see, himself included initially, was the fact that underneath it all there were layers. Naedira genuinely cared about her work and the people of the galaxy...to the extent they not be made useless or weak. The woman was purpose-driven. That was the type of person that Aiden could see as an equal...partner in life.

Fortunately, Naedira's soft voice wishing him a Happy Life Day tore him from those thoughts. Blinking several times, the large Sith tightened his arms around her ever so slightly before a deep reply rumbled from his chest and against the side of her face. "Happy Life Day, Naedira." Where they went from there, Aiden could only...well...theorize.

As time rolled on, the Sith Lord eventually pulled away just enough to lean against the railing. His back to the gathered members of the Confederacy below, Aiden looked at Naedira with a curious gaze. The underlying sense of desire was always there, but he did his best to keep it in...check. "I was..." It occurred to him in that moment he'd not told Naedira why he was even on the Fortressa. The pause lasted even longer because he just wasn't good at this particular aspect of social interaction. He certainly was not adept at dealing with the cacophony of feelings rolling through his being. "I was going to surprise you, but I got word of the disturbance almost the second I set foot onboard."

The next pause didn't last as long. "How much longer do you estimate you will be tied up with work?"

 

[Mishel Kryze]

​

​

Mishel hadn't heard most of whatever it was Alé had just said. Rather, she was busy gobbling up desserts, drinking hot chocolate and making nice with the pretty ladies. Part of her still wanted to be out there helping Master Starchaser. The other part was rather pleased to be here mostly indulging on food stuffs that she normally wouldn't get the chance to eat. it was also odd, to be looked after by anyone - let alone someone younger than her. Still, she supposed 'mom' had the right idea. It had been so long since her biological mom had seen her and feared losing the superpowered kid again. So why not sic your other superpower kid on them. At least that was the thought behind it she supposed, and so while Alé made nice and spoke to people.

The ever happy go-lucky Mishel, with a plate full of various chocolate hazelnut goodies looked around and found an open door. An eyebrow quirked she decided to slip away and explore the ship while happily eating. She hadn't actually been on any of the Confederacy's ships so this would prove to be somewhat of an adventure. Besides, how hard would it be to find her sister? Or rather, how easy could it be to just get lost? Mishel was about to find out.

[member="Alessandra Creed"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

Location: The Fortressa
Tags: [member="Alessandra Creed"] [member="Mishel Noren"] [member="Darth Metus"]

Sapphire eyes peered in the mirror as Adron examined his form for the final time. His hand ran across his jawline, searching for any grainy piece of hair he had not effectively removed from his chin. He valued a neat, cleanly, youthful appearance, so even a single hair upon his chin would not due. The suit he wore was a deep black that was accented with a stunning blend of red and white. Simple accents, mostly in the form of subtle designs that traced his cuffs and lapel but surely enough to show off the holiday spirit. Was he a lover of these holidays? This one time in the galaxy when people valued spirit and joy over all else? No. Adron believed it was nothing more than any other day, it held no true significance in the galaxy past the fact that people believed it did. His hand brushed a stray hair off of his shoulder. A seemingly pleasant expression soured as the silver strand floated down towards the floor of his bathroom. A string of curses fell from his lips, so softly that it could barely be heard even by the man who spoke them. Of course this did not change the hatred that lingered behind those curses.

Gazing into the mirror once again the not so young Sith Lord brushed a hand over his hair, smoothing it back against his head and peering at the few more strands of grey that remained. Curses would fly once again, this time a bit louder and with a certain tone. Where one grey hair fell three more would rise in its place. What hellish nightmare of a curse was this?!

Having put enough time into his appearance, the Exarch turned off the light to the refresher and moved back out into his room. A sizeable room, which held all the amenities a man would need to spend several weeks here comfortable, it had been provided to him when he rose to the rank of Minister and he was reluctant to part with it. Even as an Exarch his business to the Fortressa was a constant. Making his way over to his dresser he glanced up at a picture that sat on the metallic piece. A picture taken some months ago when Alessandra and Adron decided to take a few days off to enjoy one another. They were in about as plain attire as they descended into and even seemed like a normal couple. Not a couple that could topple worlds in the blink of an eye. A small smile spread over his face as he looked to the two, hosting love drunk smiles that the outer world would never see. Even Adron did not leave this photo out when he left the Fortressa, it was a thing for their eyes only.

The Exarch let out a shallow breath as he pressed a hand to his chest. His recent exertions over The Dark Side had left him a bit more than drained, but he had taken enough time off. He had taken too much time off. It had been almost a whole twelve hours since he saw to his work and to the Sith lord that was eleven hours too many.

A single black walking cane laid by the dresser and in the next moment it flew to the Dark Lord’s hand. He could never argue the utility behind The Force, damned convenient. There was another item he believed he would be needing, a small black bag that laid on the dresser, hidden behind the photo of Alessandra and himself. The small velvet bag quickly found itself stuffed into his breast pocket, safely tucked away. Adron tapped the panel on the door, activating the room’s security measures before making his way out into the main hall.

His eyes had to adjust from the dim interior of his room to the overly lit halls of The Fortressa. They had been dressed up in an abomination of decoration which must have cost almost as much as the damn ship. Why did tackiness always move to excess? Tapping his cane against the grown he would make his way down the main hall and quickly find himself joined by hosts of people. The greetings and well-wishes were received and given out with an exhausting routine that Adron grew tired of by the time he made it to the location of the main event. He believed once he arrived it would become a less agitating evening, though he was quickly proven dead wrong. His black shoes stepped into a thick, slimy, white substance and immediately his left eye let off a slight twitch. Glancing down, Adron looked at the foamy material below him and could not help but sigh out one word. “Idiocy.”

Rather than abandon the evening how he dearly wished, Adron placed a content expression and decided to make the best of his evening. The best way to start that would be the bar. Familiar faces filled his line of sight and it did something to lighten his mood, maybe even bring him some form of relaxation. When his eyes fell over the Vicelord, [member="Darth Metus"], who stood across the room Adron met the man with a silent nod of greeting. Perhaps he would speak with his master this evening, but after his drink. Adron found the bar with record speed, and in a few shallow moments a neat glass of fine cognac sat in his hand. The smell of the liquor allowed him some relief and soon a shallow sip of the brown liquid flowed down his throat. Now the evening is getting better. Extremely better, because Adron could see his own woman at a nearby snack table. Alessandra was a vision, even when her back was to Adron….Especially when her back was to Adron, due to her exceptional assets.

Approaching her, he was sure she would sense him far before they met. Yet when his hand fell over her shoulder he would whisper softly. “Surprise.” His words fell into her ear as his warm breathe fell over her neck. “Let me guess? Wrangling your sister again?” He asked, with an arch of the brow.

 

[Allya Vi'Dreya]

After waiting for her father's answer, she bowed to him, and backed off. “We can discuss it more later, father.” Turning, helmet firmly atop her head, the Mandalorian youth walked to the side, away from the piles of finely, freakishly dressed people. Once more, how did they get so perfect before coming here, this wasn't a party! No one knew what had done this, and yet....oh best not to worry about it. Instead, she thought about what she wanted to get out of this. She got a smile out of her father, and managed to give him her gift, so that was a good start. As much as he infuriated her, she still did love him deeply.

However, it was time to try and shake some of this shyness she had. Taking a deep breath, the young sith learned a long ago learned Jedi meditation technique to calm her nerves and slow her heart beat. Taking a deep breath in through her nose, and slowly out from her mouth, the youth took off her helmet, and strapped it to her side, and walked over to Chikako. Placing her armored right hand over her heart, the girl bowed deeply. “Princess Liona. I don't believe we have ever formally met. I'm Allya Vi'Dreya, your highness.”

Giving the woman the warmest of smiles, the young daughter of Metus brushed a strand of her dark, nearly black hair out of her face. Dark eyes peer at the woman, desperately hoping she wasn't over stepping any bounds. “It's so strange, this all happened so suddenly, a tree bursting through the floors, foam being sprayed everywhere. It's utterly odd, but, it seems to have put people in a good mood.”

Darth Metushttp://starwarsrp.net/user/207-darth-metus/http://starwarsrp.net/user/207-darth-metus/ [member="Chikako Liona"]

 

[Chikako Liona]

She had spent the last few minutes wandering around the room, enjoying the alone time and quietness, it wasn't often she got the chance to do this, even if it was a little boring as no one had approached her for any form of conversation, a small sigh escaping the young princess. 'Maybe they just still see me as a kid, not like Tythe is really of great importance to the confederacy as a whole', it was still largely a toxic waste land with only a population of 30'000. Her train of though came to a sudden stop as she sensed someone coming from behind, Chikako turning around to face the new comer, giving them a small smile, said person being the dark skinned women who was conversing with Metus a few moments ago.

She returned a curtsy to the women, replying with her own introduction, "greetings Ms Vi'dreya, always a pleasure to meet someone related to our VIcelord, though you can just call me Chikako, or if such is too much of a tongue twister Fredirka will do just fine". After all the women most likely held a much higher social standing then herself if she was related to Darth Metus, even if she seemed to have a strange air about her... wait was this her first party? "You mean the trees that have been planted around? I believe they are for the party, nature is quite the beauty, I personally like the touch up to the room, as for the foam, that is probably some machine, it is a addative that you may somtimes see at a night club, though I am uncertain of it's purpose".

Not that it matted, as the women had said, as long as it put people in a good mood it was of no concern, "may I pose a question to you Ms [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"], what is your relation to Darth Metus"?

[member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Allya Vi'Dreya]

She just watched the princess for a bit, and tried not to go crosseyed. “Um, there was no party scheduled for today. All of this, kind of just happened, we aren't sure how. We didn't plant the tree, or make the foam go off, or anything else. It just....happened. We weren't expecting it, to be honest.” The girl giggled a bit at all this, a soft, musical like sound. “It's a pleasure to meet you Chikako. It's a very unique name you have, I don't believe I've heard one quite like it, though, that isn't all that surprising.”

When asked her relationship with Darth Metus she visibly winced a bit. Oh this question, she hated this question, as it always colored every interaction that followed. However, it was best to not lie, or hide the truth from one of the Viceroys. That would simply be rude, and she was a servant of the people, like her father. “He is my father. I am one of his younger children. My father is a good man, and I am quite proud of him.”

The dark skinned teen looked at the ceiling a moment. “I'm not anyone special. He was elected into his office, so genetics doesn't play into who I am. Instead, it is the service I can provide my nation, that defines me. I seek to follow his example, to be a servant of the people, their protector, their sword and shield, as my father is. Beyond that.....” She gives the woman a bright, and cheerful smile now, locking eyes. “I'm just me. Please, if you would, call me by my nickname: Vexia. I do not desire to piggyback off of my father's legacy, but to instead, create my own, you know?”

[member="Chikako Liona"]

 

[Naedira Darcrath]

Location: Mezzanine Overlooking the Dining Hall [Balcony]​

Wearing: XXX​

Tag: [member="Aiden"]​

​

---

​

---

Naedira took the small moment to nestle her cheek against Aiden’s chest and for a brief moment seemed as if she might be trying to hide within him. He was just that much larger, wider, than she was. In reality, it was just a simple pleasure. For the most part, despite anything else, it conveyed an innocent and innate need to be near him. Other than that…It just felt nice. His arms enveloped her slender frame and she condensed, melting against him, as if she were made of something other than flesh and bone.

The redness that touched her cheeks lessened by degrees as she swallowed the edge of desire that he always seemed perfectly capable of luring to the surface. His kiss to the crown of her head made her emotions shift into something less devouring. Instead of burning like a firestorm, she was able to compartmentalize it, soften it, until it became warming embers. Feathery eye-lashes would tickle him when she moved to press a discrete kiss to his sternum.

His actions, as always, spoke louder than anything else. Her open and public affection was more than it appeared to be. Many women were physical others naturally, as easily as they breathed, but Naedira was not. Loss had stunted her ability to let anything pass too deeply through her. She kept her interactions professional, on the surface, and far from anything that mattered. The way she reacted to Aiden, in many ways, was a form of surrender. Her kiss was a silent acknowledgment that, for all of her dedication to her responsibilities, she’d missed him too.

The auburn-haired woman chanced a glance up at the Sith Lord when his arms tightened around her. His voice was as she knew it to be. Deep, calming. When his grip loosened, and he pulled back somewhat, an unintentional frown pulled across her features. Her expression smoothed when he began to speak, however, and she adjusted. “You were…”, she trailed off quietly, using her pointer and middle finger to walk small patterns up his chest. If Aiden wanted to share his reasons for being on the flagship SSD she would happily listen, however, she would not tear it from him.

As a Viceroy, as an individual, he was allowed to have his secrets.

When it finally came out a small smile started to form before it faded. It lingered at the kiss of her mouth regardless, almost, as if she knew something he didn’t. Her head moved to the side a little when he asked of her schedule, causing waves of dark hair to move, shifting like silk, “It depends.”

“If this situation resolves itself my schedule will be lighter. I do have an evening combat class to attend.”

She leaned toward him while her fingers found his beard, tugging softly, so that she could let her lips hover teasingly over his. Naedira didn’t complete the action, and instead, moved teasingly just before they could make contact. The Knight was close enough to breathe his air, to taste him, but instead, she let their noses touch whilst pearl-white teeth briefly bit into her lower lip. “You could observe if it suits you.”

“The newer recruits went through protocol and paperwork earlier this morning. The Dominus would have us sort them by skill. I won’t know what I’m dealing with until I can test them.”

 

[Alessandra Creed]

Wearing: XoXoXoXo
Location: Dining Hall
Tags: [member="Mishel Noren"] | [member="Scherezade deWinter"] | [member="Adron Malvern"]

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Alessandra shook her head. Mishel was incredibly intuitive—but sometimes? It was like talking to a wind tunnel. Every word went in one ear and out the other. The raven-haired beauty could only pinch the bridge of her nose whilst her sister single-handedly demolished what looked to be most of the dessert table. Mostly, Alè was afraid that her sibling would wind up in a sugar coma, or at the very least, turn up with a stomach ache. Outwardly, she acted as a young sister should, but inwardly?

Mishel was family. Alessandra loved her. Even if she had a strange way of showing it.

When she nearly collided with [member="Scherezade deWinter"] she briefly lost sight of Mishel. That was never good. The well-dressed Knight Obsidian apologized to the Minister and Alessandra shook her head. “Not at all. None of us were expecting to play a game of slip and slide in the Fortressa.”

What threw her for a loop was the instant rebuttal about whom she was speaking to. The half-epicanthix tilted her head, curious, whilst her gaze ran over the auburn-haired creature in an analytic fashion. A mistake? This was not Scherezade deWinter? How was that possible? Rich chocolate eyes flickered back and forth as dusky lashes feathered against deliciously toned skin. “I see…That is my mistake then. I apologize.”

“You just bear an incredible resemblance to a woman I met once. It’s uncanny…”

Alessandra had been very close, in proximity, to Scherezade. More importantly, she had used the Force to sweep her conscious mind away so that she could sleep off whatever hell-spirits she had decided to imbibe. No matter what this Madalena Antares said, thought, or felt—Her Force Signature did not lie. This was the same woman. The Minister was sure of it.

The conversation continued on normally. The compliment caused the Wolf of Golbah City to smile, something nigh beautifully wicked, before she responded. “I know. I’m afraid it won’t stay that way for long with all the suds and foam floating around.”, her response might have seemed haughty, or impolite, but it wasn’t. Alessandra was a woman that remained very aware of what she wore and never failed to deliver to an aristocratic standard. Of course, the dress was stunning. If it wasn’t the best she might as well just strut around naked. At least then she could retain some dignity.

“You’ve been turning a few heads, though, I don’t know if there’s anyone here worth a return glance. Maybe a Viceroy or two.”

Realizing that her sister was gone [karking, hell] she mentally reached out to [member="Mishel Noren"]. Her mind brushed softly against that of her sibling unobtrusive, however, hard to track. Her genetics made her notoriously hard to get a bead on via telepathy unless she let someone in. ‘Don’t wander too far, Sister. The Fortressa is the size of a city.’

Or a very small planet.

A familiar presence caused her to withdraw from Mishel to return to her conversation with Sch—Madalena. A particular presence settled her ire, warmed her, and she knew it would only be a matter of time before the Exarch made his way over. She leaned back into the taller man without looking. Alessandra knew him. Deaf, blind, and Forceless…She would always know him. “I’m trying to expose her to normal people. You know, the kind that don’t consistently try and shoot her.”

The young woman took his hand and led it down so that it could wrap around her waist. She placed her hand politely on top of his, securing him, so that she address Madalena once more. “Adron…This is Madalena Antares. Ms, Antares, Adron Malvern.”, she introduced with no small amount of interest. The Exarch, then Minister of War, had also been present when she’d first met Scherezade. Would he see the same thing that she saw now?

“This event is unexpected, though, not unwelcome. Have you chosen a gift yet Ms. Antares?”

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Dress | Honey Boo Prototype Combat Boots | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis
Wielding: 10 Czerka knivesHidden Wrist Blades
Location: Hall
Tags: [member="Alessandra Creed"] | [member="Adron Malvern"] | + Anyone who wishes to join

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A game of slip and slide on the Fortressa? Madalena blinked, not entirely understanding what the Minister was referring to. She was pretty sure she'd never done something like that on the Fortressa. In fact, today was the… second or third time she was on the flagship at all, depending how one counts the linearity of dominion threads within a faction.

"That's what I've been told," she replied to the resemblance thing, and gave a careless shrug. It was something she was tired of hearing, even if she hadn't heard it that many times. There was a woman, she had that name, she and Madalena looked like each other. Madalena had even made an attempt once to find her just to see what it was that had some people so confused at first, but she'd found nothing.

As Alè spoke of her dress being potentially ruined by the snow, Madalena could not help but laugh. Somehow, she didn't think the Minister was horribly worried about that. She did not know the woman, but she was pretty sure she'd be comfortable even without her dress on. It was a shame that differences in rank within the Confederacy kept Madalena from being able to say that out loud though, not without at least causing an unwanted scene.

She's been turning a few heads? Madalena paused at that statement. She was not oblivious to the way she appeared. Shetook good care of her body and in return her body had given her more curves than a rollercoaster, soft where needed, firm where needed as well. She often chose her clothing to accentuate that. Heads turning around were hardly something she was a stranger to. But now that she thought about it, she hadn't actually felt any of those happening tonight. Perhaps it was the distressed caused by her meeting with an uncle that she never knew she had, or her general bah hambug mood (see what I did there?) due to what was going on with her brother, but it had been years since Madalena had felt so isolated at an event with so many people. The party with the love potion had some of that as well, but somehow tonight, in the holiday festivities, it felt more acute.

Close to responding the statements, she chose instead to wait a few moments longer as suddenly Exarch Malvern appeared, his arms around the Minister. It took her few moments though before… Exarch Malvern. This was Faye's brother, Madalena could scent his blood and bloodline just as easily as she had Faye's. It was a line she knew, somehow, from somewhere. The same Faye who was probably not here right now because she was with Brayden.

"Exarch Malvern," she greeted him with a warm smile and a nod of the head, "it appears we are both missing a sibling at the festivities tonight. I hope wherever Braydon and Faye are, they are having much more fun than all of us."

Turning her attention back to the Minister, she nodded, and removed the gift from where she had attached it to between the layers of her dress. "I've yet to open it though. I thought of waiting until after the party for it. And yourself?"

 

[Adron Malvern]

Location: The Fortressa
Tags: [member="Scherezade deWinter"] [member="Alessandra Creed"]

​

​

Watching as Alessandra's sister bounded deeper into the Fortressa, Adron could not help but narrow his eyes at her direction. He dearly hoped this woman stayed out of trouble. Rather than focus on Mishel, his eyes turned back to the woman before him. The name told to him was Madalena, but he knew this person by another name. Scherezade. As the woman spoke, Adron seemed to be ignoring her, turning to the woman in front of her. “Her name is Scherezade deWinter.” Adron had met Scherezade some time ago and certainly did not care for the woman. She had proved herself to be a loose cannon and that was something he did not tolerate.

“Excuse me, Ms. deWinter. I need to speak with the Minister for a moment. Feel free not to return.” His tone had an icy chill to it that showed if the woman returned to Alessandra and Adron’s side it could become unpleasant. Taking Alessandra’s hand he led the woman away from the dining hall. They would pass a few entering guests before they had finally moved back into the main spine of The Fortressa. Moving into the hall, Adron arched a brow at Alessandra with a curios expression on his face. “What was that about? We both know that woman’s name is not Madalena.” Shaking his head the Exarch did not seem content to host any foolishness this evening. Sapphire eyes gazed down at Alessandra as if words had been on the brink of spilling from his lips, in the end the Exarch remained strangely silent. They moved down a new hall and immediately the Exarch took Alessandra’s hand pulling her close to him.

Adron would hold the woman close to him, to the point where their hearts would nearly beat in sync. He was tired of talking about The Confederacy, tired of talking about work, and most importantly tired of talking about every other thing. It was time they talked about something far more important. Them. Alessandra and Adron had been together for a time that on his homeworld would have actually been rather embarrassing.

He had a searching look in his eyes, but his search went far deeper than any gaze could. The bond they shared through the Force was deepened, strengthened while the man stood silently. Leaning forward, Adron pressed his lips to Alessandra’s. The kiss was slow and deep, coming from a place that Adron had not really believed he had until he met the woman who was in his arms. Pulling back, his hand rested on her cheek. She may have noticed that his own heart was beating just a half-beat faster than usual. However, there was a proud look in his eyes. Almost the same as a Commander who had taken an entire system in a single day.

The two of them had been through so much. Of course it had been their final days on Illyria that showed the Exarch Alessandra's place. Now it merely had to be solidified.

This pride dripped into his tone as he spoke a simple two words he realized he should have said months ago.

"Marry Me." ​

 

[Chikako Liona]

Not party? She had kind of assumed from all the slap stick droid comedy going on there was some sort of party happening, either way there was a large crowd, food and people were conversing, that was a party in her book, regardless if it was planned. She gave a mental shrug truing back to the conversation at hand, what ever was going on someone else could take care of it. "Ah thank you, I believe it means wise child if I remember the translation correctly, I am not sure why I was named as such but considering I rule a planet at only age 18 there is some merit to it" She replied, giving a small chuckle of her own.

It was not hard to note the change in Allya's emotion's when mentioning her relation to the Vicelord, herself wincing a bit, hoping such a question wasn't touchy or to personal. It was honestly hard to tell how people related to powerful figures would react, though she found herself being quite surprised, also youngest? how many children did Metus have? "Well I am not sure about elected, it was to my understanding he was the ruler due to him founding the confederacy and his streangth, but that is detracting from what you said". "It is nice to know you wish to follow your fathers image and do what you can for the people, but still... it must be nice having a father figure and family members to look up to".

She went silent for a small second before coming back, putting on her usually child like smile, "Oh nicknames, well Vexia it is then, I guess you can call me, um, how abouuuuuuuuuuut Chika, just call my Chika, that should do well".

[member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Alessandra Creed]

Wearing: XoXoXoXo
Location: Dining Hall
Tags: [member="Mishel Noren"] | [member="Scherezade deWinter"] | [member="Adron Malvern"]

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Alessandra knew two things. One, she needed to find Mishel. Two, she was staring. She knew she was, but, her need to break things down via deductive reasoning made it so that she really couldn’t help it. Madalena. Scherezade. Madalena Scherezade. Now more than ever she was growing increasingly aware of certain inconsistencies. [member="Scherezade deWinter"] did not exist as far as the Confederacy was concerned. The Minister had looked, digging deep in archives, and when that didn’t work she’d checked for a digital trail. Nothing.

How could a woman have credentials to be on the Fortressa? To be on payroll? And suddenly not exist?

Ale let her eyes trace the youthful lines of the curvy Knights face. She was a little different. Her frame had filled out in such a womanly way that the ruse would have been convincing were it not for the breadcrumbs that still existed. Records could be erased by a skilled hand. Minds, hearts, and Force Signatures were much more difficult to manipulate.

Alessandra, for all of her intricacies, had a very simplistic way of thinking.

When the Minister saw a bird that walked like a duck, swam like a duck, and quacked like a duck, she called that bird a duck. Madalena and Scherezade—the bird and the elusive duck.

Her train of thought derailed when Adron arrived and she found most of her annoyance with the state of the dining hall fade. Alessandra found herself momentarily caught off guard by the mention of Faye and Braydon. Whilst she had realized that the two shared a last name, the Minister assumed, that it had been mostly coincidence. Antares was common enough. “Oh I’m sure of it. From wat I’ve heard they are very much so joined at the hip.”, the words were spoken without thought, flippant, as she was entirely unaware of any strife between the Antares siblings.

When it came to the topic of gifts the Minister shook her head slowly. “Not yet…But you should open it. Forget waiting—I never do.”

It was true. Alessandra as a child could sniff out any sort of gift intended for her person better than a bloodhound. She’d been a nightmare as a child. She turned slightly to look at Adron but was surprised by the very blunt, very final, way he dismissed both of them from the young Knight’s company. Elegantly arched eyebrows rose, but technically, she couldn’t disagree with him. She was a Minister. He was an Exarch. Had he just pulled rank?

As Adron took her hand and pulled her away she turned back toward Madalena/Scherezade. “Stop by the Citadel when you’re in Golbah City next. I’ll send you the clearance—“

Her words were cut off as they exited the dining hall. Alessandra had two choices. Follow Adron or slip all over the floor in some indecent manner? No, that would not be happening. The sharp dismissal she received caused chocolate eyes to narrow. She did not like to be told what to do. “What was that about? Yes. We know.”

“She does not.”

Alessandra believed Madalena when she claimed that she wasn’t the deWinter child in question. The young woman really didn’t seem to have any idea whom Scherezade was. “Don’t you get it? There is something going on there. The last time I saw her was here in the infirmary. Then? Her records are gone. Wiped. Someone had to have accessed our data storage because now we have Madalena and no Scherezade.”

The Minister threw her hand in the air in a haphazard fashion and drew up the profile for the Obsidian Knight. It was flawless. Everything was in order. “Look. Brayden, the man courting Faye, is her brother. He had a brief stint with us before he withdrew. People don’t just disappear, and reappear, with a whole new life and altered memories.”

“Something is wrong and your sister—“

The taciturn Exarch pulled her closer and ended her cross ranting. It took her a moment to relax but eventually she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. It was always hard to stay angry with him. Even if, she momentarily wanted to rip his head off. His sudden need for closeness and a soft kiss stole the rest of her ire away. He knew exactly what to do to get off the hook. When he touched her cheek, her eyes softened, and her hand reached to cover his. “Are you all right? You’re acting very strangely…”

He seemed excited, but, something in his eyes left her feeling a mixture of jumbled emotions.

Marry me.​

Alessandra stilled. Adron would be able to watch emotion flicker through the fiery woman as easily as the weather shifted from sun to rain. Her eyes flared, first, with surprise. Then happiness, so much, that it almost seemed to leave her glowing. For the briefest moment, she imagined what it would be like. To say yes. Then, reality crashed back down. “I want to.”

Softly, she pulled from his grasp. The raven-haired woman could feel her eyes beginning to burn against her will but did her best to remain composed. He had no idea how much she wanted to accept. The Minister had never entertained the idea of marriage, of having a spouse, or a family—but here it was. Her hand reached up to hold the amethyst jewel that was always around her neck. It hid her secrets.

It hid the most important one.

“…Forgive me…”, she breathed, before she wrapped her arm around her midsection, and her eyes found his again. Alessandra was certain that he would hear her heart break as it hit the floor. No matter how she tried to hide what she was feeling, he would know, through the bond they shared. Deep emotion spilled over like a cup that had been over-filled… “I want to. More than anything. I…I just can’t.”

 

[Adron Malvern]

​

Location: The Fortressa Tags: [member="Alessandra Creed"]​

​

It felt like there was a moment lost in between Adron’s question and Alessandra’s response. When she pulled away from him Adron already felt the slow pull of something going horribly wrong. It’s not like the man had fallen to a knee professing his love for her. Yet this had been a proposal none the less. Of course, Adron had not really posed it as a question. He didn’t intend to. There had not been a reason for him to ask her, there had been no question they loved each other? At least, that’s what the man had thought. So why the hell were things going this far off track. His eyes flickered. His mouth was dry and he felt his chest drop into the pit of his stomach, probably a bit further than that.

Forgive her?

Then she spoke the words that the Exarch was not expecting. No? Was she turning him away? Something was wrong. Something was very wrong. She said she could not? She could not what? Be happy with him?!
“What the hell are you talking about?” He demanded in his rush of confusion, taking a step back from her. His shoulders felt heavy and he honestly wanted nothing more than to leave. But before he did he would have his answer. Her hand danced over that amethyst necklace. That necklace that hid her from the eyes of The Force. What was she hiding from him?! He had to have missed something, somewhere. Why was nothing making any karking sense?!

“What do you mean you can’t?” His words fell from him with a certain anger that Alessandra had never seen before. Hell, it was an anger he seldom showed. “So what is it? Your job, my job, family, what!?” He demanded. His voice raised to a shout and through the hall they stood in the lights would flicker, just as a deep crack would slam into the ground. Adron’s sapphire eyes slowly hazed over into a deep shade of amethyst. He gazed at Alessandra searchingly. He did not care that he was no longer hiding the effects of the Dark Side, or even care that his anger had caused a significant bit of damage to The Fortressa’s main hall.

His hand flew out while his command over The Force steadied. The charm that hung around Alessandra’s neck would snap off, flying into the palm of his hand. “What is it you’re hiding from me?”

Adron closed the distance between them, this time not taking her into his arms. His temper had stilled, but there was no mistaking the still-boiling anger that came from him. She’d made a fool of him. Again, someone had made a fool of him. This story was getting very old, very fast. “I hate secrets. Tell me now. What are you hiding, Alessandra?”