Chase Fashion Presents: A Charity Gala

[Seydon of Arda]

“If you want first-hand marital advice,” Seydon said, sipping to finish his champagne flute and taking hold of Hylo round his shoulder. “I know just the woman.”

He led them partnered across the gala floor, skirting clique knots and the bandstand stage, walking out of time to the low orchestra beat playing a muted, chintzy rendition. They paused beside the buffet spread, Seydon taking a moment to unabashedly stock up a styrene plate. Tempura shrimp, choice selections of the hot and fried wings, somewhat concerned for Hylo’s less-carnivorous palette and if the stench of cooked meat was turning his metabolism. He wiped his fingers of grease on a richly patterned napkin; left it at the table’s edge, drawing sneers from hot couture appalled at the obvious breaches of public etiquette. Seydon counted it fortunate he came in a tux.

[member="Rosa Gunn"] lied in wait beside [member="Coren Starchaser"], narrow-eyed, non-plussed, not at all shocked by the defiant cheer in her husband’s face. Then again, he knew, he was wandering into arms reach. Stamp on his foot with a shoe heel, grab his collar and belt, reel him in before planting her knee up into his groin and tossing him over her hip. An easy rectification to her evening’s embarrassment. If extremely public and upsetting. Seydon risked it, keeping Hylo in tow, stepping in beside Rosa.

“Mr. Valkner, Rosa Gunn,” He said. “The woman I mentioned. Rosa, I introduce Mister [member="Hylocereus"] Valkner, Mara Merrill’s fiancé. We were just discussing the ins and outs of marriage.”

Bring it on, his thought wafted softly into her mindscape.

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Cassandra Paige"]

Mm, she was good.

As Cass stepped in, her voice lowered to invite him to lean in and listen carefully to what she had to say - by design no doubt - he tipped her head up an inch more by her jaw. "Then explore it we shall." Drawing her in closer and moving for a kiss. He had taken ten, followed by seventy and finished with twenty of his own. Unless Tash completely misjudged the situation, which happened occasionally. It wasn't her looks that attracted him. Not primarily anyway, neither was it her sharp wit and sharper tongue.

No, it was more inherent than that.

It was what Tash saw in her eyes. What she tried to hide and tried to suppress under the pressure of common civility. There was a lie there and Itash enjoyed lies. Thrived on them, lived amidst it, every little lie giving him some measure of joy.

Even the kiss was a lie and that was why he deepened it, going further then the last time their lips had touched.

Breaking only once satisfaction was received- "Mm, I dare reckon we should take many more of these moments, miss Paige."

 

[Hylocereus]

Food, glorious food. Hylo watched as Seydon grabbed the juiciest of meats with his own mouth salivating at the selection. Could they... just take plates and walk away like this? Was that a thing? No one else was roaming with food except for the pink lady but that was just cheese on a stick, not whole places of food. Deciding that the white haired man was older and more experienced Hylo followed suit picking out a variety of meaty options before moving on to follow.

Hylo trundled on over to Rosa and Coren just in time to watch Damian slip away to schmooze other guests after nodding and shaking Seydons hand properly introducing himself. Hylos nose scrunched a bit as he looked at the man. They'd kissed once. It was super awkward and Damian clearly wasn't mature enough to handle a relationship. Not unlike the time [member="Kana Truden"] wanted to be his girlfriend and he just had to let her go. Still Mara had yes and that made him a winner.

"Its a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Gunn," he said before extending his plate "Meat?"

[member="Rosa Gunn"] | [member="Seydon Gunn"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"]

(Damian is leaving so I don't have to RP two characters in one conversation. Just assume he politely accused himself please.)

 

[Sal Katarn]

"Hm," Kai followed her gaze after the comment about elbow room and appreciated the view.

Then she said she'd never been on a city planet before, which caused his gaze to snap back to her. She was a mystery to him, which he found slightly irritating. Through research and money, Kai almost always had the upper hand when it came to knowledge about the people with whom he interacted. But this woman posed a box full of surprises. And Kai hated surprises.

"You mean the Core?"

She's got enough money for that dress, assuming it isn't a loan, but from where? I'll put Lin Fei on her.

His number-crunching cousin spent the average day running the books for the Triad. How hard could tracing one woman's accounts be?

[member="Ereza"]

 

[Joza Perl]

“Lair,” She declared, though not without good humor. “You’ve all probably seen those old holomag spreads by now.” That may or may not have been a joke with her deadpan tone.

The Zeltron nabbed a glass of wine from a passing serving droid. She wasn’t sure what kind it was other than red—red wine went with cheese, right? Either way, she needed something to wash it all down.

Her mind drifted as Maxine and Noah engaged in some socialite-level verbal sparring, mentally patting Damian on the back for engaging with his guests. Not that she doubted him, of course. It was just good to see your friends do well.

She smiled politely at Noah when he complimented her. “Thank you, Mr. Corek. You’re looking gorgeous yourself this evening.” Another sip of wine.

[member="Isabella Fonti"] [member="Noah Corek"] [member="Damian Starchaser"]

 

[Ereza]

"For certain, it's a start."

A hand lifted to brush stray locks of wheaten gold from her face.

"My travels have been limited to beyond the Outer Rim. I would not be here were it not for-no, thank you."

"Cham-" a stammering waiter gave pause at the woman's back, well out of her peripheral view, "...ah, for you then, Sir? Champagne?" a tray offered forward, "Would the Lady like something else?"

"Water will do."

"I will have that for you momentarily," proffered flute of champagne taken or not by [member="Lin Kai"], the Waiter stepped off through the greenery, pausing only once coming upon the snogging pair of [member="Itash Mecetti"] and [member="Cassandra Paige"] with an unwitting blink, "Pardon the intrusion, would the Lord or Lady care for libations?"

 

[Cassandra Paige]

She met him, stepping the last half measure into the kiss once she was certain.

One more box ticked off, and she was certain now that she had his attention.

Take that mother.

It wasn't personal, not really. But then, almost nothing Cass ever did was. She was good at faking it, however. It had been a choice to cultivate those careful lies to simply exist or to run the risk of going too far and losing everything. She had almost done that, just once. It had cemented in her that what she was.... was unwanted. If she wanted to succeed she had to be something else. It didn't mean she presented the same fake face at every turn.

Only when it mattered.

To people who had nothing to offer her, she had nothing to offer them.

He'd read the lie correctly. She just didn't know it.

Yet.

That wasn't to say that she didn't enjoy herself of course.

Cass was a little breathless when they parted. She didn't step back out of his hold (could it be called an embrace? He still had his hand firm on his chin, and there was no doubt he intended to continue the kiss in a moment). But a smile ghosted over her lips, a certain playful knowing in those grey eyes.

"Many more? That sounds-"

They both turned and looked at the waiter, and there was no hiding the expression of 'do you mind?' from either of them. But after a slight resistance from his hand against her chin, Cass stepped back. That persona of propriety- it had been one thing to let it slip for that particular gain in that particular moment, but best now to return to that distance.

"Thank you, no, we are quite refreshed," she said, her tone chilly.

[member="Itash Mecetti"]

 

[STaCLO]

Just then the droid had an idea. SN turned to his friend "Hold on, I'll be right back." He said before walking off. Coming back SN had just walked off to take off his clothes, coming back like a simple protocol droid. Then talked to his friend once more. "Here, I'll just walk in and act like a service bot. You know that bounty hunter 4-Lom, well I met them one time and their a protocol droid just like me, and he was a master thief. So maybe I can get some good loot at this party." Finally his friend spoke.

"That's pretty ridiculous SN, but in a way I kinda like it. But if you're really gonna steal something, well, I think these are powerful people. Plus where are you gonna hide it?"

"Hm, I haven't thought that far ahead. But no worries, I'll come up with something if I do it. Anyways wish me luck." Without further conversation the droid made their way into the party. SN looked around at all the guests, the food, and architecture. Normally the droid was never in such fine establishments. Now that they were in SN figured that he should blend in or socialize with the guests.

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Cassandra Paige"] | [member="Ereza"]

Oh, she was quite correct.

One kiss turning into two? That seemed to be the only course logical here. He had already tightened his hold around her, until they were... rudely interrupted. Tash looked over his shoulder and there was exactly one question in his mind.

Who is this idiot?

A second question piped up right after that. Doesn't he see we are busy?

If Tash noticed any judgement in the eyes of the waiter, it was certainly discarded as fast as it was noted. He was a waiter. Barely above the rung of common house slave as far as Tash was concerned. If this wasn't high coruscanti society he would hardly be worth more than cattle. Hmm. In all honesty, he probably was worth less than a pack of well-bred banthas elsewhere. "No, we are fine." A brilliant smile that showed none of the indignation he felt when Cass slowly pulled out and re-assumed proper conduct.

That was presumably why Tash did the following.

"Why don't you go back to bother your previous guests... be insistent." It had a quality to it. A ring. A special tone of music that was only reserved to this nice chap. Something softened in the waiter's eye, fog covering sharpness, just for a blink.

Then he nodded and continued his trajectory.

Water was fetched.

The journey was taken once more. But this time? A few seconds before the cup of water could be handed over to Ereza... the waiter stumbled and water would spray all over her direction.

Not that Tash truly cared about that. He had already forgotten the waiter and didn't even consider the possible plight of his previous victims. Instead his focus centered back around to Cass. Still that safe distance between them that suggested civility. The soft tug of a frown was wiped away as quickly as it began. "They seem to be hiring anyone these days." One step forward again. Only the one, but it all began with the smallest push forward first, yes?

"Where were we, miss Paige?"

 

[Luther Lewis]

The world teetered a bit as she finished another glass of her mystery drink, generously delivered by her frustrated waiter. She gave him a large tip, seeing as the poor boy had to suffer through her nonsense. The lights seemed to brighten and hurt her poor Chiss eyes. The only rational part of her left realised she was far past tipsy now, and she should probably leave before she said something wrong.

It was just as well, she was enjoying herself far too much in her inebriated state. She turned to [member="Joza Perl"]. "I must say, it was a pleasure to meet you Miss Perl" She had dropped her faked Coruscanti accent. "I rarely meet such a driven individual, and I truly wish you well on your conquest against all the cheese in galaxy" She realised, with some distaste, that she still had the lingering Imperial Accent. Even after all this time, she still had a trace of it.

She then addressed [member="Noah Corek"]. "Have a good night, Admiral." She gave a small salute and, grinning wickedly, walked away from the group. What she thought was a dignified and graceful walk was ruined when she tripped and went sprawling face-first. She lay on the floor, laughing rambunctiously, before standing to again to leave more carefully this time.

Her pick-up was 2 blocks away, and it was a miracle that she made it without falling over again. She collapsed in the back of the van, and grinned as her handler looked at her from the front seat. "You're late" Victor growled, and Isabella pouted. "You were supposed to be in and out, not mingling. What is the status of the mission?" She composed herself, but couldn't wipe the grin from her face. "Mr Mario Alesso agrees to supply the Alliance with some of his black market contraband, at the agreed price". Her words were slightly slurred. "And I bullied Nate Cormack into working for us, he'll supply us with his Father's documents provided we offer protection when the police raid their manor". She tried to stand and failed miserably. "He was soooooooo young Vic! His codename should be Neo-Nate!" She dissolved into a fit of giggles.

"You're drunk" Victor said with disgust. Isabella tried to retort but was overcome with another fit of giggles. "At least you accomplished mission. But I'm giving you so much paperwork for this stunt, Fonti." She grinned, lying on the Van floor. "Worth it" she whispered before passing out.

[Exit]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

So, he was representing the Alliance a bit more here? That was not new to him, but he hadn’t done it in a while. Gaining the faith of Nemo Ven and Omai Rhen again had been important. What he was doing here though, was just small talk. But he could always put people in the right places. “Well, I know that we need a bit of help with that. Our forces are stretched with the Sith and First Order kicking around. Seems a bit easier now, if the rumor mill near the Sith Empire are true, though.” He nodded.

“But if you can give us any support on dropping supplies on some worlds, that is something that can lighten the load of our navy. Once we’re in the right place with our home turf, I can see us running hard against them.” And even if the Alliance navy didn’t? Well, he could.

“Maybe you can drag Chase into this as well?” He looked over at Damian. “Food and water, only go so so well if our population is clothed.” And then the pair could talk about other situations.

[member="Damian Starchaser"]
[member="Rosa Gunn"]
[member="Seydon Gunn"]

 

[Sal Katarn]

He raised an eyebrow as she spoke to the waiter.

Hm. She noticed him before he even arrived. Not a fan of alcohol either.

Just who was she?

With a close-lipped smile to the waiter, Kai accepted the champagne and put it to his lips. The waiter was just trying to do his job, after all.

A moment later, the waiter returned, extended the water toward [member="Ereza"], then stumbled. The glass slipped from his fingers. In the blink of an eye, Kai suddenly stood between the waiter and Ereza, smoothly plucking the glass from the air with ease.

"W-what? Oh dear, I'm - I..."

The Mirialan frowned, lines appearing on his tattooed forehead. His gaze traveled between the glass and the stammering waiter, then he focused on the waiter's eyes.

Dilated pupils. Rapid breathing. Terrified, yes. Clumsy, maybe. But these other signs...

Coruscant's Underworld killed the unwitting. Detecting the smell of poison or the glint of a vibroblade clutched in a hand were skills Kai had learned in order to survive it. As was detecting the symptoms of a Force-addled mind.

Kai glanced down at his tux. A few drops of water had spilled onto the front of his shirt. He held out the glasses to the waiter.

"Could you hold these for a moment? Thanks."

He wiped away the droplets with his hand, frown still marring his verdant features.

"Who were the last guests you served?"

The waiter nodded in the direction of [member="Itash Mecetti"] and [member="Cassandra Paige"]. Kai adjusted his collar, then extended an arm to Ereza.

"Join me for a short walk?"

 

[Ereza]

"Truly, truly sorry M'Lady, I'll fetch another glass of water ri-"

"Are you alright?" Ereza's gaze cut across the Waiter with a look of mild distaste but it was not for his flustered state.

"Yes, I am quite fine. In all my years I've never dropped a glass. My deepest apologies," he was blanched and shaky, still holding the glasses he'd taken back from the Mirialan.

In all her years she'd risen above the need to scold servants. It didn't do to drive one's heel into those who did their jobs with enthusiasm and did them well. Once upon a time, back when she was a child like so many of those in attendance, harassing the help had been a game. The glance she gave the waiter was caught somewhere between placating and pity, but it seemed to set aside his worries. Her attention turned next to the proffered arm.

Customs beyond her world were strange. An Ereza did not walk on the arm of a stranger, infact they walked on the arm of no one. Yet here the title of Ereza held no clout, nor would the man know the title from a name. Her mentor had spent 100 years playing the face of a leader of a people that were not her own.

Surely this was nothing at all.

She wrapped a hand at the man's elbow casually enough, the only indication he would need to answer his question.

"It was only water," Ereza intoned curtly, "there's no need to start any trouble for it."

[member="Lin Kai"]

 

[Sal Katarn]

"Hm," was all Kai said in reply.

The trajectory of their walk carried them near [member="Itash Mecetti"] and [member="Cassandra Paige"]. Kai drew to a stop.

The dark haired human. Mecetti. Force user. Tapani Exile. Founded a private security firm in the Corporate Sector of soldiers who sell themselves to the highest bidder.

His thoughts grew grim. People set up corporations in that sector of space to escape regulations. To escape laws. It was because of that mentality that Kai's father and uncle had had to form the Triad on Coruscant in order to protect exploited refugees. Fire with fire, so to speak. Kai'd read the guest list thoroughly and his expression soured when he read Mecetti's name even as it did now. The man had a thick file and was known for causing trouble.

"I guess Chase will accept contributions from anyone," he said to [member="Ereza"], his voice a shade of baritone, just loud enough for the embracing pair to hear.

So this is what happens when you leave ex-nobility out in the sun too long.

All the gilding - the polite, refined manners - dried up, leaving only the rotten core.

 

[Cassandra Paige]

She smiled at him, about to answer when a soft trilling came from her clutch. Quashing the rise of annoyance at yet another interruption, she opened the purse with a snap. There was only one person who would be calling this line, at this time and unfortunately flirting with a Mecetti did not actually trump that business.

"Excuse me for a moment?"

She turned away, voice low as she conversed with the person on the other end. With a sigh, she turned back, offering him an apologetic smile.

"I am so sorry- I have business I must attend to."

The buy out of Genu-Tech- she hadn't expected to have news tonight or she might have skipped this entirely. On the other hand, it hadn't been all a waste.

"Perhaps you would be willing to walk me out?" She tilted her head, corners of her eyes crinkling. He offered an arm and she accepted, chatting amicably as they headed toward the front once more.

She half caught a comment, glancing more reflexively than anything else in the direction of the voice. Lovely woman. The man, however. Green skin. Tattoos. Worse than the Zelton, at least that invitation she understood in it's own, base fashion.

Spoiler

ilu [member="Joza Perl"] <3

"Hmm they will indeed," she murmured, smirking at Itash as the pair swept past.

Immediately forgotten, immediately dismissed.

They exchanged contact information outside, unlike last time not leaving it to chance. She considered that a win for now, but already her mind was on the work ahead of her as he helped her into the hover limo.

She had so much to do.

[member="Itash Mecetti"] [member="Lin Kai"] [member="Ereza"]

 

[Rosa Gunn]

[member="Coren Starchaser"] @Hylpocereus [member="Seydon Gunn"]

A muscle in Rosa’s jaw twitched as her husband approached, masked by taking a sip of the drink in her hand. Keeping her focus on Coren as he spoke she smiled. “I’m sure between us, Damian and I can see them clothed as well, and if the Foundation can find the space, we can look to setting up settlements for them. The sooner the better.”

Seydon and Hylo levelled with them then and Rosa turned a wide smile towards Hylo at Seydon’s introduction, pointedly not acknowledging her husband. “Mara got engaged? Wonderful!” she swept Hylo into a hug, shooting Seydon a glare over his shoulder. “Mr Valkner, may I introduce Mr Starchaser, and Mr Starchaser, my husband. Seydon Gunn - no thank you.” she added at the offer of meat.

 

[Damian Starchaser]

Damian smiled politely and nodded shaking hands with Seydon and then an awkward look at Hylo. "We've met." Hylo owned the tower of course and also owned part of Chase Fashion. "We'll feed and cloth everyone but if you'll accuse me I have another matter to attend to. Hylo and my Uncle Coren can speak for me in these matters I think."

After politely excusing himself from the conversation he moved across the room toward [member="Joza Perl"]. That was his target for the night. "Joza," Damian said approaching her with a smile. "I was wondering if you might allow me the pleasure of escorting you through the gardens in the penthouse villas. They were made by our host and I have to admit they are rather beautiful."

[member="Rosa Gunn"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Seydon Gunn"]

 

[Hylocereus]

"Oh we've already met!" Hylo said when he was introduced to Damian Starchaser. He frowned as Damian excused himself and said he could represent the companies interests. "Uh its a pleasure to meet you Rosa," his plate of sweet meats being held out and balanced against the hug of Rosa. "It's a pleasure to meet you though really, you're husband had nothing but good things to say, you seem a sweet couple?"

"I'm sorry about Damian" After Damian left Hylo looked over at the group. "Uh don't mind him. We kissed once, it was awkward." Wait Hylo was sure Damian didn't want that to get out. "Uh but I shouldn't have said that."

Gulping hard he looked over at the group. "So anyways you know Mara too right?"

[member="Rosa Gunn"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"] | @Syedon Gunn

 

[Seydon of Arda]

The smile crept over his face, infuriating her lingering glare. This son of a queen, with all his gall and absolute disregard for social decency, had the brass neck to take humour out of her ire. Seydon had lost bedroom privileges for the week, the following month, if not for the remaining extent of the calendar year. [member="Rosa Gunn"] did not suffer fools or their foolishness, especially if any of it had to do with her husband. He watched the colour of her eyes sharpen with each escaped snort; it was all Seydon could do keeping his gut from loosing an uproarious laugh. The Dunaan faced racking incineration the moment Rosa got him alone from the gala hall.

“I’ve read her books,” Seydon offered. He felt Rosa’s heel drive into his shoe toe.

[member="Hylocereus"] [member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Darth Xhegriss]

A golden Naboo Royal Starship soon landed on a platform outside the Gala, the ship shining brightly when the gala's lights shined upon it blinding many patrons temporarily. A few minutes later a Miraluka and male Twi'lek servant who we're dressed in expensive designer clothing clearly dressed for the occasion. The Sith Lord soon stepped out of the golden craft, with her servant following behind with hands behind his back and a blank look across his face. "Hmm, what a delightful little Gala going on hm Kon'nevi?" She asked as she turned around to face the Twi'lek who simply gave her a blank stare followed by a nod in agreement. "I agree though i hope they do have the Tea that i requested..." She said as she made her way inside of the Gala filled with many other patrons speaking to one another, and partaking in eating and drinking heavily.

The Sith Lord made her way towards the catering table, filled with various foods and drinks though she was more interested in Tea which thankfully there was plenty of ranging from Sapir to her favorite Zsajhira berry! If the Miraluka we're alone she would let out even a giggle of excitement, however she must keep it professional the woman motioned the Twi'lek servant to grab the pot that was situated on the table. Who immediately took the pot and proceeded to pour the delicious berry tea into her own personal Tea cup decorated in gold and precious gem stones. The Sith Lord then made her way over towards the most secluded area of the Gala to enjoy her cup of Tea.