Coruscant First Charity Auction

[Sargon Vynea]

He'd gone to the lengths of renting a room a night or two before, a nice balcony with a view, a bit pricey but lovely open view. Besides it gave him the benefit of only having to deal with regular hotel procedures rather then the upgrades on security. His dress clothes were a bit loose around him, but no one liked to feel strangled, even at a fancy auction. There was plenty of time still to waste so rather then wandering around with people he didn't have much in common with he decided to kill some times at the tables.

Listening to local news on his ear piece he bought into a nearby sabacc table, and took a seat on the outside. "Well, we've got some fun at least to have here. Room for one more?''

 

[Jorus Merrill]

The dealer passed [member="Sargon Vynea"] two cards to start. The hand pot grew by a small amount. Jorus did his level best not to cuss. See, last time he'd seen Sargon had been in the rearview mirror of an evac ship in the Neutral Zone, Lords of the Fringe hot on his tail. Plenty of water under the bridge since then, but still.

Then again, Sargon was an alien from the Unknown Regions. Coruscant First probably had as little use for him as they did for someone like Jorus (grungy liberal libertarian Corellian by way of Wild Space).

"Always room for one more, Vynea. Let's break the bank."

Jorus' cards flickered and randomized into an eight of sabers and a seven of flasks. He slid the eight face-up into the fixing field and requested a third card. The Idiot - not useful at the moment. Time would tell.

 

[Sargon Vynea]

Of all the people, Jorus Merill was the one he would end up sitting across from. "Glad to see you got out of that cruiser alive. Odd last time I gambled against you I nearly lost, suppose it might be luckier with you."

Taking his first two cards he clicked his tongue before flipping over a nine and signalling for a card. "Have to say though, if it helps any there was always respect. Grudgingly perhaps, but respect none the less."

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

Pushing through the grand doorways to the hotel, a large man dressed in high-collared and impeccable royal finery gave a broad grin. He stopped long enough to hold the door open for his companion for the evening, shooing away the hotel staff that tried to grab the ornate handle instead. When the lovely young lady had entered, Liber offered an arm and began walking past those milling in the entrance foyer, his long crimson cape flowing in his wake. Tall, broad, dark and blue eyes like diamonds, the arrival caused some glances his way, as he motioned for the closest server to bring something expensive to drink.

"I want to thank you again, Lady Van-Derveld," Liber spoke in a low tone, leaning down to almost whisper in the blond heiress. "I wasn't certain my communications were being answered, considering my father has only been Viceroy of Doldur for a while. Thankfully your uncle sent my invitations for this evening through. And that you accepted."

Nonetheless, the invitation had been sent, and Katrine had accepted. It was now Liber's responsibility to show the young lady a pleasant evening, and offered the opportunity to expand relations with other royal and noble families throughout the neighboring sectors. If it was one thing nobility expected, it was being shown respect and interest by others. As it was, the charity had been of interest to Liber, and a certain item had garnered his attention - and it wasn't only the beautiful lady on his arm, but a rare item in the silent auction.

"So tell me," Liber began, as the server arrived with a tray of tall glasses filled with clear liquid. The Prince took two, offering one to Lady Katrine, before he took a sip. "What of your family? I know only a little, and would thoroughly enjoy the pleasure of hearing more..."

Glancing to his left, Liber caught the attention of a young, unassuming dark-haired human keeping pace not far away. She wore a simple black dress, nothing attention grabbing, but also perfectly suitable for the occasion. Her eyes caught the Prince's, she gave a nod and promptly walked away to the silent auction, with the orders to place tickets on the item Liber desired.

[member="Katrine Van-Derveld"]​

 

[Simone]

In her time, Simone had done a few things to upset the system. In the days where she bothered to shout out her rebellion she'd hijacked the Jedi Temples holoprojectors and audio systems to broadcast slander against them and remotely sliced her way into the Supreme Chancellor's personal systems to prove a point. Coruscant was familiar to her, its signals were familiar to her and no xenophobic organisation would be able to escape that.

An array of screens glowed before her, painting colours in the cigarette smoke that passed between her lips, reflected in narrowed eyes. One screen was rolling through a programme, working its way through a banks security systems. Standard format, nothing targeted just yet she needed to get in first. Three more were fixed, faces of the 'enemy' starting down at her, gathered intel floating next to their names. [member="Zeradias Mant"] the Mayor whose rise to power was down right dirty, the head honcho for an alt-right movement that made Simone's lip curl in disgust. [member="Cassandra Paige"] creator of GenPals, born with a silver spoon in her mouth and these days her mouth was full of [member="Itash Mecetti"]'s tongue. Or so rumour had it.

The last one was her biggest concern, it was his bank that she was creeping into after all. Not that he'd know it yet, not till she tracked down the account specific. There was something unsettling in that smirk of his. Movement in the fifth screen on her right drew her eyes, feedback from [member="Jorus Merrill"]'s camera where a certain zabrak had slid into view. Simone lifted her boots onto the desk.

"Well hello." her voice was soft over the hidden comm in Jorus's ear, tone indicating attraction. "[member="Sargon Vynea"], eh? I don't remember him being quite so attractive. Or maybe its because Asop turned out to be a lie and i'm feeling a little needy."

She kept an eye on that programme.

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Simone"]

Probing the outer defenses of the digital system would leave one impression in Simone's experienced eye.

Security was tough.

This was to be expected, because Didact Defense Solutions did this sort of thing for a living. But there wasn't a system build that couldn't be cracked, as long as there was plenty of time to do it, as long as the slicer was good enough and as long as the hardware they worked with was plenty. All three were in flux right now. The fact that this was the first showcase of Didact's ability to provide security in the digital sense with a gala to gather money for a project they were sympathetic to?

That would only increase the difficulty.

A lot of things were riding on tonight.

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

They were making friends, and the Cluvius family were friends. That's what Katrine understood from Uncle Isley. Also, they were members of something called the Order of One? So many questions were already forming in her head when she'd first heard that but she hadn't gotten any answers just yet so when one of those Cluvius family members had invited her to a charity, she accepted. Because formed questions in her head required answer. It was just how her head work. People who knew her generally knew that was how she was but those who didn't know her or didn't know her well enough usually got surprised.

Liber Cluvius was way too tall, which was the first thing she noted, considering how petite she was and even her heals weren't doing her much help. And his eyes were a peculiar shade of blue. Which was funny coming from Katrine Van-Derveld considering the sapphire shade of her eyes was something unique to most of her siblings and her Father but then she was used to odd colors in her own family, used to the golden shade common on her mother's side.

He'd opened the doors for her, Katrine registered that since it didn't happen too often, then again, she'd spent a childhood around her siblings on Dathomir and most of their time was spent out in the wilderness and ship doors opened themselves. It was nice but a little strange, to be perfectly honest but what was to be expected from a girl who grew up around Witches and their Jai who generally did their bidding. Not her Nona and Nono or her parents but still, they were a minority on Dathomir for their behavior.

Sapphire gaze noted his motion for the waiter before he addressed her, wanting to thank her. Calling her Lady deWinter, her eyes focusing on him for a moment as he talked about her Father being Viceroy of Doldur. "Not Lady. Not as long as my Father is alive," she corrected him first. Before Ket Van-Derveld died or she took his own life, which she found to be a horrific notion but one Father didn't expect her to follow that tradition. "Why wouldn't they be answered?" She wondered next. Katrine wasn't really sure what one had to do with her responding. Uncle Isley wanted them to play nice with friends, which was what Kat did. She'd gone to Dagobah to help their friends even though the Alliance wasn't always super friendly to the likes of her family, she mingled with the Silver Jedi because they too were friends even though she'd been raised that Jedi were boring stickers for rules.

"So, what is this for?" Admiteddly, she'd been stuck Confederacy too long, with only very brief visits to Coruscant lately, last one ending not so great, that she wasn't keeping too much attention to the planet gossip. Obviously, it was a charity and obviously, most people here were looking to donate money or get some things but beyond that, Katrine had been spending way too much time with the spirits to be paying that close of an attention on the living of other factions.

The server arrived with a tray filled with tall glasses. Katrine looked to them while Liber began speaking again, taking both glasses of it as he did, offering one to her. She took the one offered. "I don't think I like this one," she commented, though she still tasted it. First and only time she did drink it was at another party, which was when she found that out. This one taste a little bit different but it was the same in its essence. Liber seemed interested about her family, knowing little and wanting to know more. "What do you know about my family?" Katrine asked almost immediately, curious. Van-Dervelds weren't that know, other than her father. Her Uncle Vega was once known but that was a very long time ago from what she understood and her Mother was generally identified as a Hawk though she wasn't only a Hawk, same as her Father was no longer just a Van-Derveld after Mother had claimed him but a lot of people didn't know that either. But then, father had been a Viceroy of Ryloth at one point during the last Confederacy so that could have been it.

[member="Liber Cluvius"]

 

[Zef Halo]

There was no casino in the galaxy that did not allowed smoking within it. Not even the richest, nor those in the fanciest hotels. You disallow smoking - you are shutting doors next week and filing for bankruptcy. Arcann had had his fair share of venturing to casinos. Not much of a gambler himself but he'd play from time to time.

Today he was feeling lucky.

Mant had played his cards right. They'd found powerful benefactors in the face of the Paige family. They in turn had brought Didact Defense Solutions. A quickly growing company providing defense solutions from manpower to equipment. Arcann had plans for them too. Coruscant First need an armed group. A paramilitary and Didact could lay the foundation equipment and training wise.

But all in due time.

Right now, with a satisfied smirk on his face, Arcann walked around the casino with a cocktail in hand participating in short chats with various guests.

 

[Jorus Merrill]

[member="Sargon Vynea"] [member="Simone"]

Jorus' reply to Sargon died in his throat, along with half his drink. He coughed lum into his sleeve vociferously. If he'd been able to reply to Simone without, you know, talking to nobody, he'd have reminded her that they'd promised never, ever, to talk about Asop.

Ever.

"Thanks for sayin' so, Vynea," he said once he'd recovered. "By all accounts, you were the good one."

The cards randomized again, leaving him with a five of staves and an eight of flasks. Twenty-one, counting the face-up eight in the field. Not a perfect hand, but darn good. He raised by a decent amount.

 

[Cassandra Paige]

"Mmmm we should greet more important guests without drinks in hand," she murmured easily as they two swept through the hallway toward the lift.

Cassandra had grown up to this, and the etiquette, at least in upped levels of Coruscanti society was clear. Not that this was a high society event- oh she'd tried, but sadly, no. While part of her considered it likely that no one would even notice the breech, that wasn't the point.

The main lift was glittering, multifaceted transparisteel, and the rode down as though inside an enormous gem. It cut the light into tiny fragments of multicoloured confetti, but the facets were large enough that it was possible for them to see out of the lift as they descended.

"Mayor [member="Zeradias Mant"]," she pointed him out to Itash where he and his security staff were arranged at the door. "Coming from inside the event we should wait until his receiving line slot is over. There, heading toward the casino? [member="Arcann Law"], Deputy Party Leader of Coruscant First. He is particularly interested to speak with you, I have been told."

Settling closer to him, her arm snug in his elbow, she leaned over slightly, nodding once.

"Lady [member="Asteria deWinter"]. Moves more in your circles than mine," she confided, "But everyone in both our circles is familiar with her company." Double meaning in this case. The Red Lady. An escort service. Cass's smile was slightly smug in the way only the assumed morally superior ever really managed to pull off.

"[member="Eddak Manod"]. 'King of Probz,'" A slight snort. "As if that is something to be proud of. Jumped up nobility. He donated items to the auction tonight however, so be nice. [member="Liber Cluvius"], yes those Cluvius's. I'm not sure who that is on his arm."

All humans. Oh, she recognized a single one of the alien attendees. She knew that pink skinned, cheese eating, zeltron at the bar. Ish. But the rest all were basically the same to her. One twi'lek was much like another, and forget about the Duros, who could waste their time trying to keep them straight?

[member="Itash Mecetti"]

 

[Zeradias Mant]

"We should join the host of the party now, sir.", the staffer told him. Zeradias exhaled and nodded slightly. It was funny, how even though he was one of the most influential persons on Coruscant, his life was largely dictated by schedules. It grew tiresome, often quickly. All a part of the game though, Zeradias knew what he was signing up for. Vice Regent in an empire cut through bureaucracy a little faster and had a little more autonomy in its own respects, but a position chosen by a more democratic process demanded he make concessions.

"Find Ms. Paige and Mr. Mecetti, we should thank our hosts.", Zeradias said. With a slight bow of acknowledgment, the staffer obliged.

Finally, some freedom. Collecting a glass of champagne from a waitress, he took a sip as he eyed the crowd. Things seemed to be a resounding success, thus far. Despite the shininess and appearance of an elite status, the event was open to all, even those citizens who'd have never dreamed they might have been a part of such a high class event. That high class though, was the target audience. Their credits would surely benefit the party's cause, with a generous portion of the proceeds going to Coruscant First. Some though, would be unhappy with a political party receiving such finances when there were others who needed the money so much more. Whatever the party made, Zeradias would commit no less than a third of it to organizations supporting the Coruscanti poor. Of the unfortunate causes of their situation, some surely were self-inflicted, but the majority no doubt were displaced because of the Alliance's neglect.

"They're not on the main floor, sir."

Zeradias finished the rest of his small serving of alcohol and handed it to his staffer.

"There's plenty of others.", he said, embarking into the crowd of hundreds.

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Cassandra Paige"] | [member="Zeradias Mant"] | [member="Arcann Law"]

Itash listened politely.

Some faces he committed to memory, others were passed into the background as easily. There were those that Tash needed to know and then there were those that... he did not need to know, really. It was as simple as that. "Mm, that one? [member="Jorus Merrill"]," Now it was his time to inform, even if it was only a single face compared to the crowd that Cassandra had been able to pick out. She was most definitely more experienced and formidable in these sort of functions. "General, Jedi, apparently... gambler? One of the faces of the Outer Rim Coalition. A dangerous man to know."

Merrill would most likely retort that he was only dangerous to a certain quality of sentience.

That depended wholly on perspective as far as Itash was concerned. "I have accepted a number of contracts from him. His checks never bounce." Clearly that was the only thing that the Tapani cared about.

Philosophy and politics weren't interesting to him.

That was also why it had been Cass who first came up with the idea for this Gala rather than the other way around. A ding and then the elevator settled down, lift doors sliding open and allowing the music of the hall to wash over them. Pleasant tunes, neutral, Cass' choice perhaps? There was little here that was placed to offend anyone, but part of that was because the organization they were raising this money for?

They had all the hallmarks necessary to offend already.

Two steps in and already one of Mant's staff approached, cutting through the crowd with clear determination and need. "Lord Mecetti, Miss Paige, the Mayor would love to meet with you?"

Mm. A glance to Cass and then back.

"Of course, lead the way."

 

[Sargon Vynea]

With a grin he nodded to [member="Jorus Merrill"], "Well thank you, the thought's always appreciated." The answer of course was for both Jorus and the hacker on the other end of the headset. "It's always nice to be appreciated."

Turning his eyes back to his hand as he received randomized cards he sucked in a breath, two negatives showed up. After a nine it wasn't the way he wanted to build, but with the Evil one staring him in the face it was awfully tempting. He cursed his luck internally as he looked at his second card, endurance. If he hadn't played the nine the game be over now about now, but he was still going to be down nine either way. Tapping his finger he shook his head at Jorus, "Well, lets dance then." Meeting the raise he leaned back comfortably into his chair and picked a glass of wine off a nearby tray. Another random change could change everything in a minute, no need to panic yet.

[member="Simone"]

 

[Farah]

Medicine was all that Farah really knew. The clone hadn’t been around for very long so she didn’t have a memory bank that corresponded with her age—a double edged sword given that she had little of her own experience to fall back on outside of the flash training, but her mind wasn’t cluttered up with memories of years past. She could have followed other pursuits and trod in Kaine’s unnaturally large boot prints as a darkly clad angry Sithling, but something about that didn’t feel quite right.

“I work at Coruscant General.” She answered simply, unsure of how to take the complement. Still young, Farah wasn't particularly accomplished at anything other than being an abrasive surgeon and difficult to work with. “What are you retired from?”

[member="Domino"]

 

[Simone]

Simone stifled a laugh at Jorus’s reaction, boots sliding off the table as the programme started reeling off a report, security was tight. Really fething tight, but that only made Simone happier, she’d not had a good challenge for a long time.

Sargon’s reply may have been intended for her too, but Simone didn’t realise. Excitement was brewing. “I’m serious, longest dry spell I’ve had in awhile. I’ve not had offers, but y’know, standards and all that.” She took a long drag of the cigarette, eyes running over the report exhaling slowly. She stubbed it out in the ashtray, eyes flicked up to the feedback once more.

“He’d have to buy me dinner first, but after that? Mr Vynea can do whatever he likes to me.”

She scooted the chair a little closer to desk desk. She paid cash upfront for this little bolt hole, no paperwork. If they traced the signal back to her, well...she’d be gone before they could. The terminals shuffled, bringing her link to Diadect up front and centre at her command. The firewalls were tight, no doubt, but there would be a hole somewhere.

Fingers danced across the terminal and she probed the defences, seeking a hole in first the wall. There was always a hole. Always. It was just a matter of patience.

[member="Jorus Merrill"] [member="Sargon Vynea"] [member="Itash Mecetti"]

 

[Simone]

double post

 

[Mishel Kryze]

The last thing Mishel remembered was that she was supposed to stay put by the ship. She got bored and decided to hobble around Coruscant and in the direction of the event she lost track of the time for a second or two. Mostly looking through all the Coruscant for Coruscant, and Coruscant First propaganda, "these guys are talented, I'll give them that." She said with some respect she was on crutches and did her best to avoid getting tripped up or getting tripped over. Her neurotransponder clicked and clacked, it'd been smashed a bit on Dagobah and hadn't quite recovered. She was dressed in a light jacket with worker pants - didn't have the coin to get into the auction. But there was plenty of activity and the area looked to be on the comeback, and there was no way of getting inside but - Mishel felt a very familiar presence as she got closer to the casino. "Ma?" The girl questioned a moment and stared up at the casino and tried to look over the throng of people. "Ma!" She shouted, nothing, so instead she hobbled away from the entrance and focused.

Force sense was a thing sure, but she hadn't used to really be a GPS of people before. She shut her eyes and leaned up against a pillar she pushed out with the force and felt [member=[/FONT]"Hazel Zanteres"]'s presence. She muted out all the unfamiliars and anything else that would distract her. Everything around her was black but Mishel could see Hazel and although she questioned the horns part of her attributed that to her stepmother [member=[/FONT]"Xerxella Zanteres"] the true Dragon of the family. A lot had happened to Mishel, and a lot had happened to Hazel and somehow they always managed to be the other's mirror. Mishel pushed out again - mentalism wasn't really her thing but she trusted in the force and in the bond she had with Hazel, ma. Her voice would echo in the Hapan's mind perhaps - perhaps if Mishel had done just enough to get the telepathic message across.

 

[Jorus Merrill]

[member="Simone"] [member="Sargon Vynea"]

Slowly, deliberately, Jorus turned up his music and blasted Simone in the only way he could.

https://youtu.be/9OBjnPh5CPw

The cards had already randomized twice; now they stayed stable, at least for the moment. He eyed the pot: some of his money, some of Sargon's, plenty from the house.

"Alderaan," he said, the sabacc term for closing out. He slid the rest of his cards into the fixing field. Twenty-one. Maybe enough to beat Sargon, maybe not.

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

Katrine's query about the invitations not being answered caused Liber to shrug slightly, chuckling.

"Oh, I'm sure you know how nobility can be," He said with a smirk, as he looked down at the young woman with the stunning white dress. Not a single mark or stain touched it. "I was relieved that your uncle didn't ignore me, simply because of how new we are to the Doldur regency. After all, we have been a royal family on that planet for most of my life, but it had been under more... questionable leadership until recent months."

The Prince thought back to the tyrant, clan Raxis, and then the war-centric Mandalorian leader that had been deposed. There was a flash of enjoyment as Liber recalled hunting down the group of Mando'a and systematically ending their rebellious existences. And foiling the plot to kill his father. A benefit, also, Liber supposed. Turning his attention back to Katrine, the young man listened, keeping the smile on his face, as he sipped the expensive alcohol from the obscenely tall glass. It was all about appearances, after all. When the young woman expressed concern over the taste of the current beverage, Liber nodded and was about to offer to get his companion another drink, of her choice, but the conversation continued...

"I'm afraid I know very little," Liber said, taking another sip of the champagne. "I am of the understanding your father was once the Viceroy of Ryloth, which certainly would have been an interesting experience. From what I know of the planet, the Twi'lek population suffered greatly under the will of the Hutts, and still harbor suspicion to others in positions of power. How did he fare, in that regard? Did the population approve of him?"

Granted, it had been a long time ago, many centuries, but hardships faded slowly, and generations continued traditions and opinions from old to young. Still, the fact a non-Twi'lek had been made Viceroy of the planet surprised Liber, but at the same time he understood the previous Confederacy had been different from the current. Yet, there was potential for lessons to be learned, given the Cluvius taking their own place on a global scale on Doldur.

"But, please, don't think I only want to know about your father. I am genuinely interested in you and your family," The Prince said, smiling again. "And if you tell me yours, I'll tell you mine."

Looking across the crowd of faces, Liber caught gaze with an attractive redhead ([member="Cassandra Paige"]), who was speaking quietly to another party attendee. But as soon as the eyes met, the stare ended, and Liber watched her continue walking through the throng. He looked back down to Katrine, finishing the drink in his hand, before motioning for a server who promptly arrived...

"Another for me, but something else for my friend... something sweeter, perhaps, Katrine?"

[member="Katrine Van-Derveld"]​

 

[Daxton Bane]

Vyrius sipped wine from a fluted glass as he watched the proceeding around him, ignoring he noise and bustle around him. Long slender fingers held the glass daintly as he took a sip of the bubbly drink. At first glance, he would hardly merit a second glance just another rich bored man amidst a sea of similar faces. Perhaps one would notice the red riot of braids that reached to his waist, or the expensive suit made from purple velvet so deep it was almost black, or the way the rings on his fingers reflected the soft light from above.

A scion of wealthy merchant faction, he was known in circles as a collector of unique items and the auction presented him a new item to join his collection. From fast high end luxury vehicles, exotic animals on the verge of extinction, to semi illegal weapons, his collection was varied and expensive, but also held a deeper purpose behind it.

The truth was, he was often visited in dreams by his master to a acquire certain items without drawing too much attention in the process. He was given access to large funds, as long he never questioned the source, to do spend as he is wished and establish the lifestyle he has grown accustomed with,

It was for that reason he was here today, by the end of this day he had only one task to secure the Alliance’s Lament. No questions asked...