Private Dancing in the Dark

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Red Dress | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery slid into the booth with a relaxed grace, the ambient thrum of the club's music vibrating faintly through her seat. She reached for her water glass, raising it in a light toast to the group before downing it in a few elegant gulps. The coolness was refreshing after the bustle of the neon-lit streets outside.

But she mostly drank it because Efret Farr would get scary, otherwise.

Her fiery eyes flicked to the menu, a small smirk playing on her lips as she considered her options. "I'll have the steak, medium rare," she said to the waitress, her tone even but warm. "And a glass of red wine, please." There was a spark of amusement in her gaze as she glanced at the others. "Classy choices to start, right?"

Shots could wait until later.

As the waitress stepped away, Valery leaned back slightly, her fingers tracing the rim of her empty water glass in thought. Her eyes danced over the group, her mind clearly toying with an idea. No, later.

She turned to Jonyna, her lips curling into a curious smile. "A beneficiary, huh? I'm impressed. I can see why this place suits you, though." Her gaze drifted briefly to the dance floor below, the flashing lights and infectious rhythm beckoning. "Looks like a fun place to call your own. I hope you're ready to lead the charge when we hit the floor."

Jonyna Si Amani Serys Corazona von Ascania Efret Farr Ran Serys
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[Efret Farr]

As one of the last to order, Efret had more than sufficient time to formulate her order. She folded her menu back up and set it down in front of herself before answering the waitress' "And you, ma'am?"

"Ignoring the risk of getting made fun of all night..." the archeologist began, "I'll have the halloumi and eggplant sandwich with a side of fries, hold the parmesan, and a mai tai, please." She gave a grateful smile before gathering up the menus and offering the stack to the waitress.

Jonyna Si Corazona von Ascania Valery Noble Amani Serys Ran Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

The restaurant had a more varied and high-end menu than Amani would have expected for a place like this. Most of the other ladies were getting some classy means to start their evening. Amani decided to keep it light, not exactly wanting to stuff herself full before heading out to dance. "I'll just have the small portion of the nutricakes," She dwelled a moment longer, then added, "Screw it. Get me a glass of phattro, too, please." Might as well try and cut loose a little bit, right?

Once their orders were taken, Amani's gaze was inevitably drawn to the Twi'lek singer on stage, apparently cosplaying as the Chief Healer's great-great-great (repetend) aunt-in-law. "Well, it is… quite the place," She said, bushy brow raised quizzically.

"So— What's going on in the lives of our leading ladies, these days?" A simple enough question to start the night. It seemed trivial, but they all led separate busy lives. There wasn't exactly a lot of water-cooler talk happening in the Council Tower.

Valery Noble - Ran Serys - Corazona von Ascania - Jonyna Si - Efret Farr​

 

[Ran Serys]

Ran’s eyes went wide as she listened to her contemporaries order. In her opinion, they were not making full use of the glorious menu before them. When the waitress looked at Ran, Ran looked as focused as if she were on a mission. “I will start with the Goatgrass salad and a plate of the Sullustan jam and Pinyumb sowbread,” She paused to think, and decided whether to deviate from her original plan. “Then I’ll finish the meal with the Spiced ormachek, Grilled Conan deep root, and Three-eyed Kinyenian potato cake dish.” Ran committed. “To drink, I will have a Coruscanti Crawl. Let’s make it a double.” She took a glance at the dessert menu but restrained herself with an already healthy amount of food. “That will be all for me.” The waitress dismissed herself as the dining area around the group grew busier.

"So— What's going on in the lives of our leading ladies, these days?"

“I am still adjusting to my role in the Archives and life in the temple.” Ran volunteered. “The Chief Archivist’s quarters are,” She paused looking for the right words. “Breathtaking. I’m happy to have such a beautiful space to rest my head, in addition to being so conveniently close to the archives. The only thing that preoccupies my thoughts is the switch from the Enclave on Selvaris. I feel I need to find someone to replace me as the Enclave’s head. Who it shall be I don’t know.” She remarked being open to suggestions, if the women had any.

Jonyna Si Corazona von Ascania Valery Noble Efret Farr Amani Serys​

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Valery Noble Amani Serys Corazona von Ascania Ran Serys Efret Farr

The Cathar leaned back into the leather booth seat, idly looking down on the dance floor. She wouldn't let any of the normal anxieties of being a councilwoman dissuade her from her normally private behaviors on the dance floor.

She was old by today's standards, and yet didn't seem to care.

"You...own part of this place?"

"A beneficiary, huh? I'm impressed. I can see why this place suits you, though." Her gaze drifted briefly to the dance floor below, the flashing lights and infectious rhythm beckoning. "Looks like a fun place to call your own. I hope you're ready to lead the charge when we hit the floor."

"That was admittedly partly by accident. When the Imps were raining hell down on the city, they caved the roof in this place. When we were looking for remnants in the aftermath, I came here on instinct. Found her under an I-beam." Jonyna gestured to the Leia Cosplaying Singer on stage. "When the owner found out I had saved their lead act, they offered me free admission for life. Then I found out they could barely afford to rebuild, and...offered to help. Bought a bit of stake in the place, and helped them fix the roof."

"So— What's going on in the lives of our leading ladies, these days?"

Jonyna had to hold back a groan at that next question. "Oh ya know...always drama. First Taam Moghul leaves me in the dust, then I fall for Jenn Kryze , then surprise! Taam's back. My love life is a merry go round, and I don't know how to feel about it half the time. And that's not even mentioning..."

She paused, looking to Valery Noble with a slight blush.

"I just wish life would slow down sometimes. I spend so much time being a jedi, I forget to be Jonyna. Then when I do, it hits me in the face like a podracer."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

"Oh my," Cora said as Jonyna relayed how she'd come to own part of the club. "That's quite a feat!"

When their drinks arrived, she thanked the waitress and took her glass of wine by the stem. The blonde eyed the colorful cocktails that Amani and Ran had ordered with a curious glance. Maybe fun drinks were a Mirialian thing?

"Is there anyone in the Selvaris enclave that you particularly trust, Ran?" Cora had only visited only once, back when Knight Serys was setting things up. She imagined that starting an enclave had helped Ran to develop her leadership abilities. Tilting the glass to her lips, she took a cursory sip of the wine and hummed in approval.

When Jonyna mentioned that her old flame had returned, Cora nearly spat out her drink. Instead, she swallowed hard, then turned her head to the side to clear her throat into her fist. "That's...goodness, that's quite a lot, Jonyna. Does...does Jenn know about Taam?"

Her eyes followed the motion of Jonyna's own, noting the blush as she looked to Valery.

Oh, Ahla, she said to herself. Is Master Noble involved in this...love...shape…?

Valery Noble Amani Serys Efret Farr Ran Serys Jonyna Si

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Red Dress | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery swirled the wine in her glass absentmindedly, her fiery eyes sparkling with the light from the overhead fixtures. She was thrilled to be out with the others, letting herself enjoy the music, the laughter, and the lively energy that buzzed through the club. It wasn't often they got to do this, and it felt like a special treat to just be people for a night, rather than Jedi.

She was already swaying along to some background music.

When Amani asked about what they'd been up to, Valery couldn't help but smile warmly. "Honestly? I've mostly been with little Yvaine when I'm not working. She's growing so fast, and it's just… amazing to watch her. I'll sit with her for hours, just talking or watching her gurgle at Eryx or the others. She's my little sunshine." Her voice softened as she spoke, the love she had for her children clear in every word. "Kahlil says I'm spoiling her already, but I don't care. She seems drawn to her father the most, so it's the only way to get her attention."

Her gaze flicked back to Amani, and the smile widened. "How are your kids doing, Amani? I know things have been hectic, but I hope they're giving you at least a little time to relax." There was a playful lilt to her tone as she asked, the kind only someone who'd been through the joys and trials of parenting could share.

As Jonyna began to speak, Valery leaned forward slightly, listening with genuine interest. But when the Cathar's story turned to the drama of her love life, Valery arched an eyebrow, sipping her wine to keep from reacting too obviously. Still, her eyes flicked toward Cora when she choked on her drink, silently agreeing with the sentiment.

Then Jonyna's gaze lingered on her, and Valery blinked, lowering her glass slowly. Was she blushing? Valery tilted her head slightly, her brow furrowing as she tried to make sense of the moment. Was there something unsaid in Jonyna's story that she wasn't catching? Or — oh no. Did Jonyna… have a crush on her?

Valery smiled politely, though her expression had turned just a little awkward. "That… uh, sounds like a lot to deal with, Jonyna," she said carefully, her tone light and supportive. "But you're strong, and you'll figure it out. If you ever need someone to talk to about it, I'm here."

Jenn and Taam were both good people.

Jonyna Si Amani Serys Efret Farr Corazona von Ascania Ran Serys

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[Efret Farr]

Efret followed along with the conversation looking down at her wrist and reading the real-time captions, sipping her drink as she did so. She drummed her fingertips on her chin, trying to decide on an answer to Amani's question. She could—no, no, she didn't feel comfortable saying that. There must be something else, ideally that didn't make her seem like such a workaholic.

When there was a lull in the conversation, she set down her glass and looked up at Amani. "I'm baking for the younglings, padawans, and their guardians still on the Prosperity," she said. As much would be perhaps surprising to those who knew of Efret's disapproval of the Order's decision to hide its young and vulnerable on mobile temples instead of in self-sustaining, remote, planetary enclaves like Ran's or Elias'. Her mind hadn't been changed on the matter overall, though it had altered her initial hesitance to go to or send anything to the Prosperity.

They had to resupply periodically anyway. She wasn't breaking any security protocol.

"I was sending care packages for a specific padawan at first, but now I'm sending larger batches for her to share." Efret smiled thoughtfully. She hoped that Astri and all those still on the move with her were doing well.

Efret then turned her gaze to the queen's cousin. "I suggest asking Nor Fyn to help you make a decision, if possible," was Efret's only advice. Like Cora, she didn't know anyone in the Selvaris Enclave well enough to make her own nomination.

Jonyna Si Corazona von Ascania Valery Noble Amani Serys Ran Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

Valery Noble - Jonyna Si - Efret Farr - Ran Serys - Corazona von Ascania​

With Ran's hearty meal placed, the waitress stepped away and the councilors were left to themselves. Everyone had something to add to the conversation. Jonyna was dealing with relationship drama. Amani couldn't help but snicker at the thought. Years ago, she found the idea of relationships among Jedi to be preposterous. Yet here they all were, nearly all married or in a relationship.

Ran spoke of nominating a new head for her Enclave on Selvaris, "I try to handle the affairs of the Vonnuvi Enclave when I can, which has been happening more often since when moved many of the students of Coruscant. Still, work-life balance is hard enough as is. I appointed an interim headmaster who can serve in my absence. Might work for you to do the same."

Efret mentioned her own time spent helping one of the Jedi mobile headquarters, delivering baked goods to the students, "That sounds great. If you've ever got some extra, wouldn't say no to you sending some our way," She chuckled, then took a long sip of phattro, her lips twisting at the lingering burn of alcohol that followed the cool, fruity taste. The Chief Healer's own question was then turned back at her.

"How are your kids doing, Amani? I know things have been hectic, but I hope they're giving you at least a little time to relax."

Amani smiled, and nodded, "They're doing really well. Things were a bit shaky at first with all the moving around we've had to do, and Alicio's workload as Chancellor, but they've token it well and adjusted. Lia and August are growing into their own."