Populate Darth Dance Revolution [SO Populate of Kirdo III]

[Lucette]

Viers Connory​

Lucette's breath hitched as Viers leaned in, her lips brushing her cheek in a soft, fleeting kiss. For a moment, she stood perfectly still, her heart pounding so loudly she was certain Viers could hear it. The music, the voices around them, even the gentle hum of the dance floor—all of it faded into the background.

She turned her head slightly, her wide, startled eyes meeting Viers's. The Corellian stood there, looking uncharacteristically vulnerable, her usual confidence replaced with a hint of nervousness. "Did I do it right?" Viers asked, her voice barely audible over the music.

Lucette blinked, her mind catching up to the moment as a warm smile spread across her face. "You… you did it perfectly," she said softly, her voice trembling just slightly with emotion. Her free hand lifted, brushing against the spot where Viers's lips had just been, her cheeks blooming with a blush that rivaled the warm glow of the lights around them.

Viers's earlier words echoed in her mind. You make me happy. They'd been simple, but the weight behind them made her chest tighten in the best way possible. Lucette took a deep breath, gathering herself before stepping closer to Viers, their hands still laced together.

She tilted her head, her voice gentle but tinged with playful mischief. "You know, Viers, you've got this way of saying the simplest things and making them mean the galaxy." She gave their joined hands a light squeeze, her smile turning softer. "And for the record, you make me happy too. More than I think I realized until now."

Lucette let out a small, nervous laugh, her eyes flicking away for a moment before returning to Viers. "And as for the dances… you can have as many as you want. All of them, if you like. I wasn't planning on dancing with anyone else anyway."

She took a small step closer, the distance between them shrinking until they were nearly pressed together. "But if we're going to spend the night dancing, we'd better start properly." Her tone shifted, light and teasing, though the warmth in her eyes remained. "Shall we, Viers?"

Without waiting for a response, Lucette raised their joined hands slightly and began leading Viers into the rhythm of the music, her movements fluid and natural.

 

[Iskendyr Yvarro]

Maiza Vex
​

As the final notes of the song drifted into the air, Iskendyr found himself momentarily at a loss for words—a rare phenomenon for someone as silver-tongued as he. Maiza's words, so direct and sincere, struck something deeper than the surface-level charm he so often wielded. Her compliment, comparing him to nightshade, and her admission, "I like you," lingered in his mind longer than he expected.

He held her gaze, the gold of his eyes softening from their usual sharp brilliance. The usual smirk that graced his face faltered, replaced by something genuine, almost vulnerable. He had expected banter, maybe even a sharp retort, but not… this.

"Maze," he began, his voice quieter, more deliberate, "you have a way of catching me off guard, you know that?"

His fingers tightened ever so slightly around hers, the contact grounding him. "An enigma, you called me. And yet, you're the one who could step onto a dance floor like this and make the galaxy fade away. "

He exhaled softly, a faint chuckle escaping as he looked down for a moment, collecting himself. "I didn't expect this night to mean anything. Not after everything…" His voice trailed off, the weight of his recent losses flickering briefly across his features before he pushed it aside.

Lifting his gaze back to hers, Iskendyr's usual charm returned, but it was tempered now, stripped of its usual bravado. "I like you too, Maiza," he said, the words carrying a sincerity that felt rare even to him. "Not just because you keep me on my toes, though I'd be lying if I said that wasn't part of it. But because you… well, how do I put this, it feels real? Grounded, perhaps, yeah. That's a good thing by the way."

He paused, his free hand brushing a stray lock of hair from her face in a gesture that felt both impulsive and deliberate. "I don't think I've ever met anyone quite like you, Maze. And I'm not sure I ever will."

The song ended, the surrounding world creeping back in with the murmur of the crowd and the hum of the next tune beginning to play. Iskendyr released her hand with a slight reluctance, stepping back but keeping his eyes locked on hers.

"Let's not make this more complicated than it needs to be," he said softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You're you, and I'm me. And right now, that's enough."

He extended his hand again, the gesture almost teasing as the next song picked up tempo. "Another dance, or should we go find the boys?" The glint in his eyes was warm, the playful edge of his charm blending seamlessly with the genuine connection he couldn't quite ignore.

 

[Darth Caedes]

"Through passion, I gain strength."
—The Sith Code
​

Outer Rim Space
Korriban
Tags— Revna Madrona A’Mia Elmindra Xitaar

Caedes' gaze remained locked on Revna, his expression sharp yet utterly enthralled. Her words, the playful smirk that graced her lips, the delicate tracing of her hand against his chest—all of it stoked the fire within him, making him feverish. She had pulled away his layers, revealing truths that even he had long ignored. And now, here she was, offering herself to him fully, without pretense or fear. His future Queen.

When she finished speaking, her invitation lingering, the tension hung thick, electric in the air between them. His lips parted and he spoke, growling.

"Some questions, Revna... are better shown than answered."​

A shiver of heat ran down his spine, burning away inhibition as he leaned in closer to her. The air around them seemed to hum and vibrate, the Force responding to his growing desires. He exhaled deeply, his breath brushing against her ear, and a faint smile curved his lips as he whispered,

"Hold on to me."​

With that, he called upon the deepest powers rooted in Korriban itself—the spellcraft entwined with the blood-red sands of this ancient world. The Force surged through him, answering his summons, filling him to the brim and spilling over, coalescing into the space around them, encapsulating them both. To his eyes, the cave seemed to tremble faintly, to shift and slide and blur as their forms began to change; to dissolve, breaking down, transforming into swirling grains of crimson sand which took to the air like smoke.

Together, their bodies became part of the chilly desert wind, carried out over the heads of dancers, out of the caves and across the jagged mountain ranges of Korriban, beneath the stars. The sensation was strange and thrilling, a weightless merging of their essence with the planet's, with each other, sands braiding and weaving together. They soared, like this, through the skies and over the smaller townships; over the sprawling capital city of Vardin, its spires gleaming and flashing in the distance.

Their journey ended as the sands filtered through the slotted windows of his castle. The dimly lit chambers greeted them with the scent of incense and the soft flicker of flame. As their forms reconstituted, Caedes took no pause. The moment they were whole again, he seized her by the waist and swept her into his arms.

With a flick of his wrist, the silken sheets of his grand bed were drawn back. He moved swiftly, his grip firm yet reverent, and in one fluid motion, he threw her into the bed's cushions, the crimson sheets pooling around her like blood-stained waters.

Caedes loomed over her for a moment, his cloaks falling away and wrinkling 'round his ankles, his gaze burning with raw intensity, before he lowered himself onto the bed, their weight dipping the mattress. His lips brushed her ear, rich with both heat and promise.

"Now, Revna," he murmured, "let me show you."​

​

​

[OOC Exit]​

Spoiler: visualizer

 

[Revna]

Tags: Darth Caedes
​

His gaze on her was intense, burning - piercing. There was no doubt in her mind that he had read into her playfulness, caught what she was trying to tell him as she let her invitation linger for him to decide what he wanted to do with it. There was the thought in the back of her mind, an old fear, of just what might be facing her should he accept that offer and steal her away. Still…Revna was aware that Darth Caedes was not her old slave master, Voss. He was a completely different man - greater, more worthy. And the Sith woman found herself actually wanting to be with this Sith Lord - even if the shadowy unknowns did bring forth some anxieties within her.

The tension steadily grew between them, wrapped around them both, almost a tangible thing that could be felt as the energy around them hummed and vibrated with its intensity. When he finally responded, he did so in his own voice, a growl that sent another tingling shiver over her skin. Her heart rate accelerated again as he told her that some questions were better shown than answered, and her playful smirk widened briefly; he seemed to have accepted her invitation.

The little woman could feel his energy shift and grow more intense, impassioned. Caedes leaned closer to her and told her to hold onto him, his exhaled breath lightly brushing against the side of her face as he did so. A quizzical look passed over her face briefly, but she did as he told her to do - stepping as close as she could get and wrapping her arms around him tightly as she tucked her head under his chin. The energy around them deepened even further, and she felt the Dark Lord reach into the Force and his power surged to fill him, then wrap around them both - an exhilarating sensation that the Sith woman basked in. She closed her eyes, opening herself up to whatever was about to occur, and she felt her energy interweave with his as their essence was drawn into the Force itself. Though she was still aware of her own being, she began to feel weightless as both their bodies painlessly began to shift into red grains of Korribani sand, bringing many who had been dancing around them to a stop as they watched the pair drift away and vanish from sight.

It was a strange sensation indeed, but not an unpleasant one, as Revna felt herself drift through the chilly air, her essence weaving into that of Caedes’ and the deep energy that resonated from the ancient Sith planet itself. She was in awe as he spirited them both over the frozen and jagged mountains of Korriban, over the different townships that were within his domain, and she wondered how such a feat was even possible. Perhaps it was something she could ask him about - once the fevered burn of their passions had calmed enough to allow for such discussions.

Eventually, they came upon the spires of Vardin, and together they drifted through a slotted window within the castle itself and into a low lit room - a private chamber. As Revna’s form returned to her and she had the chance to briefly glance around at her surroundings, she realized it was a bedchamber.

His bedchamber.

They couldn’t get much more private than this, she silently mused to herself as an excited thrill raced through her. There was a pang of anxiousness that tugged at her as well, but the little Sith woman knew it was to be expected; she was truly stepping into an unknown for herself, taking a great risk, a great leap of faith and trust in the man who was there with her. But she had to remind herself…Caedes was not Voss. Perhaps now she could begin to heal from her old memories and make new and better ones.

As soon as they both had returned to their natural forms, Caedes swept her into his arms. Her smile was more playful than it had been before, and she watched with growing merriment as he used the Force to pull back sheets and blankets from the great bed and deposit her there amongst the cushions and blood red silken sheets that provided a soft landing for her. The barriers that held them both back at the Dance dropped away, allowing them both to be who they were before the other. She shifted to lay so that she could see him more easily as he hovered nearby for a moment; there was silent communication between them, through body language and facial expressions as both watched the other intently. With her heart racing away in her chest, Revna passed an encouragement, another invitation, through their mental tether and Caedes let his cloaks fall away, bending near to whisper in her ear. Revna’s smile turned more coy and enticing, and she finally cast aside the last of her hesitations and drew him towards her.

[EXIT POST]​

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

"I read," Orion's answer was simple as he glanced across the table at the other players, "I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic in that regard."

A'Mia failed to see what the act of reading had to do with romance specifically, but she wouldn't argue with the pleasant man. She also noted that he pointedly did not offer more than his name and alluded to the idea that he had no titles to speak of. Perhaps it was true, but not just anybody would have thought to show up to a party in the Sith holy world. Perhaps time would tell more.

"Indeed, as most Darth names, it gives a hint to my ambitions, and clues to my nature."

Another gambler spoke up, more forthcoming. The neti wondered absently to herself if the man alluded to dreams and nightmares or if his Darth title might mean something else entirely. A cursory glance over his form left her curious but not more intrigued than when the man's companion distracted him and A'Mia's gaze drifted back toward her new co-worker, The Red . She nodded faintly at his idea, in agreement that information was far more intriguing than something so static as credits. Information was arguably the most valuable thing in the galaxy, certainly from her perspective as a scientist.

"One of my Titles is Darth Sekhmet." Leaving it open that she had many other titles some that might even get her killed in a den of sith. "Sekhmet means one who is powerful with the rage of a sun. My mother bestowed it upon me."

Something continued to tug at A'Mia's mind when the woman folded and explained. Proving herself up to the task of playing the game for a different currency. More than that though, the strange botanical sensed a shift at the table in general. When Cord folded and as the rest of their hands grew full of cars that would creep near the total or put them flatly over, she became aware of a pattern in the Weave. Something told her that fortune favored the green skinned stranger, and there were few realities in which anyone else won this hand. The credits meant nothing to her, but drawing the game out so she could continue to study her companions was her real prize. The woman seemed to pause with caution before once more she rapped a knuckle to be dealt her next card.

"I will explain the origin of my title as Lord Seer of Korriban then, should I find myself with the lowest hand in future rounds."

{Current Total: 21}
​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Perhaps I will," answered the Dark Lord, "When the words exist that express what you have meant to me."

Surprising words, but to the Empress they were nothing but a genuine admission. That He, a skilled and fiery orator, had been left without words was unthinkable, as impossible as the orbit of celestial bodies suddenly dancing in the opposite direction. But there it was, laid bare for the Empress to hear. The larger Sith Lord next to her showed no signs of discomfort in sharing such a fact, their mutual bond ran deeper than any insecurity could reach.

"I can see it writ in your face, my Empress. You wonder why I show such deference to you, when I once ruled an Empire of my own. In truth, titles of thrones mean little to me anymore. The power of the Dark Side surpasses such vanity, my strength is my crown. In the past, I pursued thrones and titles because it was what I believed held power, to lord over others from a throne and to be seen by all those I ruled. I know now that there is greater power than thrones and crowns."

Again He held her, so gently, so carefully. She was stronger than any might believe, but He could still break her if He was not careful. His body had been conditioned by violence, and violence was it's nature. But with her, He would not allow Himself to fall into such comfortable habits. He deliberately withheld Himself where He would for no other. She deserved far better than what fate had allotted her, for she had not asked for a crown; only for the love of another.

But the love she sought was a rotten, twisted thing, as rotten and twisted as the man to whom it belonged. The Dark Lord did not hate Empyrean, nor did He pity him; for such was the price of power. But He felt a keen melancholy for what it had cost Srina Talon.

"I have been seeking artifacts that could bring about a desirable conclusion to our shared problem, my Empress." He gave voice to His thoughts now, she knew He would be talking about the Worm. "But none have sufficed. I apologize that I have failed you."

Srina Talon ​

 

[Viers Connory]

//: Lucette //:

Everything that was happening felt like a dream. Viers didn't understand why Lucy's words made her feel like she was floating on a cloud. She wanted to disappear, to pop in and out of existence in pure joy. Viers didn't, though, remembering the gentle reminders of how it shocked Lucy and how she preferred a warning when the young monk did it. Instead, Viers showed her joy by jumping in excitement. As she did, the Force tattoos glowed, adding a bit of oomph to her jump as she floated for just a moment, then landed gracefully on her feet.

How could things get any more perfect than what they already were? Viers continued to smile, listening to everything Lucy was telling her. Knowing that she felt the same about only wanting to dance with each other helped Viers feel better about the dance. The thought of Lucy wanting to dance with someone else felt like the galaxy's end. As others joined and continued dancing with each tempo change, Viers became slightly aware of them. From the corner of her eyes, she saw two older people. She assumed they were teachers for the academy, and the way they danced piqued her interest. They were close, and there was a sudden desire to make that kind of contact with Lucy. Was that a normal feeling?

The music slowed, and other couples began to pair off like the older Sith had before they had wandered off. Viers watched them from the corner of her eye; they were close in a way that she wanted to be. "Can we try something?" Viers's eyes snapped back to Lucy, her face suddenly feeling warm, and the Corellian was suddenly very aware of the speed of her heartbeats. She slowly moved Lucy's hands to her shoulders and let her arms hang for a moment. Viers glanced around quickly again, seeing how the couples had their arms and where their hands were touching. Realizing her mistake, Viers took one of Lucy's hands while the other was left on her shoulder, which the Corellian shrugged till Lucy's hand moved to the slight curve of her neck.

Another hesitation moment came, and Viers finally rested her hand on the other girl's waist. She felt every pound of her heart against her chest and in her ears. There was an intense feeling of wanting to run and leave this overwhelming situation. Still, Viers persisted to the next step as she pulled Lucy closer. At this moment, the young brunette could catch brief scents of the young woman's perfume. It made the Corellian lean in closer to lose herself in the mesmerizing scent. Remembering the movements from the older couple, Viers moved her feet gracefully - entirely avoiding stepping on Lucy's feet.

Moving to the song's pace, Viers led the dance gently as she softly hummed the music that was playing. As they danced, Viers whispered gently in Lucy's ear - "You're so beautiful tonight." Smiling, she drifted closer to Lucy as long as she was willing to be that close. "But you're always beautiful, no matter whenever I see you - you're just perfect to me."

 

[Lucette]

Viers Connory​

Lucy's breath caught as Viers guided her hands and stepped into the slow dance. Her heart thudded in her chest as the brunette's touch settled on her waist, tentative but warm, and the Corellian's closeness sent a flutter through her stomach. Every movement felt natural, yet electric, like they were the only two people in the entire galaxy. She felt a little hot, her face flushed, the Dosuunian couldn't quite articulate what she was feeling.

When Viers leaned in, her soft humming filling the space between them, Lucy couldn't help but smile, her cheeks flushing as warmth spread through her. Then came those whispered words, each one landing with the weight of sincerity that made her heart skip. She swallowed hard, Lucy wasn't one to be nervous and she certainly wasn't going to start now. Certainly not, not when Viers made her feel so... safe? Was that it?

She tilted her head slightly, her lips parting in surprise before curling into a gentle, radiant smile. "You really have a way with words, Viers," she whispered back, her voice trembling just slightly, betraying how deeply the Corellian's words had touched her. "I don't think anyone's ever said something so sweet to me before."

The Dosuunian let herself relax into the dance, trusting Viers to guide her movements. She felt safe, cherished even, in a way that was entirely new and utterly thrilling. The soft glow of the crystals around them seemed to shimmer more brightly, reflecting the connection between them.

"You're amazing, Viers," Lucy managed, her voice barely audible over the melody. "You make me feel like the most important person in the room, and I—I hope you know how special you are to me." Her hand on Viers's shoulder gently squeezed, her fingers brushing the edge of the Corellian's uniform as she added with a soft laugh, "You're also very good at this for someone who spent the first course trying to figure out what a spoon was for."

For a moment, her mind went blank and she as relaxed as she's ever been, simply looked Viers in the eyes. Mhmmm, is this... what I think it is? Is this...

Her teasing tone was light, but the affection in her gaze was unmistakable. Lucy leaned in just a little closer, their faces mere inches apart now. "But seriously, Viers, thank you. For being here, for everything. I don't think tonight would feel this magical without you." Oh it most certainly would not, and as they danced, as the rest of the galaxy seemed to fade away.

Her words hung in the air between them, her voice carrying both gratitude and something deeper—something unspoken but tangible, a warmth that filled the space between them as they swayed together, perfectly in tune with each other and the moment.

 

[Leshanna]

Tag: Kaivaan Raaf
​

She could tell he was nervous; was he nervous to talk to a girl? Was he nervous because of all the people around them? Maybe a bit of both? Lesh wasn’t too sure - but she found Kai to be cute, especially with his more shy demeanor. She wasn’t laughing at him, though judging from the way his face and ears would flame up, the thought did spark in her mind that maybe he was thinking that she was. She hoped her friendly and interested demeanor showed him that she was intrigued by him.

Kai answered her question on if he attended the Academy or not, and when he responded that he didn’t and was taught by his grandmother, she nodded in understanding.

“That would explain why I haven’t seen you before then!” she replied, smiling once more as amusement sparkled in her blue eyes. “I grew up in an orphanage before I was brought to the Academy…so I guess you could say I was homeschooled in a way. I was taught the basics about things, anyway…” she said a bit casually - as if growing up as an orphan was a perfectly normal thing for her to talk about.

Once they were in the cavern with the offered drinks and treats, Leshanna noticed that the handsome boy was beginning to relax a bit more as he smiled with her almost infectious energy and excitement. Or maybe he’s just putting up with you for now, came a thought through her mind.

It was a few moments before Kai responded back to her comments on if he’d ever been to a dance like this before, as well as her admittance that she’d rather be back reading a book or practicing her saber skills.

“Sounds boring, if you ask me.” she said in response to his statement about the formal parties he would attend with his family. “I don’t blame you for not wanting to be there! Hopefully they at least serve good food? Food I feel always makes a boring situation better.”

She smiled at him, a genuine smile that found amusement in his brief story about his own use of a training saber - how he had taken a chunk out of a training dummy one time. “Better to take a chunk out of a training dummy than yourself. Besides, that’s what the training dummy is for - to beat the crap out of it so one day you can defeat your foes.”

Kai picked up a drink from a nearby table and watched her for a moment before speaking once more, asking her more questions in an effort to understand her a bit better.

“Yeah! I love studying…honestly I do it more than I probably should. I sort of neglect my physical skills in favor of it. Sith history has been a more favored topic of mine recently; it has been very interesting to see how the Sith started off as a whole race of people and turned into the ideology that it is now. How different it is from like…Jedi stuff.” She admitted before she bit into a sugar cookie. “Mm these are good! You should try one…” she mumbled through a mouthful of the delicious treat.

“But yeah! Anyway…What about you, Kai? Any subjects that you enjoy through your homeschooling?”

 

[Srina Talon]

Location: Korriban...Wandering the Halls.
Tag: Darth Carnifex

______________________________________​

"Kaine…"

The murmur of his name, so soft, as if it were a spoken treasure lingered among the crystalline caverns while she found a comfortable alcove for them to occupy. It had a balcony that looked down at the attractions below. It also let her keep an eye on her younglings without them knowing. As much as she trusted the students that had attended, she still, knew they were better at mischief than navigating polite society. It had taken her decades to learn enough to pantomime what others did easily…Carrying a crowd. Holding court. She only excelled at it, when heads rolled.

The flickering lights danced across her sharp, wintry features. His words had been unexpected, raw, in the essence that she felt their truth. The weight of the admission settled on her shoulders before the faintest ghost of a smile hedged at the kiss of her mouth. "When the words exist…", she repeated, slowly, as if such a thing perplexed her. Perhaps it did, given her cultural deficits and her knowledge of his ability to speak. It was his natural way of conveying non-violent intent—Whereas her natural state involved combat in place of vocality.

"You've always had a way with them. To hear you say there are none…That you have none…Is surprising."

She remained a vision of grace despite her admission. Her presence was commanding, yet ethereal, much like the distant stars of Korriban that glimmered unseen overhead. There were always so many unspoken truths between them that were layered with meaning. She did not rush to fill the silence despite the opportunity presented for her to speak. Instead, she listened. He lifted her thoughts from her features in a way that only Empyrean had been able to in the past. Being known so well was strangely comforting. "I just…"

"Do not wish for you to feel beholden to referring to me this way. It is a term that feels empty when any other speaks it. A platitude, at best, and mockery, at worst. It…", Srina paused, briefly, trying to search for the words to explain what she felt. He would be used to her requiring a moment to sort her thoughts when something touched an emotional angle. "It is different when you speak it."

The pale woman leaned into his touch to convey her sincerity on the subject. He was many things. A King, twice-crowned, a tyrant, a butcher, a father, a leader, and he had lived thrice her lifespan through so many eras of civilization. His eyes were wise in a way she had yet to achieve outside of moments when the Force opened the way and let her see. The moments when she seemed far away—With a look of otherness, as if she might wander right off the edge of the world.

This was one of those moments.

"I know not why."

Her words were touched with the confusion of a cloud. She was aware of his strength, aware, that he was a predator in every sense of the word—But that had never bothered him. He was not present for her to find cowardice and fear…But the opposite. He provided security, strength, when there was very little to be had in a galaxy that collectively wanted their heads. His capacity for kindness was almost equal to his capacity for violence. She might have stayed where she was, quiet, enjoying the comfortable silence until Darth Carnifex mentioned failure. She blinked, turning slowly in his grasp.

"You've…failed me?"

For some reason, the Butcher King seemed to want to leave her wordless. Again, her face seemed to shift to something other than ice while the gears in her mind turned to process the implication. Her head tilted and she leaned up on her tiptoes to pull the dark veil he wore to the side so that she might see his face. Echani were…Blinded, when something obscured features in that manner. It was almost painful. "You have never failed me."

"If there was an easy solution to this Empyrean would have done it himself. We would only fail if we gave up. Only then. Not, while we still search."

While there was still time. The day would come when all their research, reading, and investigating would need to end. There would come a time when her beloved would force her hand and make good on his final request. Her hand tightened on Carnifex at the memory. Her heart, running suddenly too quickly, even though golden eyes remained unshaken. They peered at him like twin moons, reflecting the light of the sun, bright, but empty… So, empty.

She had been emptied, completely, since Darth Empyrean had asked that she plunge a blade into his heart. The face she wore for others was enough to convince them nothing was awry. Her lack of emotion was nothing new.

"I must find a way…I have no choice."

Carnifex, was far more difficult to fool.

 

[Kaivaan Raaf]

Leshanna​

Kai blinked, his mind racing to keep up with Leshanna's easy confidence and cheerful demeanor. She wasn't laughing at him—that much he could tell now—but she was certainly comfortable in a way he envied. He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding when she didn't make a big deal about his homeschooling, just nodded and shared her own story about growing up in an orphanage.

Her casualness about it caught him off guard, and he felt a flicker of admiration. How does she just talk about something like that so easily? he wondered. It wasn't pity—Lesh didn't seem like someone who wanted pity. If anything, it made her more interesting.

"That's, uh, impressive," he said after a moment, his voice still a bit awkward but sincere. "Growing up like that and ending up here? I don't know if I could've handled it."

As they reached the drinks and treats, Kai grabbed a glass and held it like a lifeline, taking small sips as Lesh's energy filled the space between them. Her excitement about the event, the food, and even the training sabers was infectious, and he found himself chuckling softly when she called his family's formal events boring.

"They do have good food," he admitted, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "But, yeah. Boring doesn't even cover it. It's all people talking about trade agreements or inheritance laws, and I'm just sitting there trying not to fall asleep." He paused, realizing how ridiculous it sounded. "Honestly, I'd trade all of that for a quiet spot in the library any day."

Her comment about his training saber mishap made him grin despite himself. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Better the dummy than me. Although, I think I freaked out the instructor when it happened. He spent the rest of the lesson trying to figure out how I managed to slice halfway through a dummy without realizing it."

When Lesh started talking about studying, Kai found himself relaxing a bit more, drawn in by her enthusiasm. Her mention of Sith history and the contrast with the Jedi piqued his interest.

"That's… actually really cool," he said, his voice softening as he warmed to the topic. "I've read a bit about that too. How the Sith started as a species, with their own culture and traditions. The way it evolved into what it is now—it's fascinating. And yeah, it's so different from the Jedi."

Kai hesitated, then added, "My grandmother's a Sith, and she's taught me a lot about their philosophy and history. But, uh… she also makes me study Jedi stuff. For balance, I guess."

Her question about his favorite subjects caught him off guard, and he took a moment to think before answering. "I like alchemy," he said, his tone more confident now. "There's something… satisfying about creating something tangible with the Force. My grandmother's really into it too, so it's kind of a big focus for me."

The Heir of House Raaf glanced at her, his smile small but genuine. "But, uh… history's great too. Especially the weird stuff. Like ancient artifacts or old Sith ruins. There's always some strange story behind them."

The young man sipped his drink, trying not to overthink his words. She's still talking to you, Kai. Don't mess this up. "What about you? Got a favorite Sith Lord? Or, uh, anything in particular you want to learn about?"

 

[Myunnah]

​

People, people, lot of people, lot of noise. Flashing lights and smells. Where was.... Ah! Myunnah pushed hew way through the crowd, Tuk'ata house scarf around her neck and Sithmas hat perched atop her head. She had been discussing The Rule of Two and how it applied to Sidious's manifesto, Absolute Power, with a few of the staff while drinking when her comm had gone off. One enthusiastic bit of assistance later, and she was off to find her Thumbs.

"Naamino! Cub. Come." She said on reaching him. He was with his friend and had drink, but she pressed her shout about his head to direct him towards the entrance of the dance hall and out to the night air. "Need your hands to sign for something." She told him by way of explanation as she pressed him out through the crowds in her excitement. If his friends joined him on this impromptu errand, she didn't care to notice.

Outside, pulled off the road leading up the mountain where it wouldn't be in the way, was a heavy-lift repulsor truck. The driver, who was in his cold-weather Outer Rim Resources coveralls and tossing the straps off of the tarps still covering the large angular load, stopped and proffered a delivery pad at their approach. "Just sign here." He said, pointing as he passed the device over to Naamino. "Heya Miss Myunnah." He greeted her, and she nodded back at him while wondering if they'd ever met. Nice man, everybody who worked at that company was.

Naamino Zuukamano

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

The boy's eyes widened as he saw a familiar... snout enter his range of view. Grinning despite the feeling of overwhelm that had begun to creep up on him. With an unoccupied hand Naamino ruffled the top of her head in a familiar gesture as she guided him.

"Need your hands to sign for something." She told him by way of explanation as she pressed him out through the crowds in her excitement.

"Yeah? Alright, happy to help Myu."

He breathed deep the night air and felt himself calm incrementally. Soon curiosity had the better of him though and he though to ask as he accepted the delivery pad.

"What am I signing for?"

 

[Myunnah]

"Because you have thumbs." Myunnah helpfully reminded Naamino when he asked before nudging him impatiently until he went through with signing and passed the pad back to the driver.

He looked it over, frowning as he tried to make out the name on the receipt before shrugging. "It's alright, Mr. Zuckerman, I think it's for you anyway." He said as he tossed the pad back into the truck's cab before clambering up into the bed. Taking hold of the cover, he tugged it up and let the cold wind billow beneath the cloth to lift it from beneath before he whipped it away to reveal a sleek Zephyr Skyhopper. Its wings were folded over to fit in the truck's bed, but the dagger-like nose still jutted forwards. Glistening blue under the waxed gloss finish as it sat there. And as if to erase any doubt, stenciled along the flank under the ball-cockpit sat the pilot identifier...

Myunnah patted the Zabrak boy across his back, one massive paw covering his shoulder blades and nearly knocking him forwards. "Is present! For you!" She proudly exclaimed while her tail swept away furrows of snow out of the road behind them. "Happy Sithmas."

Naamino Zuukamano

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

"Oof" came the winded sound as Myunnah patted him on the back.

Naami was stunned silent for a moment, wide eyes taking in the princely gift. Then he whirled on the great tuk-ata in a rare show of energetic excitement.

"REALLY?! Thank you, Myunnah!"

He threw his arms around her broad neck and pressed his forehead to the side of her face. A gesture from one horned creature to another conveying affection and appreciation. Then, despite his extreme gratitude and wish to make it clear to his warbeast mentor, Naami turned as if unable to keep still for long and bounded toward the ship to examine it up close.

 

[Orion Pavond]

KORRIBAN - CRYSTAL CAVERNS - SABACC TABLE
Madrona A’Mia | Darth Hemorpheus | Cord Starfall | The Red

Orion's eyes briefly scanned the opposition at this harmless card game as he gently, if anxiously, drummed his fingers against the table. Darth Hemorpheus. A woman now hung on his arm, and all his attention was devoted to her and not the game. An easy mark unless the Sith was using the female as a distraction on the other players. A classic tactic but one that Orion knew all too well.

Instead, his ears caught the beginnings of a bet. Sharing information regarding titles. Orion rubbed his neck before looking back down at his cards, sighing in thought. What titles could he share, if he decided to humor this game? Not many at all, if any.

"Your mother must have thought so highly of you," Orion commented as the "loser" ( Cord Starfall ) of the round shared her particular title.

It was not an insult. Merely testing the waters as the woman spoke that final word of hers with a particular venom.

Darth Sekhmet. That implied a Sith heritage. Not even a single person at this table was not a Sith. Interesting. A minor statistical anomaly. He would have thought at least one other person at this table may have held more neutral ties. Perhaps that would not be the case at this table.

His eyes briefly flitted to the Neti speaking. Lord Seer of Korriban. Someone here was rather important. Not a singular Darth, but someone here held a unique rank. Nodding at each relevant piece of information, Orion kept quiet before setting his cards facedown onto the table, keeping his original hand and not hitting for any more.

"Definitely a colorful bunch."

 

[Darth Hemorpheus]

Lord Hemopheus decided with the rolls he had made to check, to not roll another, and wait to see how this pot would play out. His attention shifting to the Green Skinned One Orion Pavond as he turned back to the table of cards and the great pot. The stakes were secrets, a most dangerous game, and yet he had nothing to hide, that was where he differed from those dark lords who used their self importance as a cloak. What he sought was far beyond thrones on the Sith Worlds or even on Jedi strongholds. As he played this game of Sabaac, The Lord of Life considered everyone at table, a most unusual conclave of guests, and yet it was stimulating.

He ,made a look at Sahira Keto who he was glad was there. Her presence was distracting, particularly to him. It was quite possible she could make him lose this game, and if so, so be it. He reaching out in gesture, to ask her to come and sit on his lap. Was he under her spell? The Krath Witch had tried to penetrate his mind, his heart however was an easier target due to the pain of losing Ana. It mattered not, in truth most Sith were out to undermine and destroy one another eventually, and when he had completed His Odyssey, he would be beyond their threats. He would Lord Plagueis a pretender by what he planned to achieve and take his place in the Darth Pantheon, and even transcend it. This was no secret, though few understood what he was about to do in a galaxy, far, far, away from this one...