Seasonal Festival of Stars — Life Day Event [Open to RNR and Friends]

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Brandyn Sal-Soren | Briana Sal-Soren | Blaire Sal-Soren | Lossa Aureus

​

Lorn took a step back as Brandyn slid in between him and the introduction to the others Sal-Sorens. Clasping hands with Brandyn, he gave him a suggestive look, there were dynamics here that Lorn wasn't quite aware of, he figured. "Just… happy to be here," he replied to Brandyn. "You have quite the Padawan, very skilled from my experience with her." he added, a genuine compliment in his tone.

He smiled and gave a respectful nod to each of the women as Brandyn introduced them. He remembered two of them from one of his first days at the temple. What a show that had become, but Briana had handled it well, considering the chaotic situation. "It's quite alright. I understand how Padawans can be sometimes." he replied to Briana, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Lorn watched as Brandyn whispered something to his sister before exiting the group. "Newlyweds, huh? How exciting..." he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. As they tracked their brother across the party to find his wife, Lorn snagged two more champagne glasses from a roaming server. In the whole cluster of Lorn joining the group, Briana had spilled a bit of her drink, so Lorn handed her another with a smile. "I'm settling in well. Everyone is very warm and welcoming." he replied to her question about his adjustment to the temple.

Lorn's thought was interrupted quickly by Blaire's unexpected comment. He stared back in a little bit of shock, unsure of the underlying current between the sisters. He looked over Briana's lilac dress; she did look lovely, commanding the room in an elegant way. "The dress is… very stunning." he managed nervously. His focus shifted quickly from lingering too long on Briana to the other two. "You all look wonderful." he added, trying to diffuse any potential awkwardness.

He took a sip of his champagne, hoping to feel a little more comfortable with some liquid courage. His eyes averted slightly, not wanting to overstep in any way. He spotted Brandyn and his wife in the distance. "How did they meet? They look very good together." Lorn said with a genuine smile, his observation a way to steer the conversation away from the subtly charged atmosphere surrounding the Sal-Soren sisters. The comment felt safe, a neutral observation about a happy couple, a welcome respite from the unspoken tensions he sensed swirling around him.

 

[Joro Kal'nath]

ATTIRE: Jedi Robes
TAGS: Zaiya Ceti | Aris Noble | Etc.

They left that tent behind, thankfully, and it seemed most of the group was breaking up, which meant he might be able to get a word in edgewise without someone swiping all of Zaiya's attention. Or framing her for shoplifting. Or hitting him in the face, even though he'd deserved it. When the other guy spoke, and he must have been someone she knew since he acted like he was familiar with her he figured he'd answer.

"They were talking about Lysander," he said, though he flipped a dismissive hand. "He's been a jerk to her and so people think it means he likes her. I think it's just because he's a noble prick."

He shrugged his shoulders and walked along, waiting until they were further away to speak to Zaiya. Mostly because he hoped she would have calmed down some from what she'd just been through.

"Zaiya do you have any idea what kind of things Lossa likes? I want to get her something but I just don't know what to get."

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

A SENTIMENTAL FEELING
Wandering Dee'ja Peak's Marketplace
Interacting with: Aris Noble Joro Kal'nath

Zaiya's skin practically exploded in a comical spazz of shifting colors, rosy gold blotched with streaks of coral and lavender as her cheeks puffed out in an exasperated huff. She blew out a frustrated breath, the sound almost as dramatic as the storm of hues rippling across her. Of all the things to discuss now, she didn't want to cover that. It was just embarrassing.

How had it come to this? Zaiya mused as she took a bite of the street food. She began to chew furiously. Thankfully, Joro jumped in to clarify. At least someone was seeing things for what they were, even though for the Lovalla, it didn't make sense. How does someone show they like someone by acting like that?

"Lysander, is Cora's younger brother," Zaiya began to explain, "He's also a Padawan, but he's stationed at the Sanctuary here on Naboo."

Her colors began to settle, streaks of soft amber and pale blue washing over her as she pressed on. "I am not sure why they think he's my boyfriend... nothing he did even seemed to suggest that."

She paused, the faintest flicker of dark grey in hurt shading her cheeks. "Honestly... it just felt... mean."

In the back of her mind, though, a small voice nagged at her. She had been the one to go after his lightsaber first, hadn't she? She'd also been trying to apologize for what happened back at the Camaas Temple, but then it all seemed to go sideways...

Her shoulders slumped as her colors dimmed, muted shades of dove blue greys creeping into her skin.

"...But I'm also to blame for how I acted," she admitted quietly, the food wrapper crinkling between her hands before she took another bite. "I didn't want to fight; it just...happened. And now..."

Her voice trailed off, and she seemed to look off into the distance, watching the marketplace patrons wander to shop. She didn't like this feeling, not being liked, not knowing how to fix it, and definitely not how Lysander seemed to know exactly how to get under her skin.

"Anyways...." Zaiya shook her head, pushing the thoughts aside and forcing her attention back to Joro. A distraction was exactly what she needed.

"A present for Lossa?" she repeated, biting her lip in thought at the Zeltron, Lossa Aureus .

"Umm... Honestly, I'm not sure what she'd like," Zaiya admitted, the Lovalla shifting her weight fromone foot to the next, "I know she wears her helm and armor and seems to like technology, but I don't know much else about what she's into."

Her mind wandered to the market stalls they'd passed earlier, the colorful displays and bustling vendors brimming with options. What Mahsa and Corazona von Ascania had reference before during their conversation. "Oh! I heard the latest Lady Velvet novel came out. People are raving about it. Maybe that?"

Zaiya smiled, proud of the suggestion.

 

[Aris Noble]

Lysander.. Oh. Cora's little brother. Oh the one he sparred with him and Roman once. And he was the one that Zaiya had bumped into. But why was he being mean to Zaiya? Aris tilted his head in thought, taking another bite of his snack. Chewed. Swallowed, then nodded once. "Well, whatever's going on, I know you can talk to him and figure it out. If you ever need help I'm always here to back you up. He reached out to help me with the lightsaber training the last time I actually spoke to him, so I don't think he's a bad person."

Even though Lysander von Ascania was already teamed up with Roman Vossari , the two did invite him in, even with a smile. Whatever was happening there, he was certain Zaiya could handle it. There was no one nicer and more understanding that he knew of, at least.

But that topic didn't last. He blinked, glancing to Joro first. Lossa? He didn't actually know Lossa, so he kept quiet on gift advice. Zaiya though seemed to know something as a suggestion. Lady Velvet? Valery Noble had one of those books that he'd seen, but he wasn't interested in reading it. Maybe Zaiya was? Oh. Well now he had a gift idea for her.

Joro Kal'nath | Zaiya Ceti

 

[Rik Perris]

HER BLESSINGS FLOW
THE QUEEN'S RETREAT - DEE'JA PEAK - NABOO

After gaining clearance on his return to Naboo, landing his X-Wing, and passing through checkpoints - all an easier flow, this second time around - Rik made his way out to where, hazarding a guess, his few friends and acquaintances in this place were in the midst of all the festivities... he'd gotten a fair idea the last time, and as much as the outcomes of that night had caused him to take a step back, he couldn't fault the ballroom scene for it, even if it normally wasn't his scene.

He would always choose the smaller, close-knit gatherings, hands down, but he did have to face it: he'd made friends among the elite, here, and fancy dress and dancing was how they often celebrated. He would have to get used to it... even if the high society atmosphere might possibly remind him of how easily he had let his deepest desires take the wheel a year past and how blind he had been, it couldn't force a repeat.

And in good conscience, he couldn't let the season pass without making certain that one friend in particular would be surrounded by as much joy and warmth as he and others could muster. It couldn't replace what Briana Sal-Soren was without, but he'd be damned if he didn't make the effort.

So, once he entered the ballroom at the Queen's Mountain Retreat, Rik was of a mind to hit the bar, first and foremost, to order a Whyren's, neat (an indulgence he reserved for holidays and special occasions) and while he waited, he spied the head of the Nabooian Order keeping the company of people he did and didn't recognise; the other woman with Briana gave him pause, and his eyes narrowed briefly as he peered past Lorn Reingard at the imperfectly dolled up woman in green, glanced to Briana, then back.

[ Maybe looking perfectly put together is just her thing, ] he thought of Briana.

Given the broad strokes of what he knew of what happened to the Sal-Soren family, it might make sense that some of them were struggling, even now. The subject of family hadn't come up to any extent between him and the younger knight that didn't pertain to the excavation he'd been on, yet after utterly missing the resemblance with Lossa Aureus when he'd first met the Zeltron, his eyes were way open; in his defense, he hadn't seen Briana in a few years at that point.

Easy mistake.

But as for who this woman was to Briana, there was a way to find out, and once he received the glass of Whyren's from the barkeep, Rik made his way over to the small group of people in a black three piece suit with a red tie and 'kerchief, walking with an easy confidence in his gait. You know, the usual.

"Lorn!" he said with a smile that infected the word, clapping a hand on the other man's shoulder as he reached them and deliberately ignored the tension, as if his presence, or perhaps the depth of his voice could cut it; he then turned to the radiant woman in the fine blue dress. His smile warmed, "Briana, you look like the promise of a thaw, the embodiment of a delicate icicle that will melt into spring," he let his hand slip off of Lorn's shoulder, and hooked the thumb into a trouser pocket, "beautiful, but don't stay frozen for too long or I'll have to do something about it."

A corner of his mouth reached for his eyes, faintly gleaming with almost mischievous mirth, but he hoped she would get the message: Enjoy yourself, take joy in those around you... or else? He took a sip of his drink, and finally turned to Blaire Sal-Soren , who looked like she would be just as at-home at the club. It hadn't at all escaped him that he might be getting too old for that scene, with his thirties looming over his head.

Maybe. Maybe not.

"Rik," he greeted with the same warmth, deep brown eyes settling on the other woman, as he shifted the glass to his left hand and offered his right, "Rik Perris, Jedi Knight."

Brandyn Sal-Soren • Cybelle Sal-Soren • Dreidi Xeraic​

 

[Joro Kal'nath]

ATTIRE: Jed Robies
TAGS: Zaiya Ceti | Aris Noble

Zaiya mentioned that Lossa liked her armor and helmet, and that gave him at least a small idea. She also mentioned the Lady Velvet books, which he didn't know what those were, so he mentally logged that and simply nodded his head. At least he had SOMETHING to work with now. If he wanted to get to know her better, the idea was to give her an ice breaker, and doing that was the entire reason for his being at the festival in the first place. To acquire the ice breaker.

"Thanks, Zaiya," he said, stopping in his tracks. "Think I know what I'm going to get for her. You two have fun."

He dipped his head to both and went back out into the market proper. First thing he checked was the book vendors, but after reading the covers of the Lady Velvet books, he decided that was probably not going to be a good gift. Set the wrong tone right off the bat. He wasn't trying to get like that with her at the moment and he didn't want her to think he just viewed her that way.

One of the other stalls had something more fitting, so he picked something out and then headed back home for the night. He was tired, but he needed to get the gift wrapped and delivered first. Then he'd go to bed.

-Joro Exit-

 

[Brandyn Sal-Soren]

The way those eyes looked at him. They way they reflected an imagine of himself that he did not recognise. The image of a man worthy of the way those eyes looked at him. Brandyn found that all to familiar guilt resurface. His smile, now tainted with a deep sense of unworthiness, was nonetheless sincere.

He had never seen Cybelle drunk before. It had never occurred to him that she could be in such a state. And what did he find? The most beautiful being in all the galaxy was even more adorable when inebriated.

He offered a breathy chuckle at her comment about the Life Day tree. "You said I could decorate ours...remember?" He said, remembering how eager she was to get it up, but how time poor she was with all the humanitarian efforts she was engaged in, "the eyesore back home is only there because you unleashed my glaring lack of talent upon it."

Brandyn moved slightly, to wrap his arms around her properly. Despite seeming shortfootedness, she had not moved too far from where he found her. He wasn't quite sure she would be able to walk in a straight line. "It isn't spiked, Cy," he whispered, with a soft kiss of the corner of his mouth against her ear, "that is how it usually is in the Queen's Life Day event." Despite her being of noble birth, he forgot sometimes how little interaction she had had with actual nobility growing up. He and his sister's were probably the closest to aristocracy that she had known consistently in her youth.

"Your...whole world?" He said, guilt stained grin meeting her declaration, "wow...that's like...the size of a planet...I am a lucky guy."

The corner of Brandyn's eyes glistened with impending tears. If she had been sober, she would undoubtedly be already softly rebuking him for the lack of complete acceptance. It was just that he had done so much wrong in life, and the universe had somehow seen fit to grant him the most perfect right thing he could possibly comprehend.

She rested her hand on her heart, and his hand soon covered hers. He tried to speak, but her soft declarations were so innocent and pure that he found his throat closing up. Brandyn looked away, and breathed out heavily. His attempt to regain composure helped him realise that there was not just a couple people looking their way. He offered those that occasionally glanced there way a sheepish smile and tipped an imaginary glass towards his mouth as a signal to them that there was alcohol involved. The curious bystanders returned the smile, som offering a small laugh.

His attention was brought back to Cybelle as she poked his chest. This brought on a hearty chuckle as he shook his head. "Yeah...I know...I am your husband...you are my wife...I was there too, remember? We were both at the wedding."

"Your Brandyn is all I have ever wanted to be," he said with a soft kiss on her forehead, "come on...let's get you home. I think you have had enough."

As much as this was cute, he was a little concerned as to whether she would stop drinking the egg-nog. Cute drunk Cybelle was one thing. Stumbling, messy, rambunctious drunk Cybelle was something she would be horrified to have to live down. He figured it was probably his job to see she didn't go much further down this path.

Hand around her waist, and other hand entwining with her own, Brandyn started to lead her towards the exit. "You know...I think you are the prettiest person here tonight. And I saw some pretty fancy fellas over by the dance floor."

Cybelle Sal-Soren

 

[Lossa Aureus]

Mansion Estate
Wearing
Heels, Bracelet
Hidden Broken Core Dagger
Briana Sal-Soren | Brandyn Sal-Soren | Blaire Sal-Soren | Lorn Reingard | Rik Perris
Zane Cameron​

Brandyn introduced them all to Lorn. Lossa making the effort to not have her drink blocking her face as she settled into that mask of agreeable silence as the others spoke at length about different things.

Social circles were her thing, and now she was idling nearby letting someone else handle them. Then again, seeing Brandyn merry did take some of the sting away from how she was feeling. An easy air about him of comfort even being in such a large gathering. Perhaps things had been going well since last she knew? She hoped sincerely that they were for someone at least. The least she could do was wish well for those around her. The sparse smile dropping as Brandyn made to leave before surprising her by taking her hand and whispering to her.

Cold lightning skittered down her neck and through her spine at his words.

Good news comes in all forms.

"Ah. You-wai-" Stammering after him as she wondered just how she was supposed to respond to that news. A lead! From anyone else that might have received a snarky retort. From him though. Surprise dominated her expression as she stared after him. Daring to be hopeful as her eyes shone just a little, turning her back to Lorn and the others briefly to dab at her eyes. To maintain decorum. A deep inhale held to calm the sudden teary joy she felt as she deposited the empty flute onto a passing serving tray.

"Damn you. I didn't want to cry today" Hissing under her breath that ended with a tiny laugh as she watched Brandyn leave her sight. Maybe life day wasn't so bad? Sniffling slightly as she let the hope settle into her heart. Turning back in time to hear Blaire put not just her, but Lorn on the spot to compliment Briana's dress. A wide eyed glance to Briana before her gaze moved to Lorn. She had missed something the way the air had become stiflingly awkward.

"Uh, yeah?" Her answer as much a question as she stared at the trio

Then Rik arrived, and used that dazzling charm of his. Earning a sigh from Lossa as she watched him intently. At least until her datapad chimed. A cutesy sounding alert that had her fumbling through the clutch she had to silence it until she realized who that chime meant messaged her.

How's your life-day going?

"Oh, you know. Freezing my ass off, as usual. Hope you're behaving yourself."

Smirking now as she typed out a reply and hit send.

Always. Why freezing your ass off? Are you not bundled up?

The message sent off and the datapad half slid into her clutch until she paused and looked at it once more. The speed of the reply along with the content of the message made her wonder briefly. Messages in the Outer Rim had taken some time. Even from planet to planet in the core had taken a hot standard min to send and get a reply. Taking the datapad and tapping it to her lips in thought before her scrunched brow rose slightly. Realization dawning as she put a hand on Briana's with all the seriousness she could muster.

Her smile bright as she spoke.

"Hey, I gotta go meet someone. Message me if you need something." The datapad slipping back into her clutch as she gave Briana a quick hug before doing the same to Blaire.

"I'll catch up with you in a bit. Have fun!"

Making the watching you gesture to Rik before she turned and left them there with Lorn.

Taking hurried steps towards the exit without looking back. Excited energy emanating from her as she cleared the doorway and half-sprinted into the cold air. Too excited to grab her coat on the way out as she looked around at the guests filing about, some looking at her and others trying to go about their holiday.

"Just arrive or hiding?" Thinking back to the message in question as she set off for the port.

 

[Zane Cameron]

Zane adjusted the scarf around his neck, his sharp blue eyes scanning the square as a new wave of frost-laden wind swept through. The holomap on his datapad had pointed him toward this area, but with the growing Life Day crowds, spotting a familiar face wasn't easy. Still, he wasn't discouraged. Lossa had a way of standing out, even in a sea of people, and sure enough, after a few more moments, his gaze landed on her.

She was moving with hurried steps, her excitement practically radiating off her as she darted through the crowd. Zane tilted his head slightly, noticing immediately that she wasn't wearing a coat. His brow furrowed, and his smirk tugged at the corner of his lips all at once.

He weaved his way through the crowd,, keeping just enough distance to watch her for a moment longer. Her energy was unmistakable, her vibrant presence a stark contrast to the cold, subdued colors of the wintry square. He'd missed this — missed her. More than he realized, it seemed.

Finally, Zane quickened his pace and closed the gap between them. He stepped up just behind her and, with his signature confident smirk, broke the momentary silence.

"Seems I'm not the only one freezing my ass off. No coat?" His voice was teasing, laced with warmth as he tilted his head to glance at her.

As Lossa turned, Zane took the opportunity to look her over. She was stunning, as always, but something about seeing her here, the Life Day lights casting a soft glow over her features, struck him deeper than he'd anticipated.

"You look incredible," he said softly, his teasing tone giving way to sincerity.

Lossa Aureus ​

 

[Lossa Aureus]

Wearing
Heels, Bracelet
Hidden Broken Core Dagger
Zane Cameron​

So excited she was she didn't feel the cold.

Just the rush of a day that had been bleak tranformed into something else entirely. The dull red of her eyes brightened to a vibrant and polished ruby color as her eyes danced across the crowds. Scanning each for a brief time to see if it was the one she was searching for or not.

Her senses tingling as footsteps near her quickened and seemed to follow her.

Words quicker to find her than she was to find the source as that familiar voice found her. Turning to see him finally as the surprise of him being there, actually being here hit her.

"I." Stunned by his observation as she looked at her exposed skin before looking back to him. "I wanted to see you."

Stepping close enough now to feel that he was real. He was actually here. Reaching a hand out to rest on his chest as her eyes brightened. Piling on top of the hopeful news Brandyn had given her the excitement gave way to overwhelming joy. His compliment making her lip wobble as both hands slid around his waist.

Hugging him tight to her while she tried to keep herself from crying.

"You look good." Voice muffled from trying to wrap him around her as if it he would slip away from her. To keep this moment forever for just a little longer. Her breath hitching as joy conquered the dour mood that had cloaked her.

"I missed you." She finally managed to relax her hug enough to lean back. Eyes wet from tears with a smile that made her face hurt.

 

[Zane Cameron]

Zane’s confident smirk softened into something warmer as Lossa stepped close, her hand resting against his chest. The way her vibrant red eyes shimmered, and the sheer joy radiating from her, made his heart ache in the best way. As her arms wrapped tightly around him, he didn’t hesitate to return the hug, pulling her close as if he could shield her from everything else in the world.

“I missed you, too,” he murmured against her hair, his voice low and sincere. His hands rested gently on her back, and for a moment, it felt like everything else — Life Day crowds, the cold, the galaxy itself — faded away. “More than I even realized.”

When she leaned back, her tearful smile tugging at something deep inside him, Zane couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Come on now,” he said, brushing his thumb gently across her cheek to catch a stray tear. “Don’t cry. You’ll make me start.”

Before she could protest, he slipped off his coat and carefully draped it around her shoulders, his movements slow and deliberate. “You didn’t think I’d let you freeze out here, did you?” he teased, though his tone was gentle. He adjusted the collar, making sure she was bundled up before stepping back slightly, his hands lingering on her shoulders.

“You really do look amazing,” Zane said, his gaze meeting hers. “But you’re going to look even better once we warm you up with something hot to drink.”

He offered his arm with a crooked grin. “What do you say? Walk with me? There’s got to be a café or stand nearby that won’t ruin us with overpriced Life Day drinks. Though… I’d still pay it just for the company.”

The playful glint in his eyes softened as he added, “Let’s make the most of today. Just you and me.”

Lossa Aureus ​

 

[Orion Pavond]

NABOO - DEE'JA PEAK - MARKETPLACE
Zara Saga | Lily Decoria | Cerys Dyn

There was a small moment of confusion that Orion recovered from quickly as he watched the Togruta walk past him without a single word uttered. His eyes traced themselves towards Lily as she began asking for the Togruta woman's whereabouts. Orion cast a quick glance over his shoulder, debating whether or not to share the information.

Right now, he would elect to trust the Echani woman to help the Togruta. For now, at least. There was a certain task at hand that required his full attention.

"She went that way. Hurry or you will lose her," Orion gestured a direction for Lily to follow.

Before heading off on his own charted course, "I will be there to assist in a moment. If you will excuse me."

Perhaps what he was about to do was unnecessary. At least in the eyes of others and especially the more stoic and adherent Jedi who held fast to the code. But Orion would either find justice and compassion or make his own, one way or another. This was a holiday of joy, of compassion, of selflessness.

Today, there would be a reminder this was also a holiday of consequences.

Someone had tried to frame one of the padawans. Time to return that particular favor. Orion might not have known the full details, but he knew a hustle when he saw one.

Orion took several careful yet confident steps in his plan. First, chart out the girl's course. It appeared she was traveling with a group. They would be a non-issue. Instead, Orion began traveling to one of the stalls further up along the path. The usual bartering process began as he started haggling, in a friendly manner, while enunciating his words with every movement of his hands. Paying for a small trinket and waving a thankful goodbye, Orion's backstepping would be the next phase of the plan.

As he tripped into Zara Saga and causing the pair of them to tumble down into the ground. Or, at least, that was the attempt. Orion figured his height and weight would assist in this matter.

"Sorry! I was not looking where I was going," Orion panicked as he scrambled to get back up on his feet, "Let me help you up!"

And as he tried pulling her up, as her mind and body tried adjusting to the sudden pain, Orion's hand would quickly slip into her pocket in trying to snatch away her necklace and pocket it for himself deep yet subtly in his sleeves. It was not even his intended target. He figured she would keep a wallet on her or something valuable. Instead, his hand naturally traveled towards the small Force-imbued object, almost by something more primal than instinct.

It would have to do for now. He doubted this young woman would catch on to his tricks, but better to be safe than sorry. He was definitely quicker and faster than most, and it was that talent that would keep him out of trouble.

Unless something rather unexpected happen. He should leave. Quickly.

Brushing and patting off any snow on her at first to distract her further, Orion's hands flailed in apology before he tried taking a few steps back, "Again, sorry, miss. I hope your dress is not terribly ruined."

 

[Zara Saga]

Tags: Orion Pavond​

The Diarchs, with their measured gait, were a slow-moving glacier on this frozen path. Zara kicked at the snow, each clump a small rebellion against the agonizing pace. When would this infernal night of romantic pleasantries finally end? The thought was barely finished when she was blindsided, the impact sending a sharp jolt up her spine. She landed hard, the cold dirt a jarring contrast to the warmth she'd been trying to cultivate against the night's chill.

She glared up at the culprit, the man a tangle of flailing limbs and panicked apologies. "Don't touch me!" she snapped, scrambling to her feet with a surprising agility that belied her earlier sprawl. His continued hovering was an insult, an admission that she needed his help, and she pushed him away with unnecessary force. He was a nuisance, nothing more.

Then something shifted, a faint tremor in the Force. It was a feeling, like a missing limb, and her awareness zeroed in on the pocket where her pendant had resided. She slammed her hand against the empty fabric, a cold dread twisting in her gut. Her eyes widened, pupils dilating with fury. She pivoted, the measured calm she had been forcing evaporating instantly, and ran after the retreating man.

He was faster than he appeared, but her stride was fueled by a dark, primal anger that pushed past the polite constraints of the gathering. She caught up with him just as he was about to disappear into the crowd, shoving him hard in the back. "Give it back!" she hissed, her voice low and dangerous with a barely suppressed snarl, her teeth gritted in a way that made a promise of pain. There was no room for niceties, no space for etiquette. This was hers, and she would not be denied.

The fire in her eyes burned bright, a warning that she was no ordinary guest to be trifled with. She wouldn't attack. Not here, not with the Diarchs' watchful eyes upon them. But she wouldn't let him slip away either.

 

[Cerys Dyn]

She was perfectly happy with her unhappy thoughts. Lily's arrival was an intrusion, but a begrudgingly welcome one. Cerys did not feel like having company, in fact, it was the last thing she wanted, but she could here her master's voice in the back of her head.

Go and make some friends. Spend time with people. Have fun.

No, it was not the words of her late Master El-Vanna. It was the words of her current master, Brandyn 'why don't I just show off how happy I am being newly married' Sal-Soren. Cerys guessed that it was probably a wise thing to do to obey your master. Still. She didn't like it very much.

"Alone and sitting down...the view is just fine," she said. Her words offended her with how pouty they sounded. She turned her head away from Lily, being annoyed with herself.

After a few awkward, silent moments, Cerys let out a long slow sigh and stood oh so slowly. She pulled her head more snuggly around her face as the wind picked up a little. Her arms then crossed over her chest. Everything about her posture said she did not want to admit that Lily was right.

"Brandyn sent you didn't he?" She said finally.

She glanced over at her friend fellow Jedi. "You know what he told me today...we won't be practicing with the saber for another three weeks...just more humanitarian assignments with his wife. I mean...it needs to be done...but can you believe that? I have had to train with the blade on my own time. He is doing nothing to help me grow as a Jedi...nothing to help me gain more skill or knowledge..."

She was about to say more but caught herself, huffed loudly and then bit her tongue. She looked back at the water as it flowed by.

"Sure. It is better when you stand up," she said, saying nothing of the company.

Lily Decoria