Private Festival of the Lights

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: Garde Noire, Festival of the Lights
Time of day: Evening, sunset
Tags: | Cali Ziiva | Danielle Mueller |

Cultural traditions were very important to a world like Illyira. For a place that was so isolated at times from the rest of the galactic events, it was important that the traditions that had been held for so long and held so dear be upheld for generations, so that when they did start becoming part of the larger galaxy, they would remember exactly where they came from. This was especially important on days near the end of the year, such as Elder’s day. There were traditions that were upheld all over the planet, of course, such as gift giving and familial meals, but the smaller towns, like Garde Noire, had their own traditions.

The Festival of the Lights was a long held tradition of the entire town meeting in the city quarter, where a massive bonefire would be lit and the entire town would gather around it. There, ale fermented for the entire year would finally be broken out for the celebration of a good year of mining, and hopes that the next year would bring even better. Around the fire, drinks, gifts, and presents would be exchanged, and the festival would blend well into the night, with many falling asleep around the fire. The next day was always designated as a day of rest, as the foremen knew exactly how unproductive they would all be, including themselves.

Tonight would be Xobos’ first time attending the festival, and it would also be the first time that the ruler of the Garde Noire providence had come in over five years. There was expectations, doubts, and to say she wasn’t feeling the pressure would be lie unfit for a lady such as herself. Yet all those feelings clouded her mind, even as she began to get dressed. She knew she had been distant for the day from Cali as well, something she desperately hoped to reconcile before the night was over.

As well as Cali, her other guest for the night would be one of her master’s apprentices, one that she had grown quite accustomed to and had begun to develop a fondness of. She exactly how hard training was, and the strains it could bring. To give her a night out of the palace, in a place where warmth and love could be felt, would do her good. It always did her good to get out every once in a while.

Pulling on the fur coat that would hopefully keep her warm for the evening, she stepped out of her private suite and into the hall, expecting to see Cali waiting for her. When the bouncing Zeltron wasn’t there, a slight frown followed, before she called out, hoping that the pink alien would hear. “Cali? Are you almost ready? I told Dani to arrive soon!”

 

[Danielle Mueller]

Location: Garde Noire, Festival of the Lights
Time of day: Evening, sunset
Tags: Cali Ziiva | Xobos Yakieer

The invitation had come at a fortunate time as Danielle had recently returned from a prolonged mission handed down by their Master, Adron Malvern ; He of whom was responsible for the introducing the two girls to one another and giving Dee a sense of kinship she'd never really had before.

Accompanying her was the ball of fluff in her arms that had yet to be named, the Illyrian Shadow Wolf pup that had been gifted to her by their Master for the progress and success of her recent assignment. He was absolutely the most adorable thing Dani had ever seen and had immediately fallen in love with the little Pupper...-He really did need a name though.

Garde Noire wasn't exactly a place that Dee was familiar with, yet as she wandered the streets on the way to the meeting point that she'd been told, she and the Pup both seemed captivated by the sights and sounds of the locals, they of whom also seemed to think this festival of lights was a big deal. Being around a place of technology once again, Danielle was simply thankful to have had a decent sanisteam before her arrival, as the former moon she had been on for months had been rather primitive compared.

Not knowing her way around as well as she'd have liked, Dani wandered in the best guess of a direction as by the directions Xobos had given her. Not entirely confident but enjoying the stroll all the same and hoping she'd bump into her and Cali sooner or later.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

A soft giggle filled the room.

The blue light of a holoprojection was faintly cast over all the furnishing as countless images and text flashed in and out of frame. Occasionally the Zeltron wiggled her fingers and waved her hands to help conduct the flow of data.

Before she knew it, a notification popped up in a corner. With a flick of the wrist the entire display winked out of existence. Cali bounced toward the door immediately afterward with a smile on her lips. It was Xobos time!

Okay, it was always Xobos time. But it was especially Xobos time. Like, time to meet the Miraluka so they could go party. Hey, a festival was a party. Not every party had bodies crashing or rubbing together and ear-bleeding music. She could even hear the cutey's voice now -- cause she was calling for Cali to make herself present. It was nice being wanted, you know?

A little Force magic and the doors popped open for the Pink One to bounce right through them. She threw her arms out wide as she leaped toward her ever so considerate and tolerant cutey. "Here I am, Xoxo!"

Naturally her outfit was of bright hues. As a pink -- or purple -- skinned people, Zeltrons were naturally predisposed to more...outlandish styles than most. 'Course black looked fine too, but with their cheery disposition it was usually something bright. Tonight seemed appropriate for cheer. It was a festival, right? So be festive. They could go with the matching-Sith-emo look when Xobos actually invited her Pink along for a mission.

Until she was invited, Cali planned to sneak aboard the ship wearing the brightest thing she could find and challenge the Big Bad to a dance off. Okay, probably not, but she'd totally start stowing away if the Miraluka kept trying to keep her 'safe.' Like, being cared for was totally cool and wonderful, but Cali wasn't made of glass. Not that her bubbly disposition probably suggested otherwise.

"Wait," Cali drew back from the hug to look at Xobos, "did you tell her to meet here or just meet now?" Like, was Dani coming here, or were they going to Dani?

Tag: Xobos Yakieer | Danielle Mueller

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: Garde Noire, Festival of the Lights
Time of day: Evening, sunset
Tags: | Cali Ziiva | Danielle Mueller |

There were times where Xobos wished that she had eyes. Not for the conventional sense, like that she could see normally or anything like that, but for the fact that she wished that she could convey certain….emotes. Such as the fact that when Cali asked an extremely obvious question that she should be able to answer, she’d blink once, twice, while her brain desperately started to work. Instead, the Miraluka practically stared right into the Zeltron before her lips contorted into a slightly worried frown, her voice being drawn into a similar disposition. “I…think I told her to come here..but that might not have been properly..conveyed.”

Realizing just how bad a very new and younger apprentice wandering the streets of Garde Noire by herself with no one to show her where to go, Xobos practically grabbed the Zeltron’s arm and sprinted toward the manor’s opening. The urge to find the young apprentice had quite literally doubled knowing just how much trouble it would get her in if she was found her while in her town. It was probably the worst thing that could happen to both dani, herself, and the providence as a whole.

Thankfully, the sprint from the manor to the town itself was not long whatsoever. What wasn’t so good was the fact that the town was absolutely bustling. Miners rolling massive barrels of whiskey and gruel around, final preparations for the bonfire being taken, and children playing in the street made for a chaotic scene. Turning to Cali, xobos brought her just a bit closer in her arms, giving her the slightest of a smile. “Stick to my side until we find Dani…then continue to stick to my side, cutie.” The smile widened just a bit more, leaning over to kiss the Zeltron’s cheek. Her attention then turned back forward, searching for where the apprentice might be.

Despite the chaos, actually finding where the apprentice was wandering around wasn’t the hardest of tasks. Between her and Cali, they were able to sense out Dani quickly enough, finding her wandering through the streets with what looked like an adorable puff of fur in her arms. Xobos found herself staring at the wolf for a moment, then glancing up to Dani’s face with a growing smile. “It’s so good to have you here tonight, my friend. Let’s have a fun time, shall we?” Grinning wide and holding Cali’s arm close, she motioned to where the bonfire was to be lit, and the night would begin.

 

[Danielle Mueller]

Location: Garde Noire, Festival of the Lights
Time of day: Evening, sunset
Tags: Cali Ziiva | Xobos Yakieer

Perhaps it was due to her blissful ignorance, but Dani wasn't aware of...Well, much of anything about Garde Noire, aside from the fact that it seemed totally packed with people all going their different ways and somewhat leaving the girl to feel as though she might get dizzy just watching them all. Thankfully, she carried her heart in her arms, that being her Pup companion of whom she still needed a name for, yet otherwise took great comfort in the fact that she had an eternal friend outside of Cali and Xobos. As awesome as they were, they were older and more experienced whereas the Pup was someone that Dee could dote on and feel as though she wasn't the complete greenhorn that she was.

“It’s so good to have you here tonight, my friend. Let’s have a fun time, shall we?”
​

Xobos' voice reached Dee before the sight of her fellow apprentice or...Sister? Whatever they were to each other under the training of Adron was considered. A broad grin quickly lit up her face as Dee found her gaze landing upon the pair of them. However, it quickly took something of an intrigued and surprised turn as she noticed how particularly...Close, they were. Blinking once or twice, she tried to compose herself before snapping out of the brief confusion and quickly stepping forward to meet them; "I've missed you guys like you wouldn't believe...-And grife, this place is a maze!" she exclaimed with a nervous laugh, trying to shake her anxiety a little. "Does fun also come in the form of a drink like usual?" she beamed, clearly hoping for a yes and the taste of that sweet liquid courage.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

Cali's head rotated a bit to one side as Xobos confessed some ambiguity might remain. "Huh? What did you--" The Zeltron didn't even have time to ask before the Miraluka started to fly down the hallway with the pink one in hand.

"Xoo... Xoo...!" The cutey was all in a tizzy suddenly. "Why are you suddenly in such a hurry?" Of course it'd be because Xobos was being overly protective again. Like, she'd met Dani, right? Cali was pretty sure they'd met. Like, positive. So Xobos had to know Dani could handle herself. And if she was worried about the people Dani would flatten if they tried anything criminal... Well that'd be uncharacteristically nice for a Dark Side Apprentice. So, unless Xobos knew of some Sith Lord or their assassin staying in town or something, Dani would be fine.

"I am so building you a speeder, Xoxo," Cali cried as they neared the town on foot. Again. Yes, again. The Pink One hadn't forgotten the whole ship crashing from space to unleash a bunch of goons, and the entire security force approaching by foot. Like, exercise was good and all, but Xobos was a Sieur... where was her chariot? Exactly. Problem needing fixing and she was the cutey to do it.

Wide-eyed, Cali stared ahead as the Miraluka gave her a kiss on the cheek. A few quick blinks and her head swiveled toward Xobos. "Where else would I be? I already have a cutey for the evening."

Overly. Protective. But beautiful and caring. Xobos always did worry Cali would get into trouble and get hurt if she strayed too far away. Maybe she had cause to think that being someone as cute and bubbly as her could be a weakness someone would try to exploit. Thing was, the Zeltron wasn't half as powerless as her cheerful demeanor let on. Sometimes, Cali thought Adron's teachings from the Dark Side had given Xobos some of the wrong lessons in life -- like if you couldn't pull moons out of orbit you weren't able to defend yourself or something.

Besides, Cali could totally pull a moon out of orbit. Singularity Gun. It was a thing. She built on one a weekend once.

What? Oh, yeah, no, she didn't still have it. Crazy story. See, she put it in a test range to, you know, test it and the thing devoured itself! Still, a few minor tweaks and she could totally affect a moon.

A patient, warm smile spread over Cali's lips as she stared at Xobos for a moment. Frantically rushing to find the woman and that was the hello she led with? Hopelessly cute.

The smile only grew when her eyes rolled around to look at Dani and the pupper. "Yep, but only after I get to pet this adorable ball of fur," Cali started boistrously before it settled into a sweet, mellow tone with her pink fingers looking to give the pup all the attention it deserved. And if permitted the petting could go on minutes unless someone pulled the Zeltron along or somehow interrupted so they could adjourn to the nearest booze stand.

A toothy grin followed. "Hey, Deee. How'd you like the place? It looks a lot better when a spaceship doesn't crash in the middle of it, doesn't it?" A heartbeat. "Oh, don't worry, I took holos of it. Totally show you later."

Tag: Xobos Yakieer | Danielle Mueller

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: Garde Noire, Festival of the Lights
Time of day: Evening, sunset
Tags: | Cali Ziiva | Danielle Mueller |

As Cali began to make her bubbly self known to all those around them, burying her fingers into rubbing the loth wolf in dani’s arms with the permission given, Xobos’ gaze would then begin to linger on the young woman under the Malvern mark. There was just something…different about Dani than the other apprentices that her master had taken on these last few years. She was younger, brighter and..perhaps most glaringly…she wasn’t broken.

Shakti had been when Adron had found her, then he broke her down even more. Xobos most certainly had been, with the voices constantly provoking her mind every single turn. But Dani was…generally put together. She was a good woman, a good girl, and Xobos couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt she had been brought into all of this. The least she could do now, for the night, was give the girl a night away from the palace where she could be safe and let lose without the threat of punishment.

Thankfully, Xobos had the queen of party to help with that, though she did eventually have to pull the pink alien away from petting the poor wolf cub to death. There’d be time to cuddle and pet the pup later, for now, there the night to explore and explain!

Taking Cali’s hand, Xobos started to walk toward the l’oie et la plume, the village’s tavern, while motioning for Dani to follow alongside them. “Not just any sort of drink.” She joked, smirking back at Dani. Before heading into the tavern, Xobos made sure to stop by the side where a number of the barrels sat. “you see, it’s a tradition in Garde that each family is entrusted with bringing two barrels of drink to the festival each year. One for themselves, and one to share with others.” The tradition truly showed what was most important in the providence, the key values that they held most dear.

One barrel for the family, to remind them of the ancestry and familial ties they had to the region, and the belief that it made them stronger, and the second barrel for the community, because one built on trust would only serve to build the foundation that continued growth could happen upon. It certainly wasn’t something that Xobos had ever gotten to be a part of before coming to Illyria. And the Festival of Lights was part of the place she now called home.

With the little explanation out of the way, she moved back to the front entrance of the tavern, opening the way for her two companions to head inside. “C’mon, we’ll get some soup then head out the bonfire once it’s lit. Better to have something warm inside you before being in the cold night for so long.” Grinning wide, once inside she motioned to tavern’s barkeep to bring them some of the traditional soup once they found a place to sit.

 

[Danielle Mueller]

Location: Garde Noire, Festival of the Lights
Time of day: Evening, sunset
Tags: Cali Ziiva | Xobos Yakieer

l’oie et la plume. Now that was a mouthful of a name and one that Dee doubted she could speak sober, let alone with a few drinks in her. Between the two girls alongside her now however, whatever mischief was to await them within, Dani found herself feeling a bit less anxious and a little more eager to try to enjoy herself for the evening. The company of friends made all the difference in the galaxy to her. Something she hadn't quite expressed to them in truth, but maybe once she'd tried this aforementioned poison (Alcohol).

Smiling brightly to Cali Ziiva , Dani shifted the Pup into the Zeltron's arms to let her have a cuddle. The little creature giving something of a whine and a grunt as it was passed off, yet turning to look up at Cali and soon excited by the new scent and sight of a person apparently so trusted of Danielle's. "He really is adorable" she grinned, no small hint of pride and adoration in her eyes as she watched the Pup, curious to see how he fared with strangers; "I just don't know what to call him..." she added while walking alongside Cali and Xobos Yakieer towards the tavern.

She was uncertain whether or not such animals would be allowed inside of the establishment, yet alongside the two girls, they seemed to be let in without a hitch and for this Dani was especially grateful. There was no way she was going to leave such a young thing outside and on its own. Force knows who might come by and try to take him from her.

(Short post, sorry >.<' )​

 

[Cali Ziiva]

The Zeltron giggled and played with the pupper in her arms. "Snuggles!" Bubbly laughter followed the suggestion for a name.

Before any serious talk could follow, Xobos tugged on the pink one to angle toward the tavern. The Miraluka then brought some local lore to the table. It caused Cali to tilted her head a bit to the side. "An entire barrel for yourself? That's a lot of booze, Xoxo."

As for the animal policy of the tavern... Well Cali would make sure the cutey got to stay toasty until they all became popsicles. "Soup? Does it have meat?" Cause, you know, the doggo might like something too.

A broad smile spread across her lips as Cali turned toward Dee. "Don't worry. You have the Lady of the Town and her Cutest Champion too. You're safe here. Unless you're allergic to being pampered -- then you're totally not safe." A quick wink and some more giggles followed the statement.

Hey, Cali helped save the place from burning down. Plus she was a natural born cutey. Who would really complain in her presence about the sweet thing in her arms? As for Dani herself, well what was there to complain about? Aside from her lack of social activities.

"Say," as though continuing the conversation in her head aloud, "did you know I have a ship? Big ship. Actually, I own my own company now. We do lots of parties and sell lots of things. You ever need a chance to get away from it all, look up 'Party Favors' latest party scene. Or call me, I'll totally have it come to you."

Tag: Xobos Yakieer | Danielle Mueller