First Order: A Herevan Rose

[Davin Jusik]

The air was filled with a jovial atmosphere as various members of the First Order milled about a grand location. Many of them were drunk to one extent or another. Davin was one of those, laughing as he joked with a bartender about the depravity of their Nation's enemies before he gave a "Hail the Order." and wandered elsewhere, ale in hand. The slender of the whole thing nearly overwhelmed the working class Sergeant. High ranking officials mingled with fellows not so far removed from himself, men and women who were heralded as giants to the Nation at large. Folk normally regulated to a propaganda poster or some obscure signature on orders that were relayed to entire divisions. Millions dutifully serving at their whims.

Davin chuckled as his mind spun around with such thoughts and he headed towards a set of ornate doors that led outside, intent on enjoying a smoke under the stars in his crisp uniform.

 

[Dax Perl]

Dax force leapt over to the balcony, his boots impacting the floors with a smack. He winced and hoped that no one had heard it. The light bloomed to life as [member="Jaya Tandris"] entered the room, revealing the endless staff outfits. "I don't know about you." he said, "But I wanna be the one doing the drinking, not the one serving the drinks." he went over and began to examine the men's outfits, looking at the jackets, the vests, the pants and shoes. "I think If I get rid of the vest I could pass as one of the guests. What do you think?" he finally asked.

 

[Jaya Tandris]

"Fancy!" Jaya snapped her fingers, pointing in [member="Dax Fyre"]'s direction. "There's just one little problem. Do you see any dresses? That's all they'll allow for the ladies so I can't blend in with anything here. My highlights may also be a bit iffy. Hmmmm..." She squinted her eyes at him, getting another idea. "How about you see if you can get any bottles from anywhere, then I'll 'catch' you in the act. I'll take you back here pretending to unload the bottles, and if all goes well we'll be sitting here with plenty of drink to go around." Dax would have no problem blending in with the rest, and all Jaya had to do was avoid the other security guards.

"Let's see, what uniform has my size..." Cupcake picked out a security guard uniform that would do the trick. "You go on ahead, I'll find you once we're inside. It draws less attention when we enter seperately."

 

[Dax Perl]

Dax nodded as he pulled out some pants that looked to be his size. "Sounds like a plan." He didn't really see any flaws...simple enough. Steal some booze, pretend to be caught by the woman, drink and have fun. Plus, it'd give him a good excuse to sneak around and see what there was to see.

He began to undo his pants before he looked over at the woman next to him. "Uh...you wanna go first? I can step out..."

[member="Jaya Tandris"]

 

[Preliat Mantis]

Preliat made his way through the party. People moved away from him. They knew who he was. They knew he didn't truly belong. They knew that his loyalty to the First Order was out of spite alone. But that spite was iron-forged- it was hatred that drove him to fight for them, as pathetic, unruly, and vile as most of them were- he fought because it struck at the hearts of those that hurt him. It was an antithesis of what he had once been fighting for. He was here solely out of vengeance, to be a pariah of the Mando'ade. Him and his brother, vowed vengeance- and were well on their merry way of getting it. Preliat had to stay on the course for just a while longer.

His eyes fell upon [member="Zmej Ren"]. The girl from the operation not too long ago. She was stuck-up and high-strung. But somewhat deadly. Inexperienced and young, but deadly. But she was a razor, a surgical instrument. Preliat was a sledgehammer. He was a wild animal in combat, tearing through without the gracefulness that Jedi and Sith brought. He was vicious and deadly, ruthless in combat beyond words. Effective, too. A sharpshooter, a capable and experienced duelist, he was quite the beast. Quite the Wolf. As his nom de guerre implied.

But his eyes truthfully upon [member="Cyrus Tregessar"]. He knew who he was, even before he came to the Order, blade in hand, asking to spill blood for them. Cyrus got a once over by the Wolf- a rare approving look. He set his drink down on the table near him, and pocketed his hands rather nonchalantly. Preliat ran a hand over his neatly-cut hair. He had only worn his hair in this manner one other time- when he was waging war against the Sith. But that was many years ago- now he was with the ones he used to slaughter.

Now he was the bad guy- drinking with the other bad guys at their bad guy party. But bad guys never considered themselves bad. But the First Order, by most aspect- was nothing but evil incarnate. Preliat knew all too well the disgusting natures of the Sith- and the dark side of the Force. And what evil can do with it. And Preliat was dining with them.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

The burly Chiss that [member="Connor Harrison"] saw earlier now made his way toward [member="Preliat Mantis"]. An uninvited guest who did not have an invitation nor was he on the list of guests, the First Order Ball was particular on those who were let in and those who weren't. He was accompanied by Stormtroopers who approached the man, Kharad gestured toward the door. "Please remove yourself from the door, or we shall remove you ourselves." It was easy to see that not only did this man not belong here, he was not here to celebrate the First Order's men and women in uniform. Another stormtrooper worked to make a report to security forces, making them aware of this man's face.

Inside the ballroom, the hostess of the event and her date [member="Gunther Creed"] were out on the dance floor as the orchestra played the couple's suite. A change in music occurred as the suite played on, and as it did Val could not help but laugh a little. Their height difference was certainly something to note, "hope the ball hasn't been too dull for your tastes." She said to him quietly allowing him to lead her across the ballroom. Her long purple gown allowed them more room than usual as if the Epicanthix himself wasn't reason enough alone. The evening so far had gone fairly well she would say, they had managed to raise more money this year than last year and for that she was glad, "and if you'd like, we can skip the afterparty and go straight back to the house." The brunette told him, she'd been wanting to have a moment alone with him but it seemed the night's work as hostess proved to challenge that.

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goqD-qm2X9o[/media]​

 

[Samka Derith]

Samka said nothing as [member="Mishel Ren"] spoke of familiarity, she didn't want to risk triggering any dangerous older memories the girl may have tucked away she could already see Mishel's face breaking into discomfort. "Look at me," Sam said, offering her most friendly smile. She had to keep the other Ren focused on the here and now.

"Now is not the time for a song, it's time to listen to the music. Perhaps I could sing for you later, if you so desire." Sam couldn't remember the last time she'd sang for anyone. It wasn't something requested of her. The Order of Ren hardly left room in their youth's curriculum for song and dance recitals so since her departure from a regular life on Bespin it had become a private habit, something done far from the ears of another. Something she did alone.

Samka's lips curved into a wry grin. "Literature? Mathematics?" She leaned in to whisper into the other girl's ear. "We both know I seek to master more dangerous skills." Sam pulled back again and continued in her normal tone, "and so shall you. Learn those skills, I mean." Again, Sam failed to notice the change of lights and atmosphere, too engrossed in her hobby she loved so much. "But perhaps I should make more time for myself, something to consider. What about you, Mishel?" She asked partly out of politeness and partly out of curiosity. Just what would someone who skilled over a decade of their life choose to with their free time? "If you could do anything, what would it be?"

 

[Ara Zambrano]

The couple's suite was still ongoing as the two women reemerged from their moment of shared understanding. Pausing by a waiter with a tray full of more glasses of champagne, she plucked two and passed on to [member="Kaalia Voldaren"]. With a smile and wink, she tipped the glass back and emptied it of the bubbling golden liquid easily. At this point, Ara had lost track of the number of beverages she'd enjoyed and considered stopping for the time being.

A quick glance around showed a few couples enjoying the moment, dancing to the lilting music, their hostess among those on the dance floor. Her smile widened as she spotted [member="Samka Derith"] and [member="Mishel Ren"] also waltzing together. She raised a questioning eyebrow at the blonde haired Knight, smiling coyly.

Turning to the taller woman beside her, once again noting what a phenomenal job she had done picking the dress and completing the girl's features with a simple up-do and make-up. She held a hand out and smiled wickedly.

"Shall we? Or would you rather test your new dancing skills on one of these beautiful attendees?"

She eyed the men and women milling around the ballroom, noting the quite a few, including the handsome Captain [member="Pharazon Draken"] must still be enjoying the meal offered in the dining room down the hall.

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

The duo of Kaalia and [member="Ara Ren"] returned to the ballroom, and a little bit of the anxiety she felt earlier returned. It wasn't as delibitating as before, but the shyness returned to her face. Glady taking the glass on champagne, she savored the taste as she drank it. The pressure she felt before sharing her secret was mostly gone, which was a relief.

She took Ara's hand, knowing her friend wouldn't accept it if the redhead refused to dance. "I think you'll do just fine as dancing partner." Kaalia let Ara take the lead, and while dancing she noticed that [member="Samka Derith"] and [member="Mishel Ren"] were doing the same. She let out a small chuckle. "They're having fun as well, huh? I didn't expect Samka to dance with Mishel but I guess tonight was full of surprises already."

 

[Gunther Creed]

​"I've enjoyed myself this evening. It still feels good to be back in uniform and to be requested for these sort of things again." ​​Gunther replied as they danced. [member="Valessia Brentioch"] was the one who convinced him to come to the First Order, and it was by her careful words that ultimately brought him to the First Order. Gunther was always doing something, a dedicated workaholic who managed his time down to the last minute. These events normally he preferred to avoid them but tonight? It had been so long he was actually enjoying himself. Gunther shared her laugh as he looked at their size comparison with the others around, and the wide berth they often gave the man.

​But just as enjoyable as the evening was he hadn't had a chance all day to have time alone with Valessia, so he nodded at her question "I'd prefer not to stick around for the afterparty, lets return to the house instead."

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

After her dance with Gunther had come to a conclusion, she looked up at the screen to see the orchestra playing. Taking his hand, she held it firmly in his, the lights of the ball seemed to spill around them. "Prepare the car, m'dear. My job is nearly done, but I must see this to the end as I have but one gift to give to my dearest friend Natasi." Valessia pulled the Colonel down for a kiss on the cheek before departing for the main hall. The Ambassador stopped to check in the dining hall to see how it was all playing out, and then a check into the open bar. Things were settling down, people were starting to leave after a long evening of song, dance and meal. And so Valessia dipped behind the authorised personnel door once more, and headed down the corridors. To where she would hear Laan Kenmen conducting, and as she checked the time, the Scion knew she was early and so then Valessia grabbed a nearby chair in which to watch the last remaining songs. Laan tucked his baton underneath his arm and turned toward the audience, "and now we'd like to begin a new tradition here and introduce a new song for you all, a land of hope and glory. For the First Order has become, for me a land of both hope and glory." With a nod he turned back toward the orchestra.

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpEWpK_Dl7M[/media]​

As the number whined down, he stepped away briefly to announce the Ambassador, "and now Ladies and Gentlemen, one last time will you please welcome Ambassador Valessia Brentioch."

She waved to the audience, moved to shake Laan's hand, giving him a polite kiss on either cheek. Approaching the microphone, "good evening ladies and gentlemen, thank you again for your attendance and your donations. Tonight as we conclude this evening's activities, I want us all to take a look around us. I want you to see in your mind what this would be without the First Order, and I want you to try and imagine if you can a galaxy without our glorious nation." Pausing for a moment, Valessia continues on, "and then I want you to try and picture our nation without the most beloved, the most admired and perhaps the strongest person in this entire ball. Our Grand Moff Natasi Fortan, the mother of our nation, my best friend and the woman we should all admire to be. Dedicated, passionate and courage, courage." Valessia again paused and then continued. "Courage saw our Grand Moff through the founding of the nation, through her perilous time on Hoth, through the Battle of Castameer and through the Siege of Dosuun."

Curtains behind the orchestra began to rise, as they had come to a stop and the music was still.

"Grand Moff Natasi Fortan, tonight we salute you, we are a humble and grateful nation. We thank you for your service, your dedication and we pray to the Balance that your reign continues. You are just, you are fair and it is to your credit that we stand here today." Behind Valessia a choir could be seen assembled in noble red and white gowns. "To this end, under the direction of Conductor Laan Kenmen and Choir Director Ana Korvem, we will sing I Vow To Thee My Country, and I encourage all of you in attendance, all of you who consider yourselves citizens of this fine nation sing along with us."

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvouc8Qs_MI[/media]​

 

[Natasi Fortan]

To say that Natasi was uncomfortable by these displays of fealty to her would be an understatement. She understood the necessity of it, but somehow it felt immodest, and so when the spotlights swung in her direction, on a balcony overlooking the proceedings with Hector Finn-Camden, she had the good grace to look abashed and, as I Vow to Thee My Country concluded, there were tears of pride and gratitude lining her face. She raised a gloved hand, giving what she hoped was a dignified wave. The hymn was one of her favorites; it stirred an emotion in her that she wasn't quite able to place -- somewhere between pride in the nation she had helped to build, joy in seeing it thrive under her stewardship, and bitter grief in the knowledge that she may well live to see it die.

But if she didn't -- if her empire outlived her -- the hymn would be sung at her funeral.

She turned and made a signal that she would like to speak, and a few moments later, a sound technician came up with a microphone. "Thank you, Madame Ambassador," Natasi said, her voice thick with emotion. "Maestro. Madame Director," she gestured towards the conductor and choral director. "And thank you to all of you who have attended and given so generously to support our armed forces. But I must say, as much as I appreciate the honor you have shown me tonight, it is not I that deserve such grand gestures. I am only a simple woman, who lives to serve her people by bringing their needs and wishes to the attention of our glorious Supreme Leader, from whom all wisdom, authority, and goodness in our nation comes. I ask that each of you join me in saluting him now. Force save the Supreme Leader!" She raised her fist in the First Order salute.

"Force save the Supreme Leader! Force save the Supreme Leader!"

Natasi handed back the microphone, and continued to lead the chant, fist thrusting into the air, before an impromptu rendition of the national anthem began.