From the Midnight Sun Where the Hot Springs Flow (open to SSC, others PM for invite)

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Phylis Alince"], [member="Connor Harrison"], [member="Syala Daivik"]


For an indeterminate number of years, Siobhan had been pursuing a diabolical evil plan. This sort of thing was expected of her since she had a Dark Jedi Master tag. For a couple weeks it had been Witch Elder, but then her writer had changed it again for totally valid reasons. Like the fact that she didn't perform any witchcraft. Then again, neither did this one's Eldorai chars.


Anyway, moving on! The plan in question was to turn Phylis Alince to the Dark Side of the Force. Why? Because it was the cool and edgy thing to do. The fact that the librarian lacked incentive to convert and wasn't a fan of the revolving door policy was trivial.


Well, actually she'd been plotting to seduce Phylis into her bed. Alas, the bookworm was immune to her charms. Perhaps Sio's obvious desires and fairly blatant flirting had served as a vaccination. Recently Siobhan had given up on this quest, though she might find a different one soon. Like hooking her up with [member="Coryth Elaris"].


Anyhow, she was presumably invited to the party since she was an SSC Assembly member and stuff, and entered the scene soon after Phylis. Predictably the Jedi was wearing brown robes. How dull! She needed to take her shopping some day. That lizard on her shoulder was cute though.


"Hey, Phylis," Siobhan spoke cheerfully as she crossed the distance. For her part, the Countess was wearing a lovely white dress that exposed her arms. Her firemane was was allowed to fall freely past her shoulders, while her feet were tucked into a pair of rather fetching high heels. It had taken Siobhan much time and effort, but she was finally no longer tripping in them. "How're you doing? Your Alkahest courses are going well with Coryth?" Having reached her, she gave the beautiful librarian a hug. Oh, and nothing more. No groping here.

 

[Phylis Alince]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
The voice jolted the Jedi Master from a daze. Yes…there was Siobhan Kerrigan. It was, as far as Phylis could tell, a nice dress.
“Oh, hi,” Phylis said. She realised she didn’t sound enthusiastic, so after the hug she smiled. “I am doing well! The Alkahest is going well with Coryth. We’re making a holocron…that’s always fun!”

Greenie peered at Siobhan and eventually concluded she was too big to eat, so curled up on Phylis’ shoulder to wait for insects to be given to him.

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

“I am indeed,” Setzi answered. She sipped the mimosa until it was gone, and placed the glass down on a nearby bar. “Ryn” as he was called was a jovial Knight, and she enjoyed listening to him speak. Knight Rhur was also very kind and keen on equality between Jedi. This was music to her ears, as she experienced a little bit of hostility towards her standing as a lowly padawan during her a recent purchase she tried to make for Krux to surprise him. But no matter, Setzi pulled the Sith Lord card and was able to arrange a meeting with the proprietress. Her animosity towards the Sith had reached such a peak that she would probably sell her most guarded secrets to Vanir for a cup of stimcaf.

Or maybe another mimosa. Or maybe…

“Krux, would you like to dance?” Setzi asked, clasping her hand in his and nodding towards the small dance floor. The music alternated between traditional Vaynai island music and quenk jazz. “I hope no one minds if we take a detour to the dance floor,” the brunette padawan said to their present company, starting to tug Knight Mullarus along with her, signaling that there was little protesting he would be able to do to get out of it.

[member="Krux Mullarus"] [member="Ryn'Dhal"] [member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

For a brief moment, Krux approached the bar and obtained a small goblet of the deep-blue colored ithorian wine, one of his personal favorites, the returned ti the small group he and Setzi had found themselves mingling with: The masked Ryn, of whom Krux had never seen without, and the bith, Dune.

Krux was just about to mention something about making a note to visit the bith homeworld when his better half had 'offered' to dance with him, and started dragging him off without protest. His eyes lit up and he set his drink down next to Setzi's empty one, wondering if she had too much or not.

Krux, please, you've drank excessively with her before. One mimosa is nothing to her.

Krux followed her to the dance floor, feeling his face flush red already. He smiled, though, he wasnt embarassed. In fact, this reminded him of their last dance together on Hoth, only with much less clothing. He rested a hand on her waist and took her hand with his other, staring down into her lime green eyes and pulling her closer to him. He started to sway to whatever music was playing, clearly still not much of a dancer himself, just enjoying being so close and intimate with Setzi.

He sighed softly, placing his forehead against hers and closing his indigo eyes for a moment as the words softly escaped his lips in a whisper, just quiet enough for her to hear among the music and the other dancers and minglers.

"...I love you, Setzi. With whatever heart I have left after spending so much time with the Sith. It's all for you."

[member="Setzi Lunelle"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Setzi Lunelle"] [member="Ryn'Dhal"] [member="Krux Mullarus"]

"Well, that's settled for him," Dune said of Krux being dragged out to dance. Dune eyed flutes of champagne being proffered by waiters and he graciously appropriated one. He inhaled the heady aroma and nodded.

"Vaynai still makes good champagne at a surprisingly reasonable price."

He saluted Ryn and took a sip, savouring the bubbles on his palette. The Bith would make a point of nursing his drink. He could fight the intoxicating effects but why become drunk in the first place. "Nothing's quite like champagne. Several words pertaining to it exist among many separate languages."

 

[Connor Harrison]

He knew [member="Syala Daivik"] couldn’t see him physically, so to that extent as she gave him that annoyingly accurate lecture, his eyes still wandered around their surroundings, both the residence where they all where and the planet around them. He listened, of course, never ignored her. Maybe because she was always right, and that always irked him? That’s just how they were, these two.

"Look," he started to dictate with his empty glass in hand, " I’m not saying it’s wrong of them to want to better themselves, and I never came from the Sith, remember, I’m saying it seems too many of their kind come to us and I don’t know how it makes the Sanctum look. Without knowing, it probably makes us more vulnerable to those looking for the very ones who come hiding in our ranks. Trust me, I - "

He was distracted by another, [member="Phylis Alince"], near them, and in the pause he gave, she introduced herself. She knew him, but Connor didn’t know her. She was familiar – yes, a face belonging with the likes of Corvus and Kana…was she Republic? That was a long time ago.

About to answer, yet another interrupted him, and a face he knew - [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] – from his meeting with young Abaigeal. Connor refrained from speaking, as he knew how much this woman didn’t trust him, but then, he had returned her “daughter” back in one piece. He also didn’t know what to say, and his eyes couldn’t help have a glance up and down her alluring figure.

Connor looked and turned to the railing, leaning on it and looking down to the grounds below. He wished Sy could see, because right now he’d give an eye roll in good heart at the chatting women, a sex he was more confused and bewildered by daily. Down below, he felt the carefree and swirling emotions from the Jedi; certain ones in particular that still didn’t make him feel totally comfortable.

Comfortable…or jealous?

Thankfully, he had attention lavished upon him at that moment – a protocol droid bearing a drinks tray and carrying two glasses of blue milk for him. He took them, reaching one out to Sy’s hand for her to feel and take.

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

He chuckled, shaking his masked face as [member="Setzi Lunelle"] asked forgiveness for her and Krux's departure from the conversation. "No minding here. Have fun." He'd offer, as the two skittered off to dance. Ryn managed effectively to mask the twinge of envy that threatened his heart, for the brief moment he had continued to observe the two. Thankfully, [member="Dune Rhur"] was there, ready and waiting with a new distraction. "Sham.... pain?" The young Knight asked, mask angling as head tilted towards one shoulder. "I must admit, I am largely unfamiliar with alcoholic beverages. All I know of is Corellian Ale, and also something called 'Whiskey', which apparently quite common, though incredibly varied." He'd state, a slight shrug being offered.

"I guess one of the largest reasons for my avoidance of alcohol, is it messes too much with my sense of smell. Too strong of an odor. Aroma, to some. And I must admit, I do have a fair bit of dependency upon that particular sense." He'd mention, tapping the front of his mask, where at such proximity the Bith could tell, now that attention had been brought to it, that there were fine little 'pores' of sort, where fresh air was able to circulate in. Obviously the mask could seal up when needed, but the Knight wouldn't want to live on circulated and filtered air all the time!

"Second reason, would likely be the fact that while many beings would drink with the intent of feeling some effect, I must blame my Master from my apprenticeship. Knight Cathbodua. She taught me the Healing Arts, and as such, my near-instinctive response to any potentially harmful substance entering me is to use the Force to purge it from my system." A musical laugh would dance forth, as he shook his head. "Makes for one incredibly sober ki.....Knight." He'd sputter, a coughing laugh to cover the faltered speech.

"Enough rambling about my 'problems', tell me more of yourself Dune. You know of my proficiency with the blades, but I know very little of yourself. What are your focuses? Interests? Perhaps even your area of expertise?" Ryn queried, the warm smile evident in the musical quality of his voice, and the way the light would flash across those molten golden eyes peering through the narrow slits of his face-plate.

​

[member="Krux Mullarus"]​

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Xander’s words made Valae blush, but she took hold of his arm and started off towards the refreshment table. She was glad to have the additional support, as her feet were a bit on the unsteady side at the moment. Even though she had been so determined to wear the pretty shoes, she knew that she would end up barefoot before too long. Just as the rosy flush had left her face, it returned in full force when she heard one of Xander’s troopers calling out to them. She looked up as he apologized for the trooper’s words, and she smiled.

“Oh, it’s no problem.”

Once they had reached the refreshments, she let her eyes wander over the many options. The padawan’s eyes were immediately drawn towards the bright colored cocktails and the fruity blended drinks. As she tried to make her choice, she couldn’t help but overhear [member="Ryn'Dhal"] talking about alcohol. Being the daughter of an alcoholic had given Valae certain ill feelings towards alcohol, but she had realized that it was fine if consumed responsibly. Thus, she did allow herself to drink on occasion, just as long as she paced herself and kept her drink count quite low.

After picking up a glass of a daiquiri of blended fruit, she walked over to Ryn and his companion. She turned and motioned for [member="Xander Stanforth"] to join them, once he too had chosen something.

“I don’t usually drink much either...” She started. “But I have to say that it is nice to have a social drink! Especially when the drinks are so pretty.” Valae held her drink out in front of Ryn, so he too could appreciate the colors swirling within her glass.

“I’m sorry for interrupting!” She said, looking to [member="Dune Rhur"] . “I’m Valae, by the way.”

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Ryn'Dhal"] [member="Valae Kitra"]

"Well, I specialise in history of the Jedi. It's that reading again."

He shrugged and took another sip. There wasn't that much to tell in his opinion. Dune also did a little travelling and archaeology too but...didn't they all? They travelled at least and often blew up ruins. It was archaeology from a certain point of view.

"Hello Valae, I'm Dune. My drink merely has bubbles and lack the sophisticated colour palate."

 

[Phylis Alince]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Feeling a bit ignored by Connor, Phylis let out a small ‘Hmmph’ and turned back to Siobhan.
“Nice dress, Siobhan!” she said. Awkwardness was something she sought to avoid, and though she knew that Siobhan had largely given up trying to seduce her she had suspected that the redhead had other plots.

“So, what brings you here? Was it my shining presence?” Phylis asked with an unusual amount of sass. Perhaps she’d had some of the wine being offered.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Connor Harrison"], [member="Phylis Alince"],


In the light of the fact that Connor had gone dark and been through the revolving alignment door more than once, his complaints might be hypocritical. In any case, the Dark Jedi Master who was standing a few metres away paid him little mind.


She'd ditched the Jedi Order and its six line code of purple poetry ages ago and never professed a desire to 'turn a new leaf' and embrace Truth, Justice and the Corellian Way again. "Thanks! Varosh recommended it to me," she said cheerfully and made a pose so that Phylis could get a real good look! Verily, he was the most refined Hutt ever.


"Your shining presence, the ladies and the wine, of course. I'm glad you and Coryth are having a good time," she spoke, taking Phylis by the arm to lead her somewhere. Presumably some place with an even better view. On the way she took a wine glass from a waiter since she could use a drink.

 

[Kenrath]

When they got to the table Xander chose a simple tea before turning to see [member="Valae Kitra"] motion him over to a group. He walked over giving [member="Ryn'Dhal"] and [member="Dune Rhur"] a smile and a small bow.

As soon as introductions were made which he only caught the tail end of Xander spoke.

"Xander.....Jedi Padawn and Antarian Ranger Recruit."

After that Xander slipped into just listening to the conversation while sipping his tea.

 

[Phylis Alince]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

“Ah yes, the Hutt with good taste,” Phylis said thoughtfully. Siobhan had mentioned him before. It was a bit odd, but on the other hand it was nice to know that not all Hutts were seedy gangsters.
“Hmm, yes, Coryth is a very fine Jedi. I’m so pleased I’ve been able to connect with her. Leaving the Order was hard for me, and so having another Jedi nearby was good. Of course, I fear the Jedi have not exactly helped themselves recently.”
She paused, sipped some more wine, sighed, then changed the subject. “it’s a beautiful view here. Very peaceful.”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Phylis Alince"]


"Yeah, that it is." Peace was fleeting. "Galina says hi. She's spending some time at an Angelii outpost near the Xioquo border to get a dose of military life. She's decided to take her training more seriously now." Siobhan deliberately didn't mention the whole thing about Galina being the last scion of the royal dynasty that used to rule Sigma - a millennia ago! Or Rahl assassins.


It wasn't that she didn't trust Phylis. There were simply too many other people around for her to feel comfortable discussing such a sensitive matter. "Coryth's girlfriend is her drill sergeant." There was a note of distaste in Sio's voice when she spoke of the frost elf. She couldn't stand her for totally valid reasons.

 

[Nima Tann]

Well, in all those missions, dominions and all, this little meeting was indeed a breath of fresh air. The last couple of days weren't the best days of her life, and she thought she would give this a chance. Besides, maybe she would see some friends to talk to and all that social stuff, oh, about them, Nima didn't like socializing that much, and this would immediately turn into a hell for her. She sighed as she moved slowly to the meeting area, looking at the clock, the party should be already started. She was a bit late, but she always was, so that wasn't a surprise. Today, she was wearing a white, comfy looking crop top and black sports shorts, which was not the best looking thing for party, but she was fine with them. And, she brought the Temple's finest, and the only mutated wolf Ice around today with her. That should be interesting, she thought.

Arriving to the scene, she could see that there were a couple of new faces talking and dancing around, as well as from distance she could see familiar ones as well. [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] was there, which she immediately recognized from the fire mane, along with a woman she didn't see before. Ice looked excited enough to start sniffing around, maybe planning to do a mischief or two. Hey, and... wait a minute. She recognized a certain couple, [member="Krux Mullarus"] and [member="Setzi Lunelle"], from somewhere before. And that somewhere didn't exist in a happy memory. This day was getting better and better now. So, not knowing what to do, she looked around. She could go say hello to Sio, yet she seemed like talking to the person and cutting their conversation would be rude.

As the antisocial girl stood like that, the only thing flying in her mind was "What am I doing here?" in a never ending loop. "Well, you have fun." She said to Ice, smiling. "I think I'll just stay here for a while." The wolf barked excitedly and then he was already running around.

[member="Phylis Alince"]

 

[Baalagor]

Instinctively she took the glass once the cool condensation brushed against her fingertips, aware of what it was before she took a sip. Blue milk had always been something of his favorite, or so Syala had observed throughout the years. It was only fitting that they share some now, given their time spent away from the other. Silence hung between them as he seemed to be overwhelmed with the surrounding environment, and she would respect his needs and grant him a few moments to collect his thoughts and find himself once again. Reaching out through the Force she let her aura mingle with his own, a connection far more intimate than the physical realm could possibly provide, and a symbol of the bond they shared.

"You know I trust you, Connor. Far more wholeheartedly than I ever will anyone else." By this point one would think he would already be perfectly aware of that fact, but it never troubled her to reassure him, especially given he often required a small helping hand every now and again. "But I think you would hold a different point of view if you were to look at things differently. Oftentimes the greatest error comes from our willingness to dismiss those subjects we don't understand so easily." For a short while she too seemed to consider those young ones that played together so earnestly careless below them, and it drew a soft smile from her in witnessing the sheer purity of their innocence.

With her touch as gentle as it always was she rested her free hand on his forearm where it rested on the railing, a more physical sign of their closeness. Turning her head to look at him she cocked it slightly to the side, her smile a touch more teasing in nature, though it was all in relative good fun. "Since when have the Sanctum ever cared overly much for what others think? We're home for those that don't quite fit into any other mold, asylum for individuals that don't feel they fit in as well with the more traditional Orders. After all, we've a blind seer and a Jedi that walks in both sides of the Force." Irony of some kind at its finest. "I'd say we're doing quite a good job of living up to that label."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor turned again, picking up the irritation from [member="Phylis Alince"] and was about to speak beside [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"], but she had her claws in and was taking the pair away. Seemingly she still didn’t want people mixing with “that Master Harrison bloke.”

"I’ll catch up with you when you’re not distracted, Ms Alince," he said obviously to irk Siobhan, a little eye roll as he turned his attention back to watching and listening.

The Younglings down below were having a good time, and he saw fresh-faced Knights and Masters appearing to revel in sharing stories and painting pictures with their hands about exploits, new discoveries and other social activities with their drinks and nibbles aplenty. He looked to [member="Syala Daivik"] as she talked and didn’t mind her hand on his arm. She was one of the very few people who could get inside his bubble and not risk it bursting. He took a slow swig of the drink, watching her talk.

"Mm," he nearly choked, stopping and pointing a finger at her, still holding his glass, "no, no we are not an asylum. Asylum’s attract unstable, untrustworthy and dangerous beings. I will never let this place become that. I was here at the very start, with Iella E’ron. Founding the Temple on Voss was my first real initiation in, and while we were different to the Republic we weren’t the outcasts or junk Jedi tossed aside. We had morals, rules and ethics. Now, it seems they’re being tossed out after this merger."

Connor shook his head.

"I may have faltered, but I didn’t come here from the darkness. I was corrupted by it, but didn’t fall to it. I found my way, and now am better for it. Regardless of what people think of me. I have nothing to lose by speaking my mind and standing up for what this place was founded for." He took a drink, eyes moving around carefully. "The tolerance between what is acceptable and not is becoming blurred, and people are using smoke-screens to get what they want. Dangerous times indeed."

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

As the two leisurely walked side by side, Thurion watched as the many faces of the Coalition enjoyed themselves. All were dressed for the occasion, some casual and some formal, which helped in seeing the people behind the robes and lightsabers. There were many faces he'd seen once or twice on Voss, along with old friends such as [member="Connor Harrison"] looking mighty out of place. There was [member="Valae Kitra"], his dear padawan whose gentle demeanor and kindhearted intentions never failed to make him smile. She was progressing well given the short time she'd been his apprentice, and he foresaw nothing but good things in her future. There was also [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"], a dear friend of [member="Coci Heavenshield"]'s judging by their many shopping sprees. Not that he complained, mind you.

While happy for the newer generations of Sanctum members and the progress they all were making, there was a sense of sadness in him when seeing all these young faces. Looking to his wife at his side, he couldn't help but feel like they were the only ones left of the old guard; so many had died, become One with the Force. He always did have trouble letting go of the past. "I don't know where I'd be without you," he stopped to tell Coci while caressing her cheek. Taking her in his arms, the two would begin to slowly sway to the music that played in their hearts.

 

[Audren Sykes]

Parties were supposed to be social events. Audren knew that much, yet still could not force himself to join the main area. He could hear them to some degree - especially the splashing - but was out of view. Instead he leaned on a bridge in one of the gardens, overlooking some waterfalls. In all honesty, he didn't even know why he'd come; he wasn't a party person, not even much of a social person in the best of times. Yet he'd somehow found himself showing up at what was to be a faction social.

Ridiculous, yes.

The Sephi's reluctance had nothing to do with being in a bad mood, at least that's what he thought. He was actually in a fairly good one...just not a social one. He'd sneaked through before many had arrived and gotten a drink that the bartender had promised was full of flavor (he hadn't gotten the name of it), and that sat on the railing beside him about half-full. He was dressed in normal clothes, no Jedi robes or armor, not even a sidearm or vibroknife on him. He did carry his lightsaber hilt, but it was stashed away into a cargo pocket. Out of sight, out of mind, or so the saying went. The sun was shining, it was all around a nice day, and he was in a good mood...he just didn't want to spend it with other people.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

While Thurion reflected on the past, Coci looked to the future. It was part of the reason that both of them matched well together, so opposite to each other in many ways yet it was this that had brought them together. One should never forget the past, after all it is what shaped us, the path we walk in order to get to the moment in which they live. But too much of it can stifle progress. The 'what might have beens', or 'if I had done this better', etc are gone and best left where they are. Learn from them yes, the good and the bad. What Coci saw in the group of Jedi that constitutes the Silver Jedi was a melting pot of so many different people with their own visions but all of them worked together the better the galaxy to the best of the ability of themselves and as a group. Each and every one of them family to each other, regardless of difference of opinions or methods.

Already in motions are plans for the future for the Silvers, and also for Thurion and Coci. The future lay before them, a new chapter in all their lives that would see greatness come from all of them. Heart aches, love, death and so it goes on.

The dance in which Thurion and Coci now moved, needs no music. A union of two that moves together in perpetual bond knowing what the other wants and needs without words, this is something only few can know of. "Beyond this life", she whispered as their foreheads gently rested against each other's.

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​