Faction Hapes Charity Gala [Jedi and allies]

[Thelma Goth]

Location: Hapes
Objective: Have fun
Tags: Silas Westgard Corazona von Ascania Cailen Corso
Attire

​

"You say that like you have experience." Thelma nudged him a little with her elbow, grinning. "Did you get drunk at one of these events before?"

"Dancing? I didn't think you were much of a groover."

"Excuse me, I am very groovy," Thelma replied. "I just don't usually dance in front of other people." And now that she thought about it, the prospect of doing so here was pretty nerve-wracking. Why had she even suggested such a thing? Being here with Silas must've made her forget about everyone else.

At any rate, he seemed to be all for it. Thelma quickly chugged down the rest of her drink, slammed the glass on the table, and took his hand. "No falling on any faces," she said. "Wait... what kind of dancing are we doing?" If the very first dance was a slow couples thing, she was afraid she might just melt into a puddle of embarrassment on the floor at his feet.

​

 

[Judah Lesan]

.

Wearing: xxx
Weapon: xxx x2
Tag: Solenne Abraxas

Judah had been accused of behaving like a child on many occasions. It was rare he took much of anything serious in life in his later years. He was not a Jedi that leaned into any form of formality. The woman had not offered a large gesture, and it was likely better she had not. Judah opted to live life as it came to him, and there had been too much experience to box himself into a certain way of being a Jedi. There was too much of that in the galaxy, and it had led to many splits and splinter factions. Judah would build a legacy of dedication to the light, and that was all. He just liked to have fun on the way.

“He deserved it,” he reiterated somehow guessing the brunette disapproved of the action.

He took the woman’s hand in greeting and nodded at the mention of her name. Judah was not familiar with it as he should be, but his years among the Jedi had been sporadic until recently. Valery Noble had been the reason he returned his dedication to the order rather than milling about the galaxy like a Jedi vigilante.

Was Judah enjoying himself? The comment drew a shrug. He was not there to enjoy himself more than he was to ensure no one was in danger. It was an old habit, one that would never die.

“Gatherings like this tend to draw unwanted attention, for as much good as they bring. I am here in case the unthinkable happens, though I hope it does not.”

His lightsabers were hidden well within the suit he wore. Looking over the woman in front of him he could not see any such weapon on her person. Nothing of her screamed Jedi other than subtleties another Jedi would notice. Even her tone in conversation was one given to a Jedi, and while her intent may not have been to scold the master, Judah still knew when one was making an allowance for his conduct. Still, he took it as it was. Too many times his late wife had done the same thing.

He followed the woman as she moved away from the dance floor. It put even more distance between him and the cup she had taken. It had not been smart to keep it so long, but Solenne had seen it disposed of. A small sip was taken of the sparkling juice she offered. It was a distant cry from the hot tea he would have drank, but decisions had been made.

“I generally avoid events like these otherwise. I am far past the age where I gain much benefit by attending them alone. Which, it seems you may be also? What would bring a beautiful woman to an event like this without an escort at least. Certainly it would keep unwanted attention away?”

 

[Amanda braska]

Location: Hapes | Castle of Per'Agthra | Ballroom
Wearing: dress
Tags: Maxir Vancil Anniser Dannstac [ open

Amanda walked into the ball it wasn't her usual type of event she usually didn't like an event where she had to wear heels and a dress to any event. And couldn't bring her lightsabers not to mention makeup walking through the event the jedi master walked with an elegance that put Nobility and movie stars to shame. Walking up behind Maxir Vancil "how do I look padawan" she said sarcasticly as she stood beside him the fanciness and Nobility of it was lost on her to be sure. But she would be here to support her apprentice nonetheless she looked at the bite size food and small glasses.

"by the way this doesn't count as a date worthy of sweeping me offy feet" she joked giving him a playful smirk. Looking over the crowd she wasnt used to parties with political intrigue to much niceties and not enough chance of a brawl starting up. Plus too many other jedi for her liking but that just meant that she didn't have to worry as much about someone covering her back. "By the way our first lesson will be on the basics of the force tomorrow 6a.m. morning sharp" she said looking at maxir with a smirk. She liked to keep her apprentices on their feet but she knew that it might seem cruel but it taught them plan ahead.

 

[Valery Noble]

Hapes

​

Outfit: Dress | Commission with it
Date Tag: Aldric Laurent
Other Tags: Marissa Shoda Jasper Kai'el

Valery kept herself close to Aldric and smiled when the two revealed they were indeed a couple for the night. She had known Jasper to be a quieter type and sometimes not quite as confident in himself, at least not when it came to this part of his life. So for him to be here with someone on a date was special, and she was very happy for him. It was unlikely that they'd get a chance to talk more about it tonight, given they both had partners to be with, but she made a mental note to chat with him the next time they saw each other.

On the topic of Hapes, Valery agreed with both Marissa and Aldric, and showed it with a nod, "Maybe something to keep in mind for a short vacation one day?" she asked before turning her fiery gaze back to Marissa and Jasper. She didn't want to keep them for too long either, and she was eager to dance with Aldric as well.

"It has been a pleasure and I'm sure we'll get a chance to talk again," Valery told her with a dip of her head. The two then left, and Aldric's voice drew her eyes back to him.

"Now, I believe we were in the middle of something?"​

She looked up at him and met his smirk with one of her own. Her hands reached for his, and slowly, she began walking backward while she pulled him along to the dancefloor, her fiery eyes never quite leaving his. A slower song was currently playing, perfect for inexperienced dancers or couples wanting a romantic moment. Valery was here for the latter and pulled him close before she brought his hands down to her waist and began to sway to the music, hoping to draw him into a trance with her. Her own arms then reached around his neck, for now, to hold him close until he was ready to spice it up.

"It's strange how fast things can go, hm? One moment we're dancing on Nar Shadda to fit into a crowd of criminals, and now..." she trailed off and just smiled lovingly into his gaze.

 

[Anniser Dannstac]

Location: Hapes | Castle of Per'Agthra | Ballroom
Wearing: Dress
Tag: Maxir Vancil | Amanda braska | OPEN

Anniser caught a glimpse of Maxir before he did her. These courtly events were much different than business parties back home, and he was a Jedi now. That was supposed to be mean that he was more aware and focused, but it was new for him. So Anniser would give him a break. Just this once. She gave a bit of a laugh to herself as she watched him perform his usual lap. He was pretty and Hapan women would notice. The victory lap was not something she would have advised.

Soon however Maxir noticed her and made his way over, drink and food in hand just like one of the parties back home. “What this old thing?” Anniser teased as he complimented her. It of course was not old, but even though their association was bound to change now that he wasn’t going to be acting as much and doing more Jedi things, she couldn’t change the sarcastic banter that she had with him. “I’m sure the noblewomen will be a bit upset to see you in my company,” Anniser caught a glimpse of Maxir’s young master as she approached and smirked. “I think they’ll be jealous of me and your master. But they’ll remember you. As to the Jedi part. That’s one you. I don’t pretend to know what they think at all.”

Amanda snuck up behind Maxir and asked for a comment on her look. She looked amazing as every time Anniser had ever seen her. Different than the Jedi in the temple, but still quite amazing as I guessed would be the case. Anniser wasn’t going to help Maxir out any however, so she stood silent and let him handle his business on his own.

After Maxir gave his own answers I smiled. “You look fantastic Master Braska,” Annsier said with a smile. “I’m not usually in the business of helping little Maxxy out, but how would a meeting with the Queen Mother improve the night? I used to work for her for about two weeks. There is no way she’ll remember that I did, but my family name will probably get me in front of her if I want.”

 

[Sinara Thorne]

Dress
Interacting: Iris Arani | Seva Geroux | Luric Ee'everwest
Nearby: Desric Terassi | Miri Nimdok
​

Sinara watched with unveiled amusement as the young man seemed to almost glide into the conversation. She noted the noble act he put on, and for a moment the half-Eldorai pondered his identity. The name Ee’everwest rang another bell in her head, how could it not? It was very unique.

Ahh, the Duke of Theed himself.

The event had barely started, and it already had introduced an interesting group of individuals. Made even more apparent when a nearby young woman: Adrienne Keres , chimed in with her acknowledgements.

She raised an eyebrow at ‘Lady Iris’ being called a Jedi. Although Sinara supposed it shouldn’t be too surprising, they were practically everywhere tonight. Made the half-Eldorai feel glad she wasn’t Sith.

“Sinara Thorne,” she chimed in with her own introduction. ”It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Duke Ee’everwest.” The woman smiled, giving a nod towards Iris and Seva before taking a sip of her drink as she listened. Interesting, so the Jedi is on familiar terms with the Organa family? She knew the young Count was in attendance tonight.

“Personally I’m quite curious to see what ancient weapons they will have.” To say Sinara was a fan of blades in particular would’ve been an understatement. A good chunk of her personal collection was weaponry. “I’ve heard rumours they are made with quite unique materials. Stemming from their habit of closing their doors to outsiders.”

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

​

Wearing: XoXo
Equipment: Lightsaber
Location: The Castle of Per'Agthra, Hapes
Tag: Aiden Rennek , Jaa Ardan


While her manner of dress and the hours she’d suffered through in getting ready had not been solely meant to capture Aiden’s attention in the unlikely event that he might show up, Briana would have been remiss to deny that he’d pitched a tent in her subconscious and had been camping out there for quite some time, inevitably steering the choice of her ensemble.

From the way his eyes hooded and dipped, to the flush of his golden skin and the sound of his roughened voice as their fingers interlaced, Briana knew where his thoughts had gone. It was difficult fighting the urge to tease Aiden and pull even more of a response out of him, but resisted for the sake of appearances and to avoid giving the gossip mongrels any live ammo to use for later.

“Well, both of my parents are supposed to be here tonight - so we should at least say hello, but there isn’t any rush.” she pointed her chin towards the lively dance floor where the music beckoned. “Let’s grab some drinks and then we can -”

But just as she was about to pull Aiden with her to dance, a familiar face came bounding towards them. “Jaa? Wha-” the words caught in her throat at the feeling of his feathered touch against her back as he leaned in without hesitation, leaving behind whispered kisses on either side of her face. A subtle pink bloomed upon her cheeks, quickly washed away by a firm, professional smile, passing off the gesture as nothing more than the kind that dignitaries often shared. "It's good to see you."

Briana knew his comments concerning Blaire were a bold-faced lie, spoken needlessly for her benefit, despite harboring no illusions of where the two of them currently stood. Her ever elusive sister would, at best, give her a coldly polite reception for the sake of their parents and proceed to avoid her for the rest of the evening. It had been her modus-operandi for quite a while now. “Knowing Blaire, she’s probably already out on the dance floor entrancing the nobility.” Her eyes roamed past Jaa and into the crowd, doing a cursory scan.. “The ballroom has always been her battlefield.”

There… that sounded sisterly, didn’t it?

Briana whooshed out a breath, her gaze settling back on Aiden. “Jaa actually works security for my family, he took over the position after his father. We’ve known each other since we were children."

​

 

[Alicio Organa]

CASTLE OF PER'AGTHRA
HAPES
Interacting With: Amani Serys - Kha'la Daaray - Open
Nearby: Velda Nar-Donna - Brandyn Sal-Soren
​

Amani's kiss on his cheek was able to stay his wrath for their lack of coordination, at least for the moment. He gave her a placated look, shrugging. "Next time," he chuckled.

Travelling across the gala, using his supernatural senses to follow guide the pair through the dips and tides of moving partiers, Alicio gave his best run-down of the woman they were going towards, glad of his habit of researching planets and people while in hyperspace. "Queen Mother Kha'la Daaray," he said, his face thoughtful. "Cousin to the previous queen. Was on track to be one of the most successful naval officers in the Hapan fleet, before Queen Merci was assassinated. She was next in line." Alicio frowned. An all-too-real threat as of late.

"She's sticking out her neck, inviting Jedi to Hapes. The Hapan people and the Jedi have a tense history, and given the recent political climate here... she's making a statement." Alicio found a smile again. Cooperation was an admirable goal. "Also... distressingly fashionable, apparently."

The Queen descended the steps on the arm of Brandyn Sal-Soren , parting through a sea of dignitaries and Hapan nobility. Steeling himself one last time, and checking Amani's face to make sure she was ready, Alicio approached, holding perhaps a bit more securely to his girlfriend. Once within range, he cast the Queen a guarded grin, trying to control his nerves.

"Queen Mother Daaray," he said, his shaded grey eyes an anomaly. "Thank you for putting together this event." He injected a bit of humor in his tone, casting a side-eye at Amani. "I don't think I've ever seen so many Jedi in formal wear before." He bowed reverently at the waist with the grace of practice. "Alicio Organa, Senator of Alderaan." He glanced to his side, waiting for Amani to introduce herself.

 

[Blaire Sal-Soren]

​

This. This should be her element. This was her element. A benefit gala at the Queen’s palace hosting the richest and most affluent members of not just Hapes but the galaxy. If Blaire belonged any where it was in this room and yet as she entered the packed hall alone and unnoticed she could not help but feel like an outsider in a room full of outsiders. Face after face went by and she did not recognize any of them though she was certainly free with polite smiles and acknowledging nods to any who met her gaze. Occasionally someone from Hapes who recognized Blaire from one of her performances–Blaire was a ballerina, one of the best on Hapes–would come up and say hello or compliment her on her dress.

Not every glance was kind and some didn’t even approach polite. These were the stares she met the longest. In some circles Blaire was not just the youngest person admitted to Hapes premier ballet academy in over eighty years but the subject of increasingly embarrassing tabloid pieces. They were small scandals for the most part, public drunkenness, racing the family speeder down the capital’s main flyway, Hilo pics of her allegedly using spice. It was the last incident however that hung most darkly over her today. On a night that she had sent her guard Jaa away, she had snuck out to a hole in the wall dive bar and that bar just happened on that night to get raided in an effort to uncover and stop members of The New Way, the very same organization this gala was being used to help defeat.

Blaire was forced to spend hours in a jail cell before her father arrived to bail her out. For the most part mainstream publications and news outlets had not gotten wind of her little adventure but the more enterprising tabloids had plastered her face and the words “New Way” all over their covers. This was her first public appearance since that incident and evidently there were at least some people who read the gossips.

“Daddy!” Blaire said when she finally found her father. She gracefully hurried over to her dad and lightly placed a kiss on his cheek. “You look great! Was that Bran you were talking to back there?” She asked craning her neck to look over the crowd and see her brother dressed in green.

Baros Sal-Soren

​

[/code[/spoiler]

 

[Unblessed]

Tag. You're it.​

 

[Desric Terassi]

Miri Nimdok & the group chatting over there. You know who you are.​

"I see! A giving profession, I am sure. Too much of the past has been lost to us already." The ongoing state of disorder and war certainly did not help matters; the Galactic Alliance was stable enough, but only time would tell if it would even come close to the endurance and size of the Republics of yore. Truly, his time was a contentious one.

"Potentially, though none in the family pursue archaeology professionally. The closest would be my late brother Adrian, whose interests were, ah, somewhat eclectic." Perhaps there had been some involvement pertaining to Sith ruins or the like? His brother had always been looking for more forgotten secrets to add to his collection.

Personally, Desric had found it a bit...

Blinking slowly at the report trickling across his field of vision, he eyed his surroundings nervously. There was no reason to be too concerned, of course - if they could strike here, surely they would have preferred that.

Still, he could not help but feel somewhat exposed.

 

[Solenne Abraxas]

​

Location: Hapes (Charity Ball)
Nearby Tag: Judah Lesan + {O P E N}
Distant Tag: Aiden Porte
Wearing: XOXO

"I didn't say otherwise, Master Lesan."

The almost petulant response that the wizened Master offered without prompting only caused her starlit smile to enrich and deepen. Hazel eyes shimmered between shades of blue and green beneath the luminescent lighting while they flickered over his features to ascertain his frame of mind. His mistook her words for a presupposition of guilt or innocence—But that couldn't have been further from the truth. It was a matter of timing. Exposure. "Eventually, the small-minded receive all that they deserve. It is only a matter of time."

With or without their intervention.

It was an important distinction that she referred merely to the "small minded" and not the truly wicked. That was when she believed in intervention. Correction, to the state of affairs. These small pranks had little effect in the immediate sphere but there were subtle ripples. Echoes, that might come back to bite him, the Order, the Hapan Court, or even the delicate young woman he had sought to free with elusive antics. Having fun and acting with pragmatic wisdom were two different things.

In other words - There was more than one way to skin a cat.

Solenne had also not asked if he was enjoying himself. It was clear from a smug and self-assured aura that at the very least spilling tea on the noble had lightened an otherwise passive evening. He offered his reasoning for being present at the charity ball and the azure-clad woman nodded her head in understanding. "We have much in common, then. Everyone seems to think that the New Way is withdrawing—Having run out of steam."

It was clear from her expression that she did not believe the same.

"I hope that they are correct.", she paused, sweetly, and her winsome countenance took on an air of delicate wistfulness. It was a dream that the Jedi Master wished that she could will into reality. She couldn't pretend that their very presence, assembled openly, did not make the entire court a target. Including, the Queen. She had chosen a side against the extremists. It might as well have been a declaration of war. "I truly do…But…"

And the Jedi—The real target of their hate—Only made it easier for them by grouping together. It would make any attack justified among their supporters. Her right hand slipped out of his and fell to rest on the flat of her stomach while a feeling of unrest ran through her. Her head tilted as if she had heard something in the distance but Master Lesan could easily see that she wasn't wearing an earwig.

Solenne dismissed the feeling of unease for the time being. Her gaze flickered back toward the salt-and-pepper Jedi Master and her lips twitched upward. "My…Did you just call me old, Master?"

The soft glimmer of humor in her eyes would show that she was both teasing and trying to lighten the mood. Of course, she wasn't offended by the question. Whether or not she was aesthetically pleasing had very little to do with her choices. More than anything—This was her home. Hapes was the one place she could always return to when she needed guidance. "…I hadn't thought to bring someone. I'm also newly returned to the Temple and I'm afraid I don't know many others that might have been interested without orders. There is no direct threat and my companions are even less interested in gatherings like this than you might be."

Solenne had noticed that he was also alone.

A wave of unease ran through her again. Stronger, this time. She could feel a warmth on the back of her neck and an intense sense of panic and fear that did not belong to her. The expressive creature would go through stages of suspicion and grief in a nano-second, before the Master Jedi's eyes, and finally, landed on patient resolve. Her discomfort could not be ignored.

<<Has something happened? Please, keep me updated Aiden.>> ( Aiden Porte )

Something was amiss. Solenne simply knew not what.

"…Do you feel that?"

 

[Maxir Vancil]

Location: Hapes | Castle of Per'Agthra | Ballroom
Wearing: Suit
Tags: Anniser Dannstac | Amanda braska | OPEN

Maxir rolled his eyes as usual when Anniser downplayed the amount of time and credits spent on her look for the evening. She didn’t even go out to a restaurant without carefully plotting out the shade of her make up with the amount of lighting expected. And if the dress she was wearing was more than a week old Maxir would eat his boots. But Maxir knew better to call her on it. She would go on and on with some made up story of the dress’ origins and that wasn’t what he was willing to deal with at this party. “Yes there did seem to be a few eyes upon me. Nothing I acknowledged so I doubt it will stir up too much trouble. My Master…?”

Before Anniser could confirm that Amanda had indeed decided to attend, Maxir heard the voice of his Master. He turned and his eyes couldn’t help but assess Amanda. Besides the fact that she asked for a comment, she was his age (despite their drastic difference in status) and quite attractive. Maxir couldn’t help a smile. “This is a trap,” he answered with a chuckle. “You and I both know how great you look. I shall leave it at that to avoid any possible trouble.”

Maxir could sense that Amanda wasn’t here for the glitz and glamor. He gave her an appreciative smile, however as she mentioned this wouldn’t be the date that swept her off her feet he almost lost his breath. “I wasn’t even sure you would show up,” Maxir answered honestly. “This was not intended to be a date. This is work. If we happen to take a spin around the dance floor at some point so be it.”

When Amanda announced their morning training schedule Maxir couldn’t help but laugh. “Well I guess that I will have to be careful of how many drinks I have. Perhaps it might not even be worth going to sleep tonight. These things do go pretty far into the night.”

Anniser jumped in to compliment Amanda as well. Well deserved, but suspicious. Anniser was never nice to Maxir’s friends. Amanda technically wasn’t a friend though, and their former relationship was bound to change. Then she offered to introduce them to the Queen Mother. Having worked in the high court of Hapes Anniser might be able to do it. “An introduction would be a bit much for a visiting Jedi wouldn’t you say? Besides the Queen Mother is speaking with Senator Organa at the moment. We don’t need to interrupt.”​

 

[Amani Serys]

Alicio Organa - Kha'la Daaray
​

Amani listened to Alicio's analysis of the Queen Mother as they dipped through the crowd, "You've done your homework," She said, impressed. It was little things like that she admired about him as a Senator; He actually cared enough to learn about the people and places he dealt with. The same couldn't be said for some others in his line of work, and given some recent developments in the Senate, his investment was all the more appreciated by contrast.

As the Queen Mother at last descended arm-in-arm with one of her guards, Amani felt her nerves waver. Hardly the first time she'd come into contact with a noble, considering she was literally dating one, but a monarch seemed much more imposing. Especially one forged in the crucible of Hapan politics. Many seemed eager to speak with her, yet she glided past them all with ease. And just like that, she was upon them.

Amani gave a bow in tandem with the Count, but completely forgot to introduce herself even after Alicio had done so himself. An awkward beat passed before she realized, "Oh-! Amani Serys, Chief Healer of the New Jedi Order." She forced a smile to repair her momentary lapse, "I hope everything's come together as you envisioned?"

 

[Silas Westgard]

Location: Hapes
Objective: Have fun
Tag: Thelma Goth
Attire

​

"Did you get drunk at one of these events before?"

"Uhhhhh... no" Silas replied in the most unconvincing tone ever, choosing to do a brief cough to change the subject onto a matter at hand "Hm? we'll have to see if you're telling the truth on the dancefloor," he said with a reformed grin "Don't worry about being nervous, the best thing to do is just focus on me. Forget everyone else that is around us" compared to Thelma he didn't really care if anyone else was watching him. In situations like this he didn't care if he embarrassed himself. It was just all about having fun.

"Considering the music is slow, probably something cool to start off with," he said with a motion to the floor "Come on, let's get this going shall we?" Silas gently squeezed her hand and took her to the dance floor. With a brief, respectful bow he placed his arm around her hip and took her hand in the other "One step at a time..."

Looking across from him, he could see that another pair had joined them on the floor, the very person he hoped wouldn't spot him Valery Noble was only a stone's throw away "Galaxy have mercy, please don't see me!" he said in his mind, before looking back to Thelma with a shy smile.
​

 

[Miri Nimdok]

Tags: Desric Terassi
Attire
​

"It can be very rewarding," she agreed, smoothly taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter's tray without breaking eye contact.

At the mention of Adrian, Miri's eyes widened in surprise. Then she snorted, quickly trying to suppress the burst of laughter which followed. "Oh, goodness. I'm terribly sorry..." she sputtered, covering her mouth with her hand to pretend she was coughing instead.

Really, it wasn't that funny. Adrian Vandiir had been a monster, like all Sith. But Miri's entire personal experience with the man was limited to her father's impersonations of him, which were often hilarious caricatures of the pompous alchemist. "Yes, it must have been your brother. My father, uh... It's a long story."

While she was still stifling her giggles, the news of the bombing on Coruscant began to circulate. Miri had no idea what had occurred, but she did notice Desric's change in expression. It finally occurred to her that she was speaking with the brother of a Sith Lord. A dead Sith Lord, but still...

"Were you close to him?" she asked, casually taking a sip of her drink.

 

[Aldric Laurent]

Valery Noble​

As Marissa and Jasper parted to enjoy their night together, Aldric and Valery were left to do the same. He followed Val's lead, settling his hands on her waist. The song helped complete the mood, and he fell into a steady rhythm with her, "You suggesting we slow it down?" He chuckled, obviously teasing her. That said, now that they were officially a couple, he found the idea of a slower pace was appealing to him. He didn't feel the need to rush things, at the very least.

"I'm pretty happy with how things have turned out," Aldric understated. It was a new lease on life for both of them, and he couldn't be happier to spend it with her. Even still, he occasionally found his thoughts trailing off to their topic of Dantooine. Now that it was brought up, it was going to be festering in the back of his mind for the rest of the night. But it didn't mean he couldn't keep up a dance. He noticed Silas Westgard out of the corner of his eye and smirked. Sensing that the padawan did not want to be seen, Aldric shot him a knowing wink when Valery wasn't looking, and turned back to her without making any mention.

"Got anything on your mind for tonight? Other than dancing?" He smiled, attempting to distract himself with her.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Cailen Corso Brandyn Sal-Soren ​

Cai's upbringing, modest though it may be, drew Cora's fascination. She'd only been vaguely aware of the salvager lifestyle, and figured that it never amounted to more than scavengers selling scrap for their next meal, or glorified waste disposal.

"I see." She seemed to chew on that thought for a moment. "So you and your family gather equipment from old ships to be repurposed? How useful! That must require a deep knowledge of starship components and their various models." That was beyond her understanding, at least. Commoners had such interesting professions, doing the type of work Cora had never even been aware of.

Brandyn's ping came at the same time for them, and shortly after Cora's holopad buzzed. And buzzed. And buzzed. "I'm sorry, I could have sworn I'd put it on silent. Let me just-" Reaching into her clutch, she fished for the small device and paused once she saw the flashing screen.

- - - - BREAKING NEWS - - - - ATTACK ON CORUSCANT - - - - SOURCES LINKED T-

Cora's face fell and she swallowed thickly. Her shoulder nudged Cailen, and she glanced down to her purse in an attempt to draw his eyes subtly towards the holopad and the message scrolling across it's display.

"That…is not good." She murmured lowly, head snapping up to scan the crowd for anything suspicious. Nothing struck her as out of the ordinary, but she did note Desric's mild unease. No doubt that word of the attack would reach the partygoers in short order, but the question was what to do now.

"Nothing unusual in Sector 3…yet." Cora's fingers pressed against the commpiece in her ear. "What would you like for us to do, Brandyn? The attendees may grow anxious as the news spreads."

Idly, she wondered to herself what a leader would do in this situation. Hide in a bunker? Make a statement to reassure the people?

Keeping her voice low, she spoke to Cailen.

"What do you think the Queen will do?"

​

 

[Valery Noble]

Hapes

​

Outfit: Dress | Commission with it
Date Tag: Aldric Laurent

"Hmmm, I do like taking things slow as well..." Valery said as they swayed to the slow rhythm of the music, her voice soft and her lips curling up into a smirk, "More time to enjoy every second of it, that way," she winked and transitioned into a little spin to show off for him. It wasn't as easy on heels, but she knew what it all did with him, and it was too much fun to tease back. He also undoubtedly had Dantooine on his mind still, and while she was going to be there with him through it all, tonight she wanted him to focus on her.

"But I couldn't be happier myself," Valery then told him, while she remained oblivious to Silas Westgard and his date he should tell his Master about very soon if he wanted to live. Normally, she'd always sense her Padawans without even trying, but Aldric had an effect on her that made it impossible to focus on anybody else. Whenever she looked into his emerald eyes and was met with a smile, she just melted.

Even if part of it was a dangerous attempt to distract her from seeing Silas.

"No plans. Maybe we can go for a walk outside later and enjoy the nice weather. Then head back to the hotel and it's just... us two," she winked and stepped in close to press a quick kiss against his lips before a more devilish grin took over. She took one of his hands in a tighter grip and distanced herself until his arm fully extended. She then let him pull her back in close while his other arm could wrap around her waist, and she hoped to spice things up a little that way. "Let's show them what we got~"

 

[Lónan Lodral]

Open to Interaction || Equipment: Lightsaber

Lónan sensed the disturbance in the Force before his comlink chittered and he learned what the disturbance belonged to: a bombing on Coruscant. Several of the Padawans were already chattering about what to be done, worrying about the panic that would ensue, but from his vantage point astride a punch bowl, the charity auction had not yet been disturbed by the news and he would like to keep it that way.

"Padawans," he cut in over the comm channel. "This is Jedi Knight Lónan Lodral. Let's not alert the attendees just yet. Fan out and keep your eye out for disturbances. Report anything you see. As the news inevitably spreads, your calmness and control of your emotions will be paramount." He paused to let his suggestions seep in, then opened the channel again, speaking softly. "Padawan Sal-Soren, is it possible to reach the Queen Mother discreetly? The news may already be known to her, but she should be informed by one of us regardless."

He clicked off his comlink and awaited any reply from the rest of the security detail. There were Padawans and Knights all over the event, both as attendees and security. He was confident in their ability to keep the event calm and not to inject their own uncertainty, which would surely lead to a panic.

The Queen Mother would be the best option to deliver the news to those gathered. But all that depended on how quickly they acted now. The longer it took to reach her, the quicker news would spread, and the sooner the situation would be out of their control. Lónan longed to read the news reports of the situation on Coruscant, but that would have to wait for later. His job now were those in attendance, and to the Padawans who would inevitably look to him and the other Knights for inspiration and leadership.

Tags: Brandyn Sal-Soren , Cailen Corso , Corazona von Ascania
​