It's Getting Hot in Here (Galactic Alliance Meet and Greet)

[Light Rises]

Representative of the Alliance. Who else would be approaching someone that looked out of place in a meeting set up by that government. Loa wasn’t quite sure what was the deal with this Mason woman, hairless, pale, looking lost, and getting red from the hot springs. Yeah, she much preferred the Sullustan appearance, hell, even the Duros. Their eyes were very cool, red, blue skin. A very attractive race.

“A purpose? What kind of purpose?” Didn’t the daughter of a queen already know her purpose? Or was that not true with this race? She didn’t understand royalty, she understood elected officials.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Felicity almost jumped at her question. What kind of purpose? Well, a job would be nice. Something to do. Some small way to be helpful. Especially now.

"W-well, something to do. Since The Techno Union took Naboo, I kinda... lost myself a bit. I was running for Princess of Theed in the next election when they took over. But..."

She shook her head, shrugging. Some day. Some day, she would return. She'd find a way. Even if it killed her. It was where her Mother was laid to rest. Her entire life was there. No military could stop her. No puppet Queen would get in her way. She'd find some way to free her people.

[member="NPCs by Corey"]

 

[Kiyron]

[member="Nikola Ticon"] [member="The Revenant"]

Kiyron scrutinized the newcomer, resting his arms up on the edge of the pool for a moment before slowly slipping them back under the water after staring at them for an odd moment. This new person was a Jedi apparently and this older fellow was indeed somehow connected to the Wrath. But he couldn't be the actual Wrath. Kiyron had heard word he was out and about doing his usual thing. Razing planets, bringing death to innocents, wreaking destruction, and in general, being Sithly. And the newcomer was Chevu's apprentice. That made things even more complicated. What was going on in this situation?

Kiyron slipped under the water for a moment, letting the water wash through his brown hair, or what he still had, even considering how short it had been. Then he popped back up, pausing at the man's question. Now that... was something. He knew Vong wounds. Old ones at that. He traced it with his fingers, staring vaguely at the metal fingers before shivering, despite the steamy heat hanging through the room. Which one was this, anyways? He frowned for a moment. Amphistaff at Alderaan, at the hospital. How to answer the question though? Possibilities played through his mind until he settled on the easiest one. Terse honesty.

"I have," Kiyron answered, sinking back lower into the water, "Usually weapons. Warriors less often." He tilted his head to study the man. How did he know? Perhaps it was best to ask. "How do you recognize Vong injuries?"

 

[Ruby Rose]

"I guess that is true, everyone has their own way of calming down," Ruby laughs lightly at the relaxed guy beside her. "I'm Ruby, good to meet you as well. I'm guessing you plan on enjoying the springs then?" She gestures at your more relaxed attire as she walks towards the pool and sits along the edge, hanging her feet in the water.

"Oh, hello there [member="Watcher Three"], good to see you again, its been a while since Duro, how have you been?"

[member="Aston Jacobs"] Mantic Dorn

 

[Nubica Felidae]

[member="Cole Dagos"]

She listened to his story. It wasn't so far removed from her own. People figured Jedi wandered around a lot. In truth they ran escort missions, accompanied Senators, did a lot of relief work and mundane stuff a million miles away from the concept of lightsaber duels.

"It was an open invitation," she related, smiling. "So entirely above board I'm here. Am I a member of the New Jedi Order or the Alliance? Not...precisely. But the day is young. Anyway, less about me. This seems a little sedate for your only chance of R&R between missions. Or does it promise to get more feisty later?"

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

Jacen leant back on the banks of the hot springs, finding a quiet corner for himself. He submerged his body to just under his shoulders, leaving his arms spread across the ground behind him. The heat spread through his tired muscles quickly, and in a few moments sweat ran freely down his brow. His ears picked up no sign of interesting conversation, or his name. So for now he simply closed his eyes and relaxed.

 

[Kenrath]

Cole looked at [member="Nubica Felidae"] for a moment giving her a questioning look.

"Nobody is trying to kill me and I don't have to kill anyone." "What more could anyone out of their free time?"

He sipped his drink looking at her not at all missing the part where she didn't ask him which government he represented. It was kind of amusing in a way.

"It depends on your definition of feisty." He quipped taking another sip of his drink.

 

[Nubica Felidae]

"Not killing wins, I grant you that. But I kinda quite like it when my life is on the line. But I guess I'm not traditional that way. But all this relaxation is a bit...sedentary for me. I don't do a lot of quiet reflection and given I'm always on duty, I don't get to let my hair down either."

"And as for my definition? Well I'd have to say this doesn't measure up quite yet. But as I said before, the day is young."

By now she was wondering how much longer she could last here. It was hot and in Jedi robes, she was really feeling the heat.

[member="Cole Dagos"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

The masked padawan seemed content with his people-watching. Masked face angling this way and that, picking up on snippets of conversation here, conversation there. Most of the 'jokes' offered were fully lost on Ryn. 'Feisty'? He recalled being described as such as a youngling, but [member="Cole Dagos"]' usage of the term caused the padawan to suspect a different meaning. His attention mostly danced between the conversation between Cole and the lovely [member="Nubica Felidae"], both unknown to him, and the conversation between [member="Felicity Mason"] and her own verbal partner.

Eventually his golden gaze fell upon the lone Jedi soaking. [member="Jacen Voidstalker"]. He vaguely recognized him from the battle on Coruscant. Ryn attempted to lend him aid, but was waylaid by injured soldiers in need of healing. Both contributed in their own ways, though Ryn felt he could have done much more.

Sitting on that flat stone, off to the side, the mask padawan continue to watch. People were so interesting.

 

[Ibaris Varanin]

Of all things to have not done in way too long, soaking actually wasn't one of them, but this time she was certain she didn't have to deal with any sentient plants that didn't have solid control over how to keep their pheromones to themselves. As far as she knew, Hylo hadn't appended himself to this outfit - not a fact she was celebrating, she liked her 'cousin' well enough, but she could do without the risk of an allergy attack when she was simply out to enjoy herself, walking out into the hot springs area in a two piece she'd picked up after last time, towel hung around her neck and [member="Liam Quez"] in tow. Adas, for his part, had been left with the Peregrine as a guard-dog. There were more than enough Jedi and soldiers here to fill her cargo hold, certainly, so the prospect of anything bad happening seemed unlikely... and some people were wary of Sithspawn.

Who could blame them?

"He'll be fine with the ship," she said, one last reassurance of her worries, "I know he's already old for a dog, Liam, but he hasn't shown any signs of slowing down that I've seen."

She looked up at the profile of the man next to her, taking in a breath to hold and giving him a firm, resolute smile. Then she just slipped her right hand into his, the cold of the ring Micah had made for her lessened for being present on that hand. This was an act that could be considered uncharacteristic for her, but with the thoughts she was chewing on and entertaining, doing so felt stabilizing. She released the breath she had been holding, and looked towards the springs, in anticipation of their warmth.

"And what he is? I shouldn't worry so much. Nope. Not going to let my thoughts distract me from enjoying this."

So nonchalant, acting as if what she had just done was nothing, even if her stomach had started to engage in the tying of knots. This was how this stuff was supposed to work, right?

 

[Nikola Ticon]

The man's name was entirely unfamiliar, but Nikola hadn't expected to recognize him in the least. It seemed the both of them were new to the galactic scene in the sense that their names made them unknowns, though in some cases their countenance did all the talking for them. And in the case of Gabriel, that was most certainly true. That name was carefully stored away, and he made a note to perhaps see what information could be found on the surname 'Sionoma', assuming it was shared with the Wrath himself. A beat passed before he was going to reply, but that was until [member="Kiyron"] seated himself and made his presence known. A nod was offered in greeting, but he didn't further acknowledge the man.

A frown momentarily creased his brow, and he shook his head. "You can blame them." As a member of the Galactic Alliance his sentiment may not have been appreciated by those belonging to the organization, but he had his own opinions that had been developed far before his joining them. "So what if you look like the Wrath? That doesn't mean you agree with anything that he's done. You're brothers, so I don't see where you really had a choice when it comes to looking like him. Genetics aren't something you can pick and choose." Family was another matter, at least in the figurative sense. But he would leave such philosophical commentary for another time. They were meant to be relaxing, after all.

The tightening at the corners of his mouth was replaced by a smile at mention of [member="Chevu Visz"]. The woman possessed some kind of mental strength in order to put up with him, as he was self-aware enough to know that he was far from the easiest individual to be around. "I know. She's a great teacher. A bit stiff sometimes, but I think she's learning to grow out of it." His smile turned a bit sheepish. "Not that I really give her much of a choice in the matter." And he hadn't. Stubbornness was a virtue of his that would be a long time in leaving. "I haven't been training with her for very long. She took me in once I arrived here without any hesitation. I owe her for that and a lot more."

[member="The Revenant"]

 

[The Angry Cheese]

(( Would a Mandalorian not in your faction be allowed in here? Also, new to the site ))

 

[Kenrath]

Cole smirked at [member="Nubica Felidae"] with a chuckle.

"Have a bit of an adventurous streak do we?"

He cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Now why do I get the impression seeing you with your hair down may be more than I could handle?"

He looked at her with a smile.

"I suddenly feel over dressed and out of my element." "Care to join me for a swim?" "Then we will have a good reason for all of this tension in the air."

Cole kind of cocked his head to the side his chin dropping slightly as he grinned at her a mischievous look on his face.

 

[Liam Quez]

The one thing I’ve learned from being with Ibaris for this long was that she enjoyed rambling from time to time. Mostly this was a sign of comfort yet discomfort. It was a weird thing, but I understood it for the most part. I let her talk, reassuring herself as if she was reassuring me. Playing along I nodded and rubbed the back of my neck. Adas was an old dog, but when he was needed he was there. Other than that he was perfectly fine in his bed - which was the spare bed on the ship. I remembered fondly of the first time I arrived on the ship, looking for my space to sleep. I was quickly given just a pillow a few blankets and pointed in the direction of the cockpit. The warmest of welcomes to a new job. It didn’t feel like a job anymore the more I thought about it - [member="Ibaris Varanin-Jacobs"] had become more than an employer and more than a friend. She was my better half for the most part.

Before I could respond to her comments, I felt the warmth and an odd chill against my hand. As much as I wanted to give her hand a squeeze and to look down at the gesture, I didn’t. I pretended it never happened and what she was doing was normal. The small moment like this was something I cherished. The last time she had done something like this in public was at that meet and greet party when the Alliance had first been established. The grasp was quick and didn’t linger despite me wanting it to. For now, I remained in limbo - though the light was getting brighter at the end of the tunnel.

I finally looked at her and smiled nodding agreeing with her about Adas. “Yeah he’s an old fart, he does enjoy just lounging now a days. Still he’s a good boy.” Giving her hand a small squeeze I continued to lead her towards the party. It was going to be another possibly the second time we appear to a faction shindig. Hopefully familiar faces were around. My leg got itchy so I pulled on the fabric of the swim trunks and got to that delicate spot just next to the knee. God it felt so good, ugggghhhh. Before I started drooling, I took Ibaris towel and held it with mine. “I’ll put our stuff together so it's a bit easier to grab. I’m ready to just relax finally.”

A stupid grin spread across my face as we entered the area that the springs were waiting in. Peering around, I looked for a particular green girl that I met at the party. She was super cool and chill. Like Ibby, she could use the force as well - so many people could use the force...I was a little jealous. “Hmm wonder if [member="Chevu Visz"] is here - she was pretty cool at the last party.” Glancing towards the little blonde next to me, “You liked her yeah?”

 

[James Justice]

[member="Felicity Mason"] [member="NPCs by Corey"]

James wade in the pool, one of his cigarettes alive and well in his lip. There were so many people, so many lovely ladies, so little time. He chuckled as he spotted a blonde, pretty but sad looking young woman who looked out of place and tragically lost. Looks like someone needs a cheering up and a friend.

Doing his best to not make too many waves as he waded over the spacer meandered to her. Unfortunately he had never been the best of swimmers, so the result was several splashes on strangers followed by several "sorry mates" and sheepish grins. He was good at a lot of things, including apologizing but certainly not swimming. He supposed that was what you get when you grow up on a tramp freighter.

"Oi, 'scuse me, Miss," James asked her as he leaned on the edge of the springs and gave a charismatic smile, "Why is a lady as lovely and dashing as ye looking so glum?"

 

[Nubica Felidae]

Nubica looked around, she was one of only a few people fully dressed.

“Adventurous? Absolutely. And believe me, you wouldn’t recognise me with my hair down, as short as it is.”

She cast a glance around once more. “And I may be out of my element too, but a swim is a stretch too far. I doubt they’d appreciate me jumping in with my robes on and given they’re all I ever wear, I can’t see a logical compromise.”

“But don’t let me stop you, this is your one chance of R and R after all. Grab a drink, swim and relax. I’m sure I can amuse myself.”

She smiled at him. It was a friendly affair but promised no more.

[member="Cole Dagos"]

 

[Kenrath]

Cole chuckled at [member="Nubica Felidae"] with a shrug.

"And now the adventurousness sounds less convincing."

He smirked at her but did not move away from her for a moment. He slightly tilted his head sipping his drink. The party was a boring affair and she looked like the only entertainment in town. He was content for the moment to see how this played out.

"I have a feeling wet robes would not be nearly as much fun as it sounds."

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

The padawan groaned, and rolled off his perch on the rock. There really didn't seem to be anyone he felt comfortable approaching here. Even his fellow Silver, [member="Audren Sykes"], was unapproachable in Ryn's mind. Ice-breakers were not quite his forte.

So, quietly the masked padawan skulked to an unoccupied space near the refreshments, attempting to acquire something to hydrate himself. Layers, plus hot-springs, made for a very uncomfortable padawan. Gloved hand would eventually come to grasp a glass of water. Yes, water. And, with beverage in hand, he sought out a new vantage point to observe the more conversational individuals at this gathering. Particularly, those conversing IN and NEAR the water. They seemed to be more.... lively? Interactive, yes.

[member="James Justice"] | [member="Liam Quez"] | [member="Nikola Ticon"] | [member="Ibaris Varanin-Jacobs"] | [member="Ruby Rose"] | [member="Kiyron"] | [member="Felicity Mason"] | [member="Chevu Visz"]

 

[Aston Jacobs]

[member="Ruby Rose"] [member="Mantic Dorn"]

Aston smiled as they exchanged words for a few moments. "Yes, that is the plan. Perhaps you'd like to join me there soon?" Aston said with a small friendly wink at her as he moved away for a moment to walk towards the refreshments. Aston glanced over what the had and opted to try some of the Corellian ale. Aston glanced around a bit as several people started to show up. One of them being, his niece, [member="Ibaris Varanin-Jacobs"] . Aston raised the glass to his lips as she appeared to be here with someone, and they were holding hands. The Jedi Padawan thought of going up and saying hello, but he thought better of it. He would wait a little bit, before doing that. Aston had been absent majority of her life since she Spencer took her in.

And in truth Aston wasn't sure how she would take to him, given his long absence and travelling the galaxy. They had only met once before this, a long while ago. Aston smiled as he looked away back towards the bar and took another drink as he wondered where his Master went to. Probably enjoying himself as he said he was going to. Aston took another drink as he set the glass down finishing the beverage and moving towards the springs. A place to relax and not think about things for a few minutes.

 

[Nubica Felidae]

[member="Cole Dagos"]

She was a Jedi and what started as light-hearted banter was definitely moving up a gear. And it reached a level where she needed to step away. It was fair to the trooper if nothing else. It wasn't going to go anywhere and it was better to nip it in the bud.

"You go and swim. I'm not going anywhere and you can find me later if you'd like." She smiled in a friendly way and wandered off to see who else was around.

[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

She was intrigued by the Jedi in the mask. His aura was Light and it wasn't normal for Jedi to wear masks. Although she'd heard of the Jedi Shadows - that wore them to be purposefully faceless - to demonstrate that their identities were irrelevant, they were simply instruments of the good.

Or there may be an entirely different reason - and she was determined to find out. So she wandered across and smiled at him. "Glad to see someone else wearing robes - I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one."