Private It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want To [Complete]

[Queen of Devit]

The grand hall of the palace shimmered with an ethereal glow as the world of Kashir prepared for the grandest of celebrations. The air was thick with the scent of blooming lunar flowers, their petals reflecting the celestial hues of distant stars. Tonight, the entire kingdom would gather in homage to the Princess Anavi Rose Vandala, heir to the throne of Kashir, on the occasion of her eighteenth birthday. For generations, the royal family had celebrated such milestones with great fanfare, but this event promised to be unlike any before it.

King Tor-Mak Varran and his wife, Queen Miri Vandala, had spared no expense in orchestrating the evening. Invitations had been sent far and wide, extending not only to close friends and royal dignitaries, but to the most prestigious members of high society throughout the galaxy. The hall was filled with the finest delicacies, exotic performers, and breathtaking decorations that made the palace seem like a dream woven into reality. But as the festivities began to swell, there was an undercurrent of tension—an unspoken secret that only King Tor-Mak carried in the depths of his heart.

In Kashir, it was a long-standing tradition that upon his children's coming of age, the king would select a successor from among his offspring. In this culture the king took many wives and had several offspring among them. Only one would be destined to rule the kingdom after the kings passing. Though this law was a standard for generations, it carried with it an undeniable gravity. The event tonight shared that same gravity because Anavi was the youngest of the kings children, meaning tonight the entire kingdom was waiting to hear word of who their new ruler would be as the last of the kings offspring came of age. King Tor-Mak had other plants however.

The King had mind to make a very different type of announcement, one concerning the age-old decree granting the king the authority to arrange the marriages of his daughters. This was an ancient tradition on Kashir and an authority that had not been exercised in centuries, though it was often joked about. Tonight, however, whispers of this ancient practice would take on new meaning. The king had chosen to marry off his beloved daughter, Anavi, to another. But the decision was to remain a secret, one that Tor-Mak intended to reveal only at the height of the celebration, when all eyes would be on the birthday princess.

As Anavi prepared for her momentous evening, little did she know that the joy of her milestone birthday would soon be overshadowed by a dramatic turn of fate—one that would shape the future of Kashir, the kingdom she was born to rule, and her own heart.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

Unlike Anavi, Caelen knew quite well what was coming. It both excited and scared him. Scared not in the sense that he wanted to run away, but scared him that she was going to hate him and that he was going to lose the friend he had despite his good intentions. Even still, he had agreed to it because he knew it was the best for the both of them, and now the day had come for revelations, the same day she came of age, and the day that they all got together to celebrate her birth.

The royal transport of the Kingdom of Devit arrived with escorts, and Caelan stood in his quarters within, staring at a mirror. A lot had happened since his coronation and since they'd spoken on Lazerian IV. He'd gone off to war, as was seemingly more common, and in so doing had lost the entirety of his left arm, an arm he'd nearly lost long ago on Tython. In response, Lazerian BioTech had outfitted him with their newest prosthetic, one that looked nearly identical to his original arm, and felt the same, for the most part. It still felt slightly different, and sometimes the skin shimmered in the light.

He pulled on his jacket and did up the buttons before turning and leaving the room, and subsequently the ship. The palace on Kashir was not unfamiliar to him. As children they had played their often. Making his way inside, he carried a package bearing her gift, something he intended to give her personally, and there was another within his pocket for when the timing was right.

The grand hall bustled with activity. Caelan nodded to some of the people he knew and smiled and shared hugs with Anavi's siblings. These were friends he'd grown up spending time with. They may not have seen each other often, but they were still close enough. He spotted her father and approached him to shake the mans hand with his real one. Fortunate was he that the arm that was removed was not his dominant one. It made things much easier that it was his offhand since he was still getting used to it.

Anavi didn't seem to be present yet, but that wasn't surprising. The birthday girl probably wouldn't show until most everyone had arrived. To tide himself over, he went for a glass of juice and a bite to eat before settling in to speak with her siblings as they waited.

---

ATTIRE: LINK (The First Image) | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Anavi Vandala ​

 

[Queen of Devit]

Anavi was indeed locked away from the party in the dressing chambers. She stood in front of a large mirror, fidgeting with the champaign colored dress her mother had selected for the evening. The gown showed a lot more skin than she was used to and it made the young girl feel nervous. Although the galaxy would recognize her as an adult today she certainly did not feel like one, especially as servants hovered around her and did her hair, her makeup, and dressed her. It was also because she was still so young and hadn't truly experienced what it meant to be a grown woman yet. She still felt awkward in her own skin but she had learned how to hide it for the sake of the royal line, like everything else in her life. She was eager to speak with her parents alone and share her desire to leave for university. Anavi wanted to grow, she wanted to meet new friends, she wanted to fall in love, she wanted to learn, she wanted to live. So much of her life had been spent as a parade element for her royal parents and finally she could see the light at the end of the tunnel. With any luck this party might be the last one where she couldn't truly be herself. That promise held a gentle type of excitement for the young girl.

After all the preparations and final touches to her outfit, hair, makeup and whatever else her mother deemed appropriate she was given permission to enter the party. She stood at the top of a magnificent staircase as her presence was announced and soft music played while she walked down gracefully to join her parents. Her father took her hand and kissed her on the cheek and she beamed. Anavai didn't know her father well, with all the time he spent among all his children and his wives she felt like she barely got to see him so nights like this were special.

King Tor-Mak stepped forward and a hush fell over the room. The anticipation was so thick it felt like a heavy weight on Anavai's shoulder. The entire kingdom had turned out for this announcement, as so many wanted to know who the next ruler was. It was as if the audience was waiting with bated breath and the King could tell because he smiled knowingly and paused, letting the tenase atmosphere hang for just a moment longer.

"Honored guests, tonight we celebrate the coming of age for my youngest daughter. My beautiful Anavi, I remember when you were born and I rued that this day would come and take you away from me, but time is cruel and come it has. You are a light in my life and it has been such an honor to see you grow itno a beautiful young woman. First I want to wish you a very happy birthday."

There was a small quiet applause, almost like a formailty that everyone wished would hurry so the real announcement could be made. Anavai smiled and bowed her head, thanking them all, but she could feel how tense they were. Once eagain her father paused and sat in silence, letting the tension mount even higher.

"Tonight also marks another tradition in Kashir history and a very important announcement for our kingdom. I, Tor-Mak Varran, king of Kashir hereby decree that I have arranged marriage for my beautiful youngest daughter Anavi Rosaline. Her hand will be joined in matromony with King Caelan Valoren, the ruler of the Kingdom of Devit!"

There was an audible gasp throughout the crowd. No princess had been arranged in marriage in hundreds of years. A shocked silence fell and many of the crowd has their mouths gaping open as they stared at the king in utter incredity. For once though the King did not pause and let the atmosphere settle. Instead he kept speaking, as if oblivious to the scandalous nature of hte news he had just shared.

"Now let my beautiful daughters first birthday dance be with her future husband, King Valoren!"

It all happened so fast. King Tor-Mak sat back down and soft music began to play. Anavai was standing, a look of panic on her face, as if she was a Nexu caught in headlights. Her mind was realing and she was in total shock, unable to really comprehend what her father had just said. It was as if it was a dream and this was happening to someone else. When the music started she felt a sharp jab in her back from her mother, prompting her well-trained feet to decend from the platform and out onto the dancefloor. It was as if her body was on autopilot but inside her heart was screaming. Whispers immediately started as she reached the dancefloor as every member in the ballroom discussed the shocking turn of events.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

When she first appeared he was spellbound.

She was stunning.

Until the strange turn of events of recent months she had been older than him. It shouldn't have even been possible for the King to arrange anything between them because he should have still been years younger than her. But now? Now he was older than her. Older and still smitten with the beautiful woman that she was. He'd always had a boyish crush on her. It was to be expected. Princes fell for princesses all the time. But he'd always expected her to be Anavi, his friend. That was how it should have been.

The King strode in and took her hand and led her up in front of everyone where he presented her. He was happy and announced her birthday, to which Caelan joined in clapping about. A joyous thing, ones birthday. Surely she would tell him now that she wished to go off to university and study. Perhaps he would rethink his arrangement.

But then Tor-Mak continued speaking and immediately announced to all the betrothal of Anavi and Caelan. His hand tightened around the stem of the glass. He hadn't expected the announcement so soon. She should have had some time to enjoy the festivities before it was announced. He'd wanted to pull her aside and tell her it was coming, warn her about it and explain it, but now that wasn't going to happen. Now everyone was aware. Now Anavi knew the truth of her future.

While her siblings congratulated him, and he muttered his thanks and smiled, he set his drink down and strode out onto the dance floor where his beautiful bride-to-be was waiting for him. She looked shocked. Everything about her appearance screamed petrification. But he strode up to her and took her hand gently in his prosthetic one, his real one sliding gently to her waist before he began to guide her to the beat of the music.

"I wanted to warn you," he said as they moved. "I was told to keep it silent, though, and didn't want to upset your father. I'm sorry."

---

ATTIRE: LINK (The First Image) | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Anavi Vandala ​

 

[Queen of Devit]

"I was told to keep it silent, though, and didn't want to upset your father. I'm sorry."

Anavai barely heard what Caelan said to her, but her mind did register the fact that he had known about this. She looked at him questioningly for a second, but the music guided them and she made sure to smile and dance gracefully the way she had been taught. Her bright blue eyes drifted over to her siblings, none of whom looked shocked at this news. In fact the looked pleased. Anavi was no longer a contestant in the race to the throne, and their happy smirks made it clear how thrilling this news was.

"We have to get out of here." She whispered the words to Caelan, through a fake smile as the music ended and they each took a bow. Her father was now on his feet again and all eyes turned towards him.

"This party is now officially an engagement party! Congratulations to the happy couple!" The mob then descended upon them, everyone wanting to shake their hands, wish them congratulations, and offer encouragement. Nobody wants to hear how confused she was, or how hurt she was that her birthday was ruined and her dreams of university were crushed. They barely listened to her answers as questions were fired at each of them, one right after the other.

"When did you know you were in love?"

"Oh when is the wedding? I hope its in the spring!"

"How many babies do you want to have????"

At the last question Anavi almost fainted. She'd never even kissed a boy before and now the entire kingdom was expecting her to be a mother. She was barely holding back tears and was shaking on her feet. The moment when the music started again could not have come soon enough. Drinks were being passed out by waiters and the music was louder, more upbeat. The party was really starting now and the crowd dispersed, ready to drink, eat, dance, and enjoy themselves.

Anavi motioned to Caelan with her eyes to a room off of the ballroom, just as she'd done when they were kids and wanted to sneak out of the boring adult meetings. She then slowly started that way, hopping she wouldn't collapse on her shaking limbs before she made it.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

The dance was quiet, at least between them. The shock of what had happened seemed much for her to deal with. No doubt she felt some sense of betrayal that he would agree to such a thing. It was warranted, to an extent. Again, he wished he'd been able to catch her before her father announced it to the galaxy. This kind of news was going to make everything chaotic for them going forward. On top of that, it wasn't what she had wanted. He didn't know if she didn't feel that way about him at all, or if she just didn't want to be married, but he could tell this was all too much.

As the mob descended upon them, he caught her motion with her eyes and nodded. He understood what she wanted, but he also knew that under the circumstances there was no way she was escaping this without some help.

"Ladies, please, there's more than enough time to ask all these questions. Don't mob her just yet!" he said, throwing his arms out wide to indicate the banquet and party around them. "Enjoy the party! When it winds down some then there will be time to talk. Besides, don't you all have suitors to chase after? Hmm?"

He winked at a few of the ladies, who giggled, blushed, and practically screamed to escape him from him in response. But it did the trick and allowed her to escape the throngs of women who wanted to know everything there was to know about everything. Hell, he didn't even know everything himself. In fact, he took a deep breath, smiled, and shook a few hands from several men who wished to congratulate him, but politely excused himself with the excuse that he needed to see if his fiance was alright, which the men understood.

So he followed after her to the side room, closing the door behind him as he entered.

"Anavi?"

---

ATTIRE: LINK (The First Image) | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Anavi Vandala ​

 

[Queen of Devit]

Anavi had one goal, and it was to make it to the side room. She just put one foot in front of the other, willing herself forward despite the shock, the hurt, the overwhelming everything. She was thankful Caelan was making the excuses, handling the crowd, giving her the escape route she so desperately needed. Even something as simple as excusing yourself to another room was no easy task when you were royalty. He seemed more ready to handle it at this moment than she was at least. When she made it into the other room she all but collapsed onto one of the decorative fine sofas. A full blown panic attack was in it's midst as her Jedi training kicked in, willing her to slow her breathing and calm her mind.

"Anavi?"

A few moments latter he had joined her, while she was holding her head in her hands and trying to slow her breathing. She looked up as he entered and the tears were finally pouring from her eyes, smearing the makeup her handmaidens had worked so hard on.

"How could he do this to me? I've done everything he's asked... I ..... I...." She was lost for words, but one thing was clear, there was no anger in her tone towards Caelan. All of the anger, the shock, the betrayal, the hurt, it was all directed at her father in that simple statement. She'd been an obedient daughter. She had worn the cute dresses and acted sweet and innocent and pure , the way the baby of the family was supposed to. She'd stalled growing up so the kingdom could cling to the little tiny princess as long as possible. She'd worn whatever they told her, ate whatever they said, did whatever they commanded. Yet the moment she asked one question they felt was out of line they were ready to ship her off to another kingdom.

"What happened?" She looked at him with pleading blue eyes, almost desperately wondering if he could make sense of this. He seemed to have some knowledge she didn't and she waited to hear it.


Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

He sighed. Not a happy sigh, although he was glad that she didn't seem mad at him. It was a sigh of sorrow that she felt so betrayed by her own father that it brought tears to her eyes. This practice, arranged marriages, was archaic. It wasn't how his parents had been married, it wasn't how hers had. True, his parents had married in part as a way to bring Devit and Doxeti together, but that was only part of it. They'd loved each other. Love was the real reason they were wed. Love. Not arrangement.

Moving over to her, he sat and reached out his prosthetic hand to take hold of hers. It still felt as though he were holding it with his real hand. Remarkable how far technology had come. Then she asked him what happened and he took a deep breath before looking her in the eyes.

"He came to me before my coronation," Caelan began, not sparing a detail, even if it meant drawing ire. "Said he wanted to give your hand to me in marriage, to strengthen the relationship between our kingdoms. At first I was against it, but he was persistent, and I could see that it didn't matter if I said no, his intentions were to use you for the kingdoms benefit."

There were others that this happened to. Daughters of the Scar on Naboo, for example. Other worlds only married through arrangement. But among the royals, outside of Hapes, this was not common. The fact her father was so keen to be rid of her this way worried him. Something in the way he'd been so insistent that she marry and get away from Kashir. It wasn't like Tor-Mak to be that way. He'd never known the man to push family away in the time he'd known him, but here it was as if he wanted to be rid of her posthaste.

"He would have married you off to someone else, anyone. I worried he would pick someone like Horace on Ukatis. His son was terrible as it was, and was... despicable to my friend Cora, the woman who place my crown."

The idea of her being with a man like Horace, producing heirs for him? His fist balled up, but then slowly relaxed and he reached a hand over to brush tears away from her cheek.

"I had to do it. I didn't want you hurt. I figured if you were mad at me it was better than you being abused by some jerk elsewhere."

---

ATTIRE: LINK (The First Image) | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Anavi Vandala ​

 

[Queen of Devit]

As he told the story she pictured it in her minds eye but she just couldn't see it. Sure she didn't know her father well but he'd always been loving or caring when she did see him. He'd seemed a little distracted when he had learned that Anavi could use the Force. As far as they knew she was the only of his children who could do that and neither of her parents were Force users. Was this a punishment for that? She thought being sent away to the Jedi was her punishment for that but this... this was so archaic. The kingdom joked about this practice because it wasn't ever used anymore.

As he mentioned Horace she shuddered inwardly. Words of that mans deeds were an open secret. Anavi couldn't stand the sight of him and she was glad she wasn't betrothed to him. She nodded to Caelan as he explained his motives. She didn't blame him and wasn't angry at him. He was trying to be a true friend to her and protect her from being sold off to some Hutt. Surely her father wouldn't have gone that far? She didn't even know anymore.

"I think my father is hiding something and he's worried I'll get the Jedi involved. He fought with my mother about me going to the Jedi but she was persistent and in most cases his wives deal with the children so in the end she got her way."

She noticed that he was drying her tears and saw her makeup smudged on his fingers and tried to blink her eyes dry. She had to suck up these emotions before they were forced back into the limelight. This was unfortunately a part of the life of a royal being. She blinked several times and then groaned. "This is awful."

Almost as soon as she said it she winced, realizing what her words could have implied. "I don't mean you are awful. Especially after what you just did for me. You are probably the best friend I've ever had... I just.... I mean... this is just... it's.... I'm just not ready for this." She didn't want to hurt his feelings or make him feel undesirable or anything.

She glanced down at the hand that was holding hers and frowned, just noticing something different through all the chaos. "What happened?" She indicated his hand.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

Hiding something. Yes, he was hiding something. Contempt for his daughter. Though the reason for that contempt was what puzzled Caelan the most. He'd never shown an inkling of disliking her before. She was always the baby, the cherished daughter, the apple of his eye, as he would say. So why, then, marry her off like this? What kind of questions was she asking? What was she getting herself into that was threatening the King so much that he would throw her to the wolves to be rid of her? That was dangerous. He couldn't ask it there.

What she said made him wince just a bit. It did hurt to hear her say such things, but he also understood. They'd been close friends, but they'd never pretended they would date or have a romantic involvement. Now they were thrust together by fate. She wasn't ready to be wed; she'd not even gotten to experience the galaxy yet. At least, when she married him, she would be free to do so. More free than she would be elsewhere.

"I understand what you mean, Anavi," he said, looking down at his makeup smeared thumb. "But at least when we wed I won't make you stay on Lazerian. You can go to university and study to be a doctor. I won't trap you as some would."

His heart ached. They may not have pretended to have an interest in dating, but he'd found that interest in her as they'd grown. The last time he'd seen her before his parents died he'd been thirteen and she sixteen. Ever beautiful. He'd pined after her like a puppy, though he'd been careful not to let her know about it. She'd always had that air of wanting to be something, to do something with her life, and he'd always envied that of her. There wasn't a chance he would take that from her now, even in marriage.

When she asked about his hand, he looked down. The light of the room made the skin glitter.

"Oh. Woostri. I was injured, lost my arm. This is a prosthetic. Newer type of one, though. I can feel you the same as if it were my real hand and I can still use the Force with it."

He brushed his thumb over her hand. Dwelling on his wound would upset her, and he didn't want to focus on it either.

"Will it be so bad, our being wed?"

---

ATTIRE: LINK (The First Image) | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Anavi Vandala ​

 

[Queen of Devit]

She smiled when he mentioned medical school. It seemed like forever ago when they had talked in the park on his planet. So much had happened in just a few short moments that Anavi hadn't realized that maybe she was actually closer to medical school this way than she ever was with her parents. At least she didn't have to beg them for anything anymore, right? She didn't know the answer. None of her siblings had married off to someone from another planet. Her oldest brother had gotten married but to a wealthy woman from Kashir that he'd fallen in love with. Anavi was so young she didn't even remember the wedding, though she was told she had made an adorable flower girl.

The talk turned to his arm and she was horrified to learn he had lost it in the war. There were real problems going on in the galaxy and Anavi was so sheltered she was worried about going to school. Caelan had suffered so much already and now he was being forced to do this. Her heart ached for him. This probably wasn't his idea of life either. She supposed he'd wanted to find a girl and court her, marry her, fall in love. Everyone had those dreams didn't they?

She examined his prosthetic arm with interest, trying to find the right words to express how sorry she was that he was giving up his future just to help her. Even in her current situation she had to admit that the new prosthetic was an amazing advancment in medical technology. His question snapped her out of her thoughts and back to reality.

"Will it be so bad, our being wed?"

"Of course not its just... I feel like I've lost my family and my home... and you... you've lost your future too. It's just one more thing thrown at you that you didn't get to choose. You haven't had an easy life... and now this." She sighed and tried to dry her eyes wiht her own fingers.

"You don't have to do this you know. You could at least have this part of your life to choose. To find smoeone in the galaxy and fall in love. You've already sacraficed so much for your kingdom. You don't have to sacrafice for mine."



Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

"I lost my future when my parents died, to be honest," he said as he released her hand to allow her to dry her own eyes. "Having to grow up immediately as I did kind of robbed my of my childhood and future at the same time. I went from being this little kid secretly pining for a redheaded princess to a Jedi and then a King in a matter of a year."

And yeah, that was an admission, not a slip. He was a King now, an adult. They were both adults. They were betrothed. He could admit the truth of how he'd felt about her before without having to worry about what might come of it. It didn't matter that back then it would have meant nothing and now they were getting married. What mattered was that he admitted the truth and that she was aware of it going forward. He would be completely open with her about everything that had happened to him if she asked.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small package which he offered to her. It was wrapped in delicate paper, obviously not by his hand, though he had picked it out from an artisan on Lazerian himself. No, he did not allow someone else to do his gift shopping for him. Especially not when it came to Anavi. Inside of the package was a necklace, one that he had ordered just for her. It was unique, made with empeth crystal that was currently still alive, a bit of it that had survived the attack on his world by the Obsidian Syndicate.

"I had this made for you because I've always cared for you, Anavi. Used to envy you because you always seemed to know what you wanted and were determined to do it. I'm glad I can be the one to help you do what you want now."

There was another gift, but he'd wait until she opened this one first.

"I do not wish to go searching for another. I tried that once, when I believed I would never have the opportunity to be with you anyway. She ended up disappearing after her father died, and I don't know if she'd even still alive. I don't think I was meant to be with anyone else but you. I think the Force wanted it this way because I can help you achieve your dreams now."

---

ATTIRE: LINK (The First Image) | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Anavi Vandala ​

 

[Queen of Devit]

She gave him a look that clearly said 'yea right' as he mentioned he was pining for a redheaded girl. Clearly he was trying to make her feel better in this situation. At least that's what she thought at first but he kept talking and basically admitted that he had those feelings towards her. She felt herself blush and didn't know what to say. He'd never hinted at it growing up. Sometimes he'd done goofy things in front of her but she had always assumed it was just to make her laugh, not because he was infatuated with her. She supposed that was one good thing to come from this mess, at least Caelan would finally have something go the way he wanted in his life. If he could sacrifice to make her happy surely she could sacrifice to give him that at least?

She took the gift he handed her and opened it slowly, revealing a beautiful necklace. "Oh its beautiful." She held it in her slender fingers, rubbing the intricate designs and the crystal. She clasped the necklace gently behind her neck and let it rest under her collarbone. It seemed to go fine with the dress she was wearing so she doubted her mother would complain.

"Thank you Caelan... for this .... for... for everything." She smiled at him and felt a little awkward, uncertain what really to say next.

"I guess it's going to be a little weird for a while.. us... engaged.. ." She trailed off and glanced out the window. How long had they been talking? They probably needed to return to the party.

"We should probably go back to the party." She wondered if she could go to her room and freshen up her makeup but then she frowned. Was it even her room anymore? With that thought she realized she didn't even know where she was sleeping tonight. Was she expected to go home with Caelan today? Was he staying here? Many of the guests might stay in the guest accommodations because of the long distance but his planet was close. If she went back with him did she have to share his bed? Was he expecting them to start having children immediately? Her heart started to hammer again and she had to will herself to calm down. She would just have to take this one step at a time.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

The necklace did look good on her. It went well with her dress. Reminded him that he did know her better than he thought. Proved to him that it was right for them to be together even if was arranged. He wished he could have just proposed to her himself. Maybe he would. Maybe he would find a time before their wedding, after they spent more time together, and actually propose so it was more like they were choosing to get married because they wanted to be together rather than because her father was marrying her off and he was trying to protect her.

When she mentioned going back to the party, he thought she probably was right. Truth be told, they were royals and royals went to parties. Especially their own. It was expected of them and they did their duty. But, why should they in this case? All those people had been told that they were engaged, and then the two of them had danced before sneaking off together. Some probably expected they were making our, or worse. Some probably were trying to listen at the door.

He shook his head and stood, offering her his hand.

"Do you trust me?" he asked.

There had been times where he had been rash as a youngster. Times where he had done things that got him in trouble. Times he had done things where they had all gotten in trouble. But now? Now no one could ground him, or punish him. He was the King of the Kingdom of Devit and she was his betrothed. He could do what he wished. Why not make the most of it and sweep her away from this torment, take her somewhere nice, tropical, free of all responsibility? Somewhere she could just be herself.

---

ATTIRE: LINK (The First Image) | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Anavi Vandala ​

 

[Queen of Devit]

It was difficult not to think about how many things were about to change. For one fleeting moment she had thought she was finally going to get to design her own life, but her father had seen fit to rip it all away. Now she was awkwardly engaged to her childhood friend and leaving her home probably sooner than later. She did not feel like going back to a party and falsifying about how in love she was, or dancing, or drinking, or pretending it didn’t hurt that her birthday was now overshadowed by this scandal. All she wanted to do was curl up and cry but there was no sense in trying that. She may not like it but this was the law and her situation could be worse. At least Caelan was her friend and she knew him. Maybe her life wouldn’t include a passionate romance like some Lady Velvet novel but overall this might be a chance for her to fulfill other dreams. Sacrificing the temptation of true love was difficult but there had never been any guarantee she would find it anyway. At least she already loved Caelan. He was basically part of her family and true she was a little sore at her family this moment but at least she still had some. Her parents were still alive and yet here she was complaining about them to Caelan, who had lost both his parents. How extremely insensitive could she get?

She stood up when he did and looked at him curiously.

“Of course I do. Why?”



Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

He took her hand without another word and lead her towards a pair of doors further away from the party. These doors led out onto a balcony which looked out over the nearby city. To their left was a balcony connected to the grand hall, where people were milling about from the party. Undoubtedly some of them would notice the two of them on this other balcony, but that wasn't something Caelan was in the mood to care about. This whole party was supposed to be about celebrating Anavi and it had turned into a celebration of political unification. It was a farce.

Once on the balcony they could easily see the landing pads where various dignitaries had arrived. It gave a good vantage point for Caelan to see the Devit transport and escorts. Time to do something daring. He released her hand and wrapped his arm around her back, gripping her below the arm.

"Hold on," he said with a small, mischievous grin.

Gripping her tight, and pushing the Force into his legs, he jumped. The two of them would sail through the air towards the distant landing pad.

---

ATTIRE: LINK (The First Image) | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Anavi Vandala ​

 

[Queen of Devit]

The people on the other balcony did indeed watch them leave with some confusion, but honestly it was just one more thing to gossip about, and those types ate it up.

She was extremely confused as they left the party. Her parents were going to be furious with her! When they had landed she started to wring her hands together and look around.

“Are you crazy?? Everybody came there to see us!”

She groaned and held her head, as if she had a headache. Anavi had always been all the things a good royal daughter should be, obedient, chaste, dainty, graceful, intelligent, submissive, and charming. Now she was openly rebelling and running off from her own party. Her parents were going to throttle her.

“My dad is going to kill me.” The sad part was now she didn’t even know if that was a figure of speech or just the truth.

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

"Your dad doesn't have the ability to do that anymore," he said as he took her hand and led her up into the ship. "Not that I'd have let him anyway."

It wasn't a small ship, by any means. Capable of transporting the entirety of the royal family, it boasted several suited complete with full wardrobe for nearly any occasion. As it was, Anavi and Kita were just about the same size in clothing, even with the age difference, so it shouldn't be hard to find something for her to wear in one of the rooms, that way she didn't have to wear her dress all the time going forward. He had no intention of bringing her back there anytime soon.

"Yes, it was our party, but it was a party that made less about us and made more about the arranged union orchestrated by your father. If I let you go back in there you would spend the whole night fielding questions you aren't ready to answer and you wouldn't enjoy it."

He led her to the cockpit where he spoke with the captain for a moment quietly, and then turned around and took her back to the reception area where he motioned for her to sit before getting them both glasses of water.

"This isn't a good way to celebrate your birthday, so I'm going to take you somewhere you can relax and actually enjoy yourself."

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ATTIRE: LINK (The First Image) | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Anavi Vandala ​

 

[Queen of Devit]

Anavi was not used to this new take charge, confident, in command Caelan. It was very different than the little boy who had followed her and her siblings around playing with them. He had always been the only one in the universe she knew who was younger than her, and thus the only one she felt she had to look after and had some authority over. Now he was calling the shots and making the decisions and it felt surreal. She supposed he had grown up sometime when she was focusing on other things. Well that and having a speedy aging chamber helped.

They boarded the ship and she was clearly torn between a desire to stay and a desire to run back to her palace begging her fathers forgiveness. The ship itself was beautiful and luxurious and he spoke about going somewhere else. Anavi had never really traveled the galaxy before, having always been kept under the watchful eye of her mother since shew as the only child born of Mari and thus the only chance Mari had of securing the throne. Even her Jedi training had mostly taken place on Kashir until just recently so the princess had to admit the idea of traveling somewhere new had appeal.

She gave a last glance over her shoulder at the palace, all lit up for the party. She bit her lip, debating, but finally a mischievous grin spread across her features.

"Okay you talked me into it. Where are we going?"

Caelan Valoren

 

[Caelan Valoren]

The gentle thrum of the engine spread through the ship as he handed her a glass of water and sat down beside her. Outside, the vessel and all three of its escorts took off despite protests from the planets flight control network. They weren't actually going to resist the King of another planet leaving the system, especially one associated with the Galactic Alliance, but given that he did have their princess aboard, they were struggling with how to handle the situation. If he'd been on the bridge listening in he'd probably have enjoyed their inability to figure out what to do.

The pilots from Lazerian IV were well-trained, however, and they were soon speeding off into the depths of space, their course laid. It didn't matter what anyone thought of them, now. The galaxy was theirs, and if he had his way, she wouldn't return to Kashir unless they absolutely had to at some point. Being as he was a King, their wedding would take place where he chose, not where her father decided on. That meant he and Anavi could decide who was invited and whether it was big or small. It would be what THEY wanted.

"Maramere," he answered her before taking a drink of his water. "The kingdom owns a small island there, completely unsettled and undeveloped. We won't be bothered but you can enjoy the tropical atmosphere in peace."

They wouldn't need guards or anything else. While they would have to find a way to make do on their own, he was confident that he had learned enough to be able to keep them alive without assistance. Not that the flight crews wouldn't be a quick call away from Fate if they needed it. Speaking of, the little droid made his way down the hall and to the lounge where they were, looking up at Anavi and scanning her.

"Fate, this is Anavi. Anavi, this is my droid companion, Fate."

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ATTIRE: LINK (The First Image) | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Anavi Vandala ​