It's not a party until...

[Cameron Centurion]

Dressed in a tailored silver suit with a black shirt and tie, Cameron Centurion smiled warmly at the KDY executive that had escorted him back to the hangar. "I thank you again for your time, I do so hope we might be able to engage in continued interactions." Thanks to the collected wealth of his former master's estate and coffers Cameron had obtained during his days of taking advantage of the galaxy's weakened state, he was able to afford a lifestyle that more or less enabled him to interact with the large corporations of the galaxy. Did the Sith Lord actually intend to have any sort of dealing with Kuat Drive Yards? Most certainly...but they made many more things than ships that interested him. Specifically, they owned a number of subsidiaries that made many more things.

The female executive returned the smile as she grasped the man's hand a touch longer than necessary. "Certainly my pleasure Mr. Centurion. I do hope you enjoy your stay on Kuat."

Cameron eventually was freed from the woman's grasp as he continued to smile. "Oh I'm sure it will be restful. Sadly I know nobody that resides here, so I'm sure I'll get plenty of rest prior to departing at some point tomorrow."

"Come now. If this is your first visit, you can't very well stay in a room all evening."

Cameron laughed though the daft nature of the woman was starting to bother him. He wondered why it was that so many females felt they needed to pretend to be so much less than they really were. He supposed they enjoyed the attention. Whatever. "It's fine, really. Please do give my regards to Lady Shamalain." Without much word, Cameron casually turned and begin retreating towards the gleaming luxury yacht waiting in the distance. Smirking, he silently counted in his head. 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6..

"Wait! Mr. Centurion!"

Cameron quietly mumbled something about it 'working every time' to himself before turning to face the woman with another warm smile. "Yes?"

"You know I don't usually do this, but I would be more than happy to show you the City. We could even stop my Lady Shamalain's estate later on if you wanted to speak with her in person. Her daughter is celebrating a birthday, so she is throwing some large party."

Cameron laughed. "Well. I suppose I cannot turn down the company of a beautiful woman, now can I?" A laugh. A blush. Yeah that was a sure thing. "Here. This is where I'm staying." The Sith Lord produced a pen from his pocket and softly took the woman's hand before scribing the information. "Just call when you're on your way. I'll be ready." Before the woman could offer a response, Cameron winked and turned to continue the walk to his vessel.

--------------

It was just over two hours later when the pair arrived at the estate of Lorelei Shamalain. Cameron's silver-green gaze swept over the edifice with silent appreciation. He wondered what it was like to live in such an establishment. Even with his accumulated wealth, Cameron's own home on Corstris was modest at best...large enough for him to do as he required and no more. Perhaps it was his very modest upbringing that instilled this in him. Hell it had taken no short amount of time for him to adapt to interacting and moving about polite society. As far as names went, his was a complete unknown to the galaxy. The Sith Lord appreciated the mystery and the reality that his double life did not come with a necessity to make up a completely different life. In his experience, the more you dodged questions about your profession...the less people really wanted to know for various reasons.

As they walked up the exquisitely decorated walkway leading to a garden near the rear of the estate, Cameron adjusted the coat of his suit slightly. The blonde-haired woman hanging idly on his arm was...well...she certainly wasn't unattractive. Cameron reasoned she was probably a good deal smarter than himself and a great many of those assembled as well. For her to be in such a somewhat submissive position for the evening caused the Sith Lord to smile. Why anyone permitted themselves to be viewed as such was quite amusing to him. For the moment, he recognized no one.

The woman with Cameron eventually released his arm and smiled at him as she leaned in to whisper something. "I'm going to find Lady Shamalain. Why don't you get us a couple drinks?"

Cameron smirked. "You're not trying to get me drunk are you?"

An unnecessary, slightly irritating giggle was heard before the woman departed his company.

The Sith Lord rolled his eyes as the blonde-haired beauty walked into the crowds. Shifting his silver-green gaze around the area, Cameron casually approached where they were serving food. Given his height and weight, he was fairly certain that he stood out. Oh. Right. And the fact his eyes were a brilliant silver-green and his skin was darker than...just about everyone else. Details. Eyeing the cuisine somewhat curiously, the Sith Lord's rigid military stature would no doubt immediately give way to what his profession was...or perhaps had been. "What is that? Whatever, let's do it." The Sith Lord placed the piece of food in his mouth and found that it was...quite good.

Open season.

 

[Ereza]

"Oh thank you-" Amore took the proffered cloth to dry her hands, noticing only then that she had spilled on her dress as well. The girl frowned and sighed, dabbing at the dress. At least it wasn't off-color and would hopefully dry without notice. She decided to hide the spots by clasping the cloth at her front. It had been such a wonderful evening thus far, naturally something of the sort was bound to happen. Amore was just glad that her mother wasn't present for the ordeal. That would not have been pretty in the slightest.

Looking up finally, she couldn't help the urge to cast another glance towards the man at the bar, "Zeltron..." repeating the name given by the Captain though without fully connecting to it. The bartender looked up, winked, and all over again she felt her cheeks grow flush. Look away! So she did, and instead found a dazzling set of blue eyes staring at her where previously there had been only lenses.

"Captain you have very lovely eyes," it came out a bit more dreamily than she meant it to, but she finished with a smile that was quite warm, made even moreso by the red of her fiery hair reflecting off her cheeks. The girl's gaze glinted once more with curiosity at the man's wheezing, but before she could speak on it her father arrived. Almost immediately the Zeltron was forgotten. Xander did not get to finish his last sentence without choking on at least a few words - she snared his waist in a tight hug, beaming like any child as spoiled as she should on their birthday.

"You're hilarious," she jibbed, grinning like a fool, "if you missed it I would have asked the Captain for the first dance of the evening," a brow perked at her intriguing new friend. Wouldn't that just be the talk of the town for a week.

 

[Gideon Argos]

Nodding his head in a manner suggesting 'you're welcome' to the vibrantly haired woman, the eyes shift to the new arrival - not someone he was familiar with. At least not at first. Hearing about someone and seeing them in person without knowing a name are wholly separate things, after all. "My thanks for the compliment, sir."

Again, there's a wheezy inhale of air. "I thank you milady, but these eyes are struggling with the radiant sight before them." It was a typical nobleman's compliment; grand and yet... there was sincerity there that was often lacking in most casual noble flirting. He was playing his part to the letter, as any Kuati would, but he was still letting himself shine through in small ways.

Smiling faintly behind the metal visage obscuring his mouth from view, he bows his head faintly to the man once more. "I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar; although the Lady is. Captain Argos, Kuat Sector Forces." In greeting, as he was not aware of the social stature of the man before him beyond his apparent relationship with the lady of the evening, he defaults to a deep bow at the waist. It's executed perfectly and fluidly despite the seeming rigidity of the armor he wore.
"I should only be so honored.", he adds quietly, in a manner that leaves no qualms about where he stands on the dance. Should she choose to dance with the new arrival, he'd take no offense, and his tone implied as much. Only a Kuat military man would be this stringent in his adherence to social protocol.

 

[Quietus]

Silencia took a seat in a velveteen armchair, quietly adjusting the lengths of her deep blue gown while giving Moridin time to ponder what their conversational destination was. When he gestured for a guess she smiled - did he remember those things they spoke of so very long ago? Perhaps it was easier for him to recall. He'd had so much less filler during the span of time that connected then and now; the man had been asleep while she had been very much so awake and living. Of course the important things never really did get lost, just...store away.

"Opportunity is really the better word here," she said finally, "you must not be so busy that you have the free time to crash a teenaged girl's birthday party. Clearly you didn't come for the cake. Perhaps you wanted to show off this marvelous new cane of yours...did you have that when last we spoke?" the woman chuckled, giving his cane an amused glanced.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“I have all the free time in the world, no one to tell me what to do and all that.” Moridin was referring to the fact that he was now actually in charge of about a third of the entire Sith Empire. At this point no one could order him about, beg him, or really get him to do much of anything at all unless he already planned on doing said thing. It was actually quite nice, before the plague he had been beholden to the Sith Council, now there was no such thing to hold him back. He grinned at this thought, and at her words regarding his cane.

He flipped the small staff around a few times in between his fingers, letting the wood glide between his joints and twirl around. Then he stopped it, and held it out for her to hold. “Yes, its quite nice. With all this spare time ive taken up wood carving.”

Moridin sent her a grin, a quite sly one.

 

[Xander Starkiller]

Xander happily returned the hug, it was not everyday he got to enjoy events like this. Throw in the fact it was a celebration for his young daughter and you'd have to kill him to make sure he didn't arrive. Turning his glance though to the Captain, it seemed he had made quite the impression on his daughter and hearing that he was of the Sector Forces for Kuat meant that at least he could be afforded some trust. At least he could spot a Zeltron and their trickery well, that was always a good thing. At least he could spot a con man where his daughter may not, though through no fault of her own.

"My apologies, Captain. I was rude. Alexander Stark, I bear the responsibility and the great honor of being Lady Amorella's father," he said introducing himself to the man who up until then had kept his young daughter company. "As for the first dance, that honor is still yours to give, my sweet, if the good Captain has earned that honor I shall not object," he said with a genuine smile. "But of course your father stands at your beck and call should you need him," he said pressing a small kiss to the young lady's temple. A loving father to the last, no one could say otherwise.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

The gift was in a thin, flat box, about half an inch high and six eight inches square, black felt with a clamshell opening and wrapped in a delicate white ribbon with a hand-tied bow. It was thin enough that it might have contained a platinum and diamond necklace, laid flat, or a collection of fine bar coasters from Corellia, or a dozen monogrammed kerchiefs from Hapes, or a set of small, hand-carved mandalorian daggers, or the last analog recordings of a fine Coruscanti soprano.

But instead, it contained a simple, glossy catalogue and a black, felt-tipped pen.

The Lacroix family--or two thirds of it--arrived by speeder and disembarked. Avadreia wore a party dress of periwinkle blue and a white shawl that she allowed to hang in what was meant to look like an effortless manner from her elbows, behind her back. It of course took rather a good deal of effort, and naturally matched her glossy white high heeled shoes. Avadriea brushed her white hair from her forehead and glanced around the entryway before turning to face the car that had deposited them. In truth, she was becoming less fond of her daughter recently, who had apparently skipped her rebellious period as a teenager and was now forcing everyone to endure one on the eve of her twenty-first birthday. "Verie, come along. I've told you that it's very important to me--to us," she amended, as she often did, though it was not clear just who 'us' was when she did this. "To continue to cultivate a relationship with these people. Showing up late isn't going to make us any friends."

She stood back and rolled her eyes, tucking her handbag under one elbow and holding the gift in that hand, and waited for her daughter to haul herself out of the car as well.

 

[Verie Lacroix]

"You could help," Verie answered crossly, and there was a bit of a clatter before the driver clambered out of the speeder and went to lend a hand. He drew first, a young woman in a pale lavender party dress and matching shoes (or rather, one matching shoe and one white cast), and then two crutches, and then a handbag. "Thank you very much," Verie told the drive, and they shared a secret smile behind the Dragon Lady's back before she positioned herself on the crutches and began along the pathway towards the entrance.

Verie tried to ignore Avadreia's veiled jibes as she made her way. It was rather lucky that she was a ballet dancer, for she had seen others moving about on crutches and she felt that she moved rather more gracefully than others. There was no guarantee, however, that she wouldn't make a hash of it when there were other people around.

She had made a fuss to ask if she could stay home, but secretly--very secretly, and typically without the broken ankle and crutches--she rather enjoyed rubbing shoulders with the upper classes. Her mother was rather an egalitarian, she thought, and didn't seem too taken with the aristocracy other than for their ability invest in the Yards and purchase ships. Verie, on the other hand, found that there were interesting people scattered across the classes, just as there were bad ones mixed in as well, and good ones, and artistic ones. At any rate, Verie thought it was rather a good chance that she might run into--

Avadreia said something about causing more delays, and Verie said, "I'm coming, mother."

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Ashmedai had been busy stuffing his face with nearly every type of food in sight when the woman he'd arrived with returned some five minutes later. "Well I see you managed to find the food and completely forgot about our drinks!"

The Sith Lord noted that the woman's voice held somewhat of a joking tone, but he was not really one to respond in kind. Fortunately, he was slightly-less-than-barbaric enough to swallow his food before offering a reply. "I did not. I've found that most humans, specifically females, use alcohol as an excuse to throw their inhibitions to the wind and then blame it on said alcohol. Given the degree to which most people drink, it should take a considerably inordinate amount to reduce brain function and situational awareness to such a degree. If not, you probably have a genetic deficiency...therby making you a lower class citizen." The Sith Lord paused only briefly. "I'm merely eliminating the possibility of you debasing yourself to such a degree in my eyes. You are clearly intelligent, attractive, and quite capable. I would prefer to remember you as such and not a drunken, sloppy whore of a woman."

The blonde-haired woman's blue eyes went wide with shock at the man's words. While Ashmedai had not directly insulted, she heard what she wanted to hear. In fact...he had actually paid her a compliment. "Wow. That was kind of an nerf herder thing to say."

Ashmedai arched a curious brow. "Oh, which part?"

The blonde narrowed her eyes as anger began to slowly seep into her features. "Don't patronize me!"

"I was making a legitimate inquiry."

"Fuck off. Oh and you can forget about your dealings with KDY so long as I'm supervising the account, prick." As if the continuously aggressive speech was not enough, the woman had to make her point by slapping Ashmedai's glass plate out of his hands.

In the seconds immediately following her outburst, the Sith Lord could only think about how that had escalated quite quickly. He admitted that he did not really know how to talk to women...he had spent most of his time doing things like being productive. Whatever women he had interacted with were...brief affairs geared largely at satisfying his immediate desire for pleasure. If he'd had any other more invested experiences with women, it was because he was using them. Much as he had formerly been using the blonde now angrily pushing her way through the crowds.

Seeing as his plate was empty, no food went flying through the air. However, the plate nearly hit the ground before Ashmedai casually stuck out his foot and rotated it just enough to spread the resultant force of the glass striking his shoe. Naturally, he did this to prevent a massive, sudden buildup of point-stress from shattering the glass anyways. With the plate's fall arrested, he kicked his foot up just enough to send the plate back to his waist level where he casually grasped it with his right hand. After passing it over to his left hand, he placed the plate on top of the table near him. Throughout the ordeal, his silver-green gaze never left the form of the retreating blonde woman. Perhaps she was slightly less intelligent than he gave her credit for. Ashmedai was always giving people the benefit of a doubt. He needed to stop that.

Realizing that the two had caused a little bit of a scene, the Sith Lord turned and began to merge his way into the crowds as he adjusted the folds of his suit. Given his skin tone, eye color, height, weight, and general build, he wasn't hiding anywhere...not even in a crowd of people. For the moment, his attentions turned to exploring what he could of the estate until he located...well...someone else here had to be working for KDY. Back to the drawing board.

This was why...he rarely conducted his business independently...

 

[Quietus]

Eyeing the cane from afar, Sila did only incline her head when he presented it to her. The detail was quite good but she wasn't about to indulge herself in exploring the craftsmanship. For one thing, the man at the other end was not someone she placed much trust in. For another, it was silly to dally on it.

"So glad to see your talents haven't gone to waste..." the woman implied flatly though her fangs glinted behind a stoney smirk. She took a breath to press on to more important matters, pausing briefly at a commotion in the hall outside. An array of quickly-paced heels followed by several unsightly slurs and curses. The muffled tones of servants following. Silencia caught the attention of a passing Maid and flagged her in with a simple lift of an eyebrow, "What is it?"

"I'm sorry, Lady Lorelei, this woman just came crashing in through the garden doors asking for the powder room. She's a bit upset I think..." the maid frowned, waiting for an order.

Silencia's lips twitched into a look of concern and she waved the girl on, "See to her then."

"As you say," the maid paused, "also, the cake's just arrived, m'Lady. As well as your son."

"Very good," the Lady perked at this news, "start gathering the guests in the back courtyard. I'll be out shortly."

"Yes, m'Lady. Sorry for the interruption, m'Lord," and with a quick curtsey to the pair the maid turned on her heel and shut the door quietly behind her.

Pondering for a moment if Xander had yet to arrive, Silencia turned a thoughtful gaze to Moridin, "As I was saying, the opportunity has arrived. I would like to introduce you to my son if you don't mind standing through a bit of ceremony and cake to wait. The evening does belong to my daughter, after all."

 

[Ereza]

This time the pinking of her cheeks was at the cause of the good Captain, though it hindered not the broad and still growing smile on the girl's face. Squinting merrily into her father's doting kiss, Amore released a small giggle and gave the man another squeeze, "You know the first dance is yours, Pere, but the second should-"

"May I have your attention everyone!" a Servant standing nearby called out to those gathered in the general vicinity, "the Lady Lorelei would like for everyone to gather in the Courtyard at this time for a special announcement. If you please, right this way, follow the path, thank you," motioning with a graceful sweep of his hands, he directed several people before spying Amore and her guests. The servant stepped over and gave a short bow, "Mr. Stark, welcome back. Ah, Miss Amorella, I believe we required your presence most of all in the Courtyard."

Amore gave the man a curious look, spared the Captain of it but did round it upwards at her father as well and mouthed the words 'what's going on?' to him. She didn't wait for an answer because simply ignoring the servant would be rude, and looked back to him with a smaller smile that hide the growing apprehension, "Er - okay, sure." She released her father at the insistant smile of the servant and followed after him, glancing back to the Captain with a lopsided grin and shrug to boot.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Moridin watched Silencia for a few seconds with interested eyes, his eyelids fluttered for a brief second as amusement played on his lips from her words. He withdrew his can, and tapped it back on the ground. He watched for a few seconds as Silencia and her servants interacted with one another. It was interesting, to see people with free will serve a Sith Lord. Moridin's own palace was filled with servants as well, but most of them were drooling idiots, their minds almost completely destroyed by repeated domination born of the force.

The Dreadlord was not a kind Master, and he much preferred absolute loyalty to paying people. When he had been in control of Byss nearly four centuries ago almost the entire Planet had been under his control. His artifacts and the darside energy had allowed him to control the minds of nearly eighteen billion people, it had been an incredible achievement, although one born of much difficulty.

He mused for a few more seconds, until finally Silencia turned her attention back to him. He grinned for another second as she mentioned and opportunity, and then her daughters birthday. Something entirely amusing struck him.

“What kind of Monster would I be if I ruined a young childs birthday?” He almost laughed out loud as he said the words.

 

[Darth Metus]

At that point in time, the young Jedi had drawn in a small number of females, most of them the "arm-candies" of aging, wealthy members of the planet's local Kuat Drive Yards, and held them captive by his spectacular skill and intoxicating charm. Alas, Jor'si's attention was far from being upon the stunning women before him, he was focused upon eavesdropping upon the myriad of conversations occurring throughout the event. As he listened in, the sound of conflict drew his attention to a tall man and a blonde woman. Profanity? Tension? 'Well this is interesting...' he thought to himself, especially when the woman dropped the line regarding business with KDY. The young man had hoped that she would seek solice in the bottle of a glass of fine spirits...but alas, she disappeared off in the direction of the manor.

'How...disappointing, ah well.' he mused. Before he could have a second thought, a signal was given by a maid whom had emerged from the manor shortly thereafter and an announcement was made for the guests to amass together. 'Showtime.' Jor'si said to himself, reveling in another opportunity to get in close to the guests. He grabbed his tray, loaded it up with approximately twelve drinks, including another of his sweet, chocolate specialties that he was saving for the lady of the hour, and made his way into the crowd. With grace and poise, he weaved between the patrons, offering smiles and doling out drinks. When he arrived within eyeshot of the site of where the announcement was to be made, the young man had seven drinks left.

"Just enough..." he muttered.

 

[Gideon Argos]

Gideon's brows raised slowly at the servant shouting out a change of plans, or rather just a slight shift in venue for the gathering. The courtyard wasn't far though, considering the simple directions they'd been given. Reaching up and tapping a part of his helmet just above his right ear, the helmet slides his eyepieces back into place, the ominous coals of lenses whirring and clacking as they focused.

Her shrug was merely met with a faint nod from the Captain as he clasped his hands in the small of his back and marched with a stiff back after the servant and the Lady of Honor. This should be quite interesting; especially with her father here.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Ashmedai drifted through the crowds for several minutes until a servant began bellowing instructions at the assembled guests. During the man's announcement, the Sith Lord continued to move near the edge of the crowd closest to the sprawling mansion itself. Casually, Ashmedai merged with the crowd once more as they all followed along a wide walkway towards the courtyard.

When he arrived in the courtyard, the Sith diverted off towards the back as most individuals pressed in closer towards wherever this 'announcement' was to occur. Finding a spot in the shadows of a pair of large columns, Ashmedai stood completely motionless with his arms folded across his chest. Silver-green eyes pierced the darkness and gazed out at the throngs of people that came from, seemingly, the highest of social circles. Occasionally, his attention was specifically drawn to a particular individual. This was usually the result of his intrigue or amusement at a person's style of dress, body language, or just general presence.

For the most part, Ashmedai was making a concerted effort to...absorb the behaviors of the social elite. It was a completely accurate statement to say that he'd not had the chance to interact with people in a...respectable social fashion in quite some time. In only the short span of a couple decades, times had changed almost completely.

 

[Xander Starkiller]

It was always nice to know that his daughter would save the first dance for him however Amore's words were cut off when a servant made the announcement for everyone to gather at Silencia's request. Being greeted by the man he knew in passing, Xander nodded his head to the man. "Thank you, Luzo. It's good to be back." Xander himself began to move along with his daughter though clearly she had no idea what it was that her mother planned to reveal to gathered assembly. Silencia had always been a hard woman to read and that had not changed in the years he'd known her.

The Sith Lord returned a look to his daughter, one of confusion that started he did not know. He might have asked the servant if he had any clue but he very much doubted it. One thing remained certain though, he looked forward to what announcement Amorella's mother could possibly have for them. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it must be grand if she is calling the whole guest list to hear of it. I find myself... quite curious."

 

[Quietus]

Lady Lorelei reappeared upon the scene with Moridin at her side, pausing just beyond the open archway leading into the courtyard. She stood in silence, vibrant green eyes searching the faces of those gathered with some scrutiny. Moridin, it seemed, was not the only Sith in attendance. There was a fledgling wandering about ... Dissero and Xander she could sense as well, and to this point she did extend a smile. The woman was sure that he'd found their daughter and that meant one thing: Amore would have the birthday party she had hoped for. Really, the girl had only wanted a small family outing, but what sort of Aristocratic mother would she be if she had spared a single credit for her daughter's coming-of-age soiree?

Speaking of which, there she was. Easily enough spotted in the crowd, Amore was the only one with hair so red it seemed to give off heat all on its own. In the growing twilight hours under the moon, the girl was practically glowing.

"M'Lady," said an approaching servant, "it's ready."

Lorelei tipped her head in a short nod, excused herself from present company and strode fluidly out onto the entrance stair where she stood just enough above the guests to garner attention without really needing extravagant means. If her cordial deep-violet gown and flame-red hair didn't grab attention all on their own then she didn't know what would.

The Lady cleared her throat gently, signalling to another servant who delicately tapped a piece of silverware against a glass, ringing in silence from the crowd.

"Thank you all for attending this momentous occasion for my youngest daughter, Amorella. As I understand I was forbidden to give a long-winded embarrassing speech, and I'm also somewhat impatient for cake, so I'll keep this short. As you may know, today marks not only my daughter's birthday, but more specifically her coming of age. Amorella," the woman gestured with a gentle sweep of a hand towards the girl who now stood at the forefront of the crowd before her, "you have blossomed from my darling child into a beautiful, intelligent woman, and it is my great honor and pleasure to name you on this day as no longer a girl, but as Lady Mae of the ruling Council of Kuat. My gift is a lifetime of wisdom and knowledge to pass on to you so that you may help guide and govern this planet into a new age of prosperity."

During the ensuing applause from the attending Aristocrats and Kuati citizens Lorelei ushered her daughter up the steps where a servant stepped forward with a small velveteen box in-hand. He opened it and displayed for all to see the gold and ruby ring that symbolized the ruling house of Shamalain.

"This ring is a symbol of our family and our responsibility to these people and this planet. Wear it well, my dear."

 

[Ereza]

Amore nearly shrank under the stares received during her mother's announcement, feeling her face growing ever more pink. She was sure that soon enough it would match the color of her hair to the point that one might mistaken her for part twi'lek. A hole seemed to grow in the pit of her stomach, likely due to the extra tight knot she felt in her chest. Was this really happening? Was she expected to go stand in front of all those people? She didn't even know most of them. The girl looked back to her father who had followed her up, hoping the man might offer some kind of alternative to this terribly awkward impending public moment of hers, but no such luck.
Not even the dear old Captain could help her.

She stepped forward at the insistance of her mother and tried not to look back at the sea of faces behind her. One foot after the other, it took more concentration than she thought to conquer the stairs all while remembering to look graceful. Oh and breathing, that was important too.

When she reached the top she gave her mother a meek smile and took a slow, deep breath, stifling an anxious laugh and replacing it with a quiet, "Thank you, mere." Amore stared at the ring that sat sparkling in its box and gave her mother a wary glance. But this was her mother's ring, she recalled admiring it on the woman's delicate hand ever since she was old enough to remember. Swallowing hard as the sudden realization of her childhood finally coming to an end, she reached for the ring and plucked it carefully from its keepsake. It was far finer and lovelier now, in her hold, than it ever once seemed before. While it had always been pretty, she'd never once given it more attention than the powerful, wise, confident woman that wore it.

How could she ever hope to fill her mother's shoes?

Amore slid the ring over her right middle finger and felt a heavy weight settle on her shoulders at the same time. She turned and smiled with a wave to the applauding crowd, trying to hardest to cover up the fear and unease she felt growing within.

 

[Xander Starkiller]

He did wish he could help her, provide the alternative means to this sort of ceremony her mother had called for. Xander knew though there was none and these were simply things one needed to do, especially her considering her heritage and what her family stood for. Taking his place away from Silencia and their daughter, he allowed them their moment since hearing the gift presented was something that would no doubt a very big deal between mother and daughter. One he was happy to be apart of but also one that he knew did not really involve him, at least in some ways.

So the Sith Lord stood watching carefully as the young girl became a woman. In that moment he couldn't help but feel quite a bit pride well up inside him. Just as the crowd did, so would he, his hands bounced one another in dignified applause. Today was a great day in his eyes and though the fear was evident in her face, it would not always be so. Fear was a thing she would bring under control, she only needed the benefit of a few more years under her belt.. and training of course. All would be addressed when time deemed it so, as it had done for Silencia and has it had done for him.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

The dark-skinned Sith arched a curious brow at the announcement that was made. It seemed quite an inordinate amount of pomp and circumstance for something so...simple. Then again, Ashmedai didn't really subscribe to the concept of passing down titles and prestige as a matter of birth right. He made a mental note to inquire with the birthday girl later if she'd done anything to earn this newfound source of power and authority.

As the masses congratulated the young guest of honor, Ashmedai's gaze wandered to the supposed host of the evening. Naturally, he recognized her face from various pictures and information provided by KDY, Lady Lorelei herself. The individual she had emerged from the interior of the estate with had not escaped his gaze either. How curious. What had perhaps been little more than passing curiosity was now swiftly moving towards sincere intrigue. Perhaps there was more to Lady Lorelei than met the eye.

Ashmedai himself had never really seen much cause to hide his presence within the Force. If there were Jedi or Sith in attendance doing such a thing, that was their prerogative. Accusations of someone being a Sith or Jedi merely by pointing and stating it as fact hardly held any real weight. People were hardly so...apprehensive of force users these days.

That was going to change.