Le Carnaval Rouge | TSE Social Event

[Salara Zambrano]

The third floor of the tower had been reserved for the Emperor and his kin.

A well-deserved rest after the fight on Mandalore which left Alvarex in a bacta tank. Salara thought on her son momentarily, she turned to look over her shoulder where [member="Izaszh Zambrano"] and their husband [member="Darth Carnifex"] were. Invicta must have sensed something as she sat beside the petite Epicanthix. "Perhaps we should go down to the Dining Hall? I heard they've acquired those wonderful Tionese cakes." She rose from her seat and crossed the room to the wardrobe, "a pity Cyrax isn't here." She thought as her hands drew across the multitude of fabrics. She then turned to her husband and spoke in Epicant which briefly translated to her checking on her son.

The boy in question had arrived at the party with a pelicuar girl, a Jedi. [member="Romi Jade"], and not far behind him was his brother Sarlow. "Speaking of sons...." She drawled resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "Invicta." Salara gestured to her dress, the energy vampire zipped the dress and whispered promises of removing the fabric from Epicanthix later on in the evening. Ritual sacrifices, food, dancing - it felt almost like home, almost. She closed the distance between herself and Kaine, giving him a kiss on the cheek before disappearing from the room and descending the tower's steps. Placing her mask on, the Empress disappeared into the crowd...

Alvarex had managed a recovery but the scars showed on his face, his arms, and even now as he walked arm in arm with the Jedi. The scars of Mandalore would linger far beyond the physical, but the music did well to drown out anything but the drunken shouts of those in attendance. Rex turned to Romi, "and here we are Château Noir milady."

[member="Invicta Zambrano"]

 

[BobertEZ]

The evening continued on with great spectacle and joy as the people danced and swung and cheered. Gifts were passed between attendees and drinks were drunk and food was eaten.

Delicious steaks and slabs of meat imported from offworld, across the planet, or simply cooked in the castle's magnificent kitchens.

Cups of gold and plates platinum lined the tables set against the ballroom's walls and were ravaged and claimed by many a guest.

It was a wonderful time, except for one person. While the fields around the castle suppressed the Force to prevent needless violence, Raptious could still hear him, still sense the pain and harrowed rage, and after some intensive searching found the person in question.

Somehow, against all odds, the beast had survived the injuries left by the destruction of New Keldabe. Yet, it was clear from merely glancing at the karkarodon that it was a pyrrhic survival. A survival that would have better been replaced by death.

When Raptious found the stumbling beast, raging and psychotic, in the ruins of the city not that long ago, they knew death was the better alternative.

Yet they stayed their hand, for the karkaradon was not their enemy nor was the Phoenix worthy of ending the beast's life post-battle. And besides, any sane person would have been right to believe the monster would have died regardless.

Yet here he was.

And so, instead, they waded through the sea of attendees and stopped right in front of [member="Tehkyram"] and nodded respectfully.

"You lived when I believed you were to die. You are a true warrior, beast. What brings you to this event of all events?"

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

Admittedly, Ryssa had gone along on sheer curiosity by this point as she moved into the courtyard. Unaware that anyone had seen her or taken an interest, instead she adjusted the mask she wore and carefully examined the 'voodoo' dolls that were presented on one particular stand. The craftsmanship was exquisite but she dare not touch such things and turned around to look about as the people danced and carried only so merrily. The song that had been so cheerful began to fade and so Ryssa watched as the musicians changed their arrangement, and as others joined them there in the orchestra's makeshift chamber.

The sound of heavy percussion could be heard, "right, now this feels much more Sith-y." She said to no one in particular and drew in a deep breath, as the music played up and she decided to head into the ballroom. It was cooler there, compared to the courtyard which allowed your clothes to stick to your body. Something about the New Laveau humidity and the nearby bayou. Still, the wash of cool air was a welcomed relief even if the dance here in the ballroom left the Galidraani-Belsavian rather puzzled. "I thought the Avalonian shake was a rather weird routine." It seemed she was mistaken, having spent her formative years on Dosuun there was a lot she took from the then First Order-influenced world. The ballroom was well lit, with a golden hue that seemed to fall every so gracefully along with the attendees. High ceilings and an ornate chandelier hung from the center of the room with marble pillars and large glass windows.

She looked over to her right at the bar and then turned back on the dance floor, "pray that they have bourbon..."

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_GUFiYU7aQ[/media]

[member="Djonas Vile"]

 

[Djonas Vile]

​

​

​

Djonas followed close behind the girl who almost had killed him when she arrived. Yet, all her could think about was her figure beneath that unique dress. He had to see the face with it.

As he walked through the courtyard, his hazel eyes roamed around as he was marveled by the sights at the party. So many colors throughout the elegant dresses and fine suits. The decor reminded him of the very few festivals the old Sith Empire had from time to time. Memories upon memories began to flow in his mind. They were good times. Some. Most were dark. A time when he enjoyed hurting people for the sake of it. He was young and immature then.

He snapped back to reality and continued searching for the girl. As he moved through the partygoers, he kept a sharp eye out for her when he then spotted her waiting for something he was unsure of. So, he made his move. He began to walk up. Slowly. He did not want to scare her off. As he approached, he quickly took a glass of champagne from a nearby tray and glided on over towards the girl. He was only a couple feet away when he spoke up.

"Lovely night to get ran over, don't you think?" Smooth. Real smooth, Djonas.

[member="Ryssa Yvarro"]​

 

[Lark]

Lark hummed to himself as he halfheartedly participated in a conversation with a handful of other Sith nobles. They were of great importance to the Empire, bankers and high-level merchants and the like. While Lark had enjoyed speaking with a scholar who had been studying the history and development of Sith temples and other holy places in the far reaches of the galaxy, the man didn't have a stomach for hard liquor, and left Lark abandoned with people much more slimy and opportunistic. Not to say that Lark wasn't all of those things and more, but these people were just so boring. Their motives were as transparent as a shattered window, their schemes as dull as dirt. In all likelihood they were invited here only because they would see it as a slight if they weren't, and take their money elsewhere.

Pretending that he spotted an old friend he wished to catch up with, Lark excused himself from the conversation of commerce. He poured himself another glass of wine, a dry red that matched his hair and parts of his attire. He perched himself on a balcony above the ballroom, letting his legs dangle while he observed the occupants of the ball. Despite his complaints of his previous company, there were certainly some fascinating characters down below, only a few of which he recognized. Many of Lark's original acquaintances had vanished from the Empire, as far as he was aware he was the only acolyte from his original group that had survived. His first master had left. Khalil Zambrano, perhaps the only "friend" Lark had within the Empire had left. And of course, his family had left him when he was a child. Sure, there were a handful of figures that remained from his early days in the Empire. But many of these faces were alien to him.

How odd that in a celebration of the togetherness of the Empire, I find myself as someone who doesn't belong.

Then make yourself belong, you fool. Lark drained his glass of wine, letting the spirit flow through him. From his roost he spotted some of the more interesting faces he had taken note of since his return. [member="Lorale Farmar"] and Lark had fought together on Rhen Var, although any other interactions between the two had been minimal. But the man was a bestial storm on the battlefield. He spoke with another beast, an aquatic behemoth Lark also vaguely remembered, although he recalled working alongside him not amongst the Sith but in some other criminal endeavor. Then there was [member="Credius Nargath"] and [member="Funami Teriyaki"], an odd pairing that had quite amusing to watch from his nest above. He composes himself well, Lark thought. Children had always sources of unpredictability, but Lark knew more than anyone to never underestimate a child.

So many had died because they did the same to him.

Lark swung his legs over the balcony, setting his empty glass on a nearby tray and replaced it with a bitter white. Descending to the ballroom once more, Lark would mingle a tad longer, and afterwards perhaps he'd seek out his previous dancing partner before beholding the sacrifice.

@Tehkyram ​

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

Thankfully Ryssa was in the midst of whatever passed for bourbon on this world. She set her glass down and cringed, "not the finest, but it will do-"

She stopped momentarily she heard footsteps and then with caution turned just enough to see the man approaching her. A shrug, not the finest of lines but then night was still young and there may still yet be hope for distractions. "Certainly depends on the who and the what, and most certainly where." She replied with a smile before returning her attention to the barkeep. "Let's try the Tionese brew, shall we?" It may certainly hold up better than the New Laveau Bourbon. "No rocks, thanks."

Ryssa took the cup as it handed to her, and then looked the man over. She then took a moment to swirl her drink and introduced herself, "Ryssa Yvarro, and you are?"

[member="Djonas Vile"]

 

[Djonas Vile]

Djonas popped a smirk as she introduced herself. "Djonas Vile of Naboo." He took a step closer, took a sip of his drink then continued. "Funny story. I'm just walking along, about to enjoy this party here. Then, out of nowhere, this lovely carriage comes on by and nearly takes me out." Another sip of his drink. "I then go to give the driver a few words then something distracted me." He leaned against the bar, locking his golden eyes on her. "It was you. I got my eyes on you and suddenly forgot what I was doing. All I could think about was meeting you. So, Miss Yvarro, what brings you here? You from the Empire? I've never seen you in Confederate Space and if you were from the Confederation you would have your nose turned up a bit higher than you do now." Djonas slid a couple credits onto the bar. "Whatever she wants, it's on me."

[member="Ryssa Yvarro"]​

 

[Tehkyram]

Tehkyram slowly shook his head at the Phoenix's question, refusing the presumption. "I... had perished..." he rasped. "The mind dies... The body lives on... The mind is born again..." He coughed at the strain the simple phrasing took. "So... it goes... I have died before... I shall die again..." More coughing. "It matters... not... Cowards die... but only once... To be truly... brave... is to die... a thousand times... and never think... of rest..." He reclined his broken body against the castle wall and took a deep breath, focusing on the pain to regain his center, his focus. He took another and another, but on the fourth he could feel his spine protest. He leaned forward once more, removing the strain from his back, letting the hunch ease the tension.

"Not permitted... to use... bacta tanks... anymore..." He tried to explain his current state to the titan before him. "Dampeners... inhibiting natural process..." A sad sigh, another coughing fit. An idea entered his head. "Perhaps sacrifice... Miracle... No... Irrelevant..." He shook his head again. The sacrificial rituals would do little for his damaged state, his suffering was beneath the will of the Force. Best to just answer Raptious's question.

"I had come... to deliver tribute... to the Emperor..." He produced the simplistic codex from his robes. "A masterwork... A treatise... An exultation... The fruits of my labor..." But had he even announced himself? Requested an audience? Did he need to? The rules were so unclear. Nothing was clear, certainly not Tekhyram's vision.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Lorale Farmar"]

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

Naboo. How intriguing she thought a moment a finger resting atop the glass. The sounds of patrons moving to and from the bar, accompanied by the howls of party goers were seemingly drowned by Mr. Vile's voice. Ryssa listened as he spoke, and only smirked as he continued to speak, "well that must have been quite the experience Mr. Vile, I am very glad to see that you've survived your harrowing encounter. Carriages are frightening things at this hour so I can empathize." She noticed his lean, and how he seemed to lock his gaze on hers and so she entertained him with her undivided attention.

"I shall practice my air of superiority," teased Ryssa with a light bit of laughter, "as it seems my days from the First Order have already failed me. Cousin Natasi must be rolling in her grave." She only paused to look at the Bourbon that sat ever still in the glass, breaking her look way from him - nerves may have crept up. Returning her gaze, Ryssa continued, "I am from the Empire, sort of - I run the day to day operations for my mother's company. Which sometimes takes me to our locations in the Southern Systems, but only when necessary."

"What about you, you mentioned Confederate space would it be safe to assume that you're from there? This little party drag you all the way out here?" She would hope otherwise that New Laveau drink hit harder than she thought. Curiously though, what would draw someone from the Southern Systems all the way here, the Confederacy was never short of a debacherous party.

[member="Djonas Vile"]

 

[Djonas Vile]

"Yeah, they sure are." he joked at her quip about carriages. As he listened, her accent grew to be more apparent. The mention of First Order gave him an idea of who she was. A small one, but it was something. Enough to go on at least. She was also a business girl. Not high enough for her to be arrogant, but not so low for her to not be sophisticated. He grew more and more attracted with each moment.

"Very interesting," he interjected, to show he was listening. "Yeah, it did. The Knights Obsidian needed a representative and I volunteered. It allows me to get eyes on other parts of the galaxy and how it fares. News and tabloids only give you a small idea of what's truly going on out there. Bit of a humanitarian, myself. What do you do for work? you say you run the day to day. What's that all about?" The bartender approached and placed a shot of whiskey near Djonas' hand. A bit of liquid courage as Djones dived into the evening with this young socialite. Quickly, Djonas downed it then returned his attention to Ryssa.

[member="Ryssa Yvarro"]​

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

Ryssa gingerly sipped on her drink while Mr. Vile spoke, "ah so an informal look on operations." A spy would be a little more clever, but then who knew these days the Galaxy was an ever-changing landscape rife with the inconsistencies of man and his terror. The party seemed to go on without noticing either one of them and for that Ryssa was grateful, Mr. Vile mentioned humanitarian and at the least, there was some show of it on behalf of the Confederacy. She gave him a warm smile at its mention regardless, he then asked about running day to day operations and if she were truthful Ryssa would say she ran the company in all but name. Not that she necessarily needed it at the moment the company seemed to be doing alright. "It's a learning curve admittedly, and certainly not what I thought I would be doing."

"But."

"It is always an adventure to learn that every day there's something new to learn or maintain." As the ever-growing list of her mother's subsidiaries crops up. "You mentioned humanitarian - color me intrigued Mr. Vile." A pause to nurse the drink to half full, she let the liquid courage burn its way down and continued with the conversation returning her gaze so that it would meet Mr. Vile's. "Tell me about this humanitarian side with the Knights Obsidian, or rather is it solely your own humanitarian mission?" Ryssa was sincere in her words and was internally grateful that she would not have to spend the time at the party simply mulling about.

[member="Djonas Vile"]​

 

[Djonas Vile]

Ryssa got a chuckle out of him. "Something like that, yeah," he replied.

"Most of our lives we find ourselves doing something we never thought we'd do," he said as he slid several more credits on the bar. "That's where the fun is. That's truly living, in my opinion. Spontaneity. Who wants to live by a set schedule? That's boring." Much of Djonas' life was plentiful in spontaneous events he had no control over. His new body, abandoning the Sith Empire, joining the Fel Empire and watching it's swift downfall before going to the Confederacy, andverything in between. And he learned from every chapter. It's what made him what he was now.

"There's a sect within the Knights Obsidian: The Adjudicators. We are the helping hand of the Knights. We are the ones who go out and seek the troubled and the sick and give them whatever they need in order to live healthy and happy." There was a small ounce of pride in what he said, though he did his best to hide it.

[member="Ryssa Yvarro"]​

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

Ryssa's smile seemed to widen when Mr. Vile chuckled, she listened to him speak he had her full attention. Her drink sat, the ice casually melted without much care from her. Live by a set schedule, the phrase sat in Ryssa's mind. Her mother lived by routine and schedules her full adult life, at least until Castameer then all of that changed. Now, spontaneity was indeed how Fiolette lived her life and Ryssa supposed she did as well. A small inhale as she agreed with him, "life in this galaxy is not for long, and in the words of others, don't wait too long to do what it is you seek to do." Live for the moment, enjoy what you can - for you never know when death might call for you.

She gave a nod of acknowledgment, "adjudicator, interesting."

Imperials helped she supposed in their own way, and never forgot the medical help to others or food supplies. They were rather matter of fact with little on the empathy. "How very admirable of you," she said with a wink, and it was admirable of that she had no doubt. Something akin to Robin Hood but with a lot less criminality involved Ryssa assumed, but then she could be wrong. She looked to her drink and found it unappealing, but kept her focus on the very appealing Mr. Vile. He seemed agreeable thus far and of that she was glad, there had been plenty of suitors especially on Galidraan who were not much to their chagrin. "My mother used to live by schedules and routine, raised my sisters and I on it, so I can appreciate a little...." Her voice slowed down a touch, "spontaneity as you say."

[member="Djonas Vile"]

 

[Djonas Vile]

Djonas could not help but be amazed by the woman's smile. It was enchanting like fresh pearls pulled from the sea. His eyes couldn't be pulled away from her even by the Force.

The music began to pick up, calling Djonas to the dance floor. But, he could not go alone. "Speaking of spontaneity and do what one seeks to do." He extended his hand to her. "Care to dance?" The amount of liquor in his system may have contributed to his offer, but only a small amount. He could not pass up this chance to take it a step further with the enticing, young Yvarro. Something about her pulled him in like a fresh catch in a tightly woven net. "I can't and won't take no for an answer." He gave off one of his signature smirks that are said to break the wills of queens. Whether that's true or not is known only to him now.

[member="Ryssa Yvarro"]​

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CFuCYNx-1g[/media]


A Dance? Mhmmm and what would be in a dance? Ryssa with a polite enough and warm enough smile, "sure, why not? Who could resist such an offer?"

It helped that the music had changed into something with a more upbeat tone, something that just about anyone could dance to. Lo and behold Ryssa had taken to Mr. Vile's charms she would follow him out to the dance floor. So she wondered a moment if perhaps her own alcohol level had played a part in her saying yes. "Song choice isn't terrible," she admitted once they had found room enough to dance. It came to her mind that there always seemed to be a saying that the Galidraani's couldn't dance without some 'dull' waltz to guide them. Ryssa then thanked her stars she was only half, and had taken more after her father when it came to the art of dancing. Still, she could use some work but she followed Mr. Vile's lead. "I'll play the poor Imperial who hasn't really seen the light of day card and apologize for my dancing skills, or lack thereof."

[member="Djonas Vile"]