Made Glorious Summer

[Sal Katarn]

​

They drifted and twirled around him in brilliant, shimmering shades of color. Their fabrics worth enough to support a family on Coruscant for ten years, yet worn only on a handful of occasions. Arkaitz watched, pale blue eyes seeing and not seeing the nobles floating past. They moved with practice ease, seeming to glide more than dance, like the riveting movement of a fish in water.

Or a snake in the grass.

These efreets of the upper echelons of society gathered together for yet another gala. A celebration of their own wealth, yes, but also an opportunity to trade gossip and talk politics. Arkaitz knew that if he were to wade into conversation here he had best keep a cloak in one hand and a dagger in the other, for every sentence held a double meaning. Suggestions were assurances. Assurances were lies.

Growing up in House Zambrano, Arkaitz knew the dance of wordplay well. Better than with a lightfoil in any case.

Technically, the Zambranos hosted this celebration, yet it was not important enough to send any representative. Except him, of course. Last rung of the totem.

Eyes the color of open sky swept the room. If he did not make sure to uphold old alliances and forge new ones his father would be... disappointed. Yet he could feel their fear, or was it hate? What did it matter. They knew him as a Zambrano. It was the hand destiny had dealt him and oh, what a dolorous hand it was. Would that he could give it up for another. Anything but to be hated for the sake of a name.

He pulled his fur cloak tighter around him and scowled irritably.

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

The last time Ra had been to a ball or gala was probably ten years ago when she was just barely a budding teenager. It had been when her master was running the government of their small planet. Now within the territory of the sith empire, she had been invited to attend a similar event. Leaving her adopted daughter and nexu cat at her castle, Ra left for this gala and was cautious not knowing what to expect from these other people.

She dressed in a new gown purchased for this event specifically. The dress was long and almost to her ankles. Material was sheer but layered. The dress was purple and the top portion was form fitting to reveal her cleavage. There was a jeweled band that ran around the dress and a matching necklace that held the dress together at the top. Her hair for once wasn't pulled back and held by the spiked ball, instead it was only pulled back at the top to keep it out of her eyes and held in place by a small tail holder. Around her head was a copper colored headband that came down over her forehead with an amber colored gem in the middle.

Ra didn't know any of the people here or even what the purpose of the event was for. Nobody stopped her to speak or stopped to speak with her. She was an unknown mixed into a crowd of nameless to her elite. They knew one another though and their cold attitudes made it obvious they didn't want to know her. At the moment this was fine with the young sith lord, in time, they would know her.

Walking along the wall, Ra would notice another person that was left alone. Perhaps he was just as much of an outcast as she was. A pivot on which maybe a relationship could be formed. If nothing came of this in the future, at least she had made an attempt.

Approaching the stranger that was looking about rather irritated apparently, Ra almost hesitated to speak. She was a businesswoman though and looked at it like she was going to attempt a business transaction. Her face took on a rather friendly look and not as neutral as she usually appeared. Her gold eyes curious about why he was left alone and appeared to be shunned by the others.

"It is odd to see another so alone in a gathering such as this."

Not knowing the correct protocols here, Ra chose not to extend a hand in introduction, but offered a small bow of her head and hand on her breast as a greeting. If he offered his hand, then she would take it.

"I am Ra'a'mah Numare, but just call me Ra."

[member="Arkaitz Zambrano"]

 

[Sal Katarn]

A presence loomed near in the Force, whispering of the Dark Side's allure. Arkaitz, raised around such auras his whole life, knew the variances well. This one felt of mystery and enigma. Secrets hidden in the dead of night beneath a starry sky.

Turning, Arkaitz met a golden gaze reminiscent of a hawk. She wore apparel that left no question as to her station in life. Purple. Hmm, a bold choice amid the brood of vipers. Perhaps she sought advancement?

He inclined his head in a slight bow, befitting their difference in titles. "I am Arkaitz." Pale eyes watched the curve of her jaw, wondering if it would clench in anger or fear, if her smile would slip and falter at his accursed surname. In all his life, he had only ever encountered two reactions to the name: revulsion or sycophancy. Which would she be, he mused. "Arkaitz Zambrano."

Glancing away lest he see the twinge of disgust, Ark continued. His voice possessed the refined quality common among the Tapani courts, which he frequented often. Every word a measured statement, crafted by careful lips.

"Numare, the Baroness Numare? A pleasure. Alone no more, it would seem."

Offering a polite smile, somewhat hesitant, but neither uncouthly lascivious nor trite, Arkaitz nodded in the direction of the gathered nobility. "How find you this fair fête?"

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

Before Ra could speak to the young man, he had already glanced and taken her in. His blue eyes met hers of gold and as he provided her with a name, looked down for just a moment and then away. He gave her a bow as well that told her he was of a higher tier of nobility than she was, what that rank was, Ra did not know.

His voice was more noble and smooth sounding than hers, but she had not grown up in the same company as that this man likely had. Her upbringing, memory wipe and then having it all brought back in almost an instant had left her unique. At times he sounded like she had grown up on the streets of Coruscant. At others there was a more refined tone that had been her original tone. It took time for her to find that one, but tonight took extra care to present that voice and attitude. If one could see through the façade though, he would notice she actually felt out of place here. At a casual glance that would not be seen though.

"The pleasure is mine, Arkaitz Zambrano. I am always alone though. Even now."

Even mixed in this company of people, she was alone. Though they were speaking, there was no real connection between them other than they are both alone. Maybe the two lonely people would find each other not so alone soon.

He gave her a polite smile and it seem like it was something unfamiliar to him, as if he didn't know how to smile. Returning the smile, it would look polite, but since her face was friendly for this encounter would hold some warmth. With a nod to the people around them, he asked how she found the event.

Her eyes glanced for a moment to the crowd that was doing its best to ignore them and back at the young man. They already spoke of her being curious to why he was left alone, but Ra had not given voice to that. A neutral shrug would meet his question before she answered and a small fleeting smile would cross her lips.

"I am out of place and practice here. And you, Arkaitz Zambrano?"

Names meant nothing to her as of yet so offered no title to him. She could only hope he took no offense at her lack of knowledge here.

[member="Arkaitz Zambrano"]

 

[Sal Katarn]

Arkaitz lofted a raven brow.

Honesty? Here? How utterly anathema. She did seem to not have a clue as to who he was, or that he stood as representative of Panatha at this party put on by House Zambrano. Perhaps a lie, or perhaps she was genuinely at a loss. Either way, but for her presence in the Force he failed to see what sort of asset she could prove with this sort of bumbling approach. Could his father have put her here as a test?

"It is Prince Arkaitz, actually," he said with a light sneer common to all noble faces when someone broke etiquette, "though your Royal Highness will do fine."

Still, she had a sizable estate. And the apparent lack of ulterior motives was refreshing when compared to the usual drivel the various counts managed to dredge up.

"Or Prince Ark, if you must," he relented. "I admit, you are the first person here to approach me without some sort of scheme hiding behind your words. Thank you for that."

A little truth tossed in the right ears could be worth more than a thousand lies.

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

With a look and a simple sentence, Ra almost lost her composure. Not only was she in an area where she had no knowledge, but she was speaking to a prince. The only physical sign that Ra knew she was out of her league in even speaking to him, was that she grew slightly pale. He also looked at her with small sneer and she understood why. On the bright side of the situation, she was still breathing and this was good in her opinion.

"Which would prefer, Prince...?"

Leaving of the secondary, she paused to allow him to answer before she spoke again.

"As I said moments ago, I am so very sorely out of practice in politics. Give me time and I'll be up to par with the best."

There would be a little humor in her voice as she spoke the last sentence.

"At this point in time, I am so very new here. As of yet, I have no need to hide behind scheming words since I have no scheme. Right now, I am what you see and will be myself as much as I can be while surrounded by these others.
"My dear Prince, you are quite welcome and it is my honor to speak with you."

Hoping to make up for her previous lack of knowledge and curtesy, her words were true and unmasked.

[member="Arkaitz Zambrano"]

 

[Sal Katarn]

Rather than snipping at him, as one might expect, the woman appeared to be chagrined. She could still be playing him, but few people in the galaxy preferred insults to compliments, even if they suspected sycophancy. After all, if kissing the ring didn't produce results few would do it.

Arkaitz relaxed slightly and waved a dismissive hand. "Pardon my initial thoughts. Sincerity is hard to come by in these gatherings." A touch of bitterness tinged his tone.

The room's temperature was slightly hot due to the sheer number of bodies milling about. Yet, Arkaitz felt a clammy chill. His hair was dark as midnight, with eyes of clearest blue. However, the sharp angles of his face looked an unhealthy shade of pale. The young scion clasped his hands behind his back and straightened his back, giving the appearance of strength when in truth he would rather be somewhere else. Perhaps the copse near the keep, in the winter, when the trees would be glistening beautifully beneath the sunlight.

"So, Baroness, what is your story? You don't speak like a noble. How did you come to be numbered among this lot?"

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

Ra could tell when he relaxed slightly, but here it was never wise to relax fully and she could tell he was still coiled like a spring. He waved off the fact of her error and she herself relaxed slightly. His word actually sounded true and if this was anything like she knew when growing up, she knew they were.

His attention was still on her and his posture changed. Along with it he took on a slightly different air. He knew better than she how to fit in with these people, but yet he didn't. Now she knew his rank within these people, it didn't take her long to know why he was alone.

He observed she didn't speak like a noble and asked how she came to be among the guests here.

Breaking their eye contact for just a moment before her naturally gold gaze looked back into his blue was all the time she took to come up with an honest answer. It would be a simple one, but truth.

"I was in the Dominion and there came a time when we reached out too far and attempted to take within our lands a planet that could produce Dark Troopers. They failed, but I took the planet for myself. It belongs to nobody but me and as I brought the systems online there, people came looking for work, a place to stay or a refuge to hide in. My doors were open and they named me their Baroness."

It wasn't something she was born into. If he asked further about her past, then she would answer those questions too. Right now, Ra gave him only the information he asked for. To offer more might be considered weak.

[member="Arkaitz Zambrano"]

 

[Sal Katarn]

Dark Troopers? Arkaitz vaguely recalled reading about them in the histories. Soldiers enhanced by cybernetics, or something along those lines. Access to such a resource could indeed prove useful for House Zambrano. Arkaitz pursed his lips.

"Well, you might not have been born a Baroness, but you are certainly no commoner."

He could feel her in the Force. Powerful enough to warrant more than a second glance. And with the state of the Sith, well, his father would like as not welcome any who joined the unification cause. Being the son of the Iron Tyrant had been difficult enough, but now that his father claimed the titel Dark Lord of the Sith? His father would hold him to a higher standard. And there would be a target on his back. Assassins seeking to whittle away House Zambrano, or merely to send a message. If only they knew how little the king cared...

The live Bith band struck up a new song. Arkaitz smiled slightly and extended a hand in her direction.

"Would you care for a dance?"

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

Her words appear to have given Arkaitz some thought and he pursed his lips before speaking. What he said surprised her. Her true past was only known by three people and he wasn't one of those three. What did he mean by saying she was certainly no commoner? Hopefully that question would be answered by him at some point, but she left it unspoken.

What he was thinking as she looked at her, Ra couldn't tell. He was a prince and she more or less a Baroness by name only. Her small planet, almost a barren rock of ice held no real power. What it could offer though was priceless. The sith held no illusion that the man would hold any serious interest in her. He was near the top of the social ladder here and to express any true interest in her might make him look bad. Social interest however, such as on a night like this was acceptable.

A new song started and he actually appeared to give her a smile even if it was only a slight one. Holding out one of his hands, he extended it to her and asked if she wanted to dance. She felt almost like a girl to her first dance, but did not hesitate to accept his offered hand. Ra took his hand, her fingers touching his and then their palms.

"I would love to share a dance, your highness."

[member="Arkaitz Zambrano"]

 

[Sal Katarn]

Laying a hand at her waist, the other holding her hand, Arkaitz waltzed with her to the music. The steps to the dance came with the practiced ease of someone who had been tutored in them since a young age. One of the many benefits of being a noble - aside from never feeling the pang of hunger, the stress of ailing finances, or the cruel exposure to the elements - was the tutoring. Only the best and brightest taught the sons of Kaine. Not that it had done much good for Slade.

Idly, Arkaitz wondered what needle-strewn gutter his older brother lay in at this moment.

Hmph.

Blue eyes stared into gold. Her fingers felt soft save for a few callouses. The sort one might get from intensive training with a lightfoil, or another hilted weapon.

Who was this woman really? An assassin? But who would care enough to kill him? His siblings knew that of the litter he was the weakest, and that included Slade. No, perhaps she told the truth.

I think there is more to your story, Baroness. He thought to himself.

"Forgive me, but Vjun seems a terribly gloomy planet, what with the constant acid rain. What do you do for fun in such a place?"

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

It had been a few years for Ra, but her feet found the steps and with Arkaitz in the lead everything went smoothly. His hands were strong and movements confident. Here he knew what he was doing, an area where he had more knowledge than she. She knew learning was something that was lifelong and took lessons from him.

For a moment it looked like his thoughts drifted elsewhere, but then turned back to her. Their eyes locked and again she wondered what he was thinking.

His direct questions and quietly masked curiosity made her wonder how he knew of her home on Vjun. The planet where she was Baroness was Helska IV. Maybe it was just something he knew of her since he was a prince. It paid to know where your people were from or where they lived now.

She raised an eyebrow at him slightly and gave half a smile, the first show of emotion he had gotten from outside the business façade she had on.

"There is very little fun actually." Taking a breath before continuing, "in my castle there, I most spend my time in the library learning."

It was said that knowledge come power, so in seeking knowledge, she had gained some power. Enough, she thought that she was dancing with a prince. Power wasn't what Ra was ever after though.

[member="Arkaitz Zambrano"]

 

[Sal Katarn]

Arkaitz had dossiers on most everyone present. When all his siblings were goliaths and he stood but average, it necessitated the learning of certain skills. Brains over brawn, as they said.

The prince quirked a brow at her words. All those hours spent alone. Yes, he could see that in her gaze. A certain longing. The Maw knew his own might have echoed it, but he longed for something none could give but one. His hand on her waist slid slightly lower.

"And what, pray tell, do you study?"

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

For once Ra was started to feel at ease. While she knew she needed to keep a guard up around these people, there was something about the prince that was different. It was like she felt she could speak freely and be herself, within reason. He was her superior in terms of social hierarchy, but away from prying eyes, she wondered if he would be different. Would she be able to shed the façade she wore?

He seemed a little surprised by her answer, but would hopefully know her answer was accurate. In a way, it appeared to be something they shared. He was left alone as much as she was. While he may not have the ever present desire to learn and gain knowledge like she did, he was alone in his world. If she had any say in the matter that would change for them. He may not have the desire to continue relating to her after the function tonight though.

He lowered the resting place of his hand and asked what exactly she studied in her time. The answer to the question would be the most simple, but also the least detailed. The answer came from her heart though.

"Everything I can. I have knowledge on many topics, but have mastered none. Skills yes, but there are many more to be learned. Those kind of things. As well as just general knowledge."

[member="Arkaitz Zambrano"]

 

[Sal Katarn]

A general answer to a specific question. The pale-faced man's lips curved into a ghost of a smile. Real, or fake, did it matter? They all wore masks here. Saying one thing and meaning something else entirely. She'd just shown that she could play the game if she so deigned. Not exactly a lowborn risen to power by mere happenstance.

The song neared the end. Arkaitz could feel a few eyes on him, but most were concerned with things far more important than the runt of the Zambrano brood. Just as well. An incredibly gift, being underestimated.

Eyes pale as a glacier studied the depths of those golden orbs for a moment, then Arkaitz leaned forward slightly, mouth near her ear.

"Perhaps we should continue this discussion somewhere more private."

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

Her answer brought a shadow of a smile to his lips. The phrasing she had used could be taken as a familiar language to him as it had been to her growing up. She may not have been biologically of noble birth, but her master growing up had risen slowly and from the shadows until it was hit turn in the light. Ra had learned from him and herself was now one to wait in the shadows before making any obvious moves for anything.

Intrigues of the court were old for her and she was out of practice, but that answer, even if it was a true statement, would show she knew how to play the game. It was something she had not been doing for several years. She knew he would be used to such things though.

The song was coming to a close and nobody else looked to her, but what attention they had was more for Arkaitz than her. He looked at her and leaned in only slightly. It may have looked like he was going to kiss her on the cheek, but his breath caressed her ear as he asked his question.

Ra's previous thoughts on if he wanted to speak outside of the function were answered. If that interest went beyond tonight though would remain to be seen. She already know her answer if the proposition came up.

If he had leaned away before she could provide an answer, he would see there was a small smile on her face that for a moment went to her eyes. It was a mere heartbeat though and was masked again so others would not see it here.

"As you wish, your highness. I would be more than delighted to continue our conversation."

She would allow him to guide her out of the area and remain at his side as they walked.

[member="Arkaitz Zambrano"]

 

[Sal Katarn]

Delighted?

A term seldom heard in correlation with his presence. A fault he attributed to his heritage. Fear and folly followed him like a cloud wherever he went, but delight? He blinked slowly.

He nodded toward the stairs.

"There is a library on the third floor, I believe. Meet me there in a few minutes and we can continue our conversation."

Obviously the two of them retreating off to an upper floor would be entirely indiscrete. They would have to make their way there separately. He'd toyed with the idea of using such an image to his advantage, but no. Nothing to be gained.

A strand of dark hair slid across his forehead and fell into his eye. He released her hand and tucked the lock behind his ear, then stepped back a pace. The prince bowed slightly, turned, and made his way off the ballroom floor and through the throng of nobility. After saying several hellos to familiar faces for appearance's sake, Arkaitz found an unoccupied refresher and closed the door behind.

He stared into the mirror. Gaunt features and hauntingly blue eyes stared back. Arkaitz breathed out. The mask broke. Impassivity gave way to excitement, fear, and paranoia.

"Only and always a Zambrano," he hissed with unremittant spite, blue eyes shifting to yellow for the span of a heartbeat. Taking a breath, he turned on the faucet, doused his face with cold water, toweled away the droplets, then looked at himself once more before leaving.

In short order, he found a rear staircase and ascended to the third floor. He came to a set of double doors made from traditional wood, opening inward. Arkaitz laid a hand upon the doors and pushed.

The smell of musty books assailed him immediately. He narrowed his eyes and peered around as the doors shut behind him. Tall bookcases cast long shadows in the enormous room. His hand instinctively crept for the lightfoil at his hip.

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

Having the feeling he was going to suggest separating, Ra nodded at his words and returned his bow with one of her own. She didn't know any of the others here yet, so didn't have anybody to approach and share a few words with. Instead she went to one of the servers and took a drink from them. Taking a few minutes to drink that, she made her way to a different door than Arkaitz had walked out of. If any notice was made of their dance the fact they left separately wouldn't be thought of greatly if at all.

It took her another minute to find stairs that lead upstairs, but she did and followed them to the third floor. Being in a dress of this sort felt odd to Ra, but it was price to be paid at times especially when dealing with nobility. Her lifted up the bottom hem as she climbed so she wouldn't trip on it and let go when she reached the top. Stopping a moment to look around to find a direction to go, she found there wasn't anybody up here. Everybody was down at the ball and not paying attention to the rest of the building. This suited her just fine.

Picking what appeared to be the most logical direction to take, Ra went searching for what she thought the library would look like. Seeing the same double doors Arkaitz had walked through already, Ra went up to them and opened one. She slipped inside, but not trying to keep silent or anything. Ra wore no jewelry or anything that made much noise, but the sound of the fabric in her dress would be heard.

Allowing the door to close behind her, she waited before speaking. Both her hands resting at her sides, he would see she posed no threat of an attack with a weapon. She remembered how her master had acted as he gained power, the thought that an assassin could strike at any time a concern. If the prince was anything like him, he would be thinking the same thing.

Looking at the prince, she bowed and would wait for him to speak or acknowledge her here. Even though they were alone, she wasn't sure how strict his personal beliefs were on being spoken to first.

[member="Arkaitz Zambrano"]

 

[Sal Katarn]

"Hello again," he said softly.

The door closed behind her. He heard no snap-hiss of a lightsaber, nor the rasp of a knife being drawn from its sheath. Just the sound of her breathing. She wore the headband with the amber stone like a crown. A symbol of power. Moreover, Arkaitz could feel her strength in the Force. If she wanted to kill him, she would not need a weapon.

Pale eyes slid from the shape of her face, to the rise and fall of her chest in the sheer, purple dress.

Arkaitz walked slowly forward, heart thudding in his chest. He stopped just in front of her, so close their bodies almost touched, then reached one hand past her and slid the bolt on the doors into place.

As he leaned past, the prince caught the smell of her hair, of her skin. Lips near her ear formed a whisper.

"Where were we?"

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

His soft voice broke the silence between them as he acknowledged that she was there after her bow to him. Looking at her from a short distance, Arkaitz walked slowly over to stand in front of her. The distance between them now was closer than when they danced down stairs. When he reached behind her to lock the doors shut and asked where they had been, Ra gulped a little nervously.

While she did not feel he was going to threaten her, Ra wondered what his action would be. She had the feeling she knew and drew in a quick breath.

With a small and almost playful smile, Ra thought of her reply and spoke it before her normal urge to keep her thoughts to herself asserted itself.

"I do believe we were getting to know one another, your highness."

Still keeping it politically correct, Ra would continue to do this until the prince said she no longer had to. At least when they were alone. In public, there were certain policies that would need to be followed.

[member="Arkaitz Zambrano"]