While Elise moved about the refreshments bar, trying to look like she was minding her business, she heard the name Marr mentioned from a little ways away. Her Eldorai ear twitched in response, and she tilted her head and used the Force to listen.
"But at least King Marr's fashion sense is good for something…it elevates that fairly average number his blonde companion chose to grace us with."
Her dress was... average? Hadn't Malum said he loved it? Hurt, Elise's eyes instinctively bounced about the room, looking for her lover. As Elise shoved a donut into her mouth, she spotted
Darth Malum of House Marr
speaking to a young woman. The woman's facial features and jet black hair strangely reminded Elise of Mevia, despite the woman being human. But Elise's eyes traced down, looking at her dress. It was a red dress, like her's, but far more... showy. The gothic glitter and patterns complimented the crimson cloth, and Elise realized just how much skin was exposed with that dress. And Malum was... kissing her hand.
The strangest, nastiest feeling developed within Elise's core. The feeling was terrible, made her want to vomit. For it was so intense, and hastily threatening to consume. Her mind flashed back to all the times Malum had complimented her, looked at her, and whispered sweet nothings to her. The thought of him doing the same things with another woman made her want to scream, cry, and maim. It was a fast working venom, this jealousy.
Her cheeks were red as she heavily gulped the food in her mouth. But in the corner of her ear, she overheard,
"That girl is shoving so much food into her face. Do you see the crumbs?"
"How is she not the size of a house!?"
Elise grimaced, lifting her gloved hand and wiping her face. She had chocolate frosting smeared on. Humiliation unknown caused her to tear up, as she whimpered,
"I... have a high metabolism..."
Prior to meeting Malum, Elise had never contemplated her... appearance. She had always been a mission focused, success driven prodigy. She trained to fight, learned to heal, and studied history books to try and figure out how she was going to improve this broken galaxy. Boys had always been a mere after thought; a distraction that would bar her from her full potential. But then... that lonely ship crashed into her homeworld, and she pulled the man she would come to know as Malum from the wreckage. He had awakened feelings in her she had never felt before... and tonight, he continued to do so. Indirectly this time.
Elise glanced around, looking at the women in the room with new eyes. She noticed a zeltron with a vibrant, orange dress that glistened in the light. Zeltrons were notorious for their allure, and this zeltron was an immediate eye magnet. There was another zeltron with purple hair, wearing a skeleton inspired dress with a pretty hat. In another corner of the room, she spotted a winged Valkyrie with a tight, revealing dress she'd personally deam inappropriate for a gala. But there she was, a seductress. In the same room as-
Elise gritted her teeth and shook her head. But everywhere she looked, she saw it. She noticed a dark haired, tan woman with another revealing dress that showed off her figure. The golden dress perfectly complimented her skin tone. Elise looked, then she looked over to her reflection in the nearby punch bowl.
Her eyes were red and puffy, and snot slid down her nose. Tears streaked down her face, making her look swollen and ugly. The Ajayid pulled her hat from her head and covered her face, shuddering. Shy, shameful eyes glanced around. Even
Mia was wearing a gorgeous dress! But who was Elise, this peasant, who wore a simple, unappealing dress?
Malum was a noble. Malum was a
king. Malum was at the top of the Galaxy. He probably had swarms of girls chasing after a noble's prestige. Attractive twi'liks and pretty mirialians. Regal nautolans and alluring dathomirians. Elise was a muddy, gross mesh of four different species, all melded into something that appeared more average than anything else. So many women here had assets that were far more impressive than her's as well. Malum was within the Sith Order. The females of the Sith were... not known for modesty. And suddenly, Elise saw the truth. That Malum was a powerful, royal man who had to prestige to attract any girl he wanted. And she knew that many, many girls would probably want someone like him. Alluring and dark, but frank and sincere. Well learned, smart, articulated. A stunning and brilliant man... who was equally a lovable dork and an approachable nerd. Malum was her heart's desire, but how could his heart want her when... all these girls around her... clearly outclassed her.
The sting of it all was unbearable.
Elise turned and ran for the garden, unable to take any of this anymore. Hat in her hand, the tear drenched girl ducked away whenever anyone tried to stop her and see if she was alright. No, she was fine. She would be fine. They could not help her, after all, when her vision grew green at the thought of him courting another. Eternally wretched and forlorn, Elise darted into the gardens and ran. She ran until she came across a fountain, deep in the garden, and slammed her gloved hands against the concrete brim. She looked into the water's reflection, and she hated what she saw.
"Haar'chak!"
Her back throbbed as she fell to the ground, bringing her hands to her face.
"Haar'chak! You're hideous! You're an insignificant peasant trying to earn the admiration of a king! You're a traitor! A butcher of your own kind! Jari'eyc dala! You don't deserve the happiness you crave! Traitor! You don't deserve him!"
He was a Sith. She was a Mandalorian. The Mandalorians were a thorn in the Sith's side; and the Sith butchered and defiled Mandalore. The Sith had slaughtered so many of her people... and yet... Elise loved him. She could not understand, nor could she see their future. But was there a future for them? When there were so many easier, better choices for the noble than sneaking around to court an underwhelming girl? He could court duchesses and princesses within his own mansion. And it would be easier, safer, and more enjoyable for him. Was Elise only a fool, to think she stood a chance? She was a peasant. She was underwhelming and blemished in appearance. She was far from the curviest or most pronounced of women. And she was his sworn enemy.
"Haar'chak!"
Head against the fountain's base, she lifted her arm and slammed her fist into the fountain. Repeatedly
"Haar'chak! Haar'chak! Haar'chak!"
Sobs wrecked her as the green grass stained her legs and dress skirt. She grinded her teeth. Heartbreak, jealousy, and insecurity tormented her.
"Haar'chak!"
She clawed the fountain base, chipping her nails. And she pleaded,
"Don't leave me...!"