She didn't understand it. She had specially ordered her dress from Dosuun for the occasion, a regal and stunning look that harkened back to Dosuun's Galidraani heritage and she had thrown in a touch of Nabooian influence with a floral design. She had tried it on two weeks ago and it had fit perfectly well, but now...
It was too tight around her middle and around certain assets of hers that had forced a change. Luckily, she had selected a second dress for the occasion that was lighter and freer, but... she had really wanted to wear the first one. Maybe something about how it got stored away had compressed it? Maybe she had accidentally gotten the wrong size, but that didn't make sense since she had tried. it. on.
"Fio," she called out, laying the long satin gloves that complemented the
lilac-colored dress on her borrowed vanity. The delicate silver and aurodium necklace lay next to the gloves, and equally delicate tiara that was supposed to be threaded through her chosen hair style for the evening. "Have you seen my cards for the speech? And do you think I look bigger in this dress or is it just me?"
Looking at herself in the mirror as she carefully threaded the necklace around her throat, something just seemed off to her. There was definitely a glow about her, and if she was honest, she hadn't felt this
good in a long time. Her powers seemed amplified, although she had chalked that up to increased passions. She was quite happy to have
Fiolette Yvarro
with her again.
And yet, as she waited for her wife to help finish her ensemble and hair, something seemed off to her. Something just wasn't clicking... but what was it?
The approach to the Grand Ravvitanal Palace, complete with honor guards and fly overs with the distinct shape of the Concordia in orbit, evoked both power and prestige. The Commonwealth was putting on the full show for the evening, and it was certainly impressive. The venue had been carefully selected, showing off the strength of the Najarka culture combined with Galidraani style that could only be found in Commonwealth space. Still, as she walked arm in arm with Fiolette, their family trailing along behind them with Nerralyn, Aerys, and Iaacen along with the children, she was noting something else.
"The escort around the Concordia was doubled from when it was here for the negotiations," she muttered quietly as her eyes traveled over the honor guards in their resplendent gold, black, and red armor, "and they're feeling quite similar to some soldiers I recall facing some decades ago." She suspected, if one rubbed hard enough at the gold symbol of the Commonwealth, another symbol would start to shine through. She had thought as much during the negotiations, but this merely confirmed it.
A small smile tugged at her lips.
Others had already arrived, retinues trailing along behind luminaries such as
Darth Carnifex
and
Drazen Lutris
, and it was odd to see one of her fellow Dark Councilors in a suit and bowtie, but
Gerwald Lechner
was always full of surprises. She did wonder what he thought of her sanctioning Drazen's move for Terminus, but then, it hadn't been something that required all of their input.
"Remind me to speak with the Dashiells at some point tonight," she said. She had been hoping to meet with both of them at some point as they had enthusiastically taken to revitalizing the Centrality region of space, along with the Arceneaus, and it was highly appreciated. She had been hoping to forge greater ties between their companies at some point, and the night promised much for diplomacy. She would hope so, as she was slated to give one of the opening speeches.
"Ivalyn, the evening looks amazing," she would say in greeting once Kaine had moved away to speak with
Rulonom Laborr
, Viceroy of the Trade Federation, giving her step-granddaughter a radiant smile. "You have outdone yourself with the organization of it all." She would turn to Gerwald and his mate, "A good evening to you both as well, Lord Lechner and... Lady Darcath yes? A pleasure to finally meet you."
She would glance back towards their children and the rest of their retinue, her heart feeling light as she looked at her family. They might not be completely whole yet, but she was hoping tonight would be a way to heal some of the wounds. The gala promised to be a night they wouldn't forget for a long time, and it could be an opportunity. She was looking to capitalize on it, both for her family and her position within the galaxy.