The Annual Republic Military Banquet

[Anemone Nivalis]

Nor a even an inch did Anemone budge as she hear the plate make contact with the table. Though she did look up towards Turin as he tapped her on the head. "Your food and salvation has arrived." A small chuckle left her lips as she the small spread he'd brought her. He was amusing, and that helped slightly with her current situation. But not by much. Her hand reached out, grabbing the cup with the caf and sliding towards herself. "So, yeah..I'm screwed. She knows. She knows...everything." She gazed toward the Major slightly as a small shiver went up her spine. The simple thought of what might happen to her if she causes a scene sent chills through her body. She sipped the caf lighty before sitting up in her chair once more, sighing heavily.

"So about that dance...I'm gonna have to owe you one. Sorry, fly-boy."

@[member="Turin Val Kur"]

 

[The Hound]

He was confused, there was no doubt. Who was she talking about? Well he wasn't a mind reader so the only way to find out was to ask. "Wait, what? Who knows everything?" He started to look around for someone that fit the description of 'knows everything' "I can't seem to find anyone with a big enough head to fit everything in their mind! She must have great camo..." Of course he was kidding, he was trying to lighten the mood. "It can't be that bad." he said attempting to reassure the lieutenant After all, they were at a party, where alcohol was being served. Weather or not it was a test by the military higher ups to see who was 'weak' didn't matter to Turin. It was their day, or night, off.
@[member="Anemone Nivalis"]

 

[Thessa Kai]

[SIZE=medium]Late and fashionably so, it was a miracle the Rogue Flight Captain made it to the shindig at all. Functions like these brought up memories of someone she’d sooner forget. And her fingers naturally went for hydrospanners and ship parts rather than fine silverware and punch cups.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]And of course the force users. They gave the Galan the heebie-jeebies. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Iced-azure gaze scanned the room, eyes lighting up for a moment as she caught a glimpse of a familiar-looking dark-shaggy haired head. Hiding her disappointment as she lost sight of who she thought it might be, she couldn’t help but smile as her gaze fell to that of her ground-pounder friend and…a man?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]She blinked.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Delila Castillon actually looked like she was having fun with this…man! Weaving her way through the crowd, the pilot sauntered up to her friend and the stranger she had yet to meet. “Well, well, well. I’ve either breathed in too much hangar fumes or Tatooine has frozen over. Major Castillon looks like she’s actually enjoing herself at a formal gathering,” giving her friend a quick jab to the shoulder, iced-azure gaze fell on the stranger as she offered him her hand, scale-speckled skin glinting in the ballroom light. “Captain Thessa Kai. Rogue Squadron. Will you tell me your secret to getting this one,” chin tilted to Dells, "to smile so freely?" [/SIZE]

 

[Agent Iron Maiden]

Vasiniya was not one to enjoy formal events. She was much more happy with trudging through drills and exercises with her men. But someone had to show up and represent the Golden Company of the Tetan Legions. Dressed in her Golden Company captain's uniform with a golden badge on her shoulder sleeve to denote her company, she walked into the venue of the banquet. Moving about with her steely soldier expression, while her golden locks draped over her wounded and missing eye covering half her face she held an intimidating beauty about her. Moving about she spotted the 73rd and their comrades mingling through the party, her eyebrows scrounged together and she let off a smug smirk. Although she enjoyed messing with the 73rd and their boys, she decided it wouldn't be the right kinda place for that to happen. Approaching the area where drinks were being served she came across two rowdy and near drunk soldiers messing around. Vasinya let out a muffled laugh and attempted to step aside. One of the drunk soldiers then whipped about at the same time and bumped into her. The soldier with more courage than usual due to the alcohol cried out to her, "WATCH WHERE YAH GOING!" He turned to face her as he screamed.

Seeing who he bumped into his expression of smug courage drained away and the blood too followed. Now it looked liked he saw a ghost, or perhaps his looming doomed. His inebriated friend shrieked under his breath in horror, "Holy shit it's the Iron Maiden! She's gonna kill us!" Drunkly and sluggishly the two attempted to salute and try to appease her expected anger. The Iron Maiden turned to them with a cold and professional glare, raising her white gloved hand she saluted back and growled, "At ease boys. Go and enjoy yourselves before I decide to have you for breakfast." she chuckled. The drunk soldiers began to slowly back off, Vasiniya thought to have fun with them once more and barked at them, "RAWR!~" she mockingly roared. The soldier's snapped and ran off. The Iron Maiden chuckled as the boys ran off, turning to the drink-berrier she remarked, "Those 73rds should get a back-bone, but then again I guess my reputation proceeds me eh?" the drink-barrier confused as to what the remark was in relation to nodded and wandered off. After recieving no remark for her joke she looked about the banquet and let out a sigh, "Eeeeeh, I really do...hate these kind of things."

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

@[member="Delila Castillon"] @[member="Thessa Kai"]

Jaxton listened to the military officer speak about keeping track of hundreds of troops. He couldn't imagine having direct control over so many people. He'd only had a couple apprentices, and while one of them was promoted the other had presumably left to be with a mandalorian for all he knew. "I've had a couple apprentices, but nothing like six hundred men, and certainly not at once. I'm sure stuff is delegated but there must be a lot of time and effort into just getting to know everybody's name." Jaxton said, before a scaled woman came over and began talking to Delila and Jaxton.

“Well, well, well. I’ve either breathed in too much hangar fumes or Tatooine has frozen over. Major Castillon looks like she’s actually enjoying herself at a formal gathering,” The woman said as he nudged Delila on the shoulder and extended a hand, which Jaxton immediately took and shook. “Captain Thessa Kai. Rogue Squadron. Will you tell me your secret to getting this one, to smile so freely?" She asked as she tilted her face to point out the Major.

"Jaxton Ravos. Jedi Knight." He introduced himself to the woman in a similar fashion. "I uh, haven't really done anything special." Jaxton said in a bit of confusion. Was she not always like this? He could tell she wasn't the most emotional person, but surely everyone smiled. "We've had a hand of sabacc, a dance, and a glass of wine." He said and almost asked Is she not always this happy?, but decided that the Major might enjoy the answer to such a question. "Maybe it's the umbrellas." He joked, referring to the ornament accompanying the wine glasses.

 

[Anemone Nivalis]

Her arm extended as she began to point in the Major's direction. Before her finger could extend, her ears caught wind of Turin's attempt at humor. She looked up from the table at him once more, as her lips curved into a small smile as she halfheartedly laughed, mocking him more than anything. "Your just oh so funny, aren't you?" As much as she hid it, whether it was hidden well or not, the scruffy looking pilot was beginning to grow on her. Of course, she wouldn't show it if possible. Anemone had a penchant for becoming enamored and attached rather quickly. A trait was working on getting rid of. Failing miserably, but working nonetheless.

She took a few more sips from her cup before looking towards the doorway, hearing the commotion coming from that direction. All she could make out at this point, was two bumbling men and a women wearing an odd yellow insignia on her uniform. Anemone could do nothing more than blink as her eyes trailed the woman to the bar before tapping Turin on the hand and pointing in her direction. "Flashy. Who the heck is that? And why was that guy screaming about some kind of maiden?"

@[member="Turin Val Kur"]

 

[Delila Castillon]

@[member="Jaxton Ravos"] | @[member="Thessa Kai"]

"Yes its a great deal of del-"

Before Delila could finish her sentence, a friendly punch hit her arm. To say she was surprised was an understatement, the pair hadn't encountered each other in quite some time. Standing, the Major gave her best friend a brief hug before pulling out the chair next to her, motioning for her to sit. She was quiet while Jaxton and Thessa shook hands, knowing the Captain was merely playing nice until the akk dog in her came out. Delila turned and frowned at the new entry and noise before turning back to the pair of people at her table.

"First off, you of all people should know I do smile around my friends. Jaxton here is a new found friend"

There was one way to get the akk dog attack off her and that was to turn the tables.

"Besides, where have you been? We win that race and you disappear.I had to check the KIA and MIA records to make sure I wasn't supposed to show up at your funeral" By now Delila sounded like an guilt-tripping Corellian mother, as was intended. Her gaze fell to Thessa once more and noticed something, a slow grin creeping across her features.

"My,my. Either thats a hickey or you mysteriously got sunburned on your skin and scales near your ear. So who is he?" Delila paused."Don't tell me you took another trip to Zeltros"

 

[Jesta]

@[member="Iron Maiden"]

"Oh i love a good party right boys?" Jesta announced chucking as he walked off his shuttle. "Jester!" A female voice cried behind him in irritation. The feline hybrid flinched and turned his head around quickly to see his friend Nyra giving him a scornful eye. Her white and purple uniform giving her a kind of twilighty look. Jester could hear his comrades snicker behind him and Jesta put his hands up in surrender. "Ok, ok and 'ladies.'" He corrected himself. Nyras stern expression than turned to that of a flirtatious lady as he swiped a hand across the bottom of his chin and walked off into the security guards and showed her ID. Entering the building. Jesta looked at his three comrades and blinked. Each of them wore a 24th uniform and simply shook their heads. Jesta laughed. "What? What i do?" He asked jokingly as the three of the. Walked toward the building. His shuttle going back up to his ship as they walked away from it.

Jesta and the others all gave the necessary information to the guards at the front and Jester walked in side by side with the boys and scanned the room. Or at least Jesta was. Porch nudged Jester and whispered. "Relax Jesta, nothings going to happen. Its just a party, have fun. I know your often stressed something will go wrong." He told him. Jesta put a hand up and shoved Porches face away jokingly. "Pfft, wha? Im not stressed. Im just cautious. I mean, not having my gun is one thing. But I couldn't bring my mothers lucky knife...i love that knife." He explained. Looking up to the celling as if it were the sky he pointed up and chuckled. 'Love ya mamma.' He thought to himself. Porch laughed and patted Jesta on the back. "Yeah, your knife will be fine on the ship. So you see any twenty fours or thirty nines? Heard some of them should have been here." He asked. Jesta shrugged and punching him on the shoulder. "How the gold blazes should i know? Was i here before now. Just ask, or look for uniforms similar to ours ya goof nut." Jesta told him teasingly. Porch rolled his eyes with a smile and nodded. "Yeah well, alright." He said walking off with the others, socializing with the other soldiers. Jesta stayed in front of the entrance with a large coin he was flipping between his fingers. "Well this is gonna be fun." He chuckled to himself, walking forward and looking around.

Soon after he approached a small area a few soldiers wearing uniforms similar to his simply came storming out all drunken and slurred. "Iron maiden scares the hell out of me." One of the. Said heading upstairs. Jesta laughed like a villain and shook his head. "So she is here? Oh this is endless entertainment." He told himself, walking over to were they ran from he soon spotted the a women with long golden hair sitting were drinks were being served, even from a distance Jesta could head here rambling about her comrades backbone and how much she hated things like this. Jesta couldn't agree more. Hands in his pocket Jesta hopped over with a skip in his step and a grin on his face. He wore a black uniform suit and his black and golden fur matched it completely. His bangs that normally hung over his face was all styled up thanks to his buddy Nyra. One half of his long hair was slicked back and like a quarter of his bangs hung over his left side. Golden markings decorated his face and fur as they always had. Walking up to a seat next to the women he sat down and chuckled. "I couldn't agree more. Much rather be training with Porch than sitting down drinking. But hey, someones gotta rep us right?" He said humorlessly. Looking around the room expecting something to happen. He waited for the women to respond.

 

[The Hound]

Her sarcastic laughter was a good sign, she wasn't dead. He shrugged at her question. To be honest he had never seen her before, but he had heard small tales of them through the military grape vine. He was surprised that she hadn't heard of the Iron Maiden. "I think that she is the leader of Golden Company...The Tetan Legions?" he shrugged again. "I don't see the big deal...My Paladin squadron has probably racked up more kills than them anyways..." he said. Maybe he was a little jealous that they got more recognition than him. Generally the Army did as people often cared not for the battles in space. @[member="Anemone Nivalis"]

 

[Thessa Kai]

[SIZE=10pt]@[member="Delila Castillon"] @[member="Jaxton Ravos"][/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Plopping down next to Delila after greeting the jedi with her best behavior, the flight Captain quickly made herself comfortable, swiping an unopened bottle of Corellian Ale from the table. It was a far cry from her usual kelp juice and drink of choice.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]“Well met Jaxton,” she smirked and took a swig of the beer, eyebrows arcing vertically as she shot Dells’ a secret hidden look at the mention of dancing and wine. “Gambling, drinking, and dancing with froo froo drink ornaments. Jaxton, I’d like to ask what your intentions are with,” she coughed suddenly as Dells rattled off a series of accusations. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Hitting her chest once, she managed to swallow the fermented drink, straightening up from her momentarily hunched position. Narrowed iced-azure gaze settled on Dells as her aqua lips twitched into a slight curve. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]“I’m hurt Dells. You know my skills as a pilot would keep me out of the ground for at least the next six weeks.” Fingertips rose to brush absently to her neck as she took another, rather large, swig of the beer.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Face soured for a moment. “Hoth would have to unfreeze for me to go back there especially if Jorus is still alive in this universe,” gaze panned to the jedi knight. “No offense Jaxton. It’s a long story.” Maybe Dells would forget her question as she expertly deflected. Raising the bottle, she pointed between Jaxton and Delila. “So, back to you two. The night is young. Any trips to Zeltros in your future?”[/SIZE]

 

[Judah Dashiell]

@[member="Jaxton Ravos"] - @[member="Thessa Kai"]

"So that is the long and short of it. Me, a frikkin' nano host. Lucky they figured out how to get rid of 'em before you know." Judah had finished weaving his tale to his buddy, leaving out a good deal of information that wasn't important. Maxir did not need to know all of the details, Judah had kept it basic enough with what had gone down over the course of the droid invasion. Details of the situation were quite different.

"Lets go back inside. The women are missing my presence." Maxir quipped, moving back in through the open balcony doors.

"Here I thought that was the sound of them sighing in relief at your absence" He retorted back with a grin, dodging a friendly punch to the arm. His gaze fell back to the room and noticed this time a certain Captain sitting at a table with two others. The Captain he had been looking for.

"I'll catch up to you later Max.....Not interested in being your wingman tonight, you're on your own"

The other pilot gave a look of disappointment but soon was onto his next prey. Fortunate for himself, mainly because it would do away with any explaining. Stopping by the well-stocked bar, Judah picked up some kelp-juice-alcohol type drink. It looked....well it looked like something Thessa would drink. Making his way by the table slowly, he came upon Thessa waving a bottle between a woman and a Zeltron, questioning the pair.

"Excuse me,Captain Kai?" Judah held out the kelp-drink towards her."Thought that you might appreciate this more than ale."

He kept a professional tone, trying not to hint at something more going on between him and his former boss.

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

@[member="Delila Castillon"] @[member="Thessa Kai"] @Judah Danshiell

Jaxton noticed how the scaly woman sat down next to Delila, and began questioning him before answering Delila's questions. The two must have been close, which might have meant he was about to go through a verbal ringer. Then she said that word, Intentions, and Jaxton knew he was right.

"Intentions?" Jaxton said a little accentuated as he figured how to best answer the question. He then leaned in forward and spoke to the two girls "Well, I've heard the military makes bank, so I thought I would try to cash in on that." Jaxton joked and returned to his position. In truth, he didn't really have any intentions at this point. He was having fun now, and he wanted to get to know the girl better, but he wasn't going to force anything. The scaly woman then spoke to Delila about her space-faring campaigns, Then she spoke of someone named Jorus and asked Jaxton not be offended, which confused him. What was he supposed to be offended by? Then came that question.

"Any trips to Zeltros in your future?" She asked, and Jaxton laughed a bit in response.

"I've actually never been to Zeltros before. I was born on Corellia, and stayed there for quite a while until I joined the Jedi about a year and half or so ago." He said honestly. "Quite frankly, I'm not sure how I would deal with a Zeltron besides my mother. I'll have to make a trip there eventually because of homeworld and all that, but I'm in no rush." He said before another pilot came and offered the woman a drink.

"Jaxton Ravos." He said and extended a handshake to the pilot joining their group. "And you are?"

 

[Delila Castillon]

@[member="Jaxton Ravos"] | @[member="Thessa Kai"] | @[member="Judah Dashiell"]

"I can't gamble and drink with friends anymore?" Innocence colored her tone, looking at Thessa.

Grinning, Delila knew she was 'winning' this battle. Especially when her friend brushed her hand against her own neck, as if the mark would make itself known. Boy she was never letting Thessa live this little moment down. Just wait, forty years from now in the old folks home and Delila would still be annoying the Galan. If they both lived that long of course. Catching the Jedi's words, Delila couldn't help but laugh at the idea of 'making bank'.

"Yeah, we're really rolling in it."

Luckily for her Jaxton stepped in and started to explain the entire situation, how they were merely enjoying a good night. It seemed for the Zeltron there was no more intentions beyond her own, and that was to get through a boring night with a little fun. Thankfully for her a young pilot came to their table, offering a drink to Thessa.

Delila turned back to Jaxton while Thessa was occupied with her drink-fetching boy.

"Quite an interesting night, don't you think? I will apologize for Thessa in advance. The lack of oxygen in space makes them a little slow, you understand."

 

[Anemone Nivalis]

Anemone glared at the woman slightly from across the room before turning back to Turin. "She can't be all that special. I mean, you've never seen her, I've never even heard of her. I bet she's just blowing a bunch of hot air." In her infinite wisdom, Anemone reached across the table, grabbing what she believed to be her cup of caf. In actuality, it was the remainder of the drink she had been sipping through the nifght, something she clearly didn't need more of. With a quickness, she downed the remainder of the drink, letting out a small hiccup before before placing the glass on table once more. "You know, we should go over there and pop her bubble."

Ah..how brave and stupid people become when intoxicated

@[member="Turin Val Kur"].

 

[Thessa Kai]

[SIZE=10pt]@[member="Jaxton Ravos"] | @[member="Delila Castillon"] | @[member="Judah Dashiell"][/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Captain Kai?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]For a moment she was speechless. She had no idea why he was acting so formal after all that…[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Maybe it was out of protection. Son of a bantha, this was awkward now.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]“Hey Judah, thanks,” she straightened slightly in her seat, finishing off the ale and taking the fermented kelp drink. Luckily Jaxton drew away any attention as he spoke about his lack of Zeltros experience. She had no doubt Dells would pick up the change in demeanor in the flight captain.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Raising her bottle, she gently socked Dells in the arm again with her free hand. “Hey I heard that. It’s a wonder you groundpounders still know how to board an aircraft,” she winked to Jaxton, “We stock up on extra barf bags for ‘em during the routine extraction missions.” She offered a smile to Judah, iced-azure gaze searching his face for a moment.[/SIZE]

 

[The Hound]

His companion was obviously drunk. There were no ifs ands or buts about it and when she went for her drink instead of the caf he immediately went to stop her. "Wait, that's-!" he reached out his hand, but it was too late. She drank fast. One gulp and the remainder was gone. With a heavy sigh nibbling on more of the strange foods he brought back. Her suggestion could only end badly, for everyone involved. So he did the responsible thing. "I don't think that's the greatest plan of action..." he muttered. "Maybe just ask who she is? Calmly? No, in fact, stay here I'll go ask her." he nodded. The decision was final, weather or not she actually listened to him was anybody's guess.
@[member="Anemone Nivalis"]

 

[Judah Dashiell]

@[member="Thessa Kai"] - @[member="Jaxton Ravos"] - @[member="Delila Castillon"]

Shaking the hand of the Zeltron, Judah tried to figure out his exact position in the Republic. Politician or Jedi was his first bet.Didn't seem like one of the spouses that was hanging around the grand hall. Far too sure of himself, others stuck out clearly like a sore thumb in this military 'party' so to speak.

"Judah Dashiell. Pleasure to meet you."

Catching Thessa's gaze he shot her a wink, taking in her form. It had gotten much more rigid since he arrived and mentioned Captain Kai. Maybe it wasn't the fact he hadn't called her that in weeks. What else was he supposed to do? Saunter up and give her a kiss? Either way he could easily see the problems in each situation. It was much easier to explain away later his lack of informal bearing. Perhaps it was time to correct the situation so he wouldn't have as much explaining to do later on. He had other plans involving Thessa that didn't include talking.

"Anything for you Boss" Grinning, he listened to the group, shaking his head slightly at the barf-bag comment. "Exactly and who has to clean that up? The lowest guy on the totem pole, meaning me."

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

@[member="Delila Castillon"] @[member="Thessa Kai"] @[member="Judah Dashiell"]

Jaxton laughed as the Major and the Captain quibbled with each other and their positions in he military, obviously endorsing their position of land and space respectively. He somewhat expected that however, Jaxton wasn't heavily involved in military affairs but he knew that the Army and Navy were always competing with each other, and trying to show themselves the better. What was interesting was the new face, this Judah, and why he was here. With his Zeltron telepathy he could tell that the two felt something for each other, but he couldn't tell if they knew it about the other or not, nor did he in all honesty want to. It was their business, and if they wanted to talk about it they would. No sense in forcing the issue.

"You won't be on the bottom forever Judah. I'm sure you'll work you way up in the ranks." Jaxton said to the pilot, then turned his attention to the Major.

"So Delila, how did you meet this Captain Kai over here? I wasn't under the impression the Navy and the Army did much mingling together."

 

[Delila Castillon]

@[member="Thessa Kai"] | @[member="Jaxton Ravos"] | @[member="Judah Dashiell"]

Delila watched her friend and the newcomer intently. Something was....off,different. She couldn't put her finger on it. There was a change in the mans behavior, suddenly more relaxed at whatever look the Galan had given him. About to suggest that her and Thessa needed to use the powder room for the purpose of grilling the Captain without such a public audience, Jaxton posed a question.

"Thessa and I weren't always with the Republic. Anyways, our ragtag group of soldiers and pilots had our own idea of a party. Not really like this one, we cleared out a spare space in the hangar and made the best of it."

"I am not a party person and wandered into the hangar. Thessa was working on her X-Wing, we chatted. Noise starts coming from a dark section of the space. I grab a pipe, ready to kill our intruder. I wasn't quite in an Infantry with that group....." Delila paused, treading lightly for the next part of the story.."Turns out the intruder was this kids" Her head nodded towards the Galan "Fian...err...friend...trying to make his own party."

Shooting her friend a look of apology at the mention of a certain someone, Delila quickly continued on."Ever since then we've been close friends.I can say without a doubt we've been through some interesting stuff."

 

[Anemone Nivalis]

Anemone's eyes narrowed at Turin, trying to figure out if he was playing it say, or just being a coward. She stood quickly and sharply from the table, her legs shaking slightly under her. "Come on! What's the worst that can happen?" She reached across the table, grabbing at Turin's hand and attempting to pull him as she began stepping towards the woman at the bar.

Obviously, this wasn't the normal Anemone. Intoxicated was beyond the word. She was off the wall loopy. But the alcohol flowing through her system had given her a spine made of liquid courage, though it was turning out to be more like liquid stupidity. After marching for what seemed to her like forever. she arrived at the bar behind the woman. As loud as she could push her normally docile voice, Anemone spoke out as if challenging one to a duel. "Hey. You don't have to barge in here like you own the place. Everyone was having a good time but you just had to ruin it. Who do you think you are anyway?"

@[member="Turin Val Kur"]
@[member="Iron Maiden"]