The Emperor's Ball

[Darth Ferus]

"Even with only a few pieces you can still win at chess. Although, this isn't chess, and you have plenty of pieces to add back to the game board." Krest watched [member="Jor Kvall"] leave with a curious stare. Who's side was he on, or was it how round about he and [member="Lady Kay"] had been talking that pushed him away. No matter, at least now he could speak a little less reserved.

"Focus on what pieces you have is the best way to play. I'm sure you have friends who can help where you can't."

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“She was out of her mind in happiness, when Tamar and Aiya brought out the dress. I even took out my mother’s sunfire tiara for ‘Dara.” Yasha’s grin deepened, shaking her head at her little one’s happiness. “When I was her age, I only got excited for a new beskad and armoured boots. Yes, there she is with her 'Uncle Prazamussus'... I think Kain'ik is taking her to dance.”

A young woman and a dashing prince danced on before the elite of three Empires, one in gold crafted to display the security and devotion of a people to their Infernal, the other wearing his dedication to his father on his sleeve. Behind them, [member="Kaine Australis"] was taking [member="Adara Raxis"] to get her formal introduction, a child’s glee at being ‘so grown up today’.

Yet the music swelled and Yasha discovered a strange and noble weakening of [member="Alvarex Zambrano"]’s inner guard. He softened, swept by the same melodic vibrations that claimed her spine. Yasha mewled a sigh, her steps measured in the dance.

No one else existed, not [member="Preliat Mantis"] looming over the Ball, though his narrowing eyes would see his estranged daughter’s smile and expression deepen in a mimic of her mother’s face when all was joy and Aditya and Preliat were young and in love. Not [member="Lady Kay"], where she sat sipping tea, or [member="Darth Carnifex"] whose smile of mischief at the matchmaking was unseen.

Her body responded to the orchestral chorus by loosing the tensions, which bound her in armour. Through the dance, Yasha subconsciously closed the distance between them, the Prince and the Warlord. The grin on her face released for an intimate and fragile glow of pure and unadulterated joy. Hand once propped in his now holding and being held within it. Fingers which once held to his shoulder migrated up to cup gingerly upon the back of his neck. Amber eyes remained only on him, this strange and harrowing Prince. Perhaps [member="Lady Kay"] was right, and Alvarex was the most dangerous Zambrano of them all. Yasha thought of none of these things, with her heart fluttering in her chest and the dance with Alvarex creating a containment, where they were the only two beings on Galidraan.

 

[Jake Awaud]

Location: Lost
Party goers near by: [member="Adara Raxis"] [member="Abel Australis"] [member="Lady Kay"] [member="Jor Kvall"] [member="Kaine Australis"] [member="Yasha Mantis"]

The dancing partner he had been with seemed to ditch him pretty quickly after the big stars of the First Order wondered out. Seemed some officers were still weary of dealings with the Mandalorains as it went. Everyone was pretty awkward around them, and Jake was okay with that. Though he preferred that the morning after.

Smiling he looked around where he was, seemed like he was still near the dance floor. However, the young warrior did notice the Warmaster without any backup near a large group of individuals that looked pretty Mandalorain. He did not recognize them, and Kaine seemed a little on edge with their presence. As such he wondered over to the Warmaster who was now escorting the Mand'alors daughter. "Is everything okay Kaine?"

Jake looked up to Kaine in some ways. As a pilot, Jake worked along side the military man when he was stationed on his War Fleets in major campains. So he was somewhat interested in his opinion on some matters, though his Clan always came first like any Mandalorian worth his Armor.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded in agreement. "Some of the pieces of this game are so closely guarded and watched. The only sanctuary is within their own mind. But in chess, the Queen is the most powerful piece..."

She sipped her tea and then spoke to [member="Krest"] at a level that was barely above a whisper. "I need a way to communicate without interference from Sith Intelligence." That'll put the bug in his ear, at least. As far as she could tell, he was her ally and friend once again. Their goals were the same in the current state of events.

"We should head back inside. I have to keep an eye on my niece and make sure that she isn't in the wrong company for too long." [member="Yasha Mantis"] was her charge. Even though she could handle herself in battle, there were some things that Yasha was still naive about. And those mistakes could cost her everything.

Kay took a refill of her tea first before heading back into the ballroom. It was hard not to spot [member="Adara Raxis"] with her bright red dress; not to mention [member="Kaine Australis"] along with her. And then she spotted Yasha, dancing with [member="Alvarex Zambrano"] , the two seeming to ignore everyone but eachother. She did her best to keep her expression neutral, though inside her only thoughts were to tear those two apart from eachother.

Soon. Once the song was over.

 

[Darth Ferus]

"That wont be easy. Nigh impossible while they have you on lockdown. Though." The Zabrak fell silent as he pondered [member="Lady Kay"] 's request. "I suppose I could give you Misses Nesbet back." He gave a simple wink before following her back inside with tea in hand. Immediately he looked out of place and frowned, glancing around the room to all the unfamiliar and ultimately forgettable faces.

"So.. Which ones your niece anyway?"

[member="Yasha Mantis"] @Other folks.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"The honor is all mine. Your husband is a valuable asset to the Empire, and any of his kin are welcome among us." He smiled again, dark and mischievous, and flourished his hand while tilting his head as a sign of respect towards Vilaz's chosen wife. Yet, even as this pleasantry came to a close there came the stink of alcohol and the Emperor's smile faded into grim annoyance as he sensed another joining their group. But the Emperor barely spared the Mandalorian a cursory glance, his eyes fixated elsewhere in the party as a mouse's whisper reached his ears.

"You're intoxicated, Mandalorian. Don't press your luck."

Even as the words left his lips he had already written off the Mandalorian as gone, his power in the Dark Side fluctuating as he exercised his considerable power to conjure forth an entity born of the dark's ever-present penumbra around the Imperial estate. Visibly, it would appear to those with keen eyes that the Emperor's shadow would detach from his person and slink across the floor, taking refuge in the shadows of other party guests, reshaping and reforming, before appearing on the wall not far away from [member="Lady Kay"]. The shadow shrank and shrank until it was almost the size of a child, and then it broke soundlessly away from the wall and took tangible form.

A child, no older than eight, with rich ebony skin and glowing pupil-less crimson eyes walked up behind the Queen of Commenor, a suit of rich silk and velvet materializing around his body as he did. With a small hand, it reached up and tugged on the Commenori Queen's dress;

"You play a dangerous game."

[member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Adara Raxis"] | [member="Kaine Australis"] | [member="Taeli Raaf"] | [member="Fiolette Yvarro"] | [member="Vilaz Munin"] | [member="Briika Munin"] ​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Getting a bite to eat​

Outdoor dining and bar​

With [member="Ishana Pavanos"]​

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Kaalia watched as the plate meant for her was slowly being filled, first with the wraps before a small variety of other foods joined the ensemble. She would have had no issue with doing such a thing herself and actually kind of preferred that, although for no particular reason, but didn't interrupt Ishana from doing it for her. That was just part of who the Balmorran was and the character trait was something she had recently come to appreciate more and more. She wanted to care for the ones she loved, a very noble thing indeed.

"Hm? Of course, just got distracted for a moment is all."

Her wife showed she cared in another way as well, however. At the question of if Kaalia was doing alright the recipient responded with something that she hoped would remove the concern that was there, while continuing to watch as the last bits of food were added to the plates. It wasn't like she wasn't telling the truth, either. There was this feeling she had that was oddly familiar, but somehow different. It was quickly pushed aside though, seeing how it was no matter to be worried about on such a night. She would look into it another day, but a mental note was made to seek out whether it was what she thought it was, the presence of someone who wasn't even supposed to be able to be here, or something completely different.

Ishana asked her again, causing the redhead to confidently nod. "I think it's just the slight nerves. The good kind. I'm looking forward to dancing with you, you know?" The two would make their way to a table and before Kaalia could even do it herself she was once again aided by her better half, as the chair was readied for her to sit down in. "Ever the gentlelady," she said before taking her seat and taking a longing look at the plate in front of her. With the waiter coming over though she decided to wait until she had ordered her drink and it had been brought to her. After Ishana decided on a cider, she herself went for something a little different. Perhaps a bit unusual for her, even.

"A glass of water, please."

Even though Kaalia wanted to go for something a little, well, stronger, to start off the evening, she still decided against it. She did find it a little weird to not be on the same wavelength with Ishana beverage-wise after making the decision, but there wasn't much to be done about that now.

 

[Hira Mitsae]

[member="Umai"]

"Mebbe I will at da, Silver."

Maybe was definitely.

He didn't have any shame. The dance was good and that was all that mattered. Carefully Julian made her circle in his arms at the tune of the waltz. A bit clumsy, but all that did was make her stumble right back against his chest. "Ooh, ya should watch ya self, mmhm, cautious, ya?" Murmuring as he steadied her with a self-aware smirk. They both knew it had been him.

And that was fine.

It was that last comment that coaxed his interest the most.

Take to the skies. Oh, most couldn't, but there were a certain subset of the Dathomiri that could, if they tried hard enough. "Ya be raised with da Dathomiri then, eh? Whatcha familiar?" He leaned in there, eyes hungry for that knowledge, clearly curious.

That had been one secret the Witches were unwilling to teach him.

No matter the bargain.

 

[Kay-Larr]

"Nothing good is ever easy. Mrs. Nesbitt...I really do miss her. She was such a sweet companion that knew how to fix my tea perfectly." That is until [member="Krest"] destroyed her. But if he could bring her back...that would be wonderful.

She sipped her tea, her gaze holding place over [member="Yasha Mantis"] . That is until she felt the tug on her dress. Kay looked down to the shadow-child and clenched her jaw as it spoke. "We all do. It's called life..." No doubt she was speaking to a manifestation of [member="Darth Carnifex"] . But just how much he had overheard she had no idea. Yet at least she had been careful in her words so far. "...Shouldn't you be tending to your guests? A bird in a cage shouldn't be any reason for you to falter in your duties."

Go away! Go away! Go away! Her skin just crawled, the goosebumps visible on her arms. She had half a mind to lose him in the crowd. But for the moment she remained put.

 

[Darth Ferus]

"Interesting.." Krest murmured to himself as the shadow of [member="Darth Carnifex"] manifested itself beside [member="Lady Kay"] . He tilted his head in curiosity and, blatantly ignoring the conversation, crouched down before the fake boy. "Who'd a thought the Dark Lord played with dolls such as this. Really makes you wonder, huh?" The Zabrak glanced over his shoulder to the queen, offering a shrug before stepping back to sip his tea again.

"Come now, my Lord, can't a man catch up with an old friend without prying eyes even if she's a prisoner? I shudder to think of the eyes that will be on us after the party."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"You do not amuse me." It said to [member="Krest"].

The familiar's eyes narrowed at both of them, an unpleasant scowl marring its otherwise placid features. "I would caution against this path you have started down, [member="Lady Kay"]. Consorting with old ghosts will only bring pain and misery." The construct's gaze now moved to stare at [member="Yasha Mantis"] and [member="Alvarex Zambrano"], dancing with enamored smiles and entranced gazes that never seemed to waver from one another as if they were the only two beings in existence.

"And I would also counsel to keep your family's health and happiness at the forefront of your thoughts, as when all other trappings are stripped away it is typically family that still remains." Its unflinching stare now fixated on Queen Arenais, the message clear and well-annunciated.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay raised a brow at [member="Krest"] 's final remark. After the party? What in the Force was he implying? No doubt it was just something other than what her plan was; which was to go home with her niece.

Once again her attention was turned to the shadow-child of [member="Darth Carnifex"] as it spoke to her. "You bring me pain and misery...And I can't be rid of you.." Yet.

She followed it's gaze to [member="Yasha Mantis"] and [member="Alvarex Zambrano"] . "I do have their health and happiness in mind. My family are important to me, as you well know.
And given that you endanger them, I must protect them. So excuse me." By any means necessary she must protect them. Just as she did to protect her planet from destruction twice over.

Kay turned to Ferus. "My niece is Yasha Mantis, the Manda'lore. If you'll both excuse me, I need her to help me with something that would be really improper for a man." Without a further word she stepped away from them and made a beeline towards Yasha and Alvarex. "Oh Yasha! I need your help in the powder room! This tea has gone through me so quickly. I really should have eaten something first."

 

[Darth Ferus]

Krest remained silent as [member="Lady Kay"] spoke, then with a shrug to [member="Darth Carnifex"] 's familiar he simply walked away without a word. He wasn't here to chat with the Dark Lord, and given the Queen seemed to be having.. Issues, he decided to find the only other reason he was here. On his way out he bumped into just the man he was looking for, a server with a glass of cider and a glass of water on his tray.

"I'll take those."

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Outside the Zabrak wandered his way around the bar area with a tray in hand, smiling at the various patrons as if he was one of the waiters himself. Stopping by one of the tables he began to set down the two ordered drinks.

"Ah, so this is the woman you killed me for."

Krest smiled wide down at [member="Kaalia Pavanos"] and [member="Ishana Pavanos"] as he brought the tray behind his back like a proper waiter. "She is a charm, isn't she?"

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The familiar watched [member="Lady Kay"] make her way towards the dancing Yasha and Alvarex, his scowl only deepening as she left.

"How ironic, Kay Arenais." He spoke even after she had left earshot, "You rush so fast in a vain attempt to save your family, but you only hasten their destruction with your recklessness. So be it, let all of your futile strugglings turns to ash in your mouth when the final star of all you hold dear is snuffed out by darkness."

The child construct then proceeded to dissipate back into shadow, wasting away until nothing remained except a black splotch that swiftly returned to its master.

"How very ironic indeed," Mused the Sith Emperor as his own eyes now beheld Kay's move towards Yasha, which he did nothing to impede.

[member="Krest"] | [member="Yasha Mantis"] | [member="Alvarex Zambrano"]​

 

[Ronan Vizsla]

[member="Irella Vizsla"]

Vizsla noticed the thin-veiled smile at his reaction to the drink.

He didn't mind it.

Neither did Vizsla miss the attention on him by an assortment of individuals. From [member="Preliat Mantis"] to [member="Kaine Australis"] to even [member="Darth Carnifex"]. They all seemed to devote some manner of their attention on him. Perhaps wondering what he would do today. On this evening. After all, when Ronan Vizsla attended a public event like this... it often turned... red. "We fought. Killed. Survived. As a result we became stronger than we were before we were dropped there."

Before he could say more an attendant suddenly approached them.

In both hands he was holding a tankard that was decidedly out-sizing his smol hands. "With the compliments of the Dark Lord, Alor Vizsla." He bowed deep. It was... kinda comedic, as the smol man tried his best to keep the bow intact while balancing the tankard.

If Irella had any questions about his relationship with Carnifex that might have answered them.

"Better." Vizsla finally said before taking it in one hand. A sip was taken. Tasted. Measured. Then Ronan nodded. "You will stay here and keep it refilled." To the attendant, before forgetting him and focusing back on Irella once more. The comment of stress relief raised his eyebrows. If there was a smirk hidden behind the stoicism it was anyone's question. "There are many options for stress-relief, Irella Vizsla." Was that a slight turn upwards of the mouth?

Maybe.

"What do you think of our hosts? Speak plain."

 

[Armand Temi]

Location: Ballroom, Blakeslee Falls Estate
Objective: Enjoy Primat’s company and dance
Dress: Red and Black Gown
With: [member="Primat Ren"]

Leaning into him, her ear at his lips, Varas listened to Primat’s words. “You are right, it would be hard to leave them behind,” she responded, but unlike her lover, the Knight of Ren had not really gotten to know the other ones in her Force sect. Here she was, thinking of how to spite her father, and as all of that estrangement had gone on in the background, he had made actual friends.

She closed her eyes as he kissed her forehead, enjoying the sound of the music, and just how if you concentrated, you could be transported to a different time and place. One where things were not so complicated. One where-

Varas felt Primat’s hand where it shouldn’t be. Well, at least where she wanted it but where it really shouldn’t be in front of all of these guests.

But instead of wiggling away, she let him do what he wanted. Until she tilted her head up and bit his lower lip, not enough to draw blood but enough to let him know, his transgression had not gone unnoticed nor was it unwanted.

“How long do you want to stay here?” she asked her words filled with the promise of leaving, of actually shedding the tight and uncomfortable clothing to be alone together.

 

[Valgærd]

As we danced, he raised his hands. My response to twirl was almost reflexive.

No one must ever know how much I actually enjoy dancing.

However, Jul, while not quite as skilled at the art as I was, knew exactly what he was doing. A slight mistake, I lost my balance and fell against his chest, into his arms with a soft gasp. He caught me, those big, leather clad arms around my form as I gazed up at him. When my look of surprise noticed his smirk, I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself.

“Oh, yes.” I replied with mock ignorance to his move, “lucky for me you were here to catch me.”

The intensity of his reaction to my words actually caught me off guard. All of a sudden, I found him leaning in, a fiery hunger in his eyes. I knew he hungered for the knowledge I’d teased him with, but still, butterflies sprang to life in my stomach as that gaze bore into me.

“Secret for secret?” came my reply, a reminder of our bargain from earlier, “is there… anyone waiting for you? A lover, perhaps?”

Instantly I dropped my gaze and blushed. Yeah, real subtle, Umai.

[member="Julian Imani"]​

 

[Varian Alaric]

Location| Ballroom, Blakeslee Falls Estate, Galidraan
Objective| Having a good dance with Varas
Equipment| Red and Black Suit
With| [member="Varas Ren"]
Nearby| None?
Status| Gleeful and Embarrassed

Primat had been nervous at how Varas would respond to what he had done. He had done the same thing before, a few months ago aboard the Carbonite Contessa...which had also been on accident of course. When he had done it on accident then, she had not been mad at him. Varas had actually leaned in closer to him when he had done that, something which still did surprise him as much now as it did then when it first had happened. Primat didn't really have much of a reason to worry, though he still felt guilt for doing it, even if it had been on accident of course. Thus was why he was nervous of how Varas would react, especially considering they were in a much more public setting this time. At least, they were in a place where their were probably hundreds more people though he wasn't one to be exact in such things.

Just as Primat's thought's went wild with how she would respond, he noticed her head tilt up and in curiosity, he leaned his head down towards her. And then he felt her teeth bit his lower lip. It wasn't hard enough to draw blood, though he got the message she was sending him. So she...actually liked it even though it was on accident? I'll have to keep that in mind. He enjoyed the feeling of her teeth pressing against his bottom lip, it felt so sexy and yet wrong at the same time. Especially considering that they were in a public place right now. Speaking of that, as much as he wanted to stay around...Primat was wanting to wander off somewhere with her. And then of course, he heard her words. "If you want, we can go now," Primat said with a soft growl to his voice, waiting for her to take the lead.

 

[Ishana Pavanos]

Galidraan

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Blakeslee Falls Estate
Outdoor Dining Area
[member="Kaalia Pavanos"] | [member="Krest"]

"Alright..." Ishana's voice trailed while for a moment an eyebrow had quirked. "Okay, well - alright." She repeated and left it alone, she wasn't going to press the Kro Varian further. A smile from the Balmorran had it been so long since they actually gone out and danced? Maybe. Kaalia was often called away for business on behalf of the Sith Empire. It left the former TIE pilot at home a lot of the time, while there she managed the estate and ran a small repair shop in the city as a way to both keep busy and stay out of her family's hair. When Kaalia was home they made the most of it. "It'll be nice to dance with you again, I - just wow, can't believe it'd been so long."

Food looked great and the Balmorran carefully picked at few things, but it was when her wife ordered water and not brandy or wine. "K, so I wasn't gonna press but uh, are you sure you're okay?" She asked for a third time, "because you're like obessed with wine and brandy, and here we are at a place where you can just drink your little heart out and you..." Ishana's voice trailed off a moment her thoughts were running through. Nah. She didn't want to think that they'd been trying but everytime they had gotten their hopes up. The Balmorran cleared her throat, and then just as she was going to speak in approached a third party.

An unwelcomed party.

Unfortunately it didn't take a Grand Moff nor a Sith Lord to figure out the guy was bad news.

His comment certainly didn't help.

Ishana said nothing and decided that for once in her life, keeping her trap shut might do both her and Kaalia some good.

 

[Irella Toldreyn]

The Outer Rim, Galidraan, Blakeslee Falls Estate, The Ballroom, Unspecified Time
Insider | Interacting with [member="Ronan Vizsla"] | [member="Koda Fett"], [member="Tamara Wren"], [member="Vilaz Munin"], [member="Briika Munin"], [member="Preliat Mantis"], [member="Silas Mantis"] ~ Hushh ~ "So hold your breath, dim the lights."
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First, a brow raised, to the poor waiter whom Ronan seemed intent on being just a little rough. Been there, buddy. The blonde Vizsla would offer the servant a smile, whatever it was worth, but held back on any further reassurances to the man now forced to be at his beck and call. Some lines, Irella had learned, you tow absolutely. And since the aforementioned Chasm, she had a desire to tow Ronan's line, not cross it. She'd seen plenty of what happens when you do.

His words concerning her own comment on stress relief made her tip her head, shift in the beskar'gam that didn't quite fit right yet, "I'm sure you'd know," She replied almost dryly, chasing the words with a short drink of the decidedly more fruity drink compared to whatever combination of pure ethanol and pain that the Mandalorian had been served upon orders of the Dark Lord of the Sith, "Seems down your alley." What were they even talking about? The girl might have been experienced; not entirely naive, so she had a few ideas. Truthfully, though, Irella could only guess, but the conversation brought forth a hidden smile in her anyways. An echo to his own. Verbal sparring was sometimes more fun than the actual physical activity, she found.

Then, like clockwork, he banished it with mention of their hosts. Supposed allies, weren't they? Was there a wrong answer here? He wanted her truth. To lie would be disaster.

A momentarily uncomfortable expression passed over her face. At first, she didn't know if it was because of how her new name sounded in his voice, the same tones that produced feelings of claustrophobia in her mind. Her gaze dropped to beskar boots before mustering the fuel and fire needed to broach this particular topic, "They're Sith," She began slowly, shuffling a little in her spot as the armour suddenly felt rather stifling, "I can't say I trust them." Well, she had more than one reason to distrust them, beyond the Mandalorian reasons. Former Jedi do not forget so easily, nor do those in the Light. Why must everything in the Force be so complicated? Pale eyes flicked up to Ronan's face, the glass at hers lowered from her mouth. Her reasonings behind her opinion seemed to be more than just the obvious that Irella would have to not be fond of the Sith, evident in the way she kept talking, "They seem to be..."

"...Playing both sides, and it makes me uneasy." What had been explained to her of the fracture in Mando'ade had been limited by time, mostly coloured with the words 'wrist rockets' (She had not dared to ask), and grossly oversimplified down to a few short sentences to also keep the explanation easy. There was, however, one thing she could grasp plainly; the concept of 'us versus them'. Irella couldn't quite put a finger on it-- Call it a Nar Shaddaa native's intuition, perhaps --but something about the whole Sith-Exiles-Mandalorian Empire relationship triangle that seemed to be a little odd, at least, in her mind. Likely, it was all business, every pawn having their place; but she couldn't shake the feeling.

Perhaps that wasn't a good answer to give, but, it was hers. In the interest of speeding things along, she glanced back in the direction of the cohort (What does one call a gathering of Sith?) centred in the ballroom, with the Dark Lord as the eye in the storm, "And what do you think? You've had longer interactions with them than I have. Alor Vizsla." There was something in the way she said Ronan's title as head of house and clan that sounded just a little bit peculiar.

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Evening Wear Attire