The Emperor's Ball

[Koda Fett]

"You don't know me." Fett accused, almost aggressively. The Bounty Hunter had lived his life as an enigma, a ghost, a rumour, and a reputation. It's all he had ever been to anyone that currently roamed this Galaxy. It aided to be for more reason than one, but it primarily served in Koda's effort to remain spotless. Nobody ever knew his struggles, his vices, for they were all kept to himself. It was killing him, though. Slowly, but surely. Everything was so confined within himself that it was bound to come oozing out sooner or later.

His Visor fell plainly over Preliat, standing upright as the other leaned over the railing. "Your vendetta against your Daughter does not call me 'home'. I see her now," Fett explained, his head briefly turning to the open room in which he witnessed her, "If you want her removed, go do it yourself."

[member="Preliat Mantis"]

 

[Vaulkhar]

Vaulkhar spent a fair bit of time with the Sith Assassins. Body language, the spoken word, even something as simple as a change in tone could set the former assassin on guard in relation to one's behavior. However, to Dae's credit, he was entirely oblivious to her actions or intent since the duo linked up. Perhaps he was too enthralled in her words and beauty to make note of anything beyond that, or perhaps he was focused on keeping up those appearances he hated so much for the sake of his family name. Either way, he was ignorant of Dae's behavior and continued his studying of her. He focused on not appearing in anyway invasive, however he was not particularly subtle about it.

"He sounds like a good man. I am sure you carry that name with pride," Vaulkhar nodded once, fully believing what she told him. His cheeks flared in a weak blush at her compliment, quickly resulting in a cleared throat and steeling of his emotion. "Well, I am glad to be considered such, the feeling is certainly mutual," the half breed listened intently to her explanation." He was particularly taken aback by her reasoning for being there, as it wasn't that far off for his own. A kindred spirit perhaps? Not that Vaulkhar cared much for such ideas, it still brought a faint smile to his lips.

The same observations made in regards to the Mandalorians and the Sith were suddenly realized by Vaulkhar. The last time he interacted with the Mandalorians as a member of a Sith empire, he recalled the cries of the pained and dying as the Sith cut swathes through the Mandalorian people. It was not a particularly good memory, though he just shrugged it off. His ears perked lightly, eyes widening somewhat at the question.

"My father missing me on such an evening? Of course not. I am just another of his horde, easily replaceable. Though I too am glad you were willing to make some time for myself, even though I had to drag you from your friends to do so." Vaulkhar flashed a joking smile at that.

[member="Dae"]

 

[Adara Raxis]

“Uncle Prazamussus? I love you too!” Adara said, hugging Prazutis before Kaine took her to dance. Dance! Yay!

“Warmaster Alor Kaine Australis, and the Lady Adara Vigdis Nussyn Raxis, Heir Apparent of House Fitz-Kierke no Kaho of Panatha.” The Herald put as much emphasis as a man of his station acquired, when mentioning the small child holding [member="Kaine Australis"]’ hand.

“I’m a princess today, Buir! A real princess!” Not only did Adara get to greet [member="Darth Carnifex"] and [member="Darth Prazutis"], but [member="Fiolette Yvarro"] & [member="Taeli Raaf"] got to see her in her dress! This was the best day ever!

“Baba, did you see? People were looking at my pretty dress!” Adara hopped up and down, trotting off to the dance floor with her fluffy red dress skirt bouncing around her. Heaving up on her tip toes, Adara took both of her adopted father’s hands, and climbed onto the tops of his shoes.

“May I has this dance, Daddy?” Grinning up at her ‘Baba’, Adara let the music catch her attention and swayed back and forth. The girl couldn’t help her giggles, as with her father’s help, she waltzed.

And there was Buir dancing with Dokki’[member="Alvarex Zambrano"]!

“Ooooooooo Baba, I don’t think Buir and Alvarex know how to dance good, they’re so close. Should we tell them?” But then [member="Lady Kay"] walked through the ballroom and Buir was going away…

… and Alvarex kissed her, in the middle of the ballroom floor. Adara gawked and looked back up at her father. “Baba? Are Buir and Alvarex going to do that again?”

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

Galidraan​

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Blakeslee Falls Estate​

Ballroom | First Floor​

With [member="Taeli Raaf"]​

In the Vicinity: [member="Vaylin"] | [member="Darth Maliphant"] | [member="Nilia Saavilin"] ​

[member="Vestille Thumahra"] | [member="Adara Raxis"] | [member="Kaine Australis"]​

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Vilaz Munin"]​

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On the dance floor, there was the Prince and the Mand'alor, the Warmaster and little Adara and several others. Anything other than the obvious tension had been lost on the Galidraani. Her gaze was lost within the violet hues that glittered in the light, and then the smile broke as a small bit of laughter fell. "For the aristocracy sure, but I also happen to enjoy dancing." She returned in a whisper and without missing a beat, "most especially with you." It occurred to Fiolette that this their first dance which only made for another reason why this evening was so special. Fiolette led the pair in the waltz her feet moved in time and her eyes scarcely if at all left Taeli's.

"You know," she began as she inched closer to Taeli, "this is our first dance."

First ball, first dance, she hoped to share many more firsts with Taeli. She remembered the truths of the Sith, something learned as a young officer. Sith was an unfeeling lot they had told the cadets. Sith held only for themselves and no one else, and while that may be true and even par for the course. At the time she whole heartedly agreed and maintained her distance. Distance, well, only went so far and what started out as merely a casual business relationship had rapidly developed into something more. The night on Genesia just before the sacking of Coruscant. Before the Alliance fell, Taeli had confessed to her truths and Fiolette learned that her lover had been a Sith who had set out to bring down the Galactic Alliance and their Jedi.

Fiolette needed to know then if what they had experienced had been genuine.

After all, the truths learned during officer training had been proven. Time and time again, as the Sith wasted countless lives for their own goals - as each one proved just as selfish as history made them out to be.

Taeli confessed that evening that her feelings for Fiolette had been genuine and true.

And now as they danced together to the first waltz of the evening, as the schemes of others were in their makings. Fiolette was happy, happy with Taeli and the life they were building together. "Perhaps we should add a ballroom to our Genesia home," it was a thought and a way for the Galidraani to say that she wanted to dance more with her beloved. Her love, this was her love and her love - was a true love.

 

[Ras'kala'han]

It would be the height of blasphemy for Darth Vesper, Lord of Avarice, would miss something as lovely as the Emperor's Ball. A night where the powerful rubbed elbows with the powerful? You have his interest. A night where one could do that and show of their latest extravagant fashion? You have his attention, his adoration. Indeed, just off the dance floor, he sat, glass of bubbling champagne in hand, hair swept just right out of the way of his gold eyes. Sitting, relaxing. Just watching.

For dress, it was full Sith chic. Nothing less would do - a long-sleeve, close-fitting tunic of silky, white fabric with the shoulders exposed - as though constantly sliding down, though the fit held it in place. Bracelets, rings, and a choker of matching Xonolite - a red-black metal imported from Mustafar, laser-cut into designs detailed with faintly visible Sith writing, different letters of the Kittat glimpsed with each shimmer and shift of the light, fragments of passages of unholy texts.

Atop his head, a crown of chemically preserved bloodflowers, looking as fresh as though they had just been plucked. On his shoulder to hide the sterile, chemical scent of preservative, a daub of rosy perfume.

And yet, still, he wasn't dancing. He wasn't even conversing. As the Commenor survivors, Mandalorians, and Sith went about their intrigues, from a comfortable distance through the noise of the crowd, he simply watched. Not the searching gaze of the spy, but idle interest. Something on his mind, something out of sight, his thoughts out of step with whatever was around him.

"No," he said, "You wouldn't have danced either, would you? You would have slipped away with all the haste you could have mustered - but not now. Now that you're gone, I can dance all I want and not worry about anything as troublesome as sisters or apprentices."

He paused, pensive. "Now that you're gone, I'm free to do what I please." He didn't rise from his place. Even as the music swelled and swayed, that one icy hand hardened his heart, and his gaze was fixed forwards, the taste of ashes in his mouth.

 

[Salara Zambrano]

Salara looked over at the dance floor and sighed happily, "they all look so wonderful don't they?" The brunette looked over at the energy vampire, her eyes fell to a stray lock of scarlet hair. One she happened to tuck behind the woman's ear. "Darling." She called to Invicta who happened to be lost in some memory, "you alright?"

Invicta simply nodded and gave Salara a smile while squeezing her hand. The petite Epicanthix squeezed Invicta's hand in return and shifted in her seat once more. The sight before her was wonderful, her son had danced with theMand'alor. The Champion of the Empire danced with her paramour, and the schemes of Sith, Mandalorians and Exiles alike were abound. It would not be a proper social event of the Sith without such scheming.

The older of the two women rose from her seat and stepped down to speak with the conductor. Curious, Salara followed the taller woman and placed a hand at the small of the Empress's back and listened. "The transition between this piece and this piece would be easier I believe." She said to the man, "Salara would you mind it so terribly if I removed this waltz here, and we placed this quiet piece here to lead into the couple's dance?"

"Mhmm?" Salara leaned in a little more to look at the datapad and read through set list and the proposed changes. "No not at all, but of course after this number we'll have to tango three with our dearest husband." A small mischievous smile perched upon her lips.

"I would love nothing more," Invicta replied, "maestro is this acceptable?"

"Yes your Imperial Majesty."

"Brilliant." Salara concluded and turned to Invicta, "darling would you care to dance? It would be such a tragedy if we did not, and most especially to this number."

"I would love to dance," replied the scarlet haired woman who took the brunette's hand.

And as the waltz came to a close, an entirely different piece would play. It moved at a faster pace and invited couples and singles alike to take to the floor and dance whether it would be a proper routine or not. As the piece began, the two Empresses were now seen on the dance floor smiling with one another their auras in the Force were unmistakable and the two looked at their husband with an inviting look.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxrEwOJyYos[/media]

 

[Anden Fancelo]

Anden Fancelo​

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Courtyard, Blakeslee Falls Estate, Galidraan​

Objective: Socialize. (why do I even have this)​

Interacting with: [member="Tamara Wren"]​

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Anden gave a soft shrug in reply to her question regarding their allowance for him to wear armor. "Well, it's a military thing. We wear this in respect. And it's a formal event so, we're better off looking our best. I suppose." He claimed, before restating. "Like I said, it's a military thing. There's meaning behind this." He'd gesture to the uniform.

He was never well versed on the symbolism of the Imperial-esque uniform that the Sith Empire provides, but one can assume the purpose is just the same for other military factions. He clasped his arms together infront of him. Usually he'd stuff his hands in his pockets, but he was in uniform.

When the woman confirmed Fancelo's suspicions, he gave a slow nod. And once she introduced herself, he'd bow his head slightly. "Figured, the shape of your visor is kind of a signature thing among your people." He said lightly, giving a soft chuckle. Before glancing up and noticing that she extended her hand out. In reaction, he'd extend his. Giving a rather firm grip to that hand of hers and a good shake.

"Pleasure to meet you. I am Anden Fancelo, lieutenant of the 105th Shock Trooper Company."

He'd let go, at the appropriate time and pondered for a moment. A spark of curiosity came before him. "So what brings you to the garden?" He looked about for a moment, before glancing back at her. "The greenery?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay did her business while [member="Yasha Mantis"] spoke, coming out and washing her hands as her niece sat down. "Put the damp cloth on the back of your neck. That'll help." The water was cool and refreshing. So instead of drying her hands off right away, she placed them on the back of her neck too. It gave her something else to focus on besides the flurry of emotions that ran through her.

"You both may not have liked the arrangement at first,
But you both seem in agreement with it right now. So Carnifex's manipulations are working, whether or not you think that it is of your own choosing." Kay dried off the rest of the dampness from her hands and then sat down beside her niece, not yet ready to put her gown back on just yet. She took her hand into her own and leaned against her. "This is hard for me.
It really is. I am nervous and no, my fears are not yet quelled. I want you to have the best, most especially after everything you've been through. And it seems as though you are getting it on a silver platter. Be wary of that.

They are trying to keep me on a leash and he knows...he knows that I'm not happy with this. Will he try to turn you against me? Try to keep us apart as much as possible? Probably. Keep your control. Enforce your will when you need to. Don't owe him anything."

Kay gave her hand a squeeze before she got to her feet and smiled as she turned around. "And yes, no running off in the night. Who else could I have to help me out of my gown when I've had too much tea with too little food?" She gathered up her gown and slipped back into it before putting her back to her niece once again to help with the corset.

 

[Vereshin]

Location: Ballroom
Allies: [member="Adrian Vandiir"], [member="Shoma Ike"], [member="Muad Dib"], [member="Icarn Amonta"]
Objective: Fashionably Late

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Standing before a gilded mirror in the corridor leading to the ballroom, Vereshin flattened the silk cravat on his chest and smoothed over his glossy hair, a bold, white striped dyed into the side of his raven tresses. The cravat was the same shade of light green as his eyes and worn beneath a black, three-piece suit. He carried the scent of an exotic cologne with his stride, an alchemical concoction made from roses. With a hand held behind his back, the dark mage walked into the ballroom and looked around idly for where he could get himself a glass of wine.

To his luck, a waitress passed Vereshin, carrying a silver platter with glasses of alcohol. He smiled, then plucked a glass of white wine from the tray and continued his walk into the crowd. Many famous figures conversed through the room and the sorcerer had to stop himself from staring at the faces he only recognized from propaganda posters. Placing one polished shoe in front of the other, he stopped in his tracks as he overheard a group of guests discussing sorcery and science, his two favourite subjects. As he sipped the glass every so often, he approached a young which he recognized as a fellow sorcerer.

"Hello, I don't believe we've been introduced, my name is Vereshin." The syllables rolled off his tongue as he greeted the sorcerer named Adrian in a soft tone. He produced a thin wrist from behind his back and extended a hand for Adrian to shake, his fingers adorned with two delicately jeweled rings. "You can call me Vi if you like." He offered his nickname to the young man and took another sip of the glass of wine.

"Are you going to introduce me to your friends?" With a jovial nudge to Adrian's shoulder, his tone lifted and he directed a determined gaze towards the other men. As Vereshin listened to Maud explain his lack of desire for a title, the dark mage found himself agreeing and nodded in response. "True power is lost to those blinded by their obsession with titles and assets." Taking another sip of wine, he spoke thoughtfully and tilted his glass towards Maud in a gesture of acknowledgment. "For power comes in no purer form than that of knowledge." He brushed back a stray strand of hair which hadn't been quite caught in the gel.

"Prince Shoma, it is an honor." Vereshin placed a hand against his diaphragm and lowered his head in a short bow towards the young royal. "Adrian, I couldn't help but overhear your discussion pertaining to sorcery." After another sip of wine, he rested a hand rakishly on his hip. "I practice magic exclusively myself." Vereshin said with a rise of enthusiasm in voice upon getting the chance to talk about magic. "Although I must say I dislike the practice of altering creatures through alchemy, I don't eat animals, you see?" He mentioned in a diplomatic tone as he harbored his disgust towards the act of mutilating animals through sorcery.

"Sentient beings are fair game, however." He tilted his head to the side and chuckled suggestively. Vereshin had never been harmed by animal and had no knowledge of one possessing the intelligence required to directly harm somebody out of pure malice. People were a different matter on the other hand. "I am more interested in the manipulation of the sentient essence, as well as living energies, as opposed to the flesh." The lovely smell of the cologne lingered from his neck as he modestly explained his areas of skills.

"Alchemy was never my strong suit." Vereshin admitted with a chuckle. "... but I do like plants!" He added in a jovial tone, having recently begun experimenting with botany. Looking at his feet, he blushed internally as he tried not to dive into the field of esoteric mathematics which he had created to write spells. "Are you working on anything in particular, Adrian?" Vereshin asked the other young mage. "Prince Shoma, I would have put forward a request for scientists at the polytechnic, but there was an incident and I can never go back there." He said to Shoma as his eyes shifted in an discerning manner.

 

[Yasha Cadera]

Yasha did as instructed, clearing her throat and pondering the dance with [member="Alvarex Zambrano"]. It was as perfect a moment as Yasha experienced in her entire sordid life. It had no battle, although enemies hemmed them all round. The shots taken were verbal, and Yasha felt well protected from those who would do her harm by her retinue of [member="Jor Kvall"], [member="Jake Awaud"], [member="Abel Australis"] & [member="Kaine Australis"]. All beside, there was an imperviousness to harm, when one was in the seductive throes of the Emperor Zambrano.

He wanted her alive, married and willing to continue the good tidings between Mandalore and Bastion. Alvarex did sweeten the bitter waters into honey wine, as unexpected as the burgeoning connection was.

“After Kaden died, I thought… I thought I was done with romance. The love of the Aliit was all I needed. Rex came in so naturally, a call here, correspondence there… little victories he wanted to celebrate with someone alone.” Taking the headdress off and sitting it in her lap, Yasha dipped her head down to slip her temple on [member="Lady Kay"]’s shoulder. She focussed on Kay’s words and her own breath, re-centering before the trot back in to the Ball.

“First Mama, then Kaden, then Baiko… I can’t lose you too Aunt Kay. I won’t. I love you too much.” Shutting her eyes, Yasha felt a sting in her nose, her jaw working to release the rising sense of foreboding which remained from the destruction of Commenor.

“Can I not have one person in my life, who is mine alone? That’s what Alvarex is, Aunt Kay. A chance at my own life. He… he cares about me. He loves Adara, and yes it could be some grand Sith trick, but every instinct in my body and what remains of my soul tells me that what I feel for Alvarex is true… and reciprocated. Must something so beautiful be wrong? I won’t be Mand’alor my entire life, one day some worthy warrior will come and I will gladly put my Mantle down. Someone who will take care of my People and give them more in their lives than only war… not today.

Today I am Mand’alor the Infernal in a den of enemies, bystanders and friends… I shall hold my bearings high, and honour my father, Gray and his sister Kay… and I think Adara would be terrible at helping you with your dress! Goodness, she’d need a box twice as tall as she is to get up here!” Yasha stood and helped the Queen of Commenor with the ties of her corseted dress, fingers more acquainted with a garrotte making short work of the silken binds.

“We could get Abel to do it. Have you seen him? He’s been striking out all night. Might be worth a dance, eh? He’s one of the wild ones, but a good one at that.” Grinning into her teasing, Yasha looked at Kay and herself in the floor length mirror on the wall. Yasha dwarfed Kay by more than 14 inches, and never before had Kay looked as frail. Oh, there was no physical reason for the sentiment, none that Yasha could see, but seeing her so human, getting help with a dress…

… the Infernal wanted to encase her worlds in armour, guard against the assaults, which would come for them both. Would she have a dashing Prince in her corner, holding steadfast to protect his potential Aliit? Setting her headdress back upon her brow, the Infernal was ready.

“Arm in arm, shall we conquer the beast of these hours, and throw ourselves later onto the couches of our victory, while Tamar and Aiya massage our tired feet?” A tempered smile dressed Yasha’s face as she and Kay returned to the Ballroom.

Yasha peered round the colossal room, the chipper music adding to her smile. So they covered pacing with a smile… and there was Alvarex, standing with his Imperial father and Uncle. Her smile deepened as she caught his eye, keeping to the outskirts of the room.

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

The Outer Rim, Galidraan, Blakeslee Falls Estate, The Outdoor Dining Area, The Outskirts, Unspecified Time
Hyacinth; Pink | Interacting with [member="Kole Harper"] | (Others TBD) ~ Shut up and Dance ~ "Oh don't you dare look back."
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Now that proposition brought a smile to Lyn's face, a pink hand sliding into Kole's effortlessly.

Fate threw them a curveball. The Zeltron's ears pricked as a new, snappier beat began to play, one that prompted the grip to change -- Her hand encircling his, pulling him away from the table closer to the edge of everything. She led now, he followed, "Come on, this'll be fun!" Perhaps she spoke a little too loudly; a few members of the outskirts crowd glanced over to them as Lyn led her droid off into the pavilion somewhere, somewhere relatively isolated. There were few people dancing out here, which meant they'd stick out if they did out in the open, but she also didn't seem intent on going in the ballroom.

God knows there's enough drama in there. One could smell it in the air, practically.

"I'm a bad dancer," Lyn confided then after being obscured behind a strategically placed fountain, and in a rather amusing display of expert balancing, proceeded to slip out of the heels that had caused her so much trouble, "But, you know, it's a ball and all." The shoes had likely cost a pretty penny but they now laid abandoned across the cobblestones, forgotten, as a nearly-barefoot girl paced over to her boy, hands outstretched, "Let's just have some fun and look like two total idiots, right?"

They deserved that much, after all. Considering how, in an instant, they might never dance again.

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Evening Wear Attire

 

[Rakaan Horne]

GALIDRAAN​

BLAKESLEE FALLS ESTATE​

THE OUTDOOR DINING AREA​

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Regret.

Kole had plenty of regrets. There had been all that time on Arbra where his existence was nothing short of bothersome, all those years spent within a military where he could of gone elsewhere, and then absolute dedication to a security force that cast him aside through a brief and lazy investigation process. Maybe he regretted finding himself in crime- organised crime, but it was there, strangely, that he excelled. It led him down a path, one he didn't quite know how to feel about. It had been thrilling, it gave him a strange sense of purpose. Then again, looking back on that all, no matter what was fake and what was real, he hadn't of met Lyn if one thing had changed. If there was only something out of place, it might've altered it all.

He found his hand gripped tightly by a smaller, pinker, softer one. It pulled him along, and his head turned over his shoulder in a moment of hesitance. Did he really want to dance? No, not at all. He couldn't really recall if he ever legitimately gave it a go. But, Kole only wanted to see Lyn happy, and even through all his restrictions and laid back reprimands, it had seemed as if he had done so. Kole hadn't given her a verbal reply, only those basic looks he often gave. They weren't very emotive beyond the slighter smiles.

"Right." He responded, slinking into whatever it was that happened to be the most appropriate of stances, or positioning to make this dance. Let it be short, let it be sweet, let it end.

[member="Lynnori Cruz"]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Letting Avacyn speak​

Outdoor dining and bar​

[member="Ishana Pavanos"] | [member="Krest"]​

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"I do like my drinks, yes-"

Before the source of the fickle feeling Kaalia carried with her would reveal itself in way of a physical appearance, the pieces fell into place and the uncertain was now certain. He had returned, a possibility she had always kept in mind but now that she was moments away from being confronted by the one who once posed perhaps the greatest threat to the things she had built for herself, disappointment beat out anger and even hatred. This was a night she promised to share with Ishana as Kaalia and Kaalia alone, but now she was left with no choice but to break that promise. With her eyes cast downwards for a moment she took a deep breath, while the presence of the one she never wanted to see again drew closer and closer. Then, she looked directly into her wife's eyes, and spoke.

"I am so sorry, miala. I don't want to bring out Avacyn, but I'm left with no choice." Her remorseful tone made it clear this was not what she wanted to do, but it was a simple necessity. Kaalia's eyes closed, another deep breath was taken, and right before the zabrak had made it to their table she took the backseat in her own mind. The woman's eyes opened back up, and her demeanor had changed almost completely. The gentleness and smiles had made way for a stern look, with the slightest spots of amber and red beginning to swirl around in her irises. Darth Avacyn had been awakened.

Right before Krest came to a halt in front of their table, without having even looked at him yet, she went to stand up. "Krest," she said with a layer of venom in her voice as she got to her feet, making it clear she wasn't at all glad to see him again. Avacyn turned to face him, staring daggers into his soul while the corruption in her eyes grew stronger. For a moment she remained silent, letting it tell the story for her. Before too long, however, she broke through. "And I will do it again if I have to. All it takes is for you to seek me out one more time. Now I am looking to enjoy the evening with my wife, so I will tell you once. Back. Off."

 

[Ravenfire]

Tom would smile at the two of them. "A pleasure to be sure. Please enjoy the party both of you, if you don't mind me I should find the Lady otherwise her head of house will give me an earful when I return." He then moved off to find [member="Lady Kay"]. He took awhile to find her but eventually he did making his way over to them.

He approached the two as they were reentering the ballroom. He would then interrupt them hiding his face behind the bouquet and bowing. "My sincerest apologies My Ladies, I made a promise to Olivia that I would deliver these flowers to Lady Kay. It however is always good to see you as well [member="Yasha Mantis"], Mand'alor." He would offer the flowers still hiding his face from Yasha. "I shall leave you two fine women to the dancing, I should perhaps leave myself as I have fulfilled my purpose here."

He would then attempt to leave without trying to hide his face. It would be possible for Yasha to recognise him if she was watching him at all. Before he moved fully away from the two he would say. "Yasha keep [member="Kaine Australis"] safe he is still my uncle even if I am no longer among the ME." He would then attempt to get lost on the dance floor if neither woman attempted to stop him.

[member="Morus Jerrill"], [member="Dae"]

 

[Kier Grey]

Kyli DT-6767
Galidraan, Blakeslee Falls Estate, Outdoor Alfresco Dining Area
Interacting: None
Nearby: [member="Rexus Wenck"], [member="Kaalia Pavanos"], [member="Lynnori Cruz"], [member="Kole Harper"], [member="Ishana Pavanos"]

Kyli seats her lonesome giant figure at a table beneath a fine canopy cast up towards the sky from the centre of the round marble shape, the Galidraans seemed to have no limit to their excess whether it was in terms of education or unnecessary material decadence. Carrying a twenty-kilogram tray laden with bottles full to the brim with alcohol several porcelain plates covered with the finest succulent bloodied beef each plate featuring a cut that weighed no less than one-kilogram. Kyli places the tray down in the centre of the table with a single-hand with an effortless grace, a subtle display of her unparalleled physical strength before mindfully tucking a long serviette between her outer void black cotton uniform jacket and the ice-white service shirt beneath tactfully protecting the tie from any blood that was about to fall upon her uniform.

Seizing a pint-sized glass glasteel pitcher Kyli visibly fills the entire pitcher not with beer but with Tavraki Whiskey completely shameless and disregarding any of the social sensibilities of the brass in attendance this is followed boldly by Kyli placing a thick Corellian Cigar between her pursed lips and muttering. "Tried to quit but I love these things too much." Jabbering the words sends the Cigar kicking up and down comically while the Death Trooper's hands gently pat at each of her pockets searching for a lighter before finally locating it mysteriously in her right-sock. "I'm not even going to ask why I put it there." Flipping the flint open she pulls the flame towards the end of the thick beige wrapping containing enough to Tobacco to kill a human child.

Inhaling the Cigar's aroma Kyli's hazel spheres narrow with delight at the potency that she experiences before withdrawing the Cigar and lazily shooting jets of smoke from her nostrils, rolling her orbs around in their sockets with leather-glove sheathed fingers tapping at the marble table's edge. Exchanging a look with a Sith Trooper with NCO chevrons on his uniform Kyli offers a very subtle smile towards the man. Raising the gold Tavraki whiskey-filled Pitcher in his direction. "If we're going to hell, have fun on your way there Corporal." The stunned man just silently nods in agreement with the Freakishly tall and sinewy First Order Soldier, chuckling at the Cigar flipping up and down between her lips which Kyli accepts in good spirit. Looking at the Whiskey for a moment Kyli pulls the Cigar from her mouth and flicks the ash at the end with a silent mischievousness into Rexus' drink rather than the ash-tray.

"That's for all the times you made fun of me for being a waifish tanker." Kyli cannot help but smirk even slightly, fondly reminiscing on their Pre-augmentation days back when they could still get drunk and feel all the little tantalising sensations whether they be pleasant or jarring: The feeling of lactic acid entering the muscles, hot slugthrower casings searing the skin. All now conspicuously absent from her consciousness. Kyli's ears detect the belligerent exchange between what she could only guess are two Sith and she turns her Hazel orbs in that direction for a moment with concealed curiosity while chewing on a mouthful of bloodied beef and savouring the somewhat dulled texture that rolls atop her tongue, thinking that if Rexus or Twigg didn't return in short order she'd eat and drink on her own as 'sad' and pitiful as that is before proceeding to the ballroom to hopefully find somebody atleast passingly familiar and yet equal her stature who wouldn't make what she could guess from the clearly audible music as a Waltz look too awkward.

 

[Ronan Vizsla]

The Outer Rim, Galidraan, Blakeslee Falls Estate, The Ballroom, Unspecified Time
Insider | Interacting with [member="Irella Vizsla"] | [member="Koda Fett"], [member="Tamara Wren"], [member="Vilaz Munin"], [member="Briika Munin"], [member="Preliat Mantis"], [member="Silas Mantis"]

"I do." Vizsla responded before taking another try from the tankard. A grunt, the only sign that he liked it. "Maybe you will too, one day."

Was he... flirting?

It was difficult to tell, but considering he hadn't threatened her once? It might be the closest thing Ronan could come to. Once Irella finished her glass he unceremoniously took it out of her hand. Didn't even ask. Just took a critical look and then poured some of the liquid from his tankard into hers. It foamed, red and from a distance it looked much like blood.

The fact that Zambrano had chosen to send them Kri'gee out of all mandalorian drinks wasn't missed.

"Try that."

He had spilled some of it on the floor and the foam was still dripping down the small glass. He passed it back over, brushing her hand in the progress. "Keep it in and don't complain the next morning, you will get less nasty looks." Fractionally speaking. She was still a known forcer and it was only her affiliation to Ronan that kept most of the nastiness out of her sight.

Barely.

Everyone in Vizsla knew that Ronan didn't shelter no one.

His eyes glided over the crowds while she talked. It always surprised him when what she said made sense. Jetii weren't really known for that. "They are raging thunder chits," Ronan replied calmly, before taking another sip. Oh he knew that most likely the Sith were listening.

He just didn't care.

"But they are better than the Jetii." A glance towards. Almost daring her to say something against that.

"They don't pretend they aren't full of it. Their schemes are painted on their faces. Easy to poke through. And they know how to kill." Even if they took too much pleasure to it and karked up more often than not because of it. "How is the drink?" Curious glance towards her as he finished his first tankard and deposited it in the smol hands of the attendant.

Time for the second one.

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

The Ballroom
Wearing: Zhongshan Suit, Shimmersilk Cape, HoloLink
Interacting with: [member="The Major"] | [member="Tez Bola"] | [member="Muad Dib"] | [member="Adrian Vandiir"] | [member="Vereshin"]

No, the Atrisian prince was, in fact, not picking up a single hint that Adrian was putting down.

As his eyes bounced between the Sith Knight and Maud, the teen was starting to realize that he had no idea what these two men were talking about.

Their group was joined by a third man - Vi - who quickly jumped into the debate about...

...Well, something.

As the three men seemed rather enthusiastically engaged in a conversation that was flying at least a parsec over the teen's head, the youth took one step back.

One step became two steps.

Two steps became three steps.

Three steps became turning to try and make an escape into the crowd. Which was the point at which he bumped into someone. A woman. Or, two women. Well, probably just the one. But it seemed they were traveling together and he wasn't certain just which he might have offended.

"Sumimasen," the prince remarked, with an apologetic bow. "I should have been paying more attention to where I was going," the teen added, with a second bow.

Then, to make polite conversation, added, "Are you both enjoying the party?"

 

[Keira Cerdulan]

[member="Rowena Ewesa"]

Confidence, a fine word to describe the pilot. A suicidal confidence that had been present even when she was a pirate zooming along in an ugly that could’ve exploded at a moment’s notice. But she had persisted on regardless, and flew an interceptor while pushing on just to push the suicidal part.

“Keira Cerdulan, Mastiff Squadron.”

She didn’t expect the pointy-ear to actually know what that meant and who Keira had once been, of course she skipped over some bits of greeting. And as she got a little closer it was indeed very evident all those drinks were for her, smell of alcohol was about as strong as a weak force signature.

 

[H3xle]

LOCATION: The Emperor's Ball

OBJECTIVE: Don't Die
ALLIES: [member="vestille thumahra"] Who is interacting with [member="darth maliphant"], [member="nilia saavilin"], [member="vaylin"]
ENEMY: Socializing

"Try to conserve it." the General added as the glass was exchanged from his hand to Kyela's as he'd add; "No doubt this night will require more-- Just need to be sensible about it."

Kylea nodded and took the drink from the General.

"Thank you." She replied, noting the tone of the General's voice. As they continued their journey through the sea of people towards Vestille's goal, Kylea raised an eyebrow. 'Sounds like he is telling himself more than me...' She thought, then upbraided herself for being nosy. 'None of your business, Lieutenant.'

They made it to a small group of people, and Kylea could tell that, like the Lady Raaf she had only seen momentarily as she reached the General a few minutes ago, these people were force sensitives, though with her own peculiarities with the force, she couldn't tell more than that.

Kylea was quite thankful, then, when Vestille introduced the Sith Lord, Darth Maliphant, and identified the apprentice. She didn't assume she would need the information, but it was good to have just in case. The best way to avoid the need to socialize alone was to not be alone. Having someone of a much higher standing being a shield of sorts was only more of a boon.

Kylea sipped her drink as she watched, standing beside the General, though still seemingly staying within his shadow.

 

[Kay-Larr]

"I was a widow for over a dozen years before Veiere came.
I married young and only for a short time before a Sith Lord murdered him in front of me because of my defiance. I know full well of what you're feeling. But your situation has many strings attached, and some of them have barbs. Just be careful and mindful of the bigger picture."

As [member="Yasha Mantis"] spoke of giving up her Mantle at some point in the future, it made her think of her own conversations with [member="Veiere Arenais"] . They too spoke of Kay leaving the ruling of Commenor to others, giving her freedom to live with less responsibilities. But leaving Commenor to the Sith was not a part of those plans. They are not worthy successors. They do not have Commenor's best interests at heart. "What you both are feeling could very well be real, but I fear that you are both still pawns to be used in Carnifex's game, pawns that ensure his overall victory. Just be careful and take your time."

She laughed at the thought of [member="Adara Raxis"] using boxes to help Kay with her dress. Would she even know how to tie it? A smirk followed shortly thereafter as Yasha mentioned [member="Abel Australis"] helping her. "It'd be highly improper to have him help me in and out of my gown. And a dance? I haven't even considered doing such a thing tonight. My task is to watch over you. I can't do that if I'm too distracted."

Now that she was fully dressed again, it was time to leave. Kay had no doubt that her conversations were being spied on. She walked out of the powder room with her niece, only to be stopped by [member="Tom Taff"] and his bouquet of Commenori blue roses. He played the role of gardner again, a ruse that she played right along with. She took the bouquet with a small smile. "Thank Olivia for me, will you? No doubt these are to remind me of home." Whether or not there was something hidden among them, she wasn't so sure. No doubt she'd investigate that shortly, whenever she could get outside again. In the meantime the bouquet could serve the purpose of keeping her off the dance floor. She couldn't very well be expected to dance with her hands full.

Thankfully.