Open Cerebellum A Victory

[Altair Din]

Altair had many memories on this planet, and they almost always involved Sith. It was strange to traverse through Raxus and find the temple and sites empty of Sith. There were no red lightsabers, no Imperial being loudly bossed around, no eerie robes and hoods. It was as if a dark cloud had been lifted off this and other planets.

He was adorned in his officer’s formalwear, his rank always displayed. Altair and Val had taken swift actions to remove the Sith from Imperial borders and to pin the strict censoring on the public on the Empress as well. Already the Corporate Sector began to drop their boycotts, rolling back some of the advances ISC had made against them. All in all, it was a cause for celebration even though they weren’t out of the woods just yet.

The hall was expansive and ornate, and there was ample lighting in the room. The dresscode was formal military, but no weapons, helmets or masks permitted. The invites were sent encrypted through secure channels and there was plenty of security in place. After Altair gatecrashed the Sith club meeting, he wasn’t going to take any chances.

Altair nursed a glass of whiskey in his hand, waiting for others to arrive. This was as much a social as a gathering to discuss how they would operate from here on out.

 

[Cassir Caerleon]

Cassir has watched the holonet broadcast of the Sith walk of shame, it was a blast seeing the vile Sith being humiliated across the whole galaxy. It wasn't that far removed from when the Sith Empress was killed along with her remaining councilor. The Sith Order is in sambles. Plus the news with the Corporate Sector has brought some reprieve to the Imperials with the war with the ISC although the war is still ongoing.

The Imperial Knight Squire would be wearing the best uniform of the Imperial Knight squire, not bringing anything on his person that wasn't allowed or needed here. Cassir went on ahead through the pristine halls and would arrive at the gathering would be. He arrived with his Imperial Knight trainer who is content to hang back.

Cassir is one of the first to arrive, he would see the Warmaster holding a glass in front of him. Did Cassir arrive too early? The eager young squire would smile and grin towards him before kneeling, lowering his head and bowing to him, showing deference to the leader of the Din Empire. "Warmaster Din. It is an honor to be in your presence. Glory to the Empire." The trainee said firmly and meant it, Cassirhad it drilled in him to show the proper respect.

@Sreeya

 

[Val Varthra]

Parties had become a strangely prescient part of Val Varthra's life since her career in the ISB had truly taken off. In a weird sense, they had become somewhat of a occupational hazard.

That Altair had called the gathering was not unusual. It was Val's business to know things about important people in the Empire and she knew Altair was most at home on a dance floor. Women at his side. Drinks in hand. But this was not that, perhaps reflecting his growing maturity. An officer's formal was as much a place for celebration as it was a place for discussion and planning. And she very much intended to know what the Warmaster was intent on doing now that they had stirred up a hornet's nest.

She arrived in a more regal version of her ordinary Bureau uniform. She had recently whitened her hair even more, and darkened her brows, bringing out the molten intensity of her golden eyes. The combination made her feel beautiful—more beautiful than she had felt in many years. Her outward transformation also reflected an internal one. She was not the same woman she was weeks ago when these trials began. And though they were far from over yet, she was inwardly excited to see the woman she would become when they were over and the Empire was prosperous again.

Entering the exquisitely decorated main hall, Val slipped a glass of wine from the table where they were laid out and sipped lightly at it as she crossed the room towards Altair. He looked like a different man in his uniform. Taller somehow, and stronger, the red of his skin almost blazing out of his black vest and cape.

"I hope it isn't entirely unprofessional to say that you look strapping this evening, sir," she said, sliding into place beside him, a respectable distance still between them. "You wear victory well. Let us hope there are many more waiting for us in our future."

@Sreeya

 

[Galen Terco]

He had been wanded in weeks.

Standing, arms out to either side, Galen was being wanded.

Dressed in his white ISB uniform, rank insignia picked out clearly on his lapel, black boots, cleanly shaven - he looked like the model Imperial Officer. Lowering his arms when ordered, his code cylinder to confirm his identification, security clearance, and permission to even be at this event was returned to him.

He placed it in his top pocket.

Galen, however, was still on duty. In his right ear was an earpiece subtle enough to pass unnoticed. Alongside other members of the ISB, he was working 'in the crowd' to keep a general eye on things.

To put it mildly, this event was important.

The Warmaster, numerous members of the upper echelons of the New Empires command structure was present. Security was, therefore, paramount. A 'ring of steel' had been erected about the event, armed guards on patrol, snipers in critical locations, and enough scanners upon entry to make the most seasoned smugglers sweat.

Inside the venue itself, no weapons were permitted. But that didn't mean security stopped at the door. Within the room, a cluster of ISB officers would be 'mingling' with the crowd, never more than a few meters away from key officials, with instructions to evacuate them at the first sign of trouble.

Galen was one of those officers.

He was unarmed. His job was to position himself between the Director and anyone, or anything, who could or would try to harm them.

Entering the room, he passed on the offer of a drink - Galen had been tee-total since the academy. He nodded to the Imperial Knight and went to speak to them - a valuable cover for his actual job this evening, as the Knight was reasonably close to the Director. "Caerleon, isn't it?" Galen began "I trust your training proceeds apace?"

 

[Aadya Rasheer]

The uniform was going to take some getting used to. Aadya made a mental note to take it to her tailor, something she'd meant to do but just hadn't found the time for. Life had been busy for her recently, far more so than the past several months combined. Many things were changing both for her personally and the galaxy at large. Interesting times they lived in, that much was certain.

Aadya entered the ornate, bordering on garish party hall and let her eyes wander. It did not surprise her that the only person she recognized in the room was Altair. She had left far more than just the Sith Order behind when she made the choice to give her allegiance to the new Empire. Friends, comfort, everything she'd really ever known tossed away; discarded for something that had the potential to be better than anyone could possibly hope it to be.

Or at least, that's what she felt in her gut. And Aadya, over anything else, always trusted her gut.

Grabbing a drink from a tray passing by, Aadya decided to bite the bullet and go speak with the only person she knew. Those that had gathered around him already didn't intimidate her, though whether or not that was a good thing she wasn't entirely sure. Learning the hierarchy of this new Empire was going to be an.. interesting uphill battle for someone like Aadya.

You always did know how to throw a good party, Warmaster. Aadya said as she approached Altair and the others, giving him a nod of her head in respect.

A coy smirk pulled at the corners of Aadya's lips as she noticed that the drink she held in her hand was the same as the one Altair held in his. Some things never changed, it seemed.

Tilting her glass toward Altair, Aadya bid him silent cheers before downing the entirety of its contents. As the dark whisky burned its way down her throat and settled happily in her stomach, Aadya couldn't help but let her mind wander just a little bit.

She really wanted a smoke.

@Sreeya

 

[Rhonwen]

Spoiler: Music

Everything had been checked at the door. Lieutenant Rhonwen had provided her code cylinder and had her personal dataphone checked. The security confiscated her T series protocol droid, which she did not mind, but it showed how tight security was. “Translator droids can be provided inside, Ma’am.” One of the security officers had said, which the Chiss had almost taken personally. But instead of letting that set her in a bad mood she smiled, thanked him and noted the young man’s rank.

Lieutenant Rhonwen, as she was called by most non-Chiss, was wearing a small degree of makeup for this occasion. But for once it was not because she was trying to disguise herself. Instead, the officer wished to look her best though refrained from trying to hide or cover up any of her scars. Her red eyes seemed to almost gently glow as they took in the beautiful halls and attendees with a slightly infrared gaze.

The Lieutenant was dressed in an appropriate white ISB officer uniform fitting for both her figure and her station. She was not carrying any weapons with her, not even her false code cylinder. Clarr'honwe'nuruodo made an effort to have her uniform look pristine and put each hair in place where they would stay. Hopefully the only weapon she needed to use would be her liver and wit.

This was a work event and she intended to remain professional. Even if this was a casual party, the woman would not necessarily act her true self. To the contrary, the Lieutenant was assigned to someone just like her peer Lieutenant Terco who she gave a nod to when arriving. The ‘official’ she was to guard was an Imperial Knight, Aadya Rasheer though she wondered if she was made privy to that. Perhaps it was also for the purposes of keeping an eye on the new Imperial Knights having transitioned from being Sith not long ago.

A few others she recognized in the crowd already. Mostly it was only members of the ISB but she recognized Cassir Caerleon. She would say hello if given the chance later on but she wondered what level of clearance the young man had. Perhaps she would limit how much she spoke in this meeting, lest the unworthy hear need-to-know information. Then again, the warmaster had invited all of them. They were all trusted, or being kept under close observation at least.

Lieutenant Rhonwen took a glass of corellian whiskey as her beverage of choice when one was offered. She had no intention of getting drunk this evening but could not help but raise an eyebrow as she watched Aadya down her glass before Warmaster Din and Director Varthra.

In an effort to keep her expression from being seen by others Rhonwen shifted her attention towards Cassir and Galen. She approached quietly and simply stood by as if to listen in curiously on his training progress. The rigors of what a force sensitive student had to go through were genuinely of interest but the Chiss would make an effort to always keep the Imperial Knight within view.

Raising her glass to her lips, she inhaled and appreciated the scents of the liquor before drinking it. "oh...that is good." She said herself aloud, being pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was. "Hello. Please...continue." She said, not wanting to interrupt or be rude.

@Nor'baal @The Good Doctor

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Leaving the Sith hadn't really improved Varyn's skills at social events. Of course, they hadn't really made it worse either, he just continued to be generally uncomfortable in such settings. At least it seemed less likely he'd be poisoned in the new Empire than in the old one.

Arriving in his ISB dress whites, Varyn was at least happy to see some familiar faces among those in attendance, including at least one who he hadn't expected to see here. Interesting, he thought to himself, but pressed onward toward the gathering group. He had a smile on his face that was far more genuine than forced, which was a rarity at something like this.

Good evening everyone. Warmaster, Director. Good to see you both, he said with a genuine smile and nod, feeling almost more lighthearted than he had in... years. Like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Aadya, good to see you as well. It's been a long time, he said. It had been several years since their exploration of Dantooine together, and things had changed a great deal since then.

@Sreeya @Malon @Logan

 

[Wodan]

Wodan hadn’t planned to be late, to the contrary he was hoping to be a little early, so he could complain to Altair about the amount of paperwork which had come with his new title. When he asked to be allowed to help his ‘brother’, he hadn’t expected to be surrounded by a logistical nightmare. Trying to gather up the remnants of the loyal Sith and shape them into something more fitting the new Din Empire, actually had they even come to a new official name yet? All the legal paperwork still mentioned the Sith, Wodan would try and bring it up later if he had the chance.

Like all others he went through the same pat down and wanding as he stepped through the security checkpoints on the way into the palace. There was still that same joint look of jubilation and disgust in the Imperial’s eyes as they checked him over for dangerous weapons, but at least this time Wodan could be a little more smug back at them considering his new position in the New Order.

The Knight-Commander, stepping into the large hall, like many others he only had the ISB dress whites. The Imperial Knights, still only a formative unit having yet to formalise their identity beyond the initial outlines put in by the ISB Director, had no dress uniform or other official insignia to allow them to stand out amongst the legions of ISB across the Empire. Wodan grabbed a glass of whiskey from a passing waiter, lifting it up and taking a small sip of the golden liquid as he approached the Warmaster and the surrounding entourage.

He half frowned half smiled as he spotted one of the new Imperial Squires on his knee in front of the Warmaster. Straightening his eye patch as he approached, Wodan grabbed the Squire’s shoulder and pulled him up to his feet. “Don’t kneel Squire, Salute.” He said, snapping his own half baked salute at the Warmaster with a cheeky smile. “Cheers Sir, Mamm.” He added raising his glass to Altair and Val before draining the small glass.

With the formalities done, he turned to the other two people in the room whose faces he actually knew. “Varyn, Aadya glad to see you both stuck around.”

@The Good Doctor @Sreeya @Malon @Phoenix @Logan

 

[Levik Karn]

Lieutenant Karn didn't go up to the warmaster of the director at all. He didn't deem himself to be important enough and quite frankly, he figured he shouldn't get a spotlight on him either. Not with his extracurricular activities that is. The chaos of the Sith expulsion and the special duty he had been bullied into doing on Korriban and Rattata had been profitable for him and his career. Still, he always felt a bit weird wearing the black dress uniforms of the Imperial Peacekeepers.

Still, he hopened to use his role in the expulsion to his advantage and get out from under Commander Venn's command in the Tarisian peacekeepers. For that to happen he needed to impress someone here tonight, but walking straight up to the Lieutenant General or the Director seemed to be... counterproductive for a mere Lieutenant such as him. Especially considering there were so many former Sith around.

"Spiced Chandrilan rum," he told the human uniformed waiter at the bar, "Oh and shake it, don't stir." The waiter looked at him with some confusement, "There's no actual spice in spiced rum." Kriff, Levik Karn you stupid bastard. Just told the kid you usually drink at the more seedier cantina's of your district. Bah, at least Gentis Freem knew how to make a drink. "Nevermind, just get me the drink."

 

[Sebastian Montari]

Sebastian was home.

The last time he was here, he was still in training. The drill sergeant was relentless. There was always something to do, and even if there wasn’t, there was another lap to be run or some chore that needed to be done. However, the ever-present chance of getting yelled at was nothing compared to the fear that went through him every time a Sith came for inspection. Losing a limb or being choked out was a very real possibility— he’d seen it happen once. Even the drill sergeant was on his toes when they were around. In those times, it was hard to remember that they were serving the Empire, not the Sith.

And, thanks to Altair, now they were gone. The ones who opposed him, anyway.

Dressed in his formal military suit and in high spirits, Sebastian walked over to a relatively open place where he could see the Warmaster in person. He was still a little apprehensive about actually talking to him— he was only a lieutenant, after all— but he’d done such an incredible thing for the average imperial soldier like him that he wanted to let him know in person. When there was a suitable opening, Sebastian would approach him with a slight smile before stopping to salute him.

“If I may, it’s an honor serving under you, sir. We… needed the change. Now the Empire is one that all of us can feel like we’re a part of.” He never would have dreamed of saying such a thing before, but it was how he felt after being emboldened by the recent victory.

@Sreeya

 

[Brynjolf Baan]

Wanting to atone for his brash decisions on Yavin, Gorr made himself useful to the Empire by bringing in two more planets into it's wake. Terminus was a thrilling venture and without Maximus Dram, the ordeal would've ended in defeat. Again, the daunting duo took Ankus, bringing the Cragmoloids to heel. Hopefully his efforts deemed himself worthy in the eyes of Altair Din- Gorr's new Warmaster. Well, everyone's new Warmaster.

Now, the White Wolf could relax alongside his adopted son, Harva'a.

Altair had changed everything- and it was all for the better. The guilt that had hung on Bryn's shoulders for so long... vanished. His loyalty returned, stronger than ever. Harva'a would not become Malakos. With the Sith Order banished, there would be no fear of the young Squire becoming a darker shadow of himself. Peace... solace... a calm Gorr hadn't felt in so long. Malakos wasn't his fault. Gorr was not some weakling just because he couldn't wield the Force.

"What's wrong, sir?" Harv broke the White Wolf's train of thought. "Erm... Ahem- Nothing. Nothing, little Bloodhound. I'm just... glad." And then the Lieutenant trapped the Bothan-Hybrid in a tight embrace, after brushing a tear away from his maw. "AGhh... Not in front of everyone-" Harv chuckled, trying to escape Gorr's grasp. "Alright, fine." But Gorr still held an arm around his son's shoulder. My son. Those words meant everything to the White Wolf.

All possible because of Altair Din. I am eternally in his debt.

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

Altair looked across the room at them all, several faces he didn’t recognize. It was entirely different from the socials he had attended in the past where they had been exclusively sith. This was surreal to him, but he knew this was his new family now. He took a sip from his drink as Val approached him. He smiled at her and touched his glass against hers, “And you look radiant, Miss Varthra,” Altair said, genuinely meaning it, “I wouldn’t have made the moves I made if I didn’t have confidence in you,” He admitted. In a short time, she had proven herself to be absolutely critical in the formation of the new Empire. He wasn’t sure what it would be called, but he knew the word Sith needed to be removed from it.

He glanced over as the Squire (@The Good Doctor ) approached him, beginning to kneel. Altair gave a pleasant smile, reminding the man that there was no kneeling among Imperials. It was a subservient Sith practice that he had no interest in continuing. Altair looked over as Wodan (@Braden )came over to remind Cassir of the same, “So you remembered,” He said with a grin as he looked at his friend. Years later and with unfamiliar faces around, seeing Wodan brought him genuine happiness. As did spotting Varyn (@Phoenix )and Aadya (@Logan ). He knew they gave everything up to be here. It was a sense of loyalty he could never put into words. But they would know he would go to the ends of the galaxy for them - because they believed in him enough to stand by him through the worst of the storms. Though when Aadya called him Warmaster, there was a sudden rush that coursed through him, his tail swishing eagerly until he actively suppressed it.

Altair looked over as a Lieutenant (@Sicadorito )approached him. The Lieutenant would soon realize that the tiefling only appeared intimidating, but was actually rather easy to approach. Altair smiled in response to his words, “You and other soldiers were the main driving force that made the Empire possible. Without the pretenders taking the glory, it’s time the rest of the galaxy knows it.”

The tiefling didn’t have a utensil, so he simply curled his tail and tapped the tip of it against his glass to raise a toast, “Everyone! Thank you for being here today. Know that each and every single one of you has made a huge difference and your contributions will be recognized. We are facing unprecedented times right now and we came close to extinction,” He wasn’t one for mincing words - they all knew how badly the war was going, “We are not safe yet as the ISC is relentless. However, by sticking to our guns about our stance on the Sith and changing our ways, I’m confident the war will be over soon. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people than the faces I see today. I’m proud to have you as my brethren, and together we’ll see this war through,” With that, he gave them a salute before relaxing and taking a drink.

Altair threw the glass back before he looked over at Val, “Miss Varthra, would you honor me with a dance?”

@Malon @Eccles @Nor'baal @Darasuum @Charles

 

[Amira Din]

Amira Din wore the same jet black armor she had crafted so many years ago alongside her Sith master. That felt like a lifetime ago now, amber eyes looking around the room, drifting from one unfamiliar face to another. The only notable change was the Sith sigil had been removed.

Now only the sigil of the Empire remained, worn proudly on each of her shoulders. That, too, was likely to change as former Sith practitioners like herself were being amalgamated into the Empire's ranks, by necessity reshaping its very structure, every day. As it was, the group in attendance wore a medley of different uniforms. Amira would fit right in after all.

Amber eyes sought out Altair first, but her younger brother had already been surrounded by partisans and old friends alike, all of whom wished to express their gratitude or reaffirm their loyalty. She would speak to him later, when all eyes weren't on him and all mouths didn't wish to bend his hear. Settling for an unconscious, sisterly disregard for ceremony, she inclined her head towards him, lips curling upwards into the slightest smile as she gave him a thumbs-up, effectively saying, You look sharp. @Sreeya

Then she swept toward the bar, where she joined a man in a crisp black uniform. The Tiefling recognized him at once, by his uniform, as an Imperial Peacekeeper. She had worked in tandem alongside peacekeepers on Eriadu and Clak'dor VII in the past.

"Good evening, Lieutenant," she addressed the man about her height, nodding in greeting. @Eccles

 

[Levik Karn]

Lieutenant Karn had just gotten his drink when he heard someone address him. He turned, glass in hand and almost spilled the rum when he snapped into attention. He recognized Amira Din, sibling to the Lieutenant General, and former Sith Champion that worked closely with the peacekeepers from Levik's homeworld.

She was younger than him and held no formal rank in the Imperial Security Bureau, but by association and last name she commanded a sort of respect. "Miss Din," Levik replied before he nodded back the Tiefling's greeting, "I'm honored to be in your presence."

He relaxed a bit and motioned for the uniformed waiter to come over. It was bad etiquette to let a member of the Din family wait at the bar like some mere lieutenant. Not to mention that she could be the opportunity Levik had been waiting on.. had come here for. "I have heard good things about you and your work," he smiled to Amira and took a sip of his rum, which was terribly bland now that it was devoid of actual spice. "I'm from Eriadu and served with the peacekeepers there," when she still was barely a teenager, but it explained to her how he had heard of her. Peacekeepers talk. Families talk.

@llamallove

 

[Cassir Caerleon]

When pulled up by Wodan (@Braden), the squire would correct himself afterward, he would salute the Warmaster (@Sreeya). It was very good knowing that the Warmaster and the new Empire no longer expects pledges of servitude and submission like the Sith did. After hearing the Warmasters speech, Cassir would give another salute after he did.

Now it's back to the party. Cassir would turn to the ISB officer who was asking him of his training (@Nor'baal) , and then another one appeared close by enjoying her drink (@Darasuum). Cassir remembers her. "Hello..." Cassir would be lying if he didn't say he was a bit nervous after having commit a bit of a faux-pas and having two ISB agents with him. Cassir would give the agent a salute look on the first and answer his question. "That's me" the ISB agent got his last name right. They would know their stuff "My training is proceeding well." he answered. The Imperial Knight training process is rigorous and harsh, but it needs to be that way if they are going be a match for the Sith's force users. Cassir isn't going to complain about it. "My trainer said that I'm soon going to be out on a mission soon. Don't know the details yet though. But either way looking forward to gaining field experience." The squire was eager for a chance to test and prove himself. Becoming a full fledged Imperial Knight is his goal.

Side note, after seeing how the blue-skinned lady is enjoying her drink, it's making Cassir wanting a beverage of his own. Hopefulyl there are non-alcoholic drinks around here...

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn knew Altair well enough not to miss that tail swish as Aadya addressed him, and it made him wonder if there was more going on there than met the eye. Of course there was. Aadya was a beautiful woman, and somehow Altair always got all of them. There was a momentary twinge of jealousy within him that he quickly quashed as foolish and childish. The mental threats to spiral into a downward and absurd pity party were quickly shoved away.

Altair raised his toast and Varyn smiled. There were few people in the galaxy that Varyn would really and genuinely throw his support behind, but Altair had proven to be one of them. He was a unique person, and Varyn found himself realizing it was all the more important not to let him be assassinated. Wow, Varyn, was that really what he was thinking about right now? Yes, of course it was. The mind of an intelligence operative never really turned off no matter how much he'd like it to.

As Altair asked Val for a dance, Varyn decided that although it was quite clear he had no shot with Aadya who had eyes only for Altair, a dance certainly wouldn't hurt anyone and it was a lot less petty than when he'd asked to dance with Clove because this one wasn't actually motivated out of anything untoward. Yeah, this was a good plan.

Would you care to dance? he asked, offering a hand out to Aadya.

@Logan

 

[Val Varthra]

Val loathed dancing.

Recently, the only memories she could associate with dancing was the drunken catastrophe that was her mission to Naboo. Every day she woke up terrified that she'd find some security cam footage of it posted on the HoloNet. So far, it hadn't happened, but at least on Naboo there wasn't any other Imperial officers around to see her—Sith aside. Here, all eyes would be on her and Altair.

But victory was an exception to her usual rules. In all recorded history, only the Jedi Order had ever dealt a death blow to the Sith; but not this time. This time the Imperials— no, she and Altair had done it. Together, the two of them had caught the Sith with their knickers around their ankles. If that wasn't a cause for dance and celebration, she didn't know what was.

"Sir," she said, and threw her own glass back before slapping it back down on the table behind her. "I would love to dance."

Again, the alcohol was fast acting. By the time the two of them had reached the dance floor, the intoxication of wine and victory was dulling her sense of mortification. In the morning, she would lock herself in her quarters and sob at her indiscretion, at the fact that she allowed other Imperials to see her like this. But right now, she didn't care, kicking her feet and swaying her arms as she advanced towards the center of the dance floor, towards Altair.

She knew the Tiefling had a reputation for parties and dancing, though she had never seen him in action herself. She hoped he could keep up.

@Sreeya

 

[Aadya Rasheer]

Aadya listened to Altair's speech, doing her best to remain stoic and professional but just unable to keep the proud smirk from creasing her lips. She loved to see Altair in his element like this, receiving the respect and praise from those around him like he deserved.

Raising her glass in toast, Aadya would take another swig of whisky. Apparently a passing-by server had refilled her glass while she had been watching Altair. Talk about customer service.

Just as she was going to turn to ask Varyn the very same question, Aadya couldn't help but flash the man a smile as he beat her to the punch. Huh, she'd never really noticed how cute Varyn had gotten. Her smile turned coy as Aadya nodded her head before adding: I'd love to!

Offering Varyn her non-drink-holding hand, Aadya would cozy up to him, looking to dance as closely as he would let her get. Not quite bump and grind, of course, but not so much middle school dance levels of awkward either.

Glancing over, Aadya would do her best not to burst out laughing at whatever "dance" that Val was doing, not wanting to offend the director of the ISB the first time they met.

Turning her attention to Varyn, Aadya would flash him another smile as they danced before leaning in to whisper in his ear, partly so he could hear her over the music and partly because she wanted him to feel her breath on his neck.

A little different from the old parties, isn't it?

@Phoenix

 

[Wodan]

“I tried really really hard.” He quipped back at Altair, even if the Tiefling was in this new rung high above the rest of them and Wodan had to call him Sir in public. He would still be the goofy guy who got drunk, played guitar and smoked the Force knows what out on the balcony with him. Something Wodan would remind the Warmaster later in the night, once the scrubs had gone home and they were neck deep into a few bottles of liquor.

Wodan found himself another drink before Altair began his little ‘Rahrah’ speech, raising his glass and taking just a sip this time as he toasted the man. Altair took Val to dance and Aadya and Varyn also moved to the dancefloor, leaving him alone with a few new faces who seemed to be content talking amongst themselves. Excusing himself, Wodan made towards the bar, it had been a stressful few days and he could do with the free bar to help him relax a little.

Raising his glass to take another mouthful of the brown liquid he caught Val’s dancing from the corner of his eye. A thick smile spread across his lips as he watched the ISB Director ‘have a fit?’ Or dance one of the two he wasn’t quite sure. “Bartender, the bottle please.” He called to one of the staff behind the countertop. As he continued to watch the ‘action’ go down he pulled a metal cigarette box from his top picket, pulling out one of the glorious little tubes, he lit up the smoke just as the bottle arrived. “This is going to be an interesting night.” He mumbled past the cigarette as he poured himself another drink.

 

[Nicolae Zamfir]

While he had grown accustomed to using uniforms during his last years of service whenever he needed to lead imperial troops, Nicolae would really need some time to get accustomed to wearing it during parties...It was really a shame, he always wanted to use his best suits whenever he had the chance to do so.

But it was certainly not the worst part, no. The worst part was having to deal with the patdowns, the glare and the distrust that came from those that were not force sensitive: Couldn't really blame him, but while he had grown accustomed to not be pampered, being distrusted in such a way was new to him.

Regardless, the Anzati knight would raise his glass of wine from the bar as Altair made his speech, a smile on his face as he looked at the man that led him to his first mission as an acolyte in the past: Sure, they had not talked much after that, but truth is the Anzati was grateful: Could've not had a better person to take as an example from that point onwards.

Regardless, Nicolae decided to sit back and watch with an amused smile the spectacle that Val was giving them all with that rather strange dance that resembled a stroke. However, his attention would be drawn to the one eyed man that approached him: Wodan, leader of the Imperial Knights (@Braden).

"It's been a long time, sir." Nicolae would greet the Knight Commander with a smile "Allow me to introduce myself once more, I'm Nicolae Zamfir, it's nice to see you again" He would say before taking a sip from his cup of wine, not banking of Wodan remembering him from appereance alone...Not when the both of them had changed quite a bit since the last time they've met. Nicolae could only recognize him because of his position, his feats...And the talk about his scars.