Open Cerebellum A Victory

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn smiled as she took his hand and moved quite close to him. It had been quite some time since he'd attended a party or danced with someone, but he was done shying away from things.

Even so, he was surprised with just how close she pressed herself to him, feeling his heart beat just a little faster as she did, but he didn't miss a step. He had learned to dance since he came to the Sith - er, Empire - and each time he got a little better.

He found himself returning her smile, feeling her breath on his neck and on his ear as she spoke. He found himself snickering slightly at the statement.

No one's died and my chances of being poisoned again seem lower, he joked. Overall, can't complain, though how could I complain when I'm dancing with you? he asked, doing his best to put on a bit of charm that didn't quite come naturally to him. Was it so much different than playing a part when undercover? He supposed not. Act as if, right?

@Logan

 

[Brynjolf Baan]

"Sir, what is that woman doing?" Bryn looked over to find the ISB Director panicking wildly- or... was that just expressive dance? The Lieutenant wasn't sure. "I believe... she may be dancing. Don't stare. It's rude." Harv nodded and tried his best to keep from snickering. Brynjolf couldn't blame him. It surely was a sight to see. The speech Altair made gave Bryn a big warm buzzing feeling in his chest. Pride swelled from within him, and even if the Empire lost all the good dancers along with the Sith, that pride would never die.

"'Evening, ma'am." Bryn gave a small nod towards the Chiss Lieutenant he hadn't met before. As big a galaxy it was, it never hurt to make new connections- something Brynjolf's kin back home could learn a thing or two about. "I'm Lieutenant Brynjolf Baan, and this is Squire Harva'a Baan." Harv made a proper salute, earning a smile from his pops. "Pleasure to meet you, too, ma'am." Atta boy. Harva'a, though a Bothan-Grimlyn hybrid, looked like he could actually be Bryn's son. He had a beautiful white coat of fur along with inquisitive deep red eyes (that Bryn sometimes swore could glow in the dark).

"I think she's bigger than you!" Harv whispered, a little too loud for Bryn's taste. All it took was a quick scorning look and the miniature Gorr got back in line. "Apologies, I don't believe he meant anything by it." Bryn grumbled, glaring at his son on the word 'believe'. Was raising a child this karking hard? Every time Bryn thought he was making progress, little slip ups like this happened. Or... perhaps Bryn was being too harsh? Harv was still just a kid- Maybe Bryn wasn't cut out for something like this.

@Darasuum

 

[Aadya Rasheer]

Aadya had to say she was pleasantly surprised by the fact that Varyn actually seemed to know how to dance. At first glance she would have never assumed so, the surly brooding boys weren't particularly known to be suave and light on their feet.

Lower, but never zero. Aadya said, leaning into Varyn's ear again and flashing a little smirk that was somehow equal parts predatory and coquettish.

Her smirk turned into a full smile with the next thing Varyn said, Aadya rolling her eyes in that playful "oh you" kind of way. You're cute.

Quickly, Aadya would finish what was left of her drink and leave it on the tray of a nearby server so that she could give Varyn both hands worth of attention.

I was really glad to see someone here I knew, Aadya said as she continued to move to the music. What have you been up to, Varyn? Her question was one of genuine interest, Aadya curious to hear what her fellow ex-Sith had gotten into since they had seen each other last.

@Phoenix

 

[Wodan]

Wodan continued to watch the party evolve around him propped up against the bar, a cigarette in one hand a glass of whiskey in the other. It was a far sight different than their previous parties, by now at least one person had been assaulted or offended and another consumed some sort of illegal substance. It felt all a bit too prim and proper compared to what he was used to.

He pushed himself up off the bar as Nicolae approached him, the Firrerrian scrunched his face as he tried to remember the guy’s name, he definitely recognised his face. Taking another puff off his cigarette he placed the half smoked butt on the side. “No need for Sir’s here.” He replied, then it dawned on him Atravis, that hell hole. Nicolae had been one of the other Acolyte's assigned to Altair’s expedition. Wodan’s gaze flicked over towards the Warmaster, how far they had come since then.

“And you to Nicolae.” Wodan said, holding out his free hand to shake Nicolae’s. “What have you been up to? Haven’t seen you around in years.” He asked before picking back up the cig and taking another puff.

@Versok[/color]

 

[Altair Din]

It was a testament to how well Altair was raised to be polite that he didn’t burst out laughing at Val’s absurd dance moves. He only wore a smile, nothing in his expression betraying how ridiculous she looked. In fact, when he realized others were starting to stare at her, Altair decided to play along. He pretended to cast a line, using one of the cheesiest dance moves in history. Did Val even know what fishing was? This could backfire. Oh well, the line was cast. He pretended to reel her in towards himself.

Once she was close, he grabbed her by the hand, confidence in his moves. She would learn real quick that there was a reason for his party and dancing reputation. She may have looked absurd walking into the floor, but he would ensure she looked like she was gliding across it after that. Altair easily twirled her with his hand before releasing her and catching her hand with his other hand. He circled around her, tugging her along and leading the dance. At a certain point she almost kicked him in the nuts, but he dodged it and played it off by yanking her back and down into a dip.

“Where are you from, Miss Varthra?” He asked when he pulled her back to stand from the dip. Depending on the vibe, if she permitted it, his hand would lower to her waist to keep the dance going.

Altair briefly gazed over towards Aadya and her dance with Varyn. While that historically would have sent a spike of jealousy through him, he only felt thrilled to see his buddy finally take steps to move on from Vahliri. Altair also caught a glimpse of Nicolai, whom he hadn’t seen in a while. The sight brought him joy, and he decided he would speak with him after the dance.

@Malon

 

[Val Varthra]

One thing should have been clear by then. Val didn't know how to dance. She didn't know any "moves." She didn't have rhythm. The alcohol did the talking did the thinking for her, stringing her along the dance floor like a marionette. Thankfully, the alcohol knew something about fishing, and she allowed herself to be reeled in by Altair to the center of the dance floor.

Once he had her in his hands, he guided her into gliding effortlessly across the polished floors. In her mind, she was transported into a holo-novella, those cheesy school dance scenes that all the girls had loved growing up on Chandrila. Right down to the dip. She could've been a princess of Naboo or a Queen-Mother of Hapes instead of the brutish giant she really was. It was rare she felt that way. In fact, she couldn't recall having ever felt this way before at all.

"Chandrila originally," she replied when she emerged from the dip. "The name gives me away. All Chandrilans have a similar naming style. My parents moved us to Dromund Kaas when we were young."

He hadn't really asked any of that. Just the first bit, but her tongue was loose, and no one ever really asked her where she was from. Because nobody cared. And by the time the sauce wore off, she wouldn't care either. But for now, she allowed him to lead and kept dancing.

"And you?" she asked, feigning genuine contemplation and failing horribly. "Devaron? Abelor? I can't exactly place it."

@Sreeya