Evening at the Manor

[Vernon Hala]

Iziz, Onderon
House Hala Manor

"That is - that is very surprising, Horatio," Vernon Hala said, actually somewhat surprised. He and the butler of the manor house of House Hala, Horatio, were standing just inside the small kitchen off of the main ballroom. Most of the house was full of guests, mostly low level aristocrats who had come to the house to celebrate the new appointment of Vernon Hala as an adviser to the City Council of Iziz. The city council itself actually had significant power within the city, overseeing significant public works and a large portion of the city's defense. The adviser position was minor, as even the City had no power compared to the Monarch, it was a momentous appointment for someone who had so recently returned to high-Onderon society.

Horatio and Vernon stood in a silence for a moment as the latter examined a three page document. [color=green["Huh,"[/color] Vernon commented again, seeing the news for himself. He lifted his eyebrows up and down a few times in surprise. "I haven't thrown many parties in my day, but I really am quite surprised. It was impressed upon me that we would be far over budget, but you've outdone yourself, Horatio. Three hundred credits under budget. Our accountant will be pleased." Vernon handed the three page document back to the butler with a wink, and the man turned and disappeared.

Clearing his throat and pressing his suit down into place a bit, Vernon prepared to return to the fray. Very few people had come from the highest levels of Onderonian politics, as the newest Hala was a non-factor. That was fine with him, really. Those who had, and the City Council members who came to greet and congratulate him somewhat stiffly, he had already greeted and entertained. Now other members of his family worked their magic as was expected, or those persons had simply already gone home.

The rest of the evening would be far more relaxing for the former Jedi. Old friends of the family, some with whom Vernon even had holopics with as a baby, would dominate the rest of the evening celebrating V. People who really care about Vernon, or people who he would be working with or who really wanted to know him, would not enjoy the attention of the nonstop smiling high-born. Taking another breath to prepare himself, Vern pushed through the doors of the kitchen and into the small ballroom - the largest room in the house, which could comfortably fit around 50 guests. Others were spread through the first floor, all open and tidy for this event, but Vernon started in the ballroom shaking hands and exchanging greetings with others.

Vernon would have nightmares for days about names and titles. Horatio and different members of the family had been behind him, whispering these facts for awhile, but they had all left him to fend for himself by this point.

A small brunette caught him and chatted him for a few minutes. She was married to his third's cousin's roommate from university. Or maybe she was the sister of his third cousin's roommate from university's wife? Vernon couldn't be sure, but she was very pleasant. Soon her new husband joined them, and they both spoke very excitedly to the new adviser, mostly about themselves. Vernon didn't mind, it was easier than explaining where he had been for the last three decades, but eventually he excused himself.

Walking away from the young couple, he now realized he needed a drink. He was tired, but not exhaustively so. Alcohol had been a once in a while thing for him while he was with the Jedi, to blend in with a crowd at a cantina or to quietly celebrate something with a fellow Knight away from the eyes of others. But since coming to Onderon, and since starting his adviser position about a month previously, V had taken a respectable liking to alcohol and all of the unique spirits that Onderon had to offer.

"Straight," he said as he approached to the bartender, leaning in and giving the young lad a wink. The bartender had worked several events for the family since Vernon had arrived back, and he took a liking to the young man. A university student, lowborn too. He had taken up the trade of his parents, who were caterers, but had scored high enough marks to enroll in one of the Iziz universities. He still worked to put food on his family's table and to pay the high prices required of university students. The young man knew exactly what V was after, and after serving him the drink, snatched a credit that V flicked up to him as a tip. Open bars were great for whoever wasn't paying for them. And V wasn't technically paying for it.

For the first time that evening, Vernon had a moment alone. He walked a few feet to one of the standing tables, unoccupied. He surveyed the room, smiling to himself as he took in the pleasant ambiance and listened to the low din that filled the room. It would still take some getting use to, Onderon, but Vernon was beginning to feel like this truly was his home. His thoughts flicked briefly to Makko, his fallen Master, and the life he left behind with the Jedi Order. But then he pushed these away, focusing on the task at hand. Socialization. His Jedi days were over, and he recognized he would best serve himself by focusing on his future here.

@Hugh Capet @TheWonderousBat

 

[Ajax Kraith]

Ajax was enjoying himself. Since his father died last year there had been little time for pleasant evenings, the family business taking priority. As with all things, a death casts confusion. Documentation needed to be updated and changed, leases needed to be resigned and officials needed to be informed. The process was long and tedious, but at the end of it Ajax had finally secured his rightful place at the head of the family table. It may very well be the smallest table in the galaxy, the fabric trade wasn't one to enter if you wanted easy and quick money, but he was at the head of it.

His first act was to take the evening off.

At least, that is how his scant few workers saw it. The work they knew was long and back breaking labour, so a party in a fancy house seemed like a night off to them. They had no real reason to think that socialising could be work; then again, they had not met the people Ajax was socialising with tonight. The Hala Manor was bustling as one of their own secured a new position of power in the city, people coming to congratulate and commiserate in equal measure. A small scale affair compared to some of the parties closer to the Palace, but everyone had to start somewhere. Having spent his time in the jungles or under a mountain of paperwork, Ajax knew he had to get his name out there and mingle, less the Kraith be forgotten anymore than they already are.

The swirling knot of names and faces continued on. Polite bows and smiles, talks of politics and how lovely the party was melded together as Ajax cut his way through as swift as he could. General chit-chat would have to wait as he tracked down his prey, armed with a crystal cut glass with a half measure of Onderonian Gin. He smiled and laughed as he passed a dowager he recognised from the upper echelons of the Marketplace, his eyes finally landing on his victim.

"A wonderful party, if I may say so." Ajax dipped his head politely towards the back of the man, secluded and looking over some empty tables. He started as he meant to carry on, his scarred face twisting into as warm a smile as it could manage. He buttoned his jacket half way, the Coarseweave sitting well on his frame. As it should, his family made the suit.

"I hear congratulations are in order too, an adviser to the City Council yes?" Of course he knew the position offered. Everyone knew why the party was being thrown, but it always paid to leave people room to talk about themselves. Ajax lifted his hand to bridge the gap, his calloused and bronzed palms betraying his early life working the same hours in the jungle as his staff do now.

"Ajax Kraith, a pleasure."

​

@Hugh Capet

 

[Cæcus Cæsonius Tallus]

Caecus had at first been reluctant to attend such a festive party, as, in keeping with the persona of a gentleman, he knew not whether a mere tradesman would bother to be a part of an occasion meant to celebrate the winning of City Council position. Yet, at the advice of his mother, the Onderonian was persuaded. Any man with money would likely be yearning to be a part of such a celebration, whether to rub elbows with the influential or merely to be seen, so a tradesman wouldn't be too out of the ordinary. The house in which the gathering was held was typical of a nobleman in minor standing, and there were even a few architectural features that Caecus remembered seeing in his own home, right down to ornamentation on the ceiling. Still, he let this lack of uniqueness go as he busied himself with conversation and drink.

Caecus recalled earlier parties he had attended during his more youthful days, where his father would retire into the study along with several other men. No doubt they were discussing something unlawful, perhaps a trade deal or manufacturing order, but Caecus was never invited in. This was likely on account of the fact that his mother would have been livid had his father dared to do such a thing. There might have been similar goings-on at this occasion; however, he had yet to be made aware. Perhaps for the better. Regardless, the nobleman had yet to talk with and congratulate the man of the hour. He had little knowledge of House Hala and its members. In fact, this "Vernon" character was the only one he knew by name, and even then he knew nothing about the man on a personal level.

A small line of well-wishers had formed around Vernon earlier in the evening, but by now he'd separated from the main throng and was practically alone. One man, however, had approached him and was attempting to engage in conversation. Not wanting to appear rude, Caecus waited patiently from afar and sipped at a glass of brandy. He'd never been much of a drinker, but his temperance would only serve to alienate him in the long run; so, social drinking was permissible.

@TAC