Vernon Hala
SWRP Writer
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2017
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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