Open Social First Of His Name

[Clove Vanhoop]

---

Clove had been watching the ceremony with the same sense of pride she had before, a gasp escaping her lips when he declared his family to be Princesses and Princes. And seeing him seated on the throne like that, noble and royal yet cold and stiff... she didn't know what to think. But, for the time being, she decided to keep her pride, even after seeing him rise to head over to Vahliri.

She walked over to the middle man she'd seen accepting gifts, sighing away her jealousy, as if that was even possible. "Hello." She said with a faint smile, tilting her head to the right. "I have a gift for the new King." While speaking, she reached into her pockets—Force bless pockets—and pulled out a small velvet pouch. A keychain with a beautifully decorated metallic bird skull, its beak capable of being used as a letter opener, and a mahogany obsidian crystal that was neither Lightsided nor Darksided was inside that pouch. She handed the pouch to the middle man, who nodded and walked away to put it with the other gifts.

Clove decided it was time to leave after delivering her gifts. Especially after she noticed others starting to dance. She moved through the crowd, trying to find the exit, only to be approached by a man(@Phoenix) she vaguely recognized and yet couldn't place his face. However, when he complimented her looks and asked her to dance, she decided to stop digging in her memories. "Thank you so much! You look marvelous yourself." She gave him a soft, shy smile. "I'd love to dance." Seriously? She had just wanted to leave and now she wanted to dance? But she couldn't help but be excited at the idea of a stranger approaching her for a dance, plus... the crowd was so busy, there were so many people, she knew she didn't have to worry about anyone spotting her right away.

For now, anyway.

Clove took the man's hand in hers and followed him to the crowded dance floor, the sounds of a folk song reaching her fluted ears. The melody was enough to make the half-Annfyn close her eyes for a brief moment, the folky nature of the music reminding her of home and happier times. But she quickly reopened them with a smile and fell into step, her free hand gently resting on the man's deltoid.

The half-Annfyn almost flew across the dance floor, letting the stranger guide her, each step and turn flowing with confidence for herself and the stranger despite her spine clearly holding her back. It was very clear she was enjoying herself. "I don't think I've caught your name before? I'm Clove." She gave the man a smile.

There wasn't much time to linger in the dance before the nobles began to clear some of the floor for the newly appointed king(@Sreeya) and the woman(@Altaris) who had struck New Alderaan. And, despite her best efforts to look unfazed and neutral, her twitching ears gave her away to those nearby. Still, she let their dance drift to wherever they could dance and returned her attention to Varyn.

---

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tag - ​

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn smiled a genuine smile as she accepted and took his hand, leading the way out to the dance floor.

Varyn, he said as she asked his name. Clove, he noted her name so he wouldn't forget it later because that would have been embarrassing.

I think I saw you at Eriadu. I was the one who got drugged, he said, deciding to own up to his not-so-great claim to fame.

Doing much better tonight, he joked with a smile as they arrived on the dance floor and he pulled her closer to him.

The music was easy to gain a rhythm to and though he wasn't a lifelong dancer, he'd gained more and more experience at each party and found it not so different from the dueling he'd always so enjoyed.

@LilyNion

 

[Altair Din]

Altair stepped down from the platform and let Vahliri guide him out to the dancefloor. Likely to her surprise, he moved with grace and fluidity, easily gliding across the floor. His time in the prestigious academy had entire modules to teach him etiquette, diplomacy and even dancing with foreign dignitaries. While the lessons seemed silly at the time, he was thankful for how they prepared him for a role like this. He looked the part and now he moved like it as well.

He kept his gaze only on Vahliri as they danced, smirking a bit, “I recall you being the one to butt in whenever I danced with anyone else,” Altair said as he tugged her towards himself to take the lead. He stepped to the side with one sweep before completing a graceful square with his steps, spinning and leading Vahliri along the dance floor. He switched from one hand to the other, pressing his palms against hers before he did a quick spin to meet her hands again. It was as if he was a different man entirely, all his lessons and overcoming challenges having crafted him into a refined gentleman whenever he needed to be one.

Altair moved with the rhythm of the song, light on his feet and easily tugging Vahliri around the floor. At one point, he twirled Vahliri out to stand across him, their arms extended. Altair tilted his head as he gazed at her, “I thought we said what happens on Asog stays on Asog,” He said with a faint grin, his eyes briefly flicking to his bracelet before returning to her gaze. He jerked her close abruptly, still keeping to the song’s rhythm.

Meanwhile, a handsome man from a local noble family walked over to Amira Din (@llamallove ). He wore a rich purple tunic, various expensive rings on his fingers and tailored shoes and clothes. It was obvious he came from wealth. He gave a polite bow before extending a hand, “Princess,” He said smoothly, “You humble me with your radiance and beauty. Would you lift me up to the moons by honoring me with a dance?”

Similarly, a woman from a noble family made her way over to Drane (@Die Shize ), mistaking him for a member of the Din family. She smiled coyly at him and purposely lingered near him to silently hint that she wanted him to ask her to dance.

@Altaris

 

[Sebastian Montari]

Sebastian turned when he heard a voice to his left. At first glance, the man bore a similar resemblance to the new king himself, and he briefly wondered if they were family. However, he hadn’t seemed to react during the name-listing, and so he assumed that they looked similar was all.

“It’s my first as well,” he responded with a polite but genuine smile. “There is definitely something about witnessing this that does make it exciting.” With that, he would raise his own glass to the other man’s toast along with the cheers in the room. Downing the drink, it was then he noticed that the music had shifted.

As others began to pair up for dances, Sebastian would gaze into the crowd to search for anyone who might be looking for one. A beautiful woman in black almost immediately caught his eye, and he was immediately tempted to ask (@Senestra Sylverian). But what if she was the daughter of some nobleman? Or she had someone already? He felt his face getting red just thinking about asking for a dance, and he turned away quickly. Then he felt a hand slap his shoulder.

“Dude, just ask her. What’s the worst that can happen?” It was Lieutenant Rendix to his right.
“Hold on! I need— to think.”
“What, you’re afraid she’ll say no? Worst comes to worst, there’s plenty of fish in the sea.” The other lieutenant swept his arm in the direction of the other groups in the room, and Sebastian shifted on his feet.
“You know it’s not as easy as—”
“You know it is!” And with that, Rendix would push him toward the woman, and Sebastian would curse him in his mind. He straightened up when he was close to her, however, and tried not to show it on his face.

“Pardon, miss.” He took a breath. “Would you like a dance?”

@Die Shize

 

[Caduceus Ramage]

Ramage nodded to the female as they began to dance, his mandibles doing the species wide tick of occasionally clicking. His gate was wider than those of his height due to trying to make up for his realitively shorter legs than most humanoids. His secondary arms grabbed a drink from a near by waiter, offering one to his dance partner.

"My sincerest apologies senator Celeste, I did not realize you were about to ask another for a dance. I shall have just this one so you are not behind schedule too much. Please, allow me to introduce myself. I am Caduceus Ramage, Lieutenant of the Night Veil. It is a pleasure to meet you." The Harch nodded to the female a greeting before his mandibles, and overall face, pulled itself into a facsimile of a humanoid smile.

"You know... I understand that you do not know which set of eyes to actually look at. The smaller eyes around my head are actually more for seeing color and specific shapes better, these larger eyes," and as he said so his larger eyes blinked, "are the primary set. Many other species with multiple eyes tend to share that." He set the woman into small dip, one of his arms moving into the small of her back as another held onto her hand.

"I will also apologize if my dancing is not quite up to snuff, as you can tell by my looks," he let off a small chuckle, clearly a joke hidden behind some level of truth, "I am more of a conductor than a dancer. You though are a natural." Flattery had its time and place, he knew this was one where it wouldn't matter but it is nice if truthful.
@LadyRen

 

[Drane T'keen]

Spoiler: Music

“This is of course ridiculous since I’ve never even met a Herglic.”
Came the tail end of whatever conversation that was with him.
Drane takes another sip of his champagne as he watches folks.
Dancers, minglers, servers, and morons laughing at dumb jokes.

That was the point and purpose of all of this nonsense, however.
To let loose, enjoy oneself, appreciate the new king’s crowning.
Drane is content to simply be a guest while he just then turns.
A lady with a flower brooch on her dress, of white and green.

She seems to be from a noble family based on her figure.
Not her nimble bone structure, a flower, her house sigil.
To aristocrats, of such things did they make a big deal.
However, upon her, a man simply appreciates curves.

“Ah, the waltz.” Drane lifts his glass to that. “For two.”
One could not do this dance alone, that Sith knows.
Eyes on the dancers, Drane watches how they move.
Sets glass on passing tray, opens hand. “Shall we go?”

His smile upon her and his fingers curling for hers.
Dancer had to move, though, will not wait for her.
Other women around, others to serve as dancers.
Yet he waits, hand in hand, as a man’s lips curve.

His grin plays but there is no lie in Drane’s eyes.
Black pupils, black gold irises, Sith can be violent.
All he wants in this moment is the lady at his side.
Whoever she thinks he is, their tongues are silent.

Toward the dance floor, two begin to move as one.
Drane and a woman whose name he has yet to ask.
One. Two. Three. Step. Slide. Step. And the pair dance.
Hand in hand, hand on back, 1-2-3 to a violin’s thrum.

He has tangoed, he has waltzed, a few dances all in all.
Whether he is good at it, his partner will judge it for him.
Drane isn't concerned about himself, focusing on that ball.
He blinks but he doesn't break, eyes into eyes, hers into his.

 

[Amira Din]

Amira wished she had a pair of Pa's reading spectacles, just so she could pull down the glasses and stare over the rims with a flat, unengaged stare just as he did whenever he was thoroughly unimpressed. Her instinctive response was to blurt out, "Are you high?" Who talked like that? (@Sreeya )
Amber eyes explored the nobleman critically. He was good looking—handsome, even—with a prominent jaw line and a square chin. The result of hundreds of years of methodical breeding, no doubt. It was the purple suit he wore that elicited a harsh squint from the Tiefling. He was a walking, talking eggplant emoji. Examination over, she blew out a breath that rattled her lips. "You don't need my help getting to the moon. You're already there."

Anyone that would use "Would you lift me up to the moons by honoring me with a dance?" as their opening line had to be high as a kite. A rush of adrenaline followed as the Tiefling left him standing there, alone. It was probably the first time anyone had turned him down. Maybe being a princess wasn't so bad, after all, though she didn't think the title suited her well.

"Looking sharp, little brother," she complimented Emir (@LouJoVi ), seeking him out. "I like the ascot." Dark, slender hands reached up, straightening each wing before smoothing the lapels of his jacket. All of her siblings were growing up. "Let me guess. Ma made you wear it?"

Features lifting, she extended a hand to the Tiefling and asked, "Has she taught you how to dance, too? Or is your dance card too full for your dull, old sister?"

 

[Senestra Sylverian]

Spoiler: Music

Brother and sister walk along, joined arm in arm.
And just then, Tameon's and Senestra’s arms part.
“Sorry, sis...” her brother confesses. “I must piss.”
And, like that, he steps away to do his business.

"Very well." Senestra bids farewell with an eyeroll.
She stands alone but isn’t alone within that hall.
Unlike Tameon, she was given a politician’s role.
Eyeing for prey to strike conversation at that ball.

It becomes something of one as dancers take to.
Those of other houses, families, or those so alone.
Senestra catches herself sighing, heart skipping beat.
Realizes she’s gawking at the dancers, how they move.

Graceful. A river of bodies and limbs... No blood, ironically.
She admires them, their dance, vibrant while yet elegant.
In a forest, a whirlwind of leaves, birds in chorus, they sing.
Their limbs entwined, hands in hands, O how they dance.

Someone speaks. “Pardon, miss.”
Startled, Senestra takes a breath.
Amid the masses, she turns her head.
Man at her left. “Would you like a dance?”

For a moment, it is all the Sylverian can do to stare at him.
A man, maybe as young as she is, handsome, asks her hand.
Was he nervous? She senses maybe yes. Her eyes into his.
Cranes her head, curves her lips at him. “Keep up, if you can.”

However, she lets him lead the way—hand in hand.
Onto the dance floor, where more take to the dance.
Red, black, green, white, blue, purple, colors in a blur.
Drums, violins, Senestra's calm as dragon blood burns.

In his arms, she lets herself be carried into the breeze.
The wind, she feels it wrap around her, to drum beats.
Carrying her, her dress rippling, reminding her of truth.
There's no wind in this room except dancers who move.

A dragon, a Sylverian, fire pumps the blood in her veins.
If her partner is nervous, he’s not alone, she just hides it.
The lady isn’t shy about the light, about playing this game.
A king claims a throne, but Senestra sees only her dragon.

The future is ever uncertain for her, but she allows him in.
This stranger, a man asking her to dance, her distraction.
The politics can wait, yet dancing is still talking in a way.
Swaying to music but Senestra does not break her gaze.

@Sicadorito

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri couldn’t deny that she was surprised by Altair - the smile on her lips growing ever-wider. The Tiefling had never shied from the dancefloor in the past, but this was something else entirely. He was graceful and fluid, commanding the room with every step and spin across the floor. He was a king, and it was reflected in the grace of his movements as well as his speech.

For her part, the half-Annfyn kept pace right alongside the Tiefling - her feet moving beneath a flurry of emerald fabric. Vahliri had ever been at home on the dancefloor, and Altair would see it plainly reflected in her expression - all the stressed and complicated things melted from her mind, until she found her place of bliss amongst the music and dancers all around them.

She twirled and swayed according to Altair’s lead, dark hair whipping about with her every rotation. When he spoke, she merely smiled back at him - honey eyes glinting back at him playfully against the chandelier lighting. “Once or twice,” She quipped back at him. At the end of one of her spins, the half-Annfyn tugged him close once more - fingers curling tightly into his own as her head tilted up to face him. “Guess I never had much interest in dancing with anyone else.”

Vahliri followed him across the dancefloor, her hips swaying with fluid grace. At one point, she briefly broke the connection between them - twirling forward as she moved parallel to him across the room, before reaching out to seize him once more.

“Maybe,” She said quietly when he mentioned Asog, a warmer smile tugging at her lips. It was a place she didn’t want to forget, and hadn’t quite shaken what she felt there. Leaving it all in that Cave? Vahliri knew herself better than that, by now.

“But we can still keep a reminder of that place with us.” Her gaze flicked down to the bracelet. Altair would be able to feel the warmth of the Kyber against his wrist - as alive and real as her hand against his own.

The half-Annfyn took a single step backwards, standing parallel to his left and facing the opposite direction. Her forearm hooked against his own, maintaining the link as she began to move in a circle step with the Tiefling clockwise. After a few moments, the half-Annfyn gracefully spun - switching to the other arm to continue the dance.

 

[Darrand Cresta]

Darrand pulled at the neck of his uniform as he stood outside the chamber. Karking hell, these things are so stiff. How did they even get me a new one in time for this thing? He looked about the fancy duds and the ornate inlaid decorations and sighed. Why did he always get sent off to these? Hopefully this would have an open bar. If there was one thing he and his squadmates liked more than anything about these fancy coronations and whatnot, it was the open bars. Not that there had been many previously. He pushed open a side door into the hall where such matters were attended to, and sought out a place amongst the others, mingling as best he could. He had been early, but the damned code cylinders that accompanied his rank just never could stay in position. He wished he was in his armor. Hell, he wished he was back on Wayland, careening out of a jet at breakneck speeds, the wind whipping past his ear as he felt the sheer joy that came with freefall. He was one of those few who loved his job. He did get to see the galaxy, sure he had to kill people to do it, but hey, no job is perfect.

So many people, so many dressed in civvies, so many clearly were not a part of the military. Of course, the new king was wearing a uniform, but it seemed most had already split up into dancing or their own personal musings. Darrand, of course, headed toward the group as a whole, watching at the fringes as people dance with one another, broken off into conversations. He allowed his senses to relax and took in the various fragments of conversation around him. It was a skill he often put to good use in the field. One never knew where they might get actionable intel from, after all.

The tall, ebony-skinned, man looked about, now seeking out someone with a uniform, anyone, and then caught sight of @Max Dram standing off to one side, drinking. He made his way there, grabbing a drink off of one of the trays as he did so. "Feels out of place sometimes, being in uniform in a place like this, doesn't it?" He asked the other man as he approached, extending out a hand to the other soldier. "Darrand Cresta, and you are?"

@Alhon

 

[Imani Din]

"Love ya too, Tai," Imani responded as she pulled away from the hug. She'd apparently started the line of folks wanting to present their gifts to him, so she didn't loiter for too long. She made sure to wave and greet her siblings on her way back to the dancefloor, but her eyes were searching for someone in particular.

Before she found that someone though, a familiar face slid into view and gestured to her quite deliberately. The tiefling woman took a quick second to process what had happened, then realized that the person was Caelian and the "gestures" was him signing.

<It'll take getting used to,> she responded in kind with a smile, her hands moving slowly, stiffly, and deliberately. Caelian was the last person she'd spoken to in sign language, so there had been no more practice since then. <Of course,> she signed back in response to his request for a dance. <I would love to.>

The woman slipped her arm in with his and led the man to the dance floor along with the other dance pairs and began to turn and sway with him alongside the music. She very quickly noted that the man was no longer bruised to the bone and no longer looked like he hadn't seen a meal in a week. He looked quite nice, she decided, all cleaned up and dressed for the occasion. Handsome, even. And though she was tempted to ask how he'd been faring since the last event, she didn't want to risk ruining their dance by alluding to his past troubles.

Instead, she kept one hand on his shoulder, one in his hand, and enjoyed their dance in silence. Caelian would find Imani equally willing to lead or follow in the dance, responding deftly to any change in the music or his body language.

tag: @Xorism

 

[Celeste Stythani]

On the dancefloor, the occasional clicking made it hard for her to stay focused, however she managed not to flinch a single time while simultaneously continuing to ignore that spidery creatures usually gave her slight shivers. She was still looking forward to a carefree dance, however the dance turned out not to be carefree at all...

The Lieutenant suddenly addressed her as senator, and while it didn't surprise her that he recognized her, she obviously perceived that as a threat. Narrowing her eyes ever so slightly, her light blue eyes with the golden flecks remained fixed on his main eyes. Was he assuming she was here as a senator or did he know she had gotten back? Did he know that he wasn't in a position to spread such news and that the superiors were purposely containing that for those outside Imperial structures? She glared at him rather warningly when she lowered her voice and said:"Careful, that information is classified. You better not adress me this way anywhere else but here". It was probably for the best to let out some words of warning, just in case...

Her slightly darkened facial expressions softened when he apologized, making her shake her head a bit. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant and don't worry about that. The night is still young...", she replied politely, her lips slightly curling into a smile then while her body fluidly followed the music. She listened to his biology lesson, her gaze not leaving the main eyes before she let out a soft chuckle at his compliment. She followed his dip, gracefully coming back up. "Oh thank you...But please. Even if your main talents lie elsewhere, you seem to know what you're doing". They often taught dances at the academies and he wasn't doing a bad job. The dancefloor had gotten rather crowded in the meantime and dancing pairs were all around.

@Olwin

 

[Emir Din]

Emir’s cheeks got hot when Altair praised his painting, he was obviously blushing right now. While he was happy that his brother had appreciated the painting, the young Tiefling felt shy when the other praised his effort. “This is nothin’, really. While it isn't a stick figure anymore, it could still be better.” he said, while glancing at the piece of paper. The shadows were still a bit off and he would work about it later.

When Khalid approached them, Emir decided to let the two talk alone. While he loved his siblings, he knew very well that trouble was going to come when they started to do these hand shakes and whisper with each other. Since his Ma was already angry with trying to remove that thing around his neck, the young Tiefling didn’t want to risk being caught by her while his brother’s were plotting something. He would end having an appointment with the chancla, even if it was in public.

While he walked away, Emir saw Amira walking toward him. “Hey, Mira!” he waved at her, with a smile forming at his lips. “So this thin’ is called ascot?” the young Tiefling tugged the piece of cloth around his neck. “I hate it, even the name sounds stupid.” after saying that, the boy immediately looked around, feeling relieved when he saw that their Ma wasn’t here to hear him say it.

“Yeah, she did it. Ma taught me some dance moves, but I’m not really good with it.” Emir talents laid in painting, rather than dancing. “But I can go with you. I’m not terrible enough with it to step on your feet.” he said, before rethinking his words. “Well, I think so."

@Sreeya @Versok @llamallove

 

[Caelian]

Sure enough, he'd had a little bit more practice with signing than Imani had, owing to necessity in some cases. True to form, her kindness radiated through the silky words she spun, which only made his smile brighter. Their arms linked, and the pair took to the dance floor together, with him leading at first.

The music was an interesting tune that he'd never heard before, but it gradually grew on him. Caelian moved in cadence with charming tiefling, doing his best to avoid stepping on anyone's toes. The Echani had heard the Din family was large, but this had taken him by surprise. There was a wholesome feeling to the fact that Imani was able to enjoy their company so often, despite how he had heard they spread out.

This was in sad contrast to his own family, who had not seen the boy escape their clutches nor the man he had since become. The thought lingered on his mind for but a moment before his attention returned to keeping up with the dance moves.

Though signing wasn't the only way that Caelian had been communicating lately, becoming more proficient in telepathy as well. Among force users, it wasn't so uncommon, but it paid to have a back-up in place should he ever need to be more discrete.

Somewhere along the dance, they switched turns, with Imani now taking lead. It was a silent twilight of delight, coming to very much enjoy her company in such a short span of time. "You have a kind heart, Imani. If it's not overstepping to say, I hope you find someone who appreciates that." His gaze scanned the room briefly, spotting a familiar lording presence. "Not someone ruthless and cold-hearted."

He'd smile a bit harder as she led him through a twirl, as he thought of something to brighten the mood. "We came prepared this time, I brought extra shirts, although I guess he might have a few more now as King." Alluding to the time Altair had to quickly borrow one of his own for a photo Imani was preparing to take.

It also caught his attention that the only other time the two of them had seen each other was the previous social, that wouldn't do. Caelian stepped to the rhythm in sync with Imani, getting slightly better as they went on.

If it looked like she too was enjoying the company, he would simply say, "If you ever need a partner for a mission or somethin', I'd be down to go adventuring somewhere."

@lizziie

 

[Max Dram]

"On occasion" Max replied non-committedly. He was a little unnerved how easily the other soldier had appeared to read his mind.

"A pleasure Lieutenant" he said, shaking the other officer's hand. "Max Dram, Defence Corps. What's your unit?" He'd not run into Cresta before, but that didn't mean much. The Empire was a pretty big pond.

"Good to see another adult who's done his time in the trenches" Max quipped, taking another swig from the crystalline flute in his hand. They were so damn small. "Toasting our victories is important, but we should never forget how they were won eh?". He was being unfair of course, Altair had built his own success. But he was feeling a tetchy despite his best efforts. Hopefully Cresta would indulge him.

@Srota

 

[Brynjolf Baan]

It was a pleasurable sight to see, as Altair made his entire family royalty with just a few words. But, there was a spark of jealousy that bolstered inside the Shistavanen. There was no family for Gorr, not after his brother's death. There wasn't much time to start a family either, given the current state the galaxy was in. Besides, seldom did anyone take that much of a liking to the White Wolf. Many back home believed that war had burned anything left of the Shistavanen worth loving. A sigh escaped him as he stared down into the whiskey in his glass, seeing his own reflection in the stilled liquid.

I believe it may be time to go... Gorr finished his drink and set it on a table. He had to weave throw the crowd the best he could without stepping on anyone's feet. There were many who began to dance as music began to play. "Oh- sorry... Excuse me... Ope, dear lord, I apologize... My bad- Lieutenant Dram?" Gorr paused before smiling happily at the sight of the human who had fought alongside him on Terminus. "It is a pleasure to be meeting you again, Lieutenant." And then he gazed upon Cresta, who Gorr had read about. "And the same to you, Lieutenant Cresta. I'm a big fan of your work during the siege of Wayland." Perhaps, he could linger here a bit longer.

@Alhon @Srota

 

[Clove Vanhoop]

---

The half-Annfyn raised an eyebrow at Varyn as he introduced himself, and then casually mentioned he was the one who got drugged. She'd heard that some poor kid had been drugged, but she'd never seen it because she was too busy with being slammed face first into a wall of drama. Even so, his blunt response made Clove snort, her head tilting to the right and her smile amused. It was one hell of an introduction and she could only respect it.

"I'm sorry that happened to you. But it's a pleasure to meet you. I was the one who got into drama and ended up belting out a diss song while horribly off-key." She said it with the same amused grin, deciding to continue the bluntness. "I'm glad this party is going' well for you now."

"An', well, thin's are looking up for me as well." The only positive thing of the previous party had been Aadya's apology, the fact that she had finally stood up for herself and... a type of love confession. Aside from that, it was a day she would rather forget. So she couldn't deny that she was overjoyed that things were going so well today. Even if she was a little envious. Still, she'd enjoy the dance, for the time being, allowing herself to linger in the music before deciding to leave later on.

"I must say, you are a fantastic dancer. Got any trainin'?" Clove smiled gently at Varyn, clearly impressed with how well he was doing.

---

​

tag @Phoenix ​

 

[Varyn Atrix]

It occurred to Varyn only now that perhaps she was one of the few people at the party who hadn't seem him fasciulating on the ground from the paralytic, but now it was already out there so there was no taking it back. Best to just own up to it, he figured.

Well, as long as it doesn't happen again, then all's well, he said with a snicker. What a "coincidence" that he had no intention of drinking anything at this particular event.

Ahh, yes, you were one of the serenaders, he said, remembering that all too well and shutting out the pangs of discomfort he had at watching Vahl watching that. What an absurdity.

Well, sounds like we'll both have a much better evening tonight, he said. He moved and swayed with the music, letting it carry them both across the floor.

Nothing official, he said, continuing to move. But I've picked up something here and there, he said.

You're not so bad yourself, he complimented. You find yourself at a lot of these "high society" events? he asked.

@LilyNion

 

[Darrand Cresta]

"Darrand Cresta, 22nd Assault Corps." He shook the other man's hand with a powerful, firm, grip. "Aye, I always feel out of place in such gatherings as these, especially because I have seen the cost... all too clearly. But at the same time, as you..." He turned as the Shistavanen approached the pair. He offered the new arrival his hand as well.

It really was an odd thing, standing here amidst corridors of power, a part of something grander than you had any idea, but it was also humbling, and the fact that the three of them were surrounded by Sith served as a reminder that they were somehow lesser. And yet he had beaten force users before, one of those Jedi on Wayland, and before that he had helped take one down on a transport ship. Even so, it was still a reminder that there was a gulf in between them, and their attitudes showed. He let the thought go, however, some of them seemed to appreciate what men like him did, this new king, for one. Perhaps he would later get to talk to the man and learn more about what he was truly like.

"I was not aware that the actions of my squad were published. But I am sure they exaggerated a great deal. All we did was jump in and find the command center, the force wielders took care of most of the actual work." It was true, he had heard there were some serious duels that had been fought on Wayland. Frankly, though, he was glad he and his team had been kept separate from that. Their role was much better suited to search and destroy, not group tactics against force users. Even so, it helped to have a few tricks in your armor. "Besides, if I went in to much more than that, I'd probably have to kill ya." He laughed at that,his own little joke, and spoke to the other two at the same time.

"It always feels weird at places like this, especially without people who served down in the trenches. After all, who else am I going to go find a game of sabacc with? I got cards..." He smiled wryly and patted his pocket. Maybe they could find a way to have real fun. "But first. A toast. To those we left behind. May they keep their heads down and blasters up until we get back!"

@Charles @Alhon

 

[Amira Din]

"Yeah, because they're a pain in the—HI, MA!" Amira waved, tone instantly changing as soon as her mother was within earshot. Ma, positively beaming with pride, waved back, blowing her daughter a kiss and mouthing, 'You look so handsome!' to Emir before turning her attention back to Pa.
The two lovebirds had wandered onto the dance floor once the coronation was done and they'd congratulated Altair. Their dance moves were from another era. Another decade. Possibly even another century. Arms extended like some of Pa's chickens and toes pointed in, their rhythm didn't match the tempo or the dance steps of the other dancers. It wasn't even close, but it was obvious by the giddy expressions on their faces that they were having the time of their lives. Their son had been crowned a King, and the whole family was together, gathered under one roof. That hadn't happened in years. Pa was grinning from ear to ear, looking at Ma as if she were the most beautiful woman in the room. In the entire galaxy.

A couple of goody-goodies stood to one side of the parquet, pointing at the middle-aged couple, giggling amongst themselves and whispering to one another in high, polished voices behind their engraved hand fans. Their long, wavy locks were pulled to the top of their heads with diamond hair pins, in intricate styles that had probably taken their chambermaids all afternoon. They wore long, floor-length dresses with wide hoop skirts. To make up for their tortilla booties, no doubt. Good breeding without any of the good manners.

Amira scowled. Ma and Pa might have looked a little bit comical, out there dancing to the beat of a bygone era, but they were no one's punchline. "Come on, Emir. Let's show those twattling giggle mugs how it's done." She seized the Tiefling's hand and tugged him onto the dance floor. "How hard can it be?" she asked him with a grin, glancing over at Ma and Pa every few seconds to mimic their movements with twice as much enthusiasm and throwing pointed looks over at the group of spectators. @LouJoVi