Open Social Lettuce Celebrate

[Jasnah Atreides]

Jasnah watched the song play out, and felt a little pang of something as Altair fell to the floor at Clove's feet. She couldn't really catch what Clove said to him after the song, but she did see the kiss, and like the wet cabbage girls, she too felt her jaw tighten as she wondered if she could steal a cymbal from Wodan's drum-kit and throw it at her, make her a head shorter than she already was.

Getting up from the seat behind the keyboard, she began walking towards one of the mics still standing at the center of the stage as Wodan started playing the drums. On the way she walked past a bottle of whiskey lying on its side on the stage, not entirely empty from the looks of it. She stepped on it as she walked past, a touch of the Force ensuring that it flipped up into the air and into her hand. She took a big chug, and she casually tossed it back to distract Wodan and make him stop playing as she stepped up to the mic.

Music​

" ♪ Did a full 180, crazy
Thinking 'bout the way she was
Did the heartbreak change thee? Maybe
But look at where you ended up ♪ "

It was pretty evident that she was singing to Altair, but then she turned to look at Clove, who was creating a stir among the girls in the crowd as she was headed towards Aadya and the exit.

" ♪ He's all good already
So moved on, it's scary
He's not where you left him at all, so
If you don't wanna see him dancing with somebody
If you wanna believe that anything could stop me ♪ "

Jasnah plucked the mic from the stand, and held it out in front of her. The crowd, seeing where her gaze was, and in their jealousy and anger catching on much faster than the dimwits normally would, started to sing along, "serenading" Clove as she moved to leave.

" ♪ Don't show up, don't come out
Don't start caring about him now
Walk away, you know how
Don't start caring about him now! ♪ "

Letting the crazed cabbage heads take over, Jasnah stepped back from the mic, scooping another drink from the hands of someone in the crowd and downing it in one go, before letting out a pleased laugh, and continuing to sing.

@Sreeya @Braden @LilyNion

 

[Altair Din]

The drinks and drugs were rapidly coursing through his system, but the lingering effects remained. As he finished up the song, Altair fully expected Clove to bolt and run as she always did. However, she began to make her way over to him and he stood his ground. He expected her to slap him, yell at him or anything else within that same vein. The tiefling looked down at Clove as she gazed up at him, his vibrant amethyst hues burning with a wide mix of emotions. He didn’t lean down towards her as he normally did, letting her have to work to address him. However, he couldn’t deny the jolt that ran through him as he heard her whisper against his ear and felt that sense of familiarity he craved so desperately from her. He wanted to forget everything that happened just then and leave this place with her and go back to that garden where it was just the two of them. He wanted to go back to that tree where he held her tight as they fell asleep or to relive her birthday over and over again.

It was cruel what she was doing. He bristled slightly when she mentioned Korriban. He had been in denial about the bond they shared, but it was unmistakably there perhaps forever. Altair heard her words as they cut through even the thickest fog that addled his mind. He felt her lips brushing against his cheek as she kissed it, the gesture sending a wave of warmth through him that he couldn’t control. He wanted nothing more than to capture her lips and forget everything, and he almost did it. His lips just barely brushed against hers, but instead of a kiss, he murmured softly against them.

“Will you say the same when I am crowned Emperor?” The weight of his ambitions would come crashing down on her, a question asked barely above a whisper and only audible for her. It spoke of a promise and a commitment he hadn’t shared with anyone else, a dangerous and treasonous thought that had been conceived very recently. A secret Clove would take with her. Altair let her step away after that, watching her as she backed away and towards the exit. He remained still as a statue, poised with confidence and pride as she stepped back, a crowd of adoring fans clamoring around him. His gaze remained on Clove’s the entire time until she looked away, the faintest hint of a smile gracing his lips right before she did so.

With that, he turned back to the crowds, glancing up towards the stage where both and Jasnah and Wodan were. The tielfing strode towards the stage like a god among mortals, using a simple flick of the wrist to send a group of drunk fanatic girls skidding back across the floor before they could touch him. He parted his own path through the crowd. This time he easily sprang back up on stage and flipped the mic on again.

Song​

“I may run and hide
When you're screamin' my name, alright
But let me tell you now
There are prices to fame, alright
All of our time spent in flashes of light,”

The overworked band members rapidly picked up the hint and started to play along with Altair’s singing. It was a song everyone knew and he knew it would get the crowd moving. The tiefling spun around to face the audience as he sang.

“All you people, can't you see, can't you see
How your love's affecting my reality?”

“Every time I’m down, you can make it right,” Altair spun to face Wodan (@Braden) as he sang that part, moving his torso right through the fire to do so. The crowd went completely wild at that as the tiefling kept singing to Wodan with a smile.

“And that makes you larger than life”

With the drugs beginning to leave his system, he had far more control of his movements. With the fire still burning along his bare arms, he bust out the dance moves the women up front really wanted to see. Altair used the Force to guide the fire on his arm to travel up to his hand to transfer it to his tongue, curling it out into a strand of flame as he turned to look at Jasnah. He flashed her a playful wink as he did so before turning to the crowd and casting the fire out into a projected jet of inferno from his mouth that dispersed up into smoke above the crowd. The fire left his body then.

The entire time, the tiefling kept dancing, making it clear he knew exactly how to be a performer on stage.

@LilyNion

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri grit her teeth, watching as the Lightning found its mark and sent Bel sailing backwards through the air. Of course, the Zabrak didn’t go far before he was snagged by Anai - who proceeded to slam the Agent into the marble floor without an ounce of mercy to her strikes. There was no question whether or not the Zabrak was out of the fight through the combined assault, and the half-Annfyn felt the waves of satisfaction that came from putting Bel into the dirt. Without another thought, Vahliri gripped the Agent’s unconscious body through the Force - thrusting her wrist forward to send him tumbling through a set of doors leading out of the hall. By that point, she didn’t know if Bel was dead or simply unconscious - but he was out of the room and she didn’t particularly care.

Straightening the jacket of her suit, Vahliri gave Anai a nod of gratitude before turning on a heel - her gaze and attention flicking back onto Luwalhai and Varyn. She immediately began to make her way over once again, glancing down at her date before snagging one of the medics still close by. “Is he alright?” She said, reaching over to give his shoulder a squeeze.

“He’ll be fine, ma’am. The antidote will take effect shortly,” The medic responded with relative disinterest. It was clearly not his first time at a Sith party where these things were common enough. Vahliri allowed herself a small sigh of relief, giving Varyn a squeeze as she gazed down at him - offering a small smile. It certainly wasn’t how the half-Annfyn planned for their night to go, but the knowledge that his condition wasn’t serious was a significant weight off her shoulders. “You’re gonna be alright, Var, in just a minute or two,”

After a moment or two, Vahliri glanced up - her amber eyes settling upon the tray of glasses nearby. Deciding that her drink was well overdue at this point, the half-Annfyn plucked a glass from the table. Before she could bring the rim to her lips, however, Vahliri’s attention was drawn back further into the crowd - fluted ears picking up on the music coming from a nearby stage. Amber eyes settling upon the sight of Altair belting out yet another performance at a Sith party, and she couldn’t help but grit her teeth as the lyrics began to pass through her ears.

With narrowed eyes, Vahliri watched as Altair danced across the stage with Jasnah, her fluted ears flicking ever-so-slightly. She didn’t miss the way that the Tiefling had glared at her with irritation in the beginning, nor how the Tiefling had pointedly avoided looking at her since - even now, as he sang. It had lingered in her mind and bothered her far too much to forget, and now? She recognized exactly who those lyrics were directed at. Her jaw set into a firm line, her fingers tightening around the glass she held. There was no small part of the half-Annfyn that simply wanted to write it all off. Altair turned his back and was angry with her - and for what? For showing up with Varyn on her arm? After countless nights of empty longing, and having the possibility of something deeper pulled out from under her. She knew that Altair wasn’t stupid - he knew exactly how she felt about him, and he always withdrew into himself regardless. And now he punished her for finally allowing her gaze to stray elsewhere.

What did he expect from her? More importantly, why did she even allow it to bother her?

She simply wanted to be angry with Altair for it - but all the manifested was the bitterness and hurt in her expression. For all the times she’d been stung by the Tiefling, it was the first and only time she knew his actions were deliberate.

As his song came to a close, Vahliri watched as Clove took the stage - adding her own voice to the musical battle with clear and vibrant emotions that rang through every word. Up until that point, the half-Annfyn hadn’t been privy to the relationship between the two, but something clearly existed - or had - of significance. After the drama with Tiamat and Aadya, it was almost typical. Her attention was only drawn away from the scene by the emergence of pain in the center of her hand - prompting her amber gaze to flick down in that direction. It wasn’t until that moment that Vahliri noticed the way her own nails dug down into her palm, piercing flesh enough to the faintest trickle of blood.

She heard Altair’s follow-up-song to Clove, Jasnah’s own petty lyrics, and Vahliri finally decided that she’d had enough of all of it. She glanced back at Varyn to ensure he was recovering before wordlessly spinning on a heel. She didn't want to coddle or be around much of anyone at that moment. She threw back her drink in a single go and proceeded to make a beeline for a preferably empty balcony - fluted ears flattened completely against the sides of her skull.

@Charles @Phoenix @Sreeya @Versok @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Caelian]

It was already so late in the night before Caelian decided to make his entrance in the celebrations. To most, the name Korriban was more recently associated by the traumatic events that had resulted in the deaths of numerous named and unnamed defenders of the imperial world. To this Echani, however, it held a significantly more personal connection, both a place of victory and defeat.

Caelian slowly pushed through the crowded entrance, ignoring the countless faces he wouldn't recognise, and hobbled his way indoors. He was wearing a white overgown, pants and boots trimmed with a golden finish and crimson interior.

The flash outfit contrasted sharply with the worn, beaten and expressionless face that now transposed itself. A large bruise drew attention to his forehead, which now featured a scar across one eye, a swollen cheek exposing a harsh assault, and with a bandage wrapped around his head to cover the loss of one ear.

His walking was for exaggerated out of step, scornful and unpleasant, aided only by a hand carved wooden cane as a product of his recent adventures on Elrood.

Progressing further inward, he made his way slowly to the first face he truly recognised, an iconic Kel'dor and whomever he was speaking with (@Nevermourn) although he would also come to notice a few other familiar faces, but instead choosing to ignore them for now as they each appeared busy.

The singing was noisy and wholly unappealing to Caelian, choosing to avoid that area as quickly as the temporarily lame Echani could handle.

Speaking nothing, he instead stopped in front of the Kel'dor to rest the stick against himself and started signing something with his hands, frustratingly slowly, but it was starting to come along. "I miss fun?" Sol would hardly recognise the same champion that he had so recently travelled with at first, but then again there weren't exactly an abundance of albino haired Sith running around either.

@Nevermourn @imhereiguess

 

[Sol Kenuk]

His eyes are drawn away from Imani and Draugr as a flash of pale hair draws curious eyes. What the Kel'dor sees, however, he almost doesn't recognize. Battered, scarred, bandaged and bruised, could this be the prideful Champion that had defeated Vahliri, that had taken Elrood at the sinister Kel'dor's side? Indeed, he shared that white hair, those same colored eyes, and yet this time, they reflected something entirely different. Caelian was pale and haggard in appearance, though Sol could hardly judge. He, too, was a pale remnant of who he used to be, towering and ghastly with a scrawny figure that appeared almost sickly. This was different, though. Sol's appearance was a product of corruption. Caelian's was something else entirely.

When the man signs something, the Kel'dor tilts his head, eyes glowing hellishly behind his goggles as he merely offers the other Sith a blank stare. There was no understanding there, the meaning of the sign language was lost upon the man.

"I think someone had better go check the graveyard, there's a corpse missing." The Sith deadpans. Really, it was meant as a teasing jest, a dry toned mockery meant in good fun. Sol and Caelian got along well enough, but the Kel'dor's lack of empathy appeared to be on clear display in that moment. Sol didn't know what had happened to Caelian, didn't know the cruelty that the other man had faced, and even if he had, the Champion would find no pity within the wiry Kel'dor's eyes. After all, he had experienced much the same treatment as an Acolyte. "Whatever you're signing, I don't understand." Sol finally points out, because at the very least, Caelian deserved that explanation. Why was he hand gesturing anyways? The last time he and Caelian had worked together, the other Sith had been speaking just fine. So what had changed?

@Xorism

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

By this point, the Annfyn movements were becoming less erratic. He had focused his attention on Altair, trying to copy every single of his dancing movements. It was difficult in the beginning, when his mind was more chaotic than everything that was happening during the party.

However, now the Acolyte was able to see things more clearly. Of course, he wasn’t in his right mind, because he would have ran away to find a place to hide with shame. Being shirtless to everyone to see was probably the most stupid thing that the Annfyn ever did during his whole life.

While he still ignored the drama between Altair and Clove, Caerllion’s dance movements were now close to match those made by the Tiefling. He still wasn’t perfect, but they were good enough to make the people stare at him. This time thinking that he wasn’t so cringe anymore.

The Annfyn laughed when he watched Altair manipulating the fire. It was a very nice trick. His dilated eyes shone with realization and with the wave of his hand, five red spheres of energy appeared over the stage. Then, they exploded, releasing a rain of sparks over the people presenting there.

The sparks would cause no fire where they touched, but the Acolyte thought that the effect was pretty. By this point, the entire ball had become a show, with Caerllion’s magick working as non-damaging fireworks.

@Sreeya @Braden

 

[Nakoa Singh]

Nakoa watched with open amusement as Jasnah tried to help the paralyzed man through slapping, clearly fed up with things already. He cheered along with others as the short-lived fight between Din and Draugr ended, frankly impressed, then got distracted with the others' goings-on around and the beginnings of drunk, musical shenanigans.

He took this time to wander over to the bar. "Aye-o, drinkslinger. Bottle of Fuego Verdadero tequila, ginger, lime, mortar, grater- oh whatever." With the air of a man wearily used to odd Sith bar behavior, the bartender sighed as Nakoa hopped behind the bar. "Enkosi," Nakoa habitually said and moved right along. He steadily grated a bunch of ginger, tossed in some chili powder and lime juice, ground it down with the mortar, mixed it with tequila, and poured it into several shot glasses.

The Force was involved in the process, giving a little energy boost to drinkers. In the midst of the sing-song flirting up on stage, subtle insults, and a back-and-forth musical-worthy duel of words and emotions, Nakoa watched and took on the whole show while he poured, body bopping along to the beat. He poured until he'd constructed a pyramid of filled shot glasses balanced on a tray.

Next was the stage itself, alight with fire, flame, and a host of tired musicians. Altair played stylishly with fire, eliciting a loud whistle and laughing cheer from the Wrean. The Tiefling man sure knew how to put on a show! And for that, he and the others needed more alcohol, in Nakoa's opinion. Fuel for the fire, so to speak, as he was thoroughly entertained.

So of course, the entire pyramid of shots was delivered by a slightly terrified waiter to the stage with instructions to give each band member at least one of the energy-boosting but quite strong shots. "Drinks for the stage!" he shouted through cupped hands. He'd mostly heard of Altair Din's military accomplishments, so this impromptu musical performance by the man himself was damn near magical. (@Sreeya @Braden @LouJoVi @Wit)

Nakoa hopped back up to sit atop the bar counter. When Aadya (@Logan) showed up he slid over one of the remaining shot glasses, a subtle cloud of vapor coming off the liquid's surface. "Looking for a pick-me-up?" he asked the Firrerreon woman who looked down and absent-minded to his eyes. With a little smirk, fangs subtly visible, he downed a shot himself and immediately got a rush of warmth and energy tingling through his body. A finger flicked the half-empty tequila bottle, setting the glass a-ringing. "Or, something with a bit more bite?"

@socialpeopleidkhopefullyididntmissanyone

 

[Caelian]

Caelian wasn't expecting a hug from the skeletal Kel'dor, but he suspected the man would have something to say about his appearance, and the masked one did not disappoint. A feigned exasperation quickly turned into a smirk not a moment later, as the humorous remark was well worth the painful trip in.

Momentarily forgetting that he couldn't, he tried to reply with an equal razor sharp bant, "Hyusrs..." his crispy tongue protruding from his mouth for a second before retracting, mouth closing with a slight embarrassment.

Tipping his head to the beautifully dressed tiefling he'd never met before, and likewise nodding to Draugr once he'd returned.

Instead, the Echani would speak with Sol telepathically, with a nod to recent events that he would understand "the price of breathing, weighs heavy. Did I miss anything interesting?" He was still adjusting to not realistically being able to speak normally, perhaps in time he would save up the credits to get one of those fancy cybernetic replacements, but in the meantime it served as a healthy reminder.

Taking a glass from one of the nearby trays, he stood quietly and observed the surroundings, but choosing to remain in their orbit for the moment, happy to avoid undue attention.

@Nevermourn @lizziie @Scoobert

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn was going to murder that Zabrak. He didn't know who he was or anything about him, but he was going to murder him if Vahliri didn't. He was burning with anger and rage as he started to be able to twitch little by little.

Evidently, Vahliri had finished him because she came back to check on him, offering a smile and a squeeze of his shoulder. For a moment, he felt his anger sated, but the pleasant emotion of her touch was quickly melted like an ice cube on the surface of the sun. He watched as she turned her attention to Altair on stage.

He had spent hours sitting across from her and beside her. He had spent countless hours studying every crease and dimple of her face. He'd seen the way her ears twisted and swiveled in every emotion from affection to murderous rage, and that was what made it so painful.

She was angry, but there was more there than that. It was something he had tried to overlook for some time now. He had avoided the question with Altair on Telos. He had avoided the question with Vahliri all this time, and now he knew it was because he was afraid of the answer. He was afraid he already knew the answer.

He almost wished he were still paralyzed so he couldn't have seen the emotions that were - to him - so clearly scrawled on her face. Emotions that seemed deeper than any he had ever been able to elicit from her.

And then she left.

He'd been paralyzed and nearly killed, but she left so she could think about Altair. Whether that was the truth or not didn't matter, it was his reality, and it cut him to his core. It made him feel sick and weak in a way that had nothing to do with the drugs.

He finally managed to push himself to his feet and regain his voice, and he found himself wishing... he didn't even know what he was wishing. Wishing he were anywhere else and in any other situation besides this. Suddenly everything that had just happened to him was pointless and insignificant.

He stepped out onto the balcony behind Vahliri and didn't say anything for a moment. The words caught in his throat, and he couldn't decide if it was because of the paralytic or the fact that he didn't want to say them.

You're still in love with him. They were somewhere between question and statement. The words were said simply and neutral, without accusation or anger. They were purely... empty. Devoid of any of his usual humor, jesting, or tone.

@Altaris

 

[Jasnah Atreides]

Jasnah had enjoyed her time on the stage, it had been fun teasing Altair. Partly because of the reaction that it got out of him, he actually seemed to be interested, and partly because it seemed to piss the fuck out of almost every other girl at the party. She had especially liked that part, she had liked that a lot. But she also knew when to fold your hand and sit out a round, and so when Altair returned to the stage and started singing, setting himself on fire in the process, she took the arrival of the shots as an easy excuse to step off the limelight.

Grabbing a drink in each hand, she planned to quietly step off while all eyes were on Altair, unseen and unnoticed by anyone, including Altair himself. She knew the story of Icarus, who flew too close to the Sun and fell to his death. She found Altair interesting, but she was not going to risk flying too close to him. No, if he was interested then he would come find her, which is why she was perfectly fine with stepping away. If she was wrong and nothing else came of this, well then at least she hadn't died of boredom at this stupid celebration.

But then he turned to face her, and as she stood there with the drinks in her hands, smiling as he did the trick with the fire and his tongue. As a kid everyone had warned her to stay away from fire, it was hot, it burned, and it hurt like a bitch. But as she had grown older she had also learned that sometimes there was nothing better than a little pain. So she downed both shots, and as Altair passed by close to her, she grabbed his hand and pulled him into a quick kiss, before pushing him away to let him get back to his singing as she gave him a wave and a wink as she stepped out of the light that illuminated the stage.

Having left the stage, she meandered over to Sol with a pleased smile on her lips. Reaching the Kel-dor as he was communicating with what she first assumed to be one of his experiments. Maybe the rat had just been the preview, and this was his real gift for Altair. Stepping up his game, after seeing all the singing and dancing. But as she followed their conversation she realized that that didn't seem to be the case. Realizing that Sol was having trouble reading the man's sign language, she offered him a drink, having picked up another pair of glasses on her way, as she leaned in to shout to him over the music, completely unaware of the fact that the injured man was trying to telepathically communicate with the Kel-dor.

"He likes your butt, says it looks real fine in that suit."

@Sreeya @Nevermourn @Xorism

 

[Wodan]

He was over this, all this petty bullshit and back and forth indirect song battle. It would have been better if he just threw them all a lightsaber and let them get it over and done with it. As Jasnah interrupted his song again and began another diss track he had enough, stopping dumming again he snapped the drumsticks down onto the snare and stood up ready to make his leave. Altair could come find him once he was done with all the drama and they could have a chat. He lit up another cigarette, took a swig of rum and turned away from the front of the stage.

That is when he heard Altair begin belting out another song, at first he sighed and shook his head thinking it was another love or diss track and continued to step away. Before he caught Altair's violet eyes out of the corner of his own golden orbs, the song was actually being sung at him. He couldn’t help but smile and let out a light chuckle, it seemed it was his turn for a little serenade from the Tiefling. He stopped his departure and watched as he walked through the fire, Wodan just shook his head as he sat back down on the drums and began following along with the beat.

Caerllion was still intoxicated, the poor Annfyn had tried to keep up with him and Altair. To bad physiology gave them both a massive advantage, credit to the man though he was still on two feet. The shots arrived as he was halfway through playing the song, as they were handed out to the others Wodan beconned over the waiter. “Pour it in.” He said, tipping his head back and mouth open as he continued to play the drums. The waiter looked confused and partly terrified by everything that was happening, but nevertheless he did as he was told. The shot easily disappeared down Wodan’s gullet.

Jasnah nearly found a drumstick lodged in the side of her skull when she kissed the Tiefling. But he had to restrain himself, Altair was a big boy, even if he was a idiot some/most of the time when it came to the opposite sex. Although if the Tiefling attempted to follow Jasnah off the stage, he would find himself with a drumstick in both legs and a symbol smashed over his horned skull. “Is there not a girl in this room who isn’t a hussy?” He asked out loud, though the music would prevent anyone from really hearing what he said.

He gave it one last try, as Altair’s song finished he started another similar song. Trying to keep the upbeat and happy nature going, if he was cut off again, shit was going to hit the fan.

@Sreeya @LouJoVi @Wit

 

[Darth Tempest]

As she made a beeline for the balcony, Vahliri pointedly toned out everything occurring around her. She didn’t want to look anywhere near the stage at Altair, or back at Varyn, or concern herself with any other bullshit happening in the party. Amber eyes remained fixed straight ahead, even as she set down her empty glass and seamlessly replaced it by snagging a bottle off a nearby tray - popping the cork with the nail of her thumb. She simply wanted the solitude and isolation of that balcony to mull over her own storm of emotions that raged.

And for a few minutes, Vahliri got exactly that. She felt the breeze that brushed through her hair - loose after the hairpin had been pulled free. She felt the chill against her face and the burn of alcohol as she took liberal swigs from her bottle - as if attempting to banish down her own feelings of hurt with every sip. And just as bitterly as she fought them back, the half-Annfyn could feel the tears that began to sting in her eyes and threatened to roll down her cheeks. Drowning her sorrows and on the verge of tears - it was pathetic and she knew it, and the half-Annfyn wanted nothing more than to kick herself for it.

Vahliri couldn’t help the directions that her mind wandered - nor the way her emotions surged in response. Her thoughts lingered on Altair and the sum of their relationship. The affection and warmth they shared, coupled with the longing and bitterness that always followed - no matter how much she wished it was otherwise. She thoughts went to Varyn, and the moments they had shared together. The affection and love in his eyes - the kind which always filled her with warmth and comfort - even if she could never return it to quite the same degree. The guilt of leaving him alone mere moments ago swelled in her chest, like bitter acid that ate away at her from the inside.

Her fluted ears twitched ever-so-slightly to the sound of footsteps behind her, and Vahliri didn’t have to guess who is was. Not just because she’d learned to recognize the way that Varyn moved or his familiar presence in the Force, but she just.. Knew. Moments of silence passed, and Vahliri couldn’t bring herself to turn around to face him. She’d led armies and brought entire planets to heel. She’d faced dark, twisted entities of the Force. She’d nearly lost her life fighting Kilik’s against all odds. She had faced it all without so much as flinching - and yet the mere thought of the look in Varyn’s eyes? It terrified her.

Moments passed, and it wasn’t until Varyn spoke that Vahliri’s breath caught in her throat - eyes fixed out towards the horizon. The words cut through every shred of her defenses and piece right down to her core. There was no anger in his voice - no malice. But his words were empty and hollow - devoid of the humor-filled, upbeat man she’d come to know, and that simple fact alone hurt more than any vitriol ever could. She knew he was hurt even if those emotions never bubbled up to the surface, and that she was the only one responsible for his injured. She’d fought Bel without hesitation for hurting him, and had only inflicted a far worse poison in turn.

“I..” The half-Annfyn’s words caught in her throat, unable to vocalize beyond that bit of stammering. Varyn’s words cut to her core - and so too did they bring realization that sapped every bit of strength from her. The simple reality that she loved Altair - that she had for years, and still did even in that moment. It was the reality that she had denied and dance around for years - contributing every word and explanation for it other than the one that Varyn spoke. It was the reality that was so clear to everyone else - so much so that even Varyn himself could see it, plain as day. And there was no running from it at this point.

“I am,” She muttered quietly, squeezing her eyes shut for a long moment. She wanted nothing more than to fling herself off that balcony - to be anywhere but there, in that moment, facing the betrayal in Varyn’s eyes and the vitriol that radiated off Altair like heat off sun-baked stone. “I thought I didn’t.. That I was over him and past it, that we could..” She exhaled, chewing down on her bottom lip. "That we could be something worth having." She wanted to believe that what she started to have with Varyn - those first sparks of something that could grow and thrive - could last. That she could be happy with him and put her feelings for Altair behind her. That for just that once, she could be with someone who loved her just as much as she did them. Something more than what always turned to ashes in her mouth. “But I’m still in love with him,”

Vahliri finally turned to face Varyn, swallowing down her every instinct to look anywhere except for him. He deserved to hear it from her face-to-face. She wasn’t entitled to dance around the topic or hide the emotions that clearly played out across her expression - even now, as she spoke to him directly. “I know he’ll never feel the same, but I'm still in love with him.”

She inhaled through her nostrils, leaving the bottle propped up on the ledge of the balcony. Her hands knitted together as if suddenly unaware of what to do with them, and the half-Annfyn couldn’t control the way her fluted ears tilted downward and drooped beyond her control. A part of her wanted to reach out to Varyn - to take it all back.. And she knew that she couldn’t.

“You..Deserve better than that, Varyn. Better than me,” She finally said, the words bitter and choked as they left her lips. Vahliri wanted nothing more than to look away from the hurt behind his gaze, but she kept her eyes on him regardless. For just that moment. “I’m sorry,”

@Phoenix

 

[Anai Skhess]

The Kaleesh sith managed to suplex the agent, allowing him to have a well deserved meeting with the floor with that move...playing wrestling with the other kids back at Kalee really paid off. After that, she just looked at Bel, crouching down and staring at the man "You mess with her again and I'll make you envy the dead." Anai whispered to Bel just before Vahl decided to drag him out of the party using the force, she was hoping Bel had heard her before his conciousness fully faded away, but she was gonna go through with that threat regardless.

Standing up and making sure her suit was all right and one of her boobs didn't slip from the partially open shirt after that suplex, Anai looked around, realizing the scene around her...Why did sith parties catch on fire so often? What the hell happened to master Draugr to end up looking like that? And allthough she always appreciated Altair singing, even without learning the full context the Kaleesh could tell something had gone wrong there too by the way the people at the stage were behaving, something that had to do with the small elf girl from what she gathered.

She also saw Vahl leave to the balcony, she would've gone after her to see if something was wrong, but she also noticed Varyn following her and decided that they had to settle whatever was going on between them on their own. Instead Anai decided to grab another strong drink and walk towards Jasnah, the woman that had been taking care of Varyn "Apologies for taking so long, thank you for taking care of him" The Kaleesh stated, looking at the other two Jasnah had as company and giving them a small handwave as a greeting before lifting her bone mask slightly and taking a big sip from her drink, a heavy exhale following afterwards "So...What did I miss? I thought we were the ones making a scene until now..."

@Nevermourn @Wit @Xorism @hopeIdidn'tmissanyonelsesorry

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Theme​

Varyn watched her eyes and the way they didn't look at him. He watched the pain etched on her face. He watched the way her lips moved when she said "I am."

The words cut worse than a knife and he felt pain welling in his chest. He could feel his eyes starting to burn and he blinked a single time to clear them. For one single moment, he felt a flood of horrible emotions. Betrayal, inadequacy, loneliness, despair, hopelessness, grief... pain. They were all just different words for pain.

He barely even heard the words that came after because they didn't matter. The only reality that mattered was that she loved someone else.

But if you leave me to love another,
you'll have shattered all of my dreams.

For that brief moment he let it all flow in and then he slammed the door shut. He shoved it all down deep inside of him until he couldn't feel anything, grinding all the pain into oblivion and dust.Until his soul was so numb that there was nothing left but his body there in the room and his mind was... somewhere else. Somewhere less agonizing.

I guess this is another thing we have in common, he said. Altair loved Clove. Vahliri loved Altair. Varyn loved Vahliri.

There wasn't another word, another reaction, just a simple turn and exit from the worst party Varyn had ever been to in his life.

//Exit

 

[Altair Din]

Altair felt more and more of his coordination coming back as his body rapidly filtered the drugs and alcohol. There was a pause in the singing while the music went on as he turned to face Jasnah. However, she surprised him by downing her shots and abruptly pulling him in. He had certainly been here many times before to know what was happening. As she went for the kiss, Altair tilted his face the slightest bit so it landed on his cheek. His arm was loosely wrapped around her waist, and as she drew back, his fingers purposely grazed along the bare skin of her lower back, pressing against her spine. When she stepped off, she would notice her lehenga was caught around the end of his tail, a teasing grin on his face. With a tug, he yanked the lehenga to himself, casually tossing it around his shoulders as he winked at her and let her walk away.

As Wodan started up the next song, Altair was thrilled and began to dance and perform accordingly. This time, he went right next to Caer, throwing an arm around his shoulder to pull him in to sing together. He released him after a moment to lead the other man into the dance. Altair swayed his hips with the lyrics, running his hand down the front of his torso provocatively as he sang, “Am I sexual?” This gesture caused quite a bit of screeching and clapping.

By now word had gotten out about the ‘boring’ classy party having turned to something else. Acolytes and other Imperials flooded into the halls to watch the show after they learned that the Empress or Dark Lord weren’t present to throw them off balconies. Of course this resulted in even more groupie types congregating at the front and cheering and enjoying the show.

As the song came to a close, Altair felt coherent enough to walk over and grab a guitar and attached a whammy bar, telling the other guitarist to pick up rhythm. It was the first time tonight he was coordinated enough to play the instrument he specialized in.

Song
​

The tiefling began to sing the song that Wodan attempted to start but was cut off, except he would play the tougher original. Altair glanced over at Caer - the dance moves were much tougher and he hoped the Annwfyn could moonwalk.

With that, the tiefling began to strum along as he sang the song. He had the dupatta around his shoulders the entire time, his voice projecting across the hall. Altair walked across the stage as he sang, playing the guitar effortlessly. The cheering grew even louder as people attempted to reach for him from the front of the stage.

Altair began the elusive solo when it came time, his fingers working lightning fast as he alternated between strings and whammy bar to produce the iconic riff. The cheering completely exploded at this, the solo echoing across the chambers. The tiefling leaned towards the front row of the audience as his hand slid up the length of the guitar neck to lead to the solo's crescendo. The girls started shrieking and a few tossed off their tops, but Altair drew back to finish out the rest of the song.

They performed one or two more songs before Altair finally handed his guitar off and walked towards Wodan, “I’m hungry,” He declared before making his way off the stage. This would be a battle for him, Wodan and Caer as suddenly they were overwhelmed by the audience members that had gathered to watch. Women attempted to touch and grab a hold of them from all sides, Wodan almost tackled by a few girls. Altair used the Force to maintain some distance as he walked back towards the main area.

Sweaty and grimy, he made his way towards Sol, realizing that a few people he knew had left by now. Altair almost did a double take when he spotted the man across him. Was that Caelian (@Xorism )? The same Caelian that was on the yacht and with Nova? He looked like a shell of himself, the sight unsettling.

“Hey bro..” Altair began with a hint of concern on his face, “Nice to see ya again,” He offered a smile. He wanted to know what happened, but the man didn’t look like he wanted to talk about it. He turned towards Sol (@Nevermourn ) and clapped him on the back.

“I lost Bernard Skeever but… does he have a sibling I can have?” Altair asked, “He was the first pet I ever had,” He said sadly before raising a drink in cheers to the rat and downing it.

If Wodan was still with him, Altair would look at him, “Yo, there’s gotta be some food other than the bullshit finger foods,” He said as he glanced at the practically empty trays full of crumbs. He pointedly avoided looking back towards the crowds where multiple women were trying to catch his eye or attempting to flash their boobs.

@Braden @LouJoVi @Wit

 

[Jasnah Atreides]

Jasnah, now missing her dupatta that Altair had stolen in exchange for that half-kiss, had also realized she was in need of food after all that singing and drinking. Specially because she did not have the super-tolerance of Altair or Wodan. So she had attacked what little food had been left. When Altair showed up and complained about the lack of food, she shuffled quietly to hide behind Sol, making a point to hide the plate full of naan, butter chicken, and an assortment of kebabs she had stolen before it all vanished.

"Yeah," she called out as she quickly stuffed another piece of naan and chicken into her mouth, "geth dhith mhan more phoood." Only when she was done with the most crisp and freshest naan did she finally step out and offer the plate to the others gathered there.

"We can share," she said as she held out the plate towards Altair, Sol, and the mute-man, "try the shami kebab, its exquisite!" It wasn't, she hated shami kebabs, and this was even worse than the real thing you'd find on Bandomeer or Indupar. Which was why she had used it and the other kebabs to hide the last hara-bhara-kebab, her favorite. She regretted picking them up, but she didn't like wasting food, so this would work out perfectly.

@Sreeya @Nevermourn @Xorism

 

[Aadya Rasheer]

Aadya nodded knowingly as Clove came back to find her and say that she was leaving. The Jedi girl had gone through a month’s worth of emotions in just a scant few hours, she probably needed a nap. Well, if it was Aadya it would be a nut and a nap but something in her told her that Clove probably wasn’t quite ready for that proposition.

Instead, Aadya would flash Clove a smile and put her hand on top of Clove’s when she touched her shoulder. Aadya would let her hand linger there for just a moment or two longer than she should have.

That sounds great. Let me know as soon as you find your way back to me, Aadya’s eyes widened just a bit at her little slip of the tongue. That is not what she had intended to say at all. Er, when you find your way back to Sith space I mean..

Aadya watched as Clove left the party, a small sigh escaping her lips. She wasn’t left alone at the bar for long, though. After a few moments she was joined by a newcomer, and surprisingly it was someone she hadn’t met before.

Something like that, She said slyly, shooting Nakoa a side eyed glance and a smirk.I do like it when things bite back. Aadya quipped before playfully clicking her teeth together at Nakoa, showing off her own fangs, and then finishing what was left in her glass.

Aadya’s attention was drawn to the stage as the music from Altair and the Bros started to die down. She watched as the throngs of people tried to paw at them and fawned over them. It was kind of funny, to be honest. The amount of titties flying to and fro trying to get his attention was probably the most impressive part. People would do just about anything just for a glance from Altair.

She couldn’t blame them, of course. She had held Altair’s attention once and she’d never felt safer or happier. She also knew what it felt like to crash through fifteen miles of duracrete in the flaming wreckage of a failed relationship with that same person. Life was funny like that.

Aadya wasn’t quite sure what it was, but she felt like doing something.. interesting. Something fun, spontaneous, just.. Something more than sitting here and drinking. Of course, it was probably the drinking that had gotten her into this kind of mood in the first place, but that was neither here nor there.

Dropping another shot of tequila down her throat before scooting off her chair, Aadya would shoot Nakoa a playful wink before heading to the stage that Altair and the Bros had just vacated. As she walked, she’d look to catch Altair’s attention for just a moment - shooting him a quick pucker of her lips in a playful kissy face.

Dropping off the drape that had thus far covered Aadya’s back, she’d make her way onto the stage and grab the now empty mic.

Now that we’ve been swooned by the professionals, how about some drunken karaoke to really get this party in the right mood? She said into the mic, liquid courage boosting her confidence enough to get through the whole statement without so much as a nervous waiver.

Plugging her datapad into a nearby speaker, the beat of a song would start play as Aadya started moving her hips in tandem with it. From side to side she’d rock her hips back and forth with a level of skill that was as graceful as it was suggestive.

Oh, baby, when you talk like that
You make a woman go mad
So be wise, and keep on
Reading the signs of my body

Aadya sang the words as best as she could, though she wasn’t as polished as Altair she could still hold her own in some serious karaoke. Plus, it was a song she knew by heart.. And the dance moves she’d practiced just grooving in her living room.

Oh, boy, I can see your body moving
Half animal, half man
I don't, don't really know what I'm doing
But you seem to have a plan
My will and self-restraint
Have come to fail now, fail now

As she danced, Aadya would use the force to sheer off the bottom half of her dress. Where once it had been floor length, it was now cut off above her mid thigh. She continued to gyrate her hips to the beat of the song as it neared its end.

I'm on tonight, my hips don't lie
And I'm starting to feel you, boy
Come on, let's go, real slow
Baby, like this is perfection

The song would end with a crescendo matched by Aadya’s hips. Putting the mic back into its stand, she would joking give a bow to the crowd before hopping off the stage and heading back towards the bar.

She felt a new sense of invigoration in her chest, it almost rivaled the rush she got when in battle. Was this why Altair loved performing so much? She could definitely understand why if that were the case..

Regardless, even if she’d just embarrassed herself in front of everyone Aadya didn’t care. She had fun and she was drunk as shit.

Isn’t that all that really mattered?

 

[Darth Tempest]

Even in that moment, Vahliri wanted nothing more than to run away. She wanted to get miles away from that conversation - far away from the harsh reality and the pain that glinted in Varyn’s eyes so vibrantly. It was so much easier to turn a back to it all - and if she could block it out of her mind, if only temporarily - then perhaps she could pretent it didn’t exist at all. But there was no running from this. She was prisoner on that balcony, and was forced to watch every bit of the agony and betrayal that flashed across Varyn’s expression. There were no words spoken, and there didn’t need to be.

In an instant, Vahliri felt her stomach drop into the bottom of her feet - the color draining from her expression. She’d seen the full range of emotion from Varyn in the past, from his frequent laughs and jokes, to the raw pain felt during their night on Coruscant. She saw the worst it of manifest in that moment, and it cut Vahliri down to her very core - filling her with a mixture of shame, dread and self-contempt. She knew that look. The same sensations of inadequacy and loneliness.. The same that she’d felt countless times with Altair. Everything she wanted to hate the Tiefling for but never could - she inflicted right back onto Varyn. Vahliri’s eyes shifted downward - unable to meet Varyn’s eyes when he spoke. There was nothing but emptiness and cold behind the man’s voice, and the half-Annfyn couldn’t help but wince in response.

She knew that Varyn loved her more than she did - perhaps more than she ever could, when Altair had her heart. But it hurt all the same. It hurt to know that could have been was gone - smothered and bridges burned before it ever truly had an opportunity to blossom. It hurt to know that she’d hurt another and lost - and the one she truly loved still had nothing but frigid, distant and angry with her. She was empty and alone - and Vahliri only had herself to blame.

“Var..” She muttered quietly, the words only vocalizing once the man was half-way to the exit. A part of the half-Annfyn wanted to block his exit and reach out to him - to beg his forgiveness and.. And what? What good would it have done? The damage was done - and perhaps it was better she let him leave. Perhaps Varyn was better off by getting as away from the mess that she was. It was a bitter thought - one that left the half-Annfyn cold and numb.. But it was an easier pill to swallow than anything else swirling through her mind.

Silenced filled the balcony again, and Vahliri turned to face out towards the horizon of Eriadu - watching the speeders that streaked across the skylanes and nightsky. She couldn’t help the flood of emotions that struck her all at once, and there was no stopping the tears that began to roll down her cheek and onto the stone railing of that balcony. The sense of longing and emptiness was more pronounced than ever - coupled with her own regrets and anger at herself - and perhaps that was how it would always end for her. Her fingers curled around the base of her bottle, nails digging in until hairline fractures began to form across the glass. Before she could bring it to her lips for another swig, the half-Annfyn drew her arm back and whirled it forth - proceeding to throw the bottle with all of her might over the balcony. She watched it fall, growing smaller and smaller until it finally banished from sight. Only then did Vahliri finally bury her face in her own hands, allowing the tears to fall until she felt nothing at all.

Long, cold minutes passed before Vahliri finally collected herself. She managed to wipe the remainder of tears from her reddened eyes - pulling her dark hair back over her shoulders. She straightened her jacket and the chrono on her wrist, as if attempting to distract herself with all the little minute, insignifiant fixes of her appearance. A shuttered breath pasted her lips as she finally turned on a heel - striding off the balcony and proceeding to make her way back into the Imperial Palace - cutting through the crowds in the opposite direction that Varyn had left.

She couldn’t help the way her fluted ears tilted downward and flicked around a bit involuntarily as she walked, visible reminders of how she was feeling, even if her face had turned to cold steel. Vahliri caught a glimpse of Altair and his bro’s as she walked, though it didn’t linger for long - her gaze instead settling upon a far, empty section of the bar. She wasn’t even seated before she flagged down the bartender - proceeding to throw back the first thing that was set down in front of her.

 

[Anai Skhess]

Anai kept drinking as people started singing, being with people that she didn't know but she didn't care, the Kaleesh was simply enjoying the show as Altair and the other two she didn't know started singing with less venom, enjoyed it much more now that it was not people dissing each other and well, she had always been a fan of the Tiefling's music...However she couldn't really focus as much on enjoying herself after seeing Vahl's date leave like that.

Eventually she saw Vahl herself and, well...It was quite obvious that she wasn't feeling well, so Anai simply nodded at Altair as he came to the big group she was a part of, excused herself and walked towards the Half-Annfyn, finishing her drink and ordering another one. By now the Kaleesh sith had begun to feel a little tipsy, but that didn't stop her from downing her drink at the same time as Vahl did.

"So...this has been quite a night, I didn't expect to end with blood on my suit but...Better than getting shot again, I suppose" Anai said, the statement being a bit funny even though she had said it in a matter of fact way. Thinking back on it did remind her of Varyn for a moment, she had been there, taking a lot of shit in a single party, Anai pitied him and hoped he wouldn't isolate himself from the rest of humanity because of a horrible night.

"Hey, Vahl." Anai interjected, putting one of her hands on Vahl's much smaller ones and giving her a gentle squeeze as to reassure her, if she looked at Anai, she would realize she had just taken her mask off, something that the Kaleesh really didn't do often, something which she had done so Vahl could see her Kaleesh friend smiling at her "The night's just getting started, let's have some fun, okay?" Anai said, gesturing towards the dance floor.

@Altaris @alltheotherdramakids

 

[Wodan]

Finally, after however many attempts, Wodan’s attempt to bring some bloody cheer to the party wasn’t crushed within four bars. The excitement of being able to actually play a song fully, rushed through the Firrerrian bringing an over the top play style to his drumming. Limbs were flying all over the place as he played, drawing nearly as much attention as the dancing Tiefling at the front of the stage. “Lenny.” He shouted towards the terrified waiter who served him earlier. “Light the fracking drums.” He demanded as he headbanged along with the song.

Although it was a little less dramatic as when Wodan did it, Lenny, that wasn’t his actual name. Did as he was told and once again the drums were on fire as Altair picked up his guitar and began to replay a song Wodan had tried to play earlier. It was the harder vocal version, but the more plain drum version so Wodan would improvise, playing half the song standing up, as the flames continued to burn around him. Titties began to appear in throngs as the combined hussy might of the Empire seemed to descend on the stage.

After the so-called ‘set’ came to an end, Altair approached the Firrerrian. By that point the right low drum had burned right through and most of the others were on their last leg. There would be no more live drumming tonight. “I could do with some food. Lenny. You can come too.” He replied.

The moment the now foursome stepped off the stage they were mobbed by the hussy brigade. Altair was able to push them aside with the use of The Force, but Wodan was still a fair bit under the influence and was clattered to the ground by a trio of floozies. The trio was soon joined by others who couldn’t get at either Altair or Caerllion. Death by boobies, there could be worse ways to go, he thought, closing his eyes as he was slowly being crushed under the weight of a thousand knockers.

Then he felt it, the grasp of light and strength he needed as a hand latched onto his wrist. Slowly he was extracted from the mound of melons, taking a deep breath of air as he was brought into the light. Looking up he saw his saviour, it was Lenny, that golden boy. Pulling himself to his feet he gave the man a gigantic bear hug. A few screams signalled that the stack of hooters had realised that their prey had escaped. Turning with fear in his eyes, he was relieved to see that Lenny had organised some security allowing some separation between Wodan, Altair, Caer and the rabid party of jezebel’s. “I love you Lenny.” He said, giving the waiter another big hug. “Come one, we need food and drinks.” Wodan continued dragging Lenny over an arm around his neck.

Wodan hadn’t gotten away scot-free, he was now missing both slippers and half the right leg of his trousers. He arrived just after Jasnah had offered them all some food, he grabbed a handful accidentally grabbing the hara-bhara-kebab from the plate. Splitting the delicious little treat half and half with Lenny. His eyes were drawn to the stage as Aadya began her own seductive number, a big smile on his face as he stuffed it with assorted food as she sang.

Once he was done with the food he turned to the Tiefling, putting a hand on his shoulder he got the taller man to lean down to his level so he could whisper in his ear. “I say we try and get them all messed up, what do you think?” He said with a wink, the pair’s physiology would easily allow them to drink the rest of the group under the table. “Shots?” He shouted out to the surrounding Sith, tapping Lenny on the shoulder to start getting the round in.

@drinkingparty