Pre-TL: Party for a Prince

[Rexx]

Eleven years before the devastation of Medriaas...​

A teenage boy stood with his hands behind his back, his right wrist encircled by the thumb and forefinger of his left hand. He was dressed in the manner of military cadet officer of the Sith Academy of Coruscant, silver trim on black. He was of above average height for his fifteen years according to his physician; the Prince would be taller than his father but had inherited his athletic, yet sturdy build. Furtive brows covered his eyes, hazel that hinted at further power that slept within the young man, his skills well on the way to completion. A simple, unengraved silver hilt stood vigil at his right hip, more for ceremony and status than defense on this day.

“And what is His Imperial Highness glaring at?” came the lilting, fruity voice of his father's chamberlain, his speech a fraudulently regal extension of Coruscanti Basic, accusative and condescending as always.

Impudent swine! How dare you speak to me so flippantly?

The Prince’s lips turned downward as he swallowed hard, suppressing the urge to belittle the pompous oaf.

“I wanted to see how the preparations were coming,” he replied conscientiously, provoking an ameloriated nod from the chamberlain. The Prince had been taking stock of all the separate labor happening around him, like insects devoted to the task of building. Droids and the house staff, human to the last in the banquet hall worked in tandem to decorating tables, making sure the place settings were arranged, and attending to the final touches of decorations. A veritable brigade of human wait staff had been assembled into ranks and were taking in the final instructions of their chief. Technical droids were doing some sort of last minute preparations on a holoprojector.

“This certainly does seem like a lot of effort,” the Prince said skeptically, noting rich purple tablecloths with delicate dancing ivy leaves forming a sumptuous perimeter around their edges as subtly silver gold plates and silverware caught the light that issued forth from the enormous chandeliers strung up through the hall. The luxury of it all turned his stomach.

“His Imperial Majesty declared that no expense was to be spared for this evening,” replied the chamberlain as he drew up to the Prince’s side. “His Majesty has been terribly concerned about you these past few weeks. The Emperor seeks to celebrate your recovery and his pride in you as his son.”

The chamberlain droned on, but the Prince tuned him out.

He wants to celebrate his pride on my birthday?

His lips pursed as his jaw set itself in practiced recalcitrance.

“Now now,” the chamberlain tutted, “it's time you were off and away, Your Highness. What would your guests think if they saw you in here with the servants before all the preparations were complete?”

That I was a hard worker, unlike an idiot like you?

“Go, Your Highness, relax in your chambers until a few minutes after the scheduled time of the festivities.” Maybe the chamberlain liked giving orders above his station. For now, it would be improper for the Prince to exert authority over him. But time was something he had, and the Prince assented to the command. The chamberlain was a gilded lily of a man, but even the Prince in his disdain recognized a certain skillful navigation of the court and the political riptides that swirled within it.

If nothing else, the Prince could recognize people's strengths even as he internally mocked them with vicious aplomb.

The Prince followed the word of the chamberlain, exiting the banquet hall into the vestibule to make his way back to his chambers. He had a good deal of reading to get ahead on to surprise his instructors once his birthday had come and gone. When he was clear of the view of other people, his dark eyebrows furled further and a hard frown gripped him, both unconscious actions that reflected his nature.

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Invitations had been sent out to the highest echelons of Republica society and any so honored would be in attendance. Security officers went about their work at the periphery as guests filled the hall, directed to assigned seats at circular tables that occupied the feasting side, a long rectangular table set on one side for the high lords of the Emperor's Court and the Imperial household. A large dance floor had been set but was unoccupied and would remain so until the Emperor had made his address. Doors were flung open to the garden courtyards that ringed the banquet hall, where entertainment of all sorts could be found, trained performers of exotic arts assembled from all over the galaxy. The displays would be shocking to some and deliberately so; many aliens were among the circus performers, particularly the gladiatorial pit.

As the chamberlain had said, no expense had been spared by the Emperor for this evening.

@Nefieslab @Xorism @Wit @TWD26

 

[Nefieslab]

"Straighten up!"

Eddard resisted the urge to roll his eyes but he was a young man - it was clear on his face that he had wanted to roll his eyes and his grandmother knew that. He hissed in pain as she smacked him on the back of the head with her cane. She was bringing him to this event and she insisted that it was important.

Admittedly, it would be nice to see but Eddard wasn't really a fan of things that looked like they cost a lot of credits for no reason other than that they were supposed to be expensive.

Dressed impeccably in rather expensive clothes, the child of house Thul-Drast took stock of the party as he stepped away from his grandmother upon entry. She would go and find where they were sitting, he was sure, which meant he would be able to have a look around.

Moving over to where the drinks were, he raised a hand to get the attention of one of the servers and took one of the non-alcoholic drinks.

Alcohol tasted nasty after all.

This party seemed... boring.

Where was the fun stuff to do? Maybe he was actually acting his age and wanting to do something fun but that wasn't his fault. He sighed a little bit and muttered.

"Not even a saber fighting ring..." he sipped his drink, looking adorable according to two passing female servers, "Why did this cost this much again?"

He had no idea... then again he wasn't really interested in economics.

@Rexx @Xorism @Wit @TWD26

 

[Xorism]

Thirteen-year-old Alexandra entered the party alongside her mother and nephew Eddard finely dressed and ready to mingle as instructed by the matriarch. It would be hard to hide a smirk as Eddard was twacked for his behavior before they had even arrived but still Alex tried her best.

The lavish and guilded nature of the event was not something that went unnoticed, certainly so for the young lady sheepishly following her nephew through the crowd of attendees. Blatant and extravagant wealth was on display to such an extent that few if any could dare compare but the awe of it all would last a few moments before Eddard shattered the image with his usual whining.

"You're just jealous nobody wanted to come to your birthday party without mother forcing them to! Besides, the Prince might be devilishly handsome but he still needs to learn politics and shake hands before he succeeds his father someday."

Alex pushed her nephew playfully, "Perhaps you should ask him for advice on how to stop being such a dweeb."

@Rexx @Nefieslab @Wit @TWD26

 

[TWD26]

Caran Malo

"I am expecting the upmost behavior from the lot of you. If any of you as so dare look at any of the royal women, I'll have your heads removed and placed upon the gallows as a warning to all new cadets."

Caran glanced towards the ranking officer, his crisp blue eyes nodding in agreement towards their words. It was a strange site, to be here with all of the royal family. He had come from a distinct and well served Imperial family, steeped in tradition of servitude, but this..this was on a higher level than any of his forefathers before him. To protect the royal family and prince would be the highest of honors. The mere fact that the boy had survived his circumstances was practically the will of the force, yet the young Caran didn't question such things that were beyond his comprehension.

The boy was dressed in a royal dress uniform, tightly pressed and fitted. They were here to blend in, yet this was no celebration. The boy had a small blaster carbine slung behind his back, in proper dress style. It was hopefully only for looks, yet it was loaded and ready. The boy would salute and give a sharp nod, "Aye sir.." before marching into the palace.
Tag: @Wit @Rexx @Nefieslab @Xorism

 

[Rexx]

All but the latest of guests had filled into the grand hall of the Imperial Palace on Coruscant, and the place of honor at the center of the royal table was yet unfilled, its occupant having been summoned. On the right hand of the empty seat was seated His Imperial Majesty Siris VI Drast, and to the left was his Consort, who, although she had a part in raising him, was not the Prince’s mother. Drinks were being served to those who wished but the luxurious feast awaited the arrival of the one for whom all this preparation had been done. He approached the outside of the hall on his own, steeling his resolve. This was an important evening for both him and his father and the Prince would not disappoint the Emperor.

An usher looked at him inquisitively, and the Prince nodded once, slowly and without word. The usher spoke into an earpiece and beckoned him through the threshold, and the young man’s face split into a billion-credit grin as he entered the expansive banquet hall.

“All rise for His Imperial Highness, Prince Elix!”

The assembled guests stood and a wave of applause greeted Elix in the archway, and the Prince smiled as he waved, inclining his head demurely, honestly humbled by the display of admiration. After a moment to be seen, he proceeded along the crimson carpet, through the tables to the head table, where he knelt briefly at the first step of the dais in supplication to his father. After a moment, he rose and Elix skirted the edge to sit beside his father, who remained standing. As Elix sat, so did the assembly.

“Welcome, one and all,” began the Emperor, his voice melodious and so assured in its magnanimity to Elix’s ear. “Today, we have gathered to celebrate the birthday of my son.” More applause followed, the Emperor smiling fondly at the crowd. “But, today’s celebration is doubly special. We are not only gathered to celebrate Elix, but also his life. Six weeks past, my son was piloting a leisure craft while on retreat to Chandrila. A mechanical malfunction occurred over the ocean and the craft went down, and as it crashed, its geolocator was damaged.” Hushed whispers rustled through the crowd at this pause in the Emperor’s words.

“My son had to survive in open water for two days after being knocked unconscious in the crash and coming-to with the water lapping at his chest.” The Emperor turned his head toward Elix and the fondness in his tone and his gaze became apparent.

“Through Elix’s determination and his strong connection to the Force was he able to persevere despite the mortal danger of his predicament and return to us.” The Emperor set his hand upon his son’s shoulder. Elix tried to think of the last time he had felt the touch of the Emperor upon him, but his father continued.

“And I could ask for no better son nor heir.” The Emperor reached for his glass and raised it.

“To Elix!”

A united murmur of his name was raised to the vaulted ceiling, and once again the Prince smiled under the eye of those who may be his subjects one day, his left hand resting on his chest as he bowed his head and shoulders to those who toasted him.

Even if he thought all of these credits would have been better spent doing anything else, it was important for his family to show a united front under the Emperor. But that didn’t stop Elix from thinking that they could have bought wood with the credits this evening had cost, lit them on fire for the beggars of Nar Shaddaa and had a more constructive evening than this.

“And now, I won’t keep you any longer. Enjoy the festivities!”

The Emperor’s words seemed to break the air of ritual formality, conversation breaking out as the brigade of servers commenced their work. As he sat down, the Emperor leaned into his son.

“Eat light and let the guests enjoy their food. Once the tables begin to break up, circulate. Try to meet as many courtiers as you can.” His father’s commands were delivered gently and The Prince nodded dutifully at his words, smiling at the end like his father had just told him a funny joke. When all eyes were on you, appearance was everything.

Elix ate, and after about a quarter of an hour guests began rising from their seats to peruse the myriad entertainment arranged outside, some of the older nobility taking to the dance floor. The Prince, however, wanted to make the rounds outside, even as he shook hands and made light conversation with various Sith who had had Drast appended to their surnames generations ago. But the open skies of the most luxurious palace on Coruscant beckoned him and Elix found himself outside, a pleased look on his face that only seemed to touch his eyes when he faced another.

@Nefieslab @Xorism @TWD26 @Wit

 

[Wit]

Dressed in simple, almost utilitarian clothing, with the minimal touches of finery on them paling in contrast to what everyone else was wearing, Elend Venture had never so out place in his life. His father had known that the invite they had received had been been sent out of courtesy, out of respect for the old blood that flowed in their veins, and had warned Elend to not accept the best of welcome at the celebration. There would be a great many scions of the great houses in attendance, his peers yet far above him in almost every way. And while children were always blessed with a streak of meanness that would not turn a blind eye to how was dressed, Sith children were even more so.

So it was fair to say that Elend had been dreading this night for some time now, and now that he was here that sense of dread had just grown many times over. So while his father mingled, tried his best to make something out of the opportunity this night presented for their family, Elend stayed mostly to himself and found himself drifting slowly towards the edges of the gathering, drifting away form the revelry and slowly finding himself all by himself on the balconies surrounding the dance floor.

Here he would be alone, here he would not run into anyone else. Here, here he would be safe.

@Rexx @Nefieslab @TWD26 @Xorism

 

[Nefieslab]

Not for the first time today, Eddard felt the urge to roll his eyes at his aunt rather strongly. He resisted the urge even now purely because he knew that his grandmother would, somehow, know and slap him upside the head for daring to show such attitude. At least that's what his past experiences had confirmed.

The jab about his birthday party was easily ignored - they both knew he hadn't wanted a birthday party anyway.

"Please tell me you're not planning on flirting with the Prince." he looked at her out of the side of his eyes, smirking slightly, "Your flirting is about as subtle and as alluring as a dog in heat, dear auntie... I can't imagine how upset that would make grandmother."

She would probably drag Alex out of the party by her ear... and then probably drag him out by his ear as well for not, somehow, miraculously stopping her from making a fool of herself. But that was something for later.

He ate sparingly, despite the large quantities of food and the quality of said food. It would be very poor manners to eat heartily at such an event after all. As the eating finished, Eddard's eyes narrowed slightly before he leaned in close to whisper to Alex,

"We have soldier boys ( @TWD26 ) for you to toy with..." he gestured to one of the balconies, "Someone who wants to be alone but could do with some company ( @Wit ) on a balcony..."

He rolled his eyes slightly despite himself as he rose from his seat, taking his aunt's hand as per etiquette to help her up as well. As they were stood, he nodded to his aunt,

"And, I'm sure you know, our prince ( @Rexx ) is outside." he tilted his head slightly to one side before humming, "I think you should speak to the prince... I'm sure it would be a bonding experience for us to share a joke about how hard you struck out."

Oh which he had not a single shade of doubt.

 

[Xorism]

Alex was excited to be in attendance despite how annoying Eddard was being, the boy could never do wrong in her mother's eyes it seemed. It would be improper to gorge herself on the meal that was offered but Alex contented herself to merely eat enough to be polite but no more, as the meal was not the main reason to come along with the family.

Quietly Alex stepped away from the table with her Nephew before returning his snarky comments. "Yeah? well, I'm sure you'll have much more fun playing with your saber tonight Edd. Of course, I'm going to speak with the Prince, do whatever you want."

The dining hall was full of diverse conversation and the sounds of plates and glasses clanking together in agreement while the music course in the background but all alone stood Prince Elix gazing out over the balcony. "Prince Elix?" Alex called out softly before slightly curtsying if he turned to greet her.

"My name is Alexandra Thul-Drast of Alderaan, but you can call me Alex if you like."

Taking a brief pause to let Elix speak if he wished to, she continued. "The most ridiculously expensive party, dedicated to you, is right behind us so why are you out here alone?"

@Rexx @Nefieslab @Wit @TWD26

 

[Rexx]

Mixed feelings about the cityscape from this high up swirled through the young man as his curious eyes leapt over the gleaming, impossibly tall buildings from a vista beyond even the gleaming towers as speeders buzzed through air lanes like insects. On the one hand, the sheer ultimate achievement enamored him, that sapient beings had forged a planet into a city. And not just one planet, but many at that!

And on the other, it sickened him; he knew that the highest levels of Coruscant housed some of the wealthiest people ever to live, residing many feet above conditions that sometimes descended into abject squalor. The tension burned in him, the power of the Force calling out for him to take it and use it more pressing than ever since his accident.

And then he was interrupted by a voice from behind him, and the Prince put on his smile as he turned to meet the one who had approached him. He kept his hands clasped behind his back, his posture straight and tall, his expression one of curious delight. Elix did note the technical breach of protocol, and when Alexandra told him her name, it did make sense. Knowing one’s allies and subjects was important for one of his station. The Thul-Drasts were inextricably tied to the monarchy of Alderaan and had been for centuries. There’d been rises and falls, and at the moment, their house was not as ascendant as others. Summations were computed in Elix’s mind even as he returned her curtsy with a half-bow of his own.

“Lady Alexandra, what a pleasure.”

He let her speak again and he smiled and looked down briefly, almost bashful, before his smirk turned challenging.

“I stopped to admire the view in between speaking to well-wishers,” the Prince replied, nodding his head and pointing with expressive eyes towards a group of young women dressed in bright colors, several of the less coy among them still blatantly looking in Elix's direction and tittering with laughter behind their hands as they saw him looking. The group of five were older and taller than the Thul-Drast who had approached him, and the Prince knew it when he pointed it out. More than one was older than he was.

“Tell me, Lady Alexandra,” he said without pause after the Prince returned his attention to the girl, “what do you make of the lengths to which my father has gone to ensure this evening stands out as a memory for all in attendance?” Elix took several steps away from the balcony, extending his arm to beckon her as he walked towards the greater outside ring where entertainers had begun juggling and tumbling routines, the pit in the center of the interlocking ring beginning to crowd with onlookers.

@Xorism @Nefieslab @Wit @TWD26