Open Social Sip, Sip, Hooray!

[Reyna Vernize]

OOC Note: Open to politicians, celebrities, royalty, the wealthy, and the influential, etc. etc.

The first day of the galactic calendar represented new beginnings. A fresh start. Renewal. Tabula rasa. One of the galaxy's most widely recognized holidays, it was an occasion for families, friends, and—in tonight's case—perhaps neither friends nor family to commemorate and reflect on the year that had passed while looking to the year that lay ahead. It was a celebration of the passage of time, and yet every year when the clock struck twelve and Reyna stared up at the sky and its infinite number of stars, she would swear that time stood still.

Ord Mantell's capital city, Worlport, stood ready to ring in the new year, situated at the foothills of its largest mountains and plains that stretched for as far as the naked eye could see. It wasn't the casinos or the illicit gambling destinations that drew Princess Reyna to the city but a ball being thrown by the Governor of the planet.

At the stroke of midnight, hundreds of thousands of people would gather outside on their porches and balconies to watch the yearly fireworks display, while others would rush to the center of the capital, to watch the time ball drop in the main square. Still others would be too inebriated to realize it was midnight, and perhaps they had the right idea. Inside the ballroom of the governor's mansion, confetti and red and gold balloons would fall from the ceiling on those attendees that opted to remain indoors.

Reyna stood at the top of the stairwell in a floor length evening gown, one of the first to arrive. A few other guests had already begun to filter in, and the whole evening lay ahead of them. Drinking, dancing. The possibilities were endless.

 

[Oedipus Menelaus]

The last time Oedipus had gone on an adventure alone, he'd run straight into the biggest meanest Hutt money could buy, and an equally mean gangster with attitude. Unbeknownst to him, his mother Queen Electra (@LadyRen) was also there to bring his fun to an anticlimatic end. Fortunately, a party was better suited to his antics and if things went right, perhaps he'd be able to have some real fun instead of just wandering around looking at animals all night.

In what was apparently his signature look, the young prince bathed in the light and attention that he might receive as he entered the compound. Whether or not the looks were of interest, disgust, or in between - it didn't matter as long as they looked. Making his way inward and taking a complimentary goblet of something alcoholic, he wandered up the stairwell and paused.

Spotting a pretty woman, he smiled, deciding to work his charm. (@llamallove) "Hey, do you know CPR? because you just made my heart stop." The sixteen-year-old clearly thought well of himself, much to the frustrations of those who had tried to raise him despite his charming ways. He couldn't even flirt two lines before inevitably bringing the conversation around to him.

"Yes, I know what you're thinking. I do bathe in honey twice daily. How did you guess? I bet it's obvious isn't it?" Well, charming-esque.

@llamallove

 

[Roxchelle Paradiya]

Networking – to Roxchelle it was a sport. But also, an art form.
It was always with excitement and a degree of butterflies in her chest, when she attended events. Once you had been through your past ten, they all began looking alike. The faces became like a roaring ocean of anonymous destinies, the voices a cacophony, the gestures a repeating pattern of waves. But once in a while, you could be lucky and find someone that managed to tear away from those waves and suddenly became a person instead of static. Those were the people Roxchelle remembered the best. The people that were real.

She held her head up with pride, her hips rocking back and forth naturally in the green dress, and when someone looked her way, she met them with a confident gaze and a small smile. In her hands, she carried a large black handbag. Resting in the opening laid a large fluffy Voorpak with a long shiny coat. It never ceased to growl at its luxury prison that held it back from tasting freedom. Roxchelle was given plenty of space. People had to – for if they moved too close to her, the Voorpak would begin to hum loudly and try to take a bite out of their expensive garments.

Even though, it had been many years since she lived on the private boarding school, she could still feel the stinging pain, when she failed to walk correctly, making the weight fall from her head, and as a result - the pointer struck the inside of her hand. Again.
In her head, she could hear the words of the headmistress, reminding her what always was at stake in these gatherings: Do not look too long, as that will make you seem vulnerable and too easy. Not too little, as that will make you seem unapproachable and cold.

No one wants an apple once someone has taken a bite out of it, and while the human condition always changes and beauty withers, your duty is to make them forget that. They must never know. You must shine pristine in the crowd. Be what they long for, what they dream off. Keep young and beautiful, if you want to be loved.

The sirens call of stringed instruments lead her up the many stairs, and once she almost had passed the entrance, one of the guards stopped her. He pointed at the handbag with the Voorpak, that immediately snapped after his finger: “You can’t take that with you. No rabid animals allowed”.

Roxchelle blinked a couple of times.
“Excuse me, that is my soul and my heart you are asking for. My friend, and my support pet”.

The guard reached his hand out without paying much attention to what the young woman said.
“I need papers for that. The handbag with the animal, please Miss, I am just trying to do my job”.

“That is NOT just an animal. That is a Voorpak of a very fine pedigree, of the satin cream coat variety! That my aunt from the Hapes Consortium gave me on my 18th birthday. There are only 73 of those. If anything happens to him, you will be in great debt for the rest of your life”.

The guard looked down to the Voorpak. It was still growling, still ready to bite, and now so agitated that it had become cross-eyed.

“I can see why those are rare. Enough games now”.
The guard grabbed the handbag and began trying to tear it from Roxchelles arms. In return – Roxchelle began screaming.
“Unhand me, you foul brute! If you don’t let go immediately, the consequences will be dire!”

With those words, the handbag tore, the Voorpak managed to free himself and ran between the legs of the guard, into the palace. Roxchelle exhaled deeply, looking at her destroyed handbag and dropped it to the ground.

“And, like I said. There went the consequences. If anyone loses a foot this evening, I just want you to know, that is entirely your fault. Now MOVE, so I can take care of the chaos you have released”.

The guard, unable to move out of his guard duty looked after the Voorpak, probably considering how long he would manage to keep his job. And Roxchelle pushed her way past him and walked into the ball room with determined steps. But the small creature was as disappeared. With a shrug, she allowed him to roam freely, for she had better things to do than spend her entire evening on catching the six-legged creature. After all, he had to know it was a party as well.

She recognized the Diamond of Onderon, also known as Princess Reyna, and as the name suggested, she wore a brilliant white gown that made her stand out in the crowd. Even though, Roxchelle never had met the woman, she looked much as pristine in reality, as she did on the holo pictures. At her side, a young man with golden hair waited.

The green veil flowed behind Roxchelle with every step she took over the marble floor. There were yet to be enough people in the great hall to divide the sound properly, so when people walked around, a faint echo could be heard. By the end of the stairwell, Roxchelle performed a light curtsy for the princess.

“Thank you very much for the invitation. It is a great honour to be here this evening”.

@llamallove @Xorism

 

[Chena Kor]

Chena walked the marbled floors with chin held high, carefully placing each foot in front on the other with as much poise as could be achieved with six inch heels. The pantoran had assumed the event was black tie, which suited her very well, since the company and the drinks were therefore likely to be exquisite. She did not know the hosts, but apparently the girl before her, Bast something or other, seemed to have weaseled her way into politics, and if Chena was to uphold the mantle, she too would have to tread amongst the elite. Have to… she smirked. She knew she was jumping at the opportunity. Some people might have called her desperate. Likely the same people who thought the rangers were the protecters of the common man. No, she was an opportunist in the game to outshine. No one would forget about her or her employer if she could help it, even if it meant political entanglement.

Sentients of all sorts, bedazzled and at various levels of inebriation, milled around. The Captain muttered to herself, trying to match the names and faces she had studied before attending. Princess Reyna Vernize… did one address royalty with their title and first or last name? That they didn’t teach when she was becoming an officer. Suddenly it felt like a serious gap in her education. Perhaps ‘your majesty’ would be the safest route.

Her eyes continued to scan. A young man who she did not recognize was ascending the stairs and a lady decked out in a vibrant green approached. Something small and furry brushed Chena’s leg, nearly giving her a heart attack. Caught under her skirt was a… creature with altogether too many legs. She shuddered and quickly moved away. Time for the formalities.

“I feel exceedingly grateful to be here, your honor,” she nodded towards the princess, then the other two. “I’m Captain Kor, but you can call me Chena. It’s lovely to meet you all. And you are?”

@llamallove @Moon Nymph @Xorism

 

[Aharon Staergin]

Aharon had shown up as punctual and early as he always does. He makes sure he is one of the first faces on the scene, shaking hands and rubbing elbows with everyone else who enters. He always has a bright smile on his face, the fakeness of it less obvious than many other, and is excited to expand his web of contacts. With the instability of the galaxy as a whole, he knew that he had to make more contacts outside of his sphere of influence.

His smile warmed and softened to one of genuine happiness as he saw the small beast running across the ground. It was fat and long of hair and rather ugly, and he knew it all to well. That was the creature known as "Chubby", that monster that frightened the poor assistant droid. The poor LEP was so traumatized he wouldn't even go down to the workshop for a week! Oh well, if one was there the other had not be to far behind.

There she was. He saw her through the crowd. Her bright red hair paired with the gold leaf, those sparkling green eyes, that wonderful body draped in an elegant green dress that flowed all around her. Goodness, she looked much more gorgeous here than back at his home. She truly was stunning, both as a personality and as a person. He felt self consious; an epitome of beauty had just walked in to the same room with someone as horribly mutilated and disfigured as him.

He brought a silky purple and black checkered suit, with several silver rings adorning his fingers and other silver touches around his outfit. He even brought an ancient steel sword broach and a beautifully polished chrono. He slowly began to realize that many people here were dressed batter than him, so much more style and flair. In reality it was infact probably one of the more stylish suits there, but to him it was not enough. He slowly began to move over to the familiar face he saw, his smile unfading.

"Oh hey, it's funny to meet you here." He slowly offered the redhead his hand to shake, his face simply beaming happiness to see her again. "I see that loveable little scamp you bring around has decided to have his own fun, no?" He gave off a soft chuckle, leaning his head back a degree or two to somewhat emphasize the point.

@Moon Nymph @llamallove @Xorism @Kestrel

 

[Roxchelle Paradiya]

”A Captain?”
Roxhelle stopped in her steps and turned around by the emergence of a new voice in the ocean. The Captain was a woman! The corners of her mouth turned upwards in mild amusement and awe. How much would she have sacrificed to have reached that position in a world that was full of so much competition and misogyny? Chena would for sure have some stories to tell.

“Maybe you can teach some manners to your brethren out there? They could use it. Ms. Chena?”

She took a short break to taste and turn the name in her mouth before making a small nod the Captain’s way as a greeting.
“What a beautiful name. I’m Roxchelle Paradiya, PR agent of Intergalactic Banking Clan. Pleased to make your acquaintance”.

Somewhere within the corner of her vision, she caught a flash of purple colour palettes, and it made her turn around towards it.
“Mr. Staergin!? What a surprise”.

She returned the handshake and dared to catch a glimpse of Chubby running around between the many guests. Only to change his mind to chase the servants that carried the food.

“Thaaaat’s…” Roxchelle sucked air in through closed teeth.

“I lost his carrier, unfortunately. A small miscalculation in the plans. He’s not hurting anybody. People like him”.
She said with firm conviction. As the Voorpak bit into the trouser leg of the servant, seemingly unnoticed and was dragged after him across the floor.

@llamallove @Xorism @Kestrel @Olwin

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

From the entrance hall, a young woman paused. Took a deep breath. Smoothed her hands over her outfit, checked over her makeup one last time.

This would be her first function without her mother watching her like a hawk. Her heart thudded rapidly, cheeks tinged with a faint flush, excitement building behind a face that so closely resembled the good Doctor. Tugging on her jacket one last time, she stepped in, head held high, blue eyes sweeping each person, each socialite and leader. Cliques were already beginning to form; as a representative of her class from Theed University, and as a representative of the ISC, this was about as official as it was gonna get. She was here for connections, an ear on the ground.

This was just another way to listen to the pulse of the galaxy.

Heels clicking in, she walked with her head held high, a polite smile on her lips. She had dressed to suit her colors; silver silk trousers and black waistcoat, paired with a crisp white dress shirt, sky blue cravat and a silver suit jacket, perched on her shoulders. Long silvery-white hair was elegantly twisted up into a coronet atop her head, decorated with a blue gem hairstick.

She offered a slight walking bow to the woman dressed in green (@Moon Nymph) and the Senator that seemed smitten with her(@Olwin), chuckling at seeing the pet the woman in green brought with her scampering about. Her mother had a lothcat with a similar temperament when she was growing up; she sometimes missed Starshine. She offered a nod to the Ranger as well, another person she was unfamilar with. However, her eyes were set on one singular person.

They were royalty, after all, and she would pay her respects in each turn, to all here. Advancing up the stairs, it seemed the Prince of Juvexia had beaten her to the punch. The grin widened ever so slightly. Tonight, she wasn't going to always act the role of a representative; she was genuinely looking forward to meeting so many important people tonight, including the representatives she passed earlier.

Once taking the final step to the stairwell, she knelt to a knee, bowing her head and pressing her left hand to her chest, before tilting her gaze to look to them both, remaining kneeled. "I greet you both, your Majesties. Pardon my intrusion, but I was drawn by such radiance." Lowering her hand, she looked between the two of them, inclining her head. "I am Silvi Morata. Might I offer a dance, to commemorate the beginning of the new year?" This offer was extended to them both, her white gloved right hand extended.

@Olwin @llamallove @Kestrel @Xorism @Moon Nymph

 

[Chena Kor]

Chena’s smile briefly faltered at the woman in green’s surprise at her title. Surely she meant well. Perhaps it was because she was a new face, but everyone seemed perpetually in shock that the twenty-seven year old woman fresh out of Pantoran City Security was a Captain. She had worked hard to get there. Chena doubted the politicians knew what it was like to pull weekly all-nighters after getting blackout drunk the last night. So many hours in school. It had all been worth it when she had gotten the message that she had beat out all the other candidates to fill in an empty, high-ranking Sector Ranger position, though. That group really needed some new blood. Everyone there was ancient and few had much in the way of real training.

“Don’t worry for a second, ma’am. Not only are they going to be learning manners, we’ll also be brushing up in tactics, physical training, and actually effective crime prevention. It’s lovely to meet you as well, Ms. Paradiya.”

It seemed like the representative from the banking clan had another visitor, and Chena surreptitiously stepped back. The man approaching her was practically glowing with excitement. It was actually quite cute. A bit of harmless eavesdropping revealed the thing that earlier brushed her leg had, in fact, been Roxchelle’s pet. She hoped for the sake of the waiter it was currently latched onto that it had all its vaccines. The woman she replaced had a Corellian hound which animal control offered to Chena. The pantoran politely declined. No one would take her seriously if her suits were always covered in pet hair.

In the same vein, wasn’t she supposed to be networking? The Captain mentally chided herself. So the banker rep was temporarily occupied… who should she scope out next? Radiant silvery hair caught the woman’s eye. Silvi Velt-Morata. That girl she did know, though Silvi did not know her. Well, it was more like Chena knew of her father— a well known ranger. They’d never met, but the Pantoran felt strangely comforted by the connection. She could hold her own, but it was nice to not be with complete strangers.

Just as Chena approached, Silvi extended an arm to the royalty to dance. Oh well. She could wait. As if on cue, a servant appeared with a platter of cocktails. Things were looking up.

@Killa Ree @Olwin @llamallove @Kestrel @Xorism @Moon Nymph

 

[Reyna Vernize]

Before the Princess of Onderon could descend the stairs and join the multitude that comprised the sum of Ord Mantell's elegance and urbanity, a man appeared at her side, fresh-faced and fervid. The tell-tale signs of youth in the spring of its life, surrounded by opulence and enticing faces and ambivalent in its pursuit of both. Once upon a time, that had been Reyna—back when every first dance, every first touch, and each whispered word had been experienced with a thrill that surpassed all demarcation.

Either she was getting old, her memory was failing her, or the coquetry of young men these days had gone to rack and ruin. A reaction was all the young man was looking to receive she imagined, and a reaction he did receive—a small whimper of mirth, from the sheer shock of his opening line, escaping the princess' lips as she turned to face him. "Your hygiene is to be applauded, but the next time you attend a ball you might consider exchanging your towel for a suit." (@Xorism )
The half-Sephi's tone was lighthearted, her eyes sparkling beneath the glow of the chandelier that hung from the center of the ceiling. It certainly did look like he was wearing nothing more than a bath towel, the white cloth draped over his shoulder. His hair, at least, was dry, but she couldn't help but wonder what his mother would think if she saw him dressed like this in public. Perhaps some of his schoolmates had dared him to walk up to the first princess he could find in a bath towel or perhaps he had stolen a bottle of alcohol from his father's cellarette and arrived inebriated. Either way, something had to be done about it—and fast. A woman in a dazzling green dress was walking toward them. (@Moon Nymph @Olwin )

Dark, calculating eyes looked around for something—anything to cover the teenager up before anyone else noticed. A tablecloth or even a cloth napkin or two. The only thing within reach was a potted plant, and Reyna thrust it into the young man's hands, muttering beneath her breath, "Hold it... hold it over yourself or something." The woman in the dazzling green dress stopped directly in front of the pair, and Reyna recognized her from both society and business columns.

"Miss Paradiya," she greeted with a practiced smile on her face. "The honor is all mine. I have wanted to meet you for some time." The poster child for the Intergalactic Banking Clan and one of its leading commercial agents. There was a particular business venture the princess wanted to discuss with the public relations manager, but that could wait. Tonight was a celebration, not a business meeting.

The next to join their growing party was a Pantoran with a keen gaze and a timorous deportment. Her introduction explained why. "Captain Kor. It is a pleasure." The princess tilted her head respectfully toward the Pantoran, still smiling. The life of a Sector Ranger was not easy. It had never been easy, but particularly these days. The funding of the New Republic had been revoked, and daily the ranger's numbers dwindled against the strong arm of the Empire. It was refreshing, that the leaders of Ord Mantell had extended invitations to active duty members. (@Kestrel )

Finally, they were approached by another woman—perhaps the only one here in pants. A young lady that needed no introduction, her silvery-white hair twisted into a crown of hair at the top of her head, her mother a prominent and noteworthy figure in the wider galaxy for over a decade. "Miss Morata," she smiled.

Reyna was about to suggest she dance with the golden-haired teenager at her side, as he appeared to be in close proximity to her own age, but made no such suggestion when she looked over and remembered that he was wearing nothing more than a bath towel. It would have fallen off before they ever reached the dance floor. As amusing as that would have been to witness, she harbored no malice toward the teenager and would spare him the embarrassment unless he insisted. (@Killa Ree )

"It would be a privilege," she accepted the offer, taking the white gloved hand proffered.

 

[Oedipus Menelaus]

Oedi's eyes immediately lit up as the princess was so clearly enthralled by his remarks, even offering sincere approval of his habits. Obviously, she was a woman of great taste and standards herself, so he made a mental note to speak with her later. It was a terrible shame when he accidentally bumped into what he presumed to be a slave, naturally causing the wine to be spilled on his freshly woven, manicured, and fragranced toga.

Normally this would be the point at home where the real fun would start, but he was abroad and he was trying to behave for one. "Oh no, it looks like I will have to change." Ah yes, nothing like a good plan coming together, he couldn't help but grin. Slinking away while feigning embarrassment, the staff raced off to find something suitable to swap him into, pulling him along into another room.

Waiting quietly for their return he couldn't help but stare at all the old portraits that hung on every wall. They were so dry and bland, not a single statue in sight, he couldn't believe that they were all clothed either. Were they ashamed of their bodies? surely not. As royalty they would have plenty of time to devote themselves to self-improvement, so either they were just quite prudish or the culture here was self-loathing of proper beauty standards.

The shock on his face was palpable when the replacement suit arrived. "How can I be seen in this?! Are you trying to ruin my beloved skin by hiding it? I will be shunned at the party in this frock, can you not see how embarrassed I am!"

The poor staff member shrugged and apologized "I'm sorry sir but this is all that we could find in your size on short notice, perhaps if you had brought your own.." but quickly avoided ending the conversation that way, lest the overgrown child threw the preverbal toys again. Fittingly, the man offered to help Oedi into the new clothes, which was accepted as he was used to slaves back home doing everything for him.

With the utmost reluctance, he found himself entering the ball once more dressed in white. Try as he might avoid them, it didn't take long for people to notice him which only caused him to imagine they were just as horrified as he was. Oedi was about to cry when he bumped into a stranger in a green dress, albeit she might recognize him from before. (@Moon Nymph) "Oh fool, can't even walk straight in these damned boots. How are people ever going to see the real me now." he said to himself, out loud.

@Moon Nymph

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

Rising up from her knelt position, she clasped the Princess's hand lightly in her own, placing a kiss atop the knuckles. "The honor is mine," she grinned, gaze sliding, for a moment, to the Prince, who seemed to have disappeared with some staff regarding his... robe? Towel? She was honestly a little relieved that even while kneeling, everything important had been covered. Offering a nod and a smile to Roxchelle and the Ranger Pantoran with her, as well as the impressively-dressed Senator of Champala, she would escort Reyna, mindfully avoiding Roxchelle's pet as it seemed to chase another pair of unfortunate ankles.

She would hate to be on the opposing side of those teeth, after all, she knew all too well how hard they would be to get out of silk.

The music that would begin to play was, thankfully, slow and easy to follow. Though Reyna easily had a few inches on her, even without heels, with Silvi also in heels they were a little more matched in height. One gloved hand clasping her own, her other slid to the small of the other woman's back, a seamless movement with an air of many hours of practice.

Ilana Morata was, after all, a woman who prided herself in her own image. Though she never pushed it onto Silvi, the pressure of that perfect image was nevertheless imprinted after all. Sky blue eyes glimmered with mirth and mischief, as she began to lead in the dance. With the pacing, it would be easy to keep in conversation.

"So... were we all allowed to bring pets?" she grinned, cocking her head to the servant who seemed to attempt to discretely dislodge Roxchelle's pet, his face a bright blush even from their distance. "If so, I would have brought a dragon. Or do you have a favorite?" She didn't shy away from meeting the Princess's eyes, either; her gaze was calm, steady as she talked, easily maneuvering around the other couples in the room that seemed to pick up the cue.

@Moon Nymph @llamallove @Xorism @Olwin @Kestrel

 

[Roxchelle Paradiya]

Roxchelle nodded towards Chena (@Kestrel) and picked up one of the snacks from the same plate as her.
“That sounds like a great plan. On Tirahnn there is no law enforcement. It’s quite a luxury. You have to stand up for yourself. Especially when you come from The Heights”.

Deeply emerged in her attention for the Captains story, Roxhelle didn’t notice much else, and apparently neither did the Prince of Juvexia. Until he literally bumped into her. She managed with a small whine to stabilize herself. Many years of practise on high heels helped. His title was only something Roxchelle had taken notice of, because the young woman with the light hair (@Killa Ree) had addressed him as such. Royalty? How come she never had seen him before? It was an important part of her job to keep up with these things. (@Xorism)

With her arms still out to the sides from their crash, she looked curiously to the teenager when she heard his words.
“You feel quite real to me. And I see that you lost your plant along your other attire”.

The glittering red lips smiled softly to reassure him in what looked like insecurity and discomfort in a young man.

@Olwin @llamallove