To The Women That Lead Us, Cheers!

[Tagal Saxon]

Why the hell was it that about parties that made Tagal feel like everyone was only two minutes away from smashing glasses over each other's heads? He wasn't sure if he was complaining about it however. Leaning over, he gave his wife a brief kiss on the side of her head.

As much as this was yet another example of her managing to make his life chaos, he wasn't going to complain too much considering it was that kind of chaos that had woken him up from his self-pity and his past mistakes. He still smirked at the kid as her comeback consisted of calling him a grumpy old man.

He was a man, who was older than her and grumpier than her; it was hardly a good comeback when it was nothing but a statement of fact.

"Kid needs to learn how to talk smack." he raised an eyebrow and smirked at skuld, "Can't have her bringing shame on her mother's clan by weak comeback-game."

Seriously.

Moving over to the bar, which brought him closer to the host, he pointed out one of the whiskeys he knew about from his trips around this part of the Galaxy. At the same time he ordered a virgin cocktail for his wife so she wouldn't get too jealous. He glanced at their host.

"Care for a drink?"

@Killa Ree @Darasuum

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She glanced at Eithni again; the girl definitely needed much to learn before she would become suitable to a level of the clan known as the Clan of Varlwulves; but meantime, she had spark, she had lively capability. And Skuld knew of her capabilities. The girl had much potential... but also much to learn before Skuld's life was through. She snorted in amusement at the girl's comeback, however, though look how she stayed out of Tagal's reach.

She nodded once to Amur, seeing the Sith woman return to her senses with a nod of understanding. True, there were many that suffered worse fates than what the Deucalian and Sith had suffered, but that didn't make things any less harsh to survive. She smirked when both young women sparked off each other like a pair of old women; she crossed her arms slowly, black brows raising.

"And vho said I vould need to give permission? The girl can handle herself," she waved a hand vaguely at Eithni, but the smirk grew on her lips. "In fact, it would be interesting to see you two fight. It would be an interesting betting round... vithout your gifts."

She sucked in a breath at Eithni ordering a drink... then let it go. Let the girl learn on her own terms, being protected was only going to promote the girl to being spoiled, and unable to choose her own battles. But Mid seemed interested in her daughter's capabilities... and Zandrali seemed to like the looks of her husband.

Her smirk tilted into a wicked grin. Very interesting indeed.

She spotted a familiar back slouching near the bar, but before she could cross a kiss was planted to her temple by Tagal. She hummed and lightly brushed one on his jaw, before parting to go to Uhtred.
She thumped him firmly on the shoulder (@Korvo ), smirking and tilting a black brow. "ᛒᚨᚱᛖᛚᚤ ᚺᛖᚱᛖ ᚨᚾᛞ ᚨᛚᚱᛖᚨᛞᚤ ᛁᚾ ᚤᛟᚢᚱ ᚲᚢᛈᛋ, ᛒᚱᛟᛏᚺᛖᚱ?" she rumbled low, then uttered a laugh.

If she could get them all drinking and into a rousing mood, perhaps some competition would be in order. But meantime... the virgin cocktail her husband ordered was slid her way, and she chuckled once more, gripping the glass and taking a sip. It wasn't mead... but it would at least tide her over until the end of the week.

Gods, she could hardly wait until then.

@Darasuum @Nefieslab @Raven_41 @KinkyPrawn @Caught in Strangereal @Korvo

 

[Vesna Drast III]

She was incredibly late to the party and it wasn't like she needed to go anywhere, she was present, she had to walk a hundred feet to the hall where it was being held. However, her own work had taken a bit longer, thinking she could have squeezed one more practice in before the start of the party she greatly misjudged time. She looked in the mirror after locking the door behind her, her hair was slightly disheveled and she couldn't tell if that was ink or blood on her cheek. Her maid was quick to assist, fixing her hair and pinning it back to where it needed to be for the evening. She helped Vesna touch up her make up before the teen dismissed her and headed to the party.

There were many faces she could not place, many who look like they were Deucalian and internally she felt disgusted to have such mercenaries here, but she guessed they were Zandrali's friends. The teen grabbed a cup and filled it with wine since her parents were not present for this celebration; they only told her they had business with the UP and were unable to be in attendance, leaving her to decide the fate of the home while they were away. A questionable choice and one she knew made them entirely nervous.

However, the young Sith heiress was certain things will runs smoothly, after all, this was for the Empress, a Drast finally at the seat of the Sith throne after years of nonsense.

She stood silently, posh and proper in her red velvet gown, silently judging those in attendance and trying to decide who to approach first.

 

[Amur]

It was equal parts amusing and aggravating to hear the witch talk back. On one hand seeing her blow up, puff her chest out and act like she was a big strong deucalian just like her adopted mother was just adorable, it really didn't intimidate the Sith but hey give her a few more years and a nice bitter edge maybe a few hard knocks in life and she could be real horrorshow. On the otherhand the Sith just wanted the voice to go away though it seemed like her voiced seemed to dial back from over exuberance to intrepid curiosity that was enough. The previous surge of memories seemed to fade away locking themselves behind the vault of horrible realities that was seated deep in her mind. Hardly able to recall the episode hard to tell if it was a coping mechanism or how the mind reacted to shock either way a new set of ideas filled her head for the night.

Amur's mind was racing with the thought of going toe to toe with the witch in a no force allowed slugfest, now that sounded like fun. Maybe break a few tables, make use of some improvised weapons tear things up a bit. She could burn off some built up energy, but for now that would likely be frowned upon for now, no it would be best to wait til everyone's judgement was worn down by tasty liquor first. Seeing the witch that just spewed venom at her now look upon the glass wide-eyed was just the perfect fuel for some mischief. (@Raven_41)

"If it's your first drink, take a small sip and let it swig about your mouth. Take your time to get used to the taste, especially because the after bite is usually pretty strong for most first timers... or if you want you can just dive in and you can just skip all of that and see if you can drink me under the table." A devious smile was now emerging from her lips as finished the offer. The words were now said in a low seductive tone, like a little devil whispering into one's ear. She actually did give decent advice but then gave the witch a perfect avenue to potentially throw it all away. Hopefully hopefully she would eat that up. If the witch just told her to kark off well that wouldn't be too surprising actually. She then leaned back and projected her voice out a bit.

"In fact if anyone would like to take me up on that, and have a little drinking contest, well the offer is open."

@Raven_41 @KinkyPrawn @Killa Ree @Darasuum @Korvo

 

[Darth Valravus]

___________________

One large red skinned Sith Pureblood whom she may have recognized. She had to admit, they looked a lot alike but then again he probably thought the same for humans. Still, he congratulated her, and in turn she bowed her head in a slight nod of appreciation. Though, she was not sure what a lade was. Maybe that was ancient Sith or some high Serenno nobility jargon. As if to prove her point of Purebloods looking alike Ethini voiced her opinion that he looked like some other member of his own species. That caused the edges of her lips to quirk into a smile for a moment. It did not get past her that other Deucalians were showing up as well like the infamous Uhterd. She kept an eye on him, not because of a desire to prevent him from acting a fool, just to watch what kind of escapades he would probably get himself into. (@KinkyPrawn @Raven_41 @Korvo )

Skuld and Tagal along with their apparently adopted offspring all had moved closer. Tagal made his way to the bar after finishing his back and forth with the young dathomirian and offered the Sith Lord a beverage. She turned her head to look at what was left in her glass before throwing it back despite it being a beverage to sip. Placing the glass down on the bar she looked the strong jawed man in the eyes. "Yes, please."

Aside from him everyone was milling about, having their conversations. The Deucalian was pretty sure this was the calmest and most civilized party she had ever been a part of. Speaking of civilized, she saw the young hostess, Vesna Drast come out from a side hall. She looked like she had hurried to get to the party for whatever reason and now late, trying to figure out where to actually join. "Vesna! Come over and meet some people." She wave a tattooed arm above those around her so the shorter female could come over. (@GABA )

While she waited for the drink Tagal had ordered and also the young Drast to arrive she looked towards Tagal again. "Has Skuld taught you any of our tongue?" As asked then realized it was an unintentional innuendo. "Does she know any Mandalorian? Is that what mandalorian's speak or is it called something else?" (@Nefieslab )

After that, regardless of how Tagal reacted a small creature would swoop down onto one of the Sith Lord's broad shoulders and stare at the mandalorian with red eyes. The winged reptilian cocked its head to the side, looking at the Mandalorian since he seemed to be the closest one to the hatchling's mother. "ᛏᚺᛖᚱᛖ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚨᚱᛖ ᚠᚨᚠᚾᛁᚱ. ᛞᛁᛞ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᚠᚢᚾ? ᚤᛟᚢ ᛞᛁᛞ ᚾᛟᛏ ᚷᛖᛏ ᛁᚾᛏᛟ ᛏᛟᛟ ᛗᚢᚲᚺ ᛏᚱᛟᚢᛒᛚᛖ ᛞᛁᛞ ᚤᛟᚢ?" She spoke in a motherly tone to the creature that for nuzzled her finger as she reached up to pet its tiny scales. The winged thing made a reptilian purr in response. He had been out and about, hunting small insects or wild rodents most likely or otherwise tailing Darth Valravus herself like the protective guardian he believe he was.

 

[Eithni Vala Stark]

Just as Eithni was about to taste the strange liquid in her class, the pureblooded spoke to her and got her attention. Mid's praise made the witch smile sweetly, "Eithni!" introduced Eithni herself and the smile turned into a grin. "Yes, I am" replied the young girl proudly, which she was. Eithni looked Mid over with curiosity, "have you met a lot of my sisters?" Asked Eithni and turned her attention back to the glass of mead in her hands. The witch placed it to her lips and took a sip and immediately she hummed excitedly to herself, licking her lips. "yum!" expressed the Nightsister surprised and took a bigger sip from her glass.

Eithni wanted to ask her mom why she never served this kind of drink when she visited her, but that scorched female on Mid's other side decided to speak to Eithni, catching her attention. Eithni wanted to ignore her and focus on her drink, but that Amur girl just had to challenge the young witch. Eithni snorted and gave Amur a suspicious stare at first for the advice, not trusting the woman at all. Then came the challenge, one of Eithni's weakness as she was terrible refusing a challenge and it would have to be a real crazy one for her to actually refuse, and even then would Eithni fight herself's urge to accept. "I'm not afraid of you, you're on!" Stated the young witch stubbornly(@Caught in Strangereal). Oh, how she would regret that challenge and was so going to hear from her mom the next day (@Killa Ree).

With that, she turned her attention back to the half-filled glass and down the content went. The moment Eithni drank the last bit, she felt a warmth spread almost like wildfire, making her sigh contently by licking her lips again just get the last drop. One thing was certain, she wanted another drink filled with mead and also she was not about to lose to someone like Amur! Well, that was what she told herself and ordered another one, just to prove she wasn't scared to take the woman's challenge.

@Darasuum @KinkyPrawn @Killa Ree @Nefieslab @Caught in Strangereal @Korvo

 

[Mid Samekh]

Mid raised his eyebrows and gave a small smile to her bubbly personality. "Well nice to meet you, Ethni." he said politely with a nod of his head. She continued to ask whether he met many Nightsisters or not. Now she caught his attention. "Sadly not! But I would like to. I've read about your sisters' culture but I've never been able to meet them in person. So meeting you is quite an honour." he answered her calmly. "do you think I can meet them one day?" he asked her.

He turned his attention to Amur as the woman called Ethni out. Given her response to drinking the alcohol, this wasn't going to end well. And the last thing he wanted to do was end up in the middle of their little feud. Instead his attention diverted to Valravus and the man he had been studying for the duration of the evening. Leaning over to Amur he whispered to her, "Please go easy on the poor girl, I'd very much like to talk with her later." He straightened back out and started towards the small group. "Now, if you'll excuse me..." he said and walked off.

"The correct name is Mando'a." he corrected Darth Valravus, coming to stand beside her with his golden eyes locked onto Tagal. "A Mandalorian, huh? Might I ask, sir, from which clan are you? I've never had a chance to meet a Mandalorian in a...non-combative setting before. I must admit I find your people's culture quite interesting." he spoke with a professional and polite voice. His curiosity was very much getting the better of him. It occurred to him that the man might want to shoot him just because of his skin...but at the same time the man was at a Sith party. Hopefully he was smarter than that. If he was not, Mid was always itching for a fight. And what better fight than against a Mandalorian?

The arrival of a certain reptile drew his attention from the Mandalorian. "A dragon? Lady Valravus, how did you come across this specimen?" he asked, leaning in to study the small creature. Against his better judgement, he raised a finger to try and pet the creature.

@Darasuum @Raven_41 @Killa Ree @Nefieslab @Caught in Strangereal @Korvo

 

[Uhtred Wardruna]

The first sensation was... spices. A burn, but with a slight sweetness to it. It was thicker, heavier than he expected, but so very, very smooth. His sinuses were forced open so quickly, it almost spurred a tear to his eye just as surely as it took the wind out of him. It was harsh, and oh so delicious.

The Deucalian Battle-Master had barely finished his first, generous 'sip' before he heard a familiar voice. ᚲᚨᚢᚷᚺᛏ ᚨᛚᚱᛖᚨᛞᚤ, ᚨᛗ ᛁ?., he thought to himself, grinning before turning toward his sword-sister.

"ᛞᛟ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚴᚾᛟᚹ ᚨᚾᛟᛏᚺᛖᚱ ᚹᚨᚤ ᛏᛟ ᚲᚺᛖᛖᚱ ᚨᚾᛞ ᚲᛖᛚᛖᛒᚱᚨᛏᛖ?", Uhtred said with a smug grin as he glibly, if not just disingenuously, shrugged. "ᛞᛟᚾ'ᛏ ᛏᛖᛚᛚ ᛗᛖ ᚹᛖ ᚨᚱᛖ ᛏᛟ ᛞᚱᛁᚾᚴ ᛚᛁᚴᛖ ᛏᚺᛟᛋᛖ ᛋᚢᛁᛏᛖᛞ ᛁᛗᛈᛖᚱᛁᚨᛚ ᛒᚢᚱᛖᚨᚢᚲᚱᚨᛏᛋ ᚾᛟᚹ, ᚨᛚᚹᚨᚤᛋ ᚲᚨᚱᛖᚠᚢᛚ ᚾᛖᚡᛖᚱ ᛏᛟ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᛏᛟᛟ ᛗᚢᚲᚺ ᚠᚢᚾ."

It wasn't as common as he would have liked, a gathering of his kindred. But when it did happen, it was always enjoyable. Although there was plenty going on, Uhtred's eye was almost immediately caught at the sight of a dragon-esque creature... probably because it was, indeed, an actual dragon.

"Hahaha, would you look at that! ᚨ ᚹᛁᚾᚷᛖᛞ ᛞᚱᚨᚷᛟᚾ, ᛃᚢᛋᛏ ᛚᛁᚴᛖ ᚨᚾᛚᛟᚷᚢᚾ!", Uhtred said, having poured another glass and gulping it down. He'd seen Deucalian dragons before, on Urdur, and he knew some lived on Hoth and back on Deucalia, but they were rare sights. After all, Deucalian dragons were aquatic beasts, not mammalian... or reptilian... or avian? What exactly were flying dragons anyway?

"ᛋᛁᛋᛏᛖᚱ, ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛋᛖᛖᚾ ᚨ ᛞᚱᚨᚷᛟᚾ ᛚᛁᚴᛖ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛟᚾᛖ ᛒᛖᚠᛟᚱᛖ?"

@Killa Ree @Nefieslab @Darasuum @Caught in Strangereal @Raven_41 @KinkyPrawn

​

 

[Vesna Drast III]

The young hostess thought things were going quite well, though she prayed it would not go any other way while her parents were in the core. She was lady of the house this evening and everyone would have to follow her word. Vesna felt herself stand a little taller and her gaze caught sight of Zandrali who was waving and calling for her to join in conversation. Taking a sip of her drink, she walked over to the new Darth, her newest companion, an arkanian dragon that seemed to be the trend with the Sith Lords lately. She watched as the woman spoke affectionately to it and Vesna had a hard time comprehending the love the woman showed to the creature.

There were others who had approached Zandrali when she reached the woman and the young acolyte waited for a moment to speak, holding up her glass in a small toast, "Congratulations on your promotion, Darth Valravus." the girl grind, sincerity was clear in her tone. She met every word, as cold as she could seem, there was an innocence and admiration the girl showed to others. She would click her glass against the other and took a drink, feeling the need to take an extra long drink as she felt more immersed in a territory of mercenaries that she thought could do well speaking a language she could understand. Her own senses vined through the room, looking for hints of deception from those she didn't know.

@Darasuum

 

[Tagal Saxon]

Had Skuld taught him any of her tongue?

The joke was there and it was obvious but gods be damned, Tagal wasn't going to say he was a strong enough man to resist such an open goal. Who could really say that they were soulless enough to avoid making such a joke?

Not he.

"Yes, I am well versed in her tongue." he agreed with a rather stoic deadpan expression as he sipped at his drink and added, "And sometimes I learn your language as well."

There.

He honestly could not resist!

"Mando'a." he agreed with the Red Sith, looking at him for a moment, "Well at least you're not as ignorant as most of the Reds I've met, ad. But I don't really consider myself much of a Mandalorian anymore - haven't for some time."

He looked to his wife.

"I mando'a we have a saying that sums it up well... aliit ori'shya tal'din."

@Killa Ree @Darasuum @KinkyPrawn

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

So perhaps she was wrong.

This was not Valravus' estate... rather, it seemed the estate of the young woman, if the mannerisms of server droids and humanoid beings other than her companions were any indication. Icy eyes gleamed with distantly amused speculation as she side-eyed the younger woman. She looked barely out of womanhood, in fact, more child than adult. Interesting...

But she of course could hear Tagal and Zandrali's conversation behind and slightly to the right of her; she smirked and offered a low, rumbling laugh at Uhtred's response, grimacing in mock disgust as she sipped at her own virgin drink. "ᚾᛟ, ᛒᚱᛟᛏᚺᛖᚱ... ᛁᚠ ᛁ ᛖᚡᛖᚱ ᛞᛟ, ᛈᛚᛖᚨᛋᛖ ᛞᛟ ᚢᛋ ᛒᛟᛏᚺ ᚨ ᚠᚨᚡᛟᚱ ᚨᚾᛞ ᛖᚾᛞ ᛗᚤ ᛚᛁᚠᛖ ᚠᛟᚱ ᛋᚺᚨᛗᛖ ᛟᚠ ᛗᚤ ᚲᛚᚨᚾ. ᛁ ᚹᛁᛋᚺ ᛁ ᚲᛟᚢᛚᛞ ᛞᚱᛁᚾᚴ, ᛏᚺᛟᚢᚷᚺ," she sighed, rubbing at a sore place on her lower spine slightly. Only today, did it seem especially bothersome today, vying with the soreness in her arm stump where it met prosthesis. She wasn't going to dwell on such small aches, though; she was hardly a doddering old woman, to grumble at a body well-used in combat.

Unless it was something else, but that was for another time. She needed to relax without the mantle of responsibility weighing heavily upon her shoulders. A sparkle of mischief glinted in eyes of icy blue at a thought, though. A challenge to liven this party, perhaps, granted if their hosts were not so stiff in spine that they couldn't ever properly relax! In truth, she pitied them their airs and stiff formalities. That was no living, no honor behind such a powdered and trussed-up life.

She snorted at Tagal's comment, however, sparing him a wink tossed over her shoulder... with a mischievous grin glinting on dark red lips. She had definitely caught that, and it pleased her. "Bal Ni ganar hibirar ori'shya meg shi kaysh lalat liser narir," she responded, smirking. It hardly mattered whether anyone understood her or not, but like her brother, she seemed fascinated with the small dragonoid… and highly amused.

So like another Deucalian to adopt a dragon.

"But this party will hardly do... vhat of a challenge?" she called out to the lot of them, head tilted nonchalantly... or it would have been, were it not the smirk that settled on her lips, arms crossed under her bust as she surveyed them all.

It was time to get this party started.

@Caught in Strangereal @Raven_41 @Nefieslab @Darasuum @KinkyPrawn @Korvo

 

[Darth Valravus]

___________________

Darth Valravus's eyes unfocused for a moment. Had she missed a drinking challenge from somone just a moment ago. Her brow furrowed for a moment but then quickly forgot as she heard Tagals' joke. A regretful smile came acrosss her face as the Sith Lady realized she had left herself open for that one. Mid approached shortly as well, chiming into the discussion of linguistics.

Vesna arrived during this time. The Deucalian smiled at her and bowed her head in appreciation. "Thank you very much Miss Drast." Vesna had been formal but that was fair she supposed so she reacted in kind. After clinking her glass with Vesna she trning towards everyone else in the circle she spoke up. "Everyone this is Vesna Drast the Third. She is the host to this event. Thank you very much for sharing your family's estate with us on this day." She expected everyone to thank Vesna properly. (@GABA )

The Sith Pureblood inquired about Fraenir. As if it realized it had drawn attention the small dragon turned its small head towards Mid and cocked it to the side. The finger came close to the dragon and it let out a short burst of flame directly into Mid's face in a small woosh. It was not enough to do anything more than heat his skin though the smell of burnt hair would reach his nose as the Pureblood realized any facial hair was singed. Though Fraenir grumbled, as if dissapointed it had not burned Mid even more. "I won't be responsible for any fire damage or lost digits you might recieve Crusader Samekh" She warned the Pureblood, a little bit late with a hint of amusment in her voice. (@KinkyPrawn )

Then came the return of Darth Valravus's curious expression. She heard Skuld announce a possibility of a challenge. The Deucalian sith inhaled, her chest expanding and shoulders rising as the tattoo muscles rose a little. "Oh? What sort of challenge?" the small dragon crawled up through her braided hair to then sit ontop of her head like a scaly tiara. She did not seem to pay any notice to it.

@Killa Ree @Nefieslab @Caught in Strangereal @Uhtred Wardruna @Raven_41

 

[Eithni Vala Stark]

As people started to gather around Darth Valravus and something that was crawling on her, it caught Eithni's curiosity, so much that she just jumped down from her seat and walked past Amur towards Darth Valravus. "Hi, Dark Drali!" greeted the witch excited with a big innocent grin, not realizing she just completely mixed both title and name into a mash. The mead's effect started to show a tiny bit of tipsiness in her smile.

"I've missed our fun together~ hunting rancors isn't as fun without you. Uh uh uh, maybe we could release a great beast in here and fig~" continued the young witch almost entering rambling, but stopped when she noticed the tiny dragon on top of Darth Valravus' head and squealed just a tiny bit. Her eyes went wide, followed by her mouth dropping, which formed into an overexcited giddy grin. "By the Fanged Goddess! Is that.. is that the dragon you were talking about when we hunted the rancor?! It looks so tiny and adorable! Howoldisit?Doiteatmeat?canitbreathfire?!" Rambled Eithni on too excited about seeing a dragon for the first time, making it really difficult for others to follow her rapid asking of questions.

"Hello little one, can't wait to see big you kick ass!" Greeted Eithni the little Frænir with a sweet smile as Eithni stood on her toes to get a better look at the tiny dragon.

@Darasuum @KinkyPrawn @Killa Ree @Nefieslab @Caught in Strangereal @Korvo