A Feast for the Vain {Closed}

[Rugs]

"Party's already started, old friend," Jack responded to Nieraan's question. "Might want to get your head out of your ass before you miss it."

The former part of Jack's answer brought a quietly-amused smile to Nieraan's face. The latter had the Firrerreo looking at his intentionally-disheveled companion with a lone brow raised askance. Annoyance twinged in the back of his mind and a response was forming on his tongue when, out of the blue, Gabriella, arrived to greet the duo with the manner of charm that only she could whip up.

"I'm thrilled to see you as well, Gabby," Nieraan answered coyly, smirking at the Echani. "Though I thought the fools were supposed to be wearing bright colors?"

"I see you found yourself a date," she said, making a mation toward Jack.

Nieraan snorted, answer enough for that notion.

"Where's yours?" he asked of her, smoothly reaching to stop a passing waiter with a tray of wine glasses. He took one for himself and emptied the dark red contents casually into another glass on the tray. The server looked at him as if he'd gone mad, and scurried off as Nieraan took Jack's bottle of whiskey and poured some for himself.

Whiskey in a wineglass. Unorthodox, but then, despite his attire, Nieraan wasn't exactly one to care.

"Couldn't rope Yin into coming with you?" he teased as he went through the process. His smirk grew into a grin, showing the tips of his teeth, and in his eyes there flashed a certain type of mischief. "Or is she just playing hard to get?"

Satisfied with the amount of whiskey he'd procured for himself, he set the bottle down on a table near them for Jack and looked around the ballroom. Some other Sith had arrived, and he took a few moments to take stock of those who were already there that he hadn't deigned to pay attention to earlier. Of particular amusement was Callidus, who was flanked by a few Trandoshan guards--as if they'd offer real protection if anyone here truly wanted to kill him.

"Do you think," Nieraan remarked idly, lightly, to no one in particular, "he takes guards into the bedroom to make up for inefficiencies?" A little amused huff of breath, a short downing of some of his whiskey.

It was then that the lights went suddenly dim. A gasp, then whispers rippled through the crowd as darkness fell around the guests, broken only by a sole light that drew all eyes to a grand staircase where Renata waited. Down she came, welcoming them all formally to the ball and drawing speaking to rouse the patriotic ambitions of the aristocrats, major and minor gathered here.

It was all a show, Nieraan knew, though he raised his whiskey in a subtle toasting motion as the lights returned and the guests broke out into applause. Bring the nobles here, make them feel important and wanted.

Just another tool in the box to keep them in line.

"Such opulence," he observed quietly as he pulled the drink to his lips once again. "And I wonder how many people here she's told me to kill some relatives of." Surely there were a few; he often found himself dispatched to deal with those aristocrats that needed dealing with. It felt, among other things, like a sort of area of specialization to him.

It was even how he'd met Danica.

Danica... The temptation was there to turn again, to look across the crowd to where he knew she was and see that she was still fine. But no, he couldn't do too much to give away the nature of his relationship with her. Not here.

Not with all the others around.

[Jace]

“And they are, just look over there,” noted the Echani with a nod of her head in the direction of the main group of Sith. One woman looked as if she had come dressed like bird while another sported some gaudy gold disaster. Gabriella had known that Nieraan’s insult had been meant for her but banter could prove amusing every so often. It was just another reason to kill the Firrerreo, which she would one day do without a doubt. She found him insufferable but killing other members of the Order was not allowed, at least for the time being.

“If I had known about the ball beforehand then I would’ve had one. Of course I’d rather come alone than bring someone like your friend over there,” Gabriella responded, taking another shot at Jack. The Sith had barely acknowledged her earlier comment and instead was drinking something that was certainly not wine. She watched as Nieraan emptied a glass of wine and followed suit. Gabby was about to ask what that was all about when the Firrerreo made a comment about Zarene.

“Careful Onin,” warned the Echani. All the playfulness in her tone had suddenly disappeared. There was murder in her eyes but it eventually passed and was instead replaced by irritation. That stupid grin on his face did little to help the situation. Luckily for him, most of anger began to dissipate as a familiar voice caught her attention. Gabriella’s former master had finally made it to the party and her words resounded throughout the minds of all. The Echani wanted to laugh at how lame Renata sounded with her little speech to please these aristocrats.

Gabriella had in fact noticed that Zarene was present at the ball but nothing more. She noted that the other girl had come all dressed up, probably thinking she pretty now or something. I suppose the mask does help, mused the Echani as she tossed another glance over at the cyborg. The Sith had no idea why the other girl was sitting by herself but she simply shrugged it off. Zarene was an odd one. Gabby had no intention of going to the other girl. If Zarene wanted company then she would have to come to the Echani and not the other way around. Of course the newly raised Sith Knight may be better off alone than with the two she was currently with.

“You should go and ask him though that might make a certain someone jealous,” said Gabriella with amusement returned in her tone.

The Echani watched on as more and more people made their arrival, some of whom she had seen around the Temple before. She watched as Darth Eurachis entered which caused some commotion. The man waved in their direction which Gabby promptly ignored; she didn’t like the man. Of course the next person to arrive she liked even less. She had met the Noghri once on a trip to Bastion and found him to be uncivilized in every sense of the word. The Echani wasn’t sure why they kept him around but she supposed that even the Sith Order needed a pet. Gabriella watched with increasing irritancy as Renata’s new apprentice swaggered his way into the party. She was surprised that the man had found some time to stop crying and join the rest of them. All in all, pretty much everyone that the Echani disliked and/or wanted to kill was now present. It would be a miracle if she made it through without trying to kill someone.

[Squee]

Good then, was Tesa’s return message to Bellinda. He’s a charm. Make sure to keep him on your bracelet. While Tesa maintained this telepathic conversation, she sipped her beverage and let her eyes return in Jack’s direction. It seemed he, Nieraan, and Gabriella were keeping their own circle of friends.

And as she looked over, Jack found her gaze. With a galling grin, his hands flicked up his collar, and immediate anger flourished through her. How I hate you. Tesa covered her scowl with her glass and her crystalline glare by watching this circle grow even more crowded.

A gypsy had arrived in a patchwork jacket, taunting the Lord Callidus and making her forget Jack’s irritating mannerisms. This man had some nerve to say what everyone had been thinking, and Tesa decided she liked that. Hopefully Callidus would not make a move to attack this jester-fellow, otherwise Tesa would feel compelled to defend… Oh, the Lord was laughing. Just as well.

Then the lights dimmed, and Renata’s moving welcome speech echoed in this hall. By the end, Tesa’s emotions were not stirred into motivation, but into despair. Sure, she lifted her glass high like all the rest, toasting the life of the Order, the Sith, and for the future success of the war. Defenders of freedom? Relieving the oppression? Were those the words they were using? Was that how they defended the darkness, by trying to show it was light? Tesa feared greater oppression and chains of bondage for others should the Sith and its Empire prevail, but that was neither here or there tonight, and not for maybe some months or years more. She would worry about it then.

Eurachis had arrived; Tesa noticed as she turned back around, making a stark contrast in the white suit he was sporting. Odd color for a man such as him, who was about as opposite as pure and angelic as one could be. And there was a weight bearing down on her shoulders.

"So you did get my message about coordinating our attire!"

The voice that tainted her ear made Tesa freeze. Oh dear Force, no. Tesa turned sharply, pulling away from the arm, seeing that smile, seeing that face, seeing her colors matching his. “Dear Force... My… I… No…” Then the name rolled from Tesa’s throat in a growl, confirming Danica’s suspicions. “Jess-o-in…

Actually… I know that suit. “Bellinda!” Again Tesa twisted, her feathers waving softly at her flustering. “This is your doing, isn’t it? What color is this suit? Gold, a burst of sunset, black, a night without a moon, and emerald, a warm, sparkling green, grass in the sunshine. What color is my dress? A burst of sunset, and the night without a moon…”

The last bit of alcohol in her glass disappeared. Tesa snatched the next filled glass off a passing tray, thunking the empty one down, and nearly causing the waiter to spill the whole tray. “I did not coordinate,” she spat at Jessoin. “You two scheming villains did.”

[Meira]

Her eyes glanced around the room, taking note of individuals of importance. Slowly, her attention was drawn to a cluster of familiar beings. She sensed her two former apprentices, and her newly acquired ones amongst a few other forms. Through the throngs of lace and feathers and masks, Renata began to make out each one as they came into view. Again, she was pleased at the number that had decided to make an appearance. It seemed her strong suggestions had been heeded.

Some were dressed to the occasion, as Renata knew they would be. Her new apprentices both seemed to have an appreciation for a good ensemble, as she did. Renata was pleased. Of her former students, Renata still managed to be surprised. Zarene was elegant in her dress, her mask a well placed addition. Gabriella... Renata sighed at the sight of her. Thank the force she's no longer mine. The Dark Lady thought as she made her way toward the group.

"I'm glad to see you all here." she said as she came near the group, placing her now empty glass on the tray Tesa nearly knocked out of the passing waiter's hands. "And in such good spirits too." Her smile accentuated the slight sarcasm delivered with the words.

"Callidus," she said, continuing her smile though her tone took on a more authoritative air, "you will dismiss your unsightly escort. They're quite useless, I assure you." Without allowing the man a chance to respond, she turned her eyes back toward the group. "Now go mingle, my dears, and do try to be nice to our guests."

"My lady."

Renata turned her head and the sight of the man who placed his hand at her waist caused her smile to widen. He was nearly a foot taller than her with just a touch of gray beginning to show in his black hair. His square jaw was touched with a thin goatee and his grey eyes seemed to light up with his smile. She allowed the man to steer her away, allowing her fellow Sith one last glance over her shoulder. "Go on then." she said before turning back around.

Edric Daine was no nobleman, but he was sinfully rich. He owned many trading companies in the outer rim. One of which controlled everything that went into or came out of Dantooine, within the confines of Sith sanctions of course. More importantly, he was handsome, and quickly becoming Renata's favorite civilian within the Sith Empire. Her thin fingers grazed over the diamond necklace he'd given her. How she adored pretty things.

She had no illusions as to the man's intentions. He wished to rise in prominence by being seen with her. So she allowed his hand on her hip, his hungry glances, and his much appreciated gifts. It was a symbiotic relationship she was content to continue for now. He made her smile, after all. On a tedious night such as this, it was more than she had expected. So good was her mood, in fact, that when they passed the unmistakable noghri, Renata didn't even curl her nose in disgust.

"Try not to look so glum." she said, pausing for just a moment as they passed him. "It's a party!" And then Edric was steering her toward a group of men who appeared to be business partners of his. She dawned her smile, the second half of her mask for the night, and prepared to greet the men.

[Dutch]

"Oh yes, me..."

Jessoin said in response as his grin widened to flash white teeth. He laughed as Tesa began to yell at poor Bellinda. Jess tilted his head to look Tesa up and down openly, and approvingly. Tesa did look absolutely smashing in her outfit. It hugged her body perfectly, and the colors did indeed match his own. Bellinda's handy work for sure, the conniving little red-head always up to some sort of passive manipulation. He accepted a glass from a passing servant and sipped it as Tesa began to knock one, then two drinks down. She was making this all too easy for him tonight! In a matter of hours, he'd be wearing her legs around him. The woman accused him and Bellinda of doing this, and Jessoin made a face of obviously fake shock.

"You wound me Tesa! To think I would ever try to pull one over you!"

He laughed merrily and raised his glass to Sebastian and Bellinda before he took another drink from it. That was when Renata approached them. Jessoin instantly lowered his glass and bowed low to her. A whispered greeting of "My Lady." would be uttered before he straightened his stance. His cane would click onto the polished floor as he leaned on it. Jess grinned with pride as his Mistress dismissed Callidus' Trandoshans for him. Renata took her leave after a few coy words, and once more Jessoin bowed to her. It may further serve that wretched name he had earned, but he knew better than to treat the woman without his full respect. He did not relish the thought of a repeat session like before. It was then that the man with the strange accent applauded his earlier comments on Callidus. Jessoin took his hand with a firm shake.

"Zarander, Jessoin Zarander. Apprentice to Lady Renata. Smashing hat my friend."

Jess said with a grin and a laugh. His eyes found Danica once more, obviously shocked to see him. He looked to Tesa quickly before his gaze turned back to Danica and openly looked her up and down with a raised eyebrow followed by a wink at her. Jessoin stepped closer and took her hand in his to kiss the back of it. It had been many a year since he had met the brat, and was surprised to see her among the Sith. He had heard rumors of her and Onin for sure, but the Temple was ghastly gossipy as of late.

"Well Danica, it certainly has been a while, hasn't it? Last I saw you... you were a might bit more damp... you look ravishing. I'd stay to chat, but I simple must mingle. Perhaps I'll find you in the 'fresher later? Excellent."

He turned and bowed to the group with a grin to Tesa before he spun around to move on. Jessoin whistled along with the tune the orchestra played, his cane spinning and his eyes scanning. He spotted Zarene and made his way through the throng towards her. As he approached he bowed casually in greeting. With a spin he turned to stand beside her left side, and proceeded to look out at the crowd with her. He said nothing for a moment before he motioned a servant to bring a couple glasses over. Jessoin took his drink and clinked it against Zarene's before he took a sip.

"So good to see you Z. And here I thought that you wouldn't be making face. Love the mask by the way, looks great with that dress."

Jessoin said as he looked around. For a moment he looked around and sipped the campaign. Once more he caught Eurachis' gaze and he winked roguishly at the Sith Lord before his eyes turned to the Darth's date, and Jess wiggled his eyebrows twice in approval. He held his glass up towards Eurachis before he downed the last of the drink. Tonight was a glorious night indeed...

[Cain]

With Gabriella and Nieraan exchanging pleasantries, Jack's attention began to wander about the ballroom. His popped collar had accomplished it's goal, as even a strategically placed wine glass couldn't conceal Tesa's irritation.

Exquisite, Jack thought with a devilish grin. His expression would sour quickly, however, at the sight of that queer Zelosian Sith from Thila. Jack hadn't bothered to learn his name. What was the need? It wasn't as if you could miss him in a crowd. His outfit was a perfect match with Tesa's, which set the poor woman over the edge. She was so out of sorts now that she'd even knocked a tray of wine from a waiters arms. Typically seeing Tesa this flustered would bring Jack nothing but satisfaction, though in this case Jack could only mirror her annoyance. It just wasn't as gratifying unless Jack himself were the cause.

Beyond Tesa there were the typical cast of characters. Even at a party, Sith would be Sith. The masked man flanked by Trandoshans was perhaps the worst offender, but certainly not the only one. In all honesty Jack half expected the next Sith to enter the ballroom followed by their own personal battalion of Massassi warriors. Then this pissing contest could really begin.

Jack's train of thought was interrupted as his bottle of whiskey was plucked from his hand. Immediately his attention returned to Nieraan and Gabriella.

"Couldn't rope Yin into coming with you?" Nieraan teased.

"Careful Onin."

Jack chuckled loudly at the Sith lady's serious tone. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but for whatever reason Jack's censor seemed to be asleep at the wheel. "She'll dish it out, but she won't take it. No wonder she's here alone."

Jack lifted his hand to Nieraan, expecting him to return the gesture. When nothing happened Jack simply slipped back into his careless world of people watching, snatching the whiskey bottle from the table and taking another hardy swig.

[Foxfire]

The dragged on and the room was filling with both the power of the dark side and the over powering powder of perfume. Snorting he turned in time to see a happy Renata. His chest again felt the burning of the traitor's mark. Anger grew within him. Catching the snarl before it escaped Honog moved away back past the group of sith. One of the jesters caught him as he was trying to pass the group. The servant would not move and the noghri's anger was now swelling. Closing his eyes that anger popped like a bubble fading into nothingness.

Honog pushed fear from the force in front of him as a wedge. Attendees quickly moved away as Honog moved through them. The Sith hounds must have felt his anger and unsettled nerves as they howled and chirped for him. He had to leave for a bit to get air and settle the hounds. Pushing to the doors he ignored anyone who got in his way. With a bang he pushed through the doors to the cool outside world of Zoist.

[sparrow]

She watched the comings and goings of the others quietly, from Renata's speech, to Eurachis's entrance, to Honog's slinking about and throwing food from the windows. A masked attendant made his rounds, carrying a tray of various small pastries, crackers, and bits of meat. Taking a piece, Zarene chewed on the morsel thoughtfully as she continued to silently observe the spectacle.

She arched an eyebrow as Jessoin Zarander approached, doing a little bow and spin as he did so. Beckoning one of the attendants for champagne, he stood beside the bench where she was sitting.

"Face. Ha, very funny," she replied dryly to his comment. "Uh... thanks, I guess. I'm not sure whether I should be flattered or wary hearing compliments from you." Maybe both. As another attendant passed by, Zarene slipped the glass of champagne, untouched, back onto his tray.

"But while you're here, I don't know the names of everyone in that little cluster you just came from. The blind one, the one with the feather-mask, and the brown curly-haired one."

[Dire Wolf]

(Save me Necro. Please save me. You all know I ain't feeling this thread... at all. Sorry that its pitiful.)

Thus began the cascade of introductions. Faces and names seemed to blur together as did her polite and political greetings. As she stood amongst the small crowd, not particularly paying attention to anything at all, she realized something rather crucial: Lady Vesperia had changed. No longer did she enjoy this high class social function. No longer did the Sith warrior enjoy viewing the fashion or the men. Something had fundamentally changed within the woman's mind.

Lady Vesperia suddenly realized that she loathed the dress she wore, and that she was out of practice in its choosing. She disliked the primp and prom of the entire event, and each moment she spent at that party was another moment out of Hervor's presence. Perhaps that was why she loathed the party so passionately? She wasn't quite sure.

Fortunately the man known as Darth Eurachis approached her with a beautiful woman on his arm. This beautiful woman was none other than Admiral Meetra, who was one of the better tactical minds (and bodies) of the Sith war effort. "Darth Eurachis, 'tis truly a pleasure to meet you. Admiral Meetra. I admit that as a former privateer your name gave me pause, and I have read the reports of the battle above Dantooine. I am... most impressed."

[Kella]

It was like watching minnows in a pond, keeping tabs on so many fish. The normally talkative Seb found himself fading into the background, simply absorbing the sumbersive chatter that surrounded him. He fielded the introductions with a passive grace that cost him less thought than walking.

"Having fun, dear?" Bellinda asked.

"Always," he replied, in a voice that spoke of things to come as if they had already passed. He smoothed the feathers at her waist. Quite enjoyable things.

Sebastian couldn't spot a conversation that didn't have some touch of sexual tension. The Sith liked their parties bawdy, apparently. Sebastian couldn't say he minded.

Renata's advent disturbed his customary musings.

"Welcome. For too long, the people of this galaxy have lived under the oppression of a bloated, corrupt mockery called the Republic, a tangled, festering mess of bureaucracy and deception. But such sinful debasement could not be tolerated forever. The champions of the people have risen to throw off the yoke of oppression. It is through your strength that we gain victory. And in victory, all of our chains are broken. So again, I welcome you, defenders of freedom. May your generosity be remembered for millennia to come!"

Sebastian raised his glass with great zeal. A surge of adrenaline accompanied the call to arms. How interesting, how excellent. He wasn't, of course, thinking of the mission of the Sith, but rather about the fact that he didn't care about it at all. How novel, mass telepathy.

He needed no prompting to join the toast, but quite of his own volition heartily added to the applause. Far more exciting than the last party he'd been to.

Sebastian's awareness followed Renata for a short while, until her political connection arrived. How interesting.

Tesa's flailing proved amusing though only marginally distracting. His eyes darted from face to face, though not so much as to be suspicious, and his ears were keenly aware of any inflection, any variation in tone.

It wasn't often that a crowd actually managed to keep him on his toes.

Then there was also the fact that Sebastian was accustomed to having a trophy date as opposed to being the trophy date. It was actually quite enjoyable.

[Poludnica]

The group seemed to spread now, everyone tending to their partners or people of interest. Danica idly looked around, trying to get the gist of who strolled over to who and if the guests were having fun. She nodded politely to Vesperia and Eurachis, thankful the ebony haired Epicanthix drew the Darth's attention and her own misstep was forgotten. Though crimson flush on the woman's cheeks didn't fade away swiftly, especially when her green orbs found Nieraan again who shamelessly poured out the expensive wine she had so diligently chosen.

You can take boy out of slum, you can't take slum out of the boy. Danica could hear this sentence spoken in cold, derogatory voice her father possessed.

The woman's eyes narrowed as anger began to slowly raise. Not only the Firrerreo ignored her wholly but also preferred his friends cheap beverage to the offered wine. Which altogether felt like a slap. Clenching her jaw, she suddenly felt glad they weren't seen as a couple on the party. Danica glared at the Sith assassin for a while in a show of silent displeasure, noticing Nieraan wouldn't even look at her. There were men who would gave everything to be in his place or so Danica liked to think which calmed the girl's ruffled feathers enough to shift attention toward other people, pushing away the thought of dealing with the Firrerreo later.

Apparently she wasn't the only person surprised to see the Zelosian, though Tesa's reaction held much more distaste than her own. Danica forced tight reign over her emotions, feeling numbness of alcohol helping with that. Small smirk formed on the woman's lips at Jessoin's gaze. ”I see you haven't changed one bit.” The Coruscanti girl quipped back at the green eyed man. After all those years she couldn't decide if that memory was pleasant or awful. Or even if she was glad the Zelosian was alive and well. Or that fate had met them once more.

Somewhat thankful Jess strolled away to entrain other guests, the woman left the crowd just as Renata showed up near them. Danica nodded her politely and smiled, before turning away on her high heels. With a lazy gesture she removed her mask and absentmindedly placed it on the table. Behind her back the woman heard an odd dialogue between the Humani artist and Callidus. It coaxed a mischievous grin from her – Mercutio had some gut to pick up on the Sith Master like that. It was impressive in a way.

With a plate full of various appetizers, Danica walked over to the window, only to be meet with the most revolting sight of a Noghri throwing food out of the window. What the...Her unmasked face set itself in expression of annoyance. Apparently the food was only worth to be thrown at dogs as well...Then again, you couldn't expect much from such simple creature and Danica decided to just walk away without a word and maybe seek for a dance partner.

Ballroom dance was a skill she hadn't used much recently and missed greatly. After all it served as one of the last things that were vague reminiscence of what Danica exchanged for the freedom among wicked and broken of this Galaxy. Her stare lazily moved across the spacious room as she finished the last morsel of nice caviar, pondering her next move.

[Rugs]

"She'll dish it out, but she won't take it. No wonder she's here alone."

Nieraan snorted a laugh. In spite of everything his usual too-cool-for-school demeanor suggested, Makura could be funny, when he decided to.

And sometimes when he doesn't, the Firrerreo noted with a wry half-smile, pointedly ignoring Jack's obvious call for a high five. At least he played it off. Sort of. If clawing back at his whiskey and drinking like a man fresh from the desert could be counted.

"No surprise at all," Nieraan muttered, more a quiet though aloud as his attention wandered than further jabbing at Gabby. He glanced around the gathered guests again, noting a some starting to dance there, or a circle of aristocratic women nattering away in a corner there. These people... They intrigued at annoyed him it once, and all in all, he'd much rather be rid of their presence, but that couldn't be, not until later.

He'd much rather be in some back room with Danica, he decided, but no, that just wouldn't do. Speaking of... he glanced at her again, out of the corner of his eye, and gently brushed against her presence with the tip of his Force senses. Anger bubbled under her calm, composed surface. Anger at him. Nieraan's brow knitted itself gently as he looked into his whiskey.

He hadn't even done anything!

That he knew of.

Whatever... He'd just have to deal with it later. Too many Sith eyes here. Too much potential trouble.

He drank deeply from his glass. The drink burned down his throat and into his stomach, and he coughed once after and cleared his throat. "So the hell are we supposed to do 'round here anyway," he grumbled, a trite more belligerent than he'd been only a few moments before. "Stand here and pretend we give a rip? Socialize?" He snorted loudly at the last to show what he thought of that.

"How 'bout we have some fun? Jessoi..." He looked around, wondering where Jess had gone off to. It wasn't hard to find the man, gaudy as his dress was; Nieraan probably could have seen him from Korriban without a telescope.

He could go wading through the crowd to get to Jess, but that would be entirely too much work for him. So folded his arm and grumbled to himself. He'd speak to the Sith again before long.

And then they could place bets on if Jack could get one of the gathered women in bed.

That would be something.

"Feel like a game, Makura?"

[Foxfire]

Honog re-entered the hall from cooling down. The Zoist sith hounds had left for the warmer dens of the Beast temple. In his arms laid an albino sith hound pup one that the pack had tried many times to get rid of, yet Honog had taken it in. Moving along the outer wall of the hall the noghri found a spot away from most of the snobbish beings.

With the hound pup in his lap he watched and listened to the higher ranked sith bicker and bark at each other.

Speaking to the pup...Watch and listen to the speeches of the bloated and the high and might sith. Then let the force be the guide as to who to join up with for only they will be allowed by the force for greatness.

Snickering Honog looked back at the main group of sith.

[Dutch]

(OoC: Sorry for the lateness folks, didn't realize it was my post until like last week XD)

Jessoin would laugh lightly at Zarene's words. His tongue clicked in disapproval as she had her drink taken away, smart girl. Alcohol would have made his pursuits easier, and it seemed Zarene would be no easier to bag than a blind gundark. What a fun night this was turning out to be. He grinned as the masked woman queried the group he had just sauntered over from. Networking clearly wasn't her specialty. Jessoin finished his drink before tossing the glass to a surprised waiter who juggled it for a moment before dropping the glass (which shattered). The Zelosian didn't see that antic though, instead sliding on his feet over to sit next to Zarene on the bench, snug against her side with their shoulders touching. With the tip of his cane he pointed to each person as he talked in a hushed tone, one by one.

"The little red-headed bird- That would be Bellinda Maskrr, my fellow apprentice under our beloved Renata. She doesn't look like much, but is one of the most delightfully conniving creatures I've met. The dark haired one with the sour expression? That would be CEO of Livco, Danica Liviana. She is currently doing the inter-species horizontal tango with none other than dearest Nieraan. Apparently sweet Danica has a thing for near-humans, if you catch my meaning... The darker skinned curly-haired fellow? That is none other than Sebastian Monroe. Billionaire, playboy, genius. He is somehow sticking it to Bellinda at this time, quite an interesting pair. Sebastian always does seem to stock the best brandy in the galaxy. Quite interesting how connected we all are, isn't it? I've seen soap operas with less to work on for drama."

He turned his head casually to look at Zarene, his eyes moving up and down her form while still smiling. Jessoin wasn't lying when he had complimented the woman's dress, she cleaned up quite nicely. Every memory he had of Renata's former learner she had worn less-than-feminine wear, though the still expression remained. Jessoin blinked slowly before a single hand reached up to gently touch her mask, the tips of his fingers running down it. He did not know how Zarene had been scarred, didn't push to know either. The man would merely let his hand drag off to then rest on the bench behind Zarene before he leaned in to whisper in her ear.

"Flattered, by the way. You are an exquisite creature, Z. And if you asked me what I really think, the mask deters from your beauty. Be proud of what you are, creatures such as us should never have to hide. Especially from one another..."

Jessoin pulled away with a wink before he smoothly rose to his feet. His cane rested in the crook of his arm now before he bowed low to Zarene.

"Now, I have to continue the rounds. Expected of one in my position, you know. However... if you happen to find yourself wanting some... company later, my comm is on."

He grinned and turned away from the woman. Again he noted where Nieraan and Jack stood. Jessoin had not spoken to either since Thila, Jack always seemingly holed up somewhere, and Nieraan only in passing around the Temple. The carnage they had raised on Thila was a bonding moment indeed- for all the Sith there. He would never forget the image of the great wall finally coming down, nor the slaughter that followed. A casual gait lead Jessoin through the crowd, ignoring any whispers he heard from those that clearly recognized him. Jess began to pedal up the couple stairs that lead from the main floor to where they stood, a wide smile plastered across his face.

"Ah, there you two are. I had heard the rumors that you two were one-another's date for tonight, seems those were more founded than I thought." Jessoin chuckled at his own joke before spinning on his heel to stand next to Nieraan, opposite of Jack. His cane clicked onto the floor as both hands were rested atop it. Jess raised his eyebrows at the pair, still grinning.

"So, who are we going to get Makura here to go home with, hm? I don't think there are any Ghostlings here, and most anything else would crush his pelvis I'm afraid..."

[Poludnica]

When the brutish oaf brought in a smelly animal into the party Danica almost shrieked like an infuriated banshee. Shock mixed with abhorrence marred her features as she helplessly pressed the back of her hand to the feverish forehead. A horrible truth began to down on the dark haired woman that the Sith weren’t in chiral symmetry to the Republic but a twisted, distorted reflection. Among their ranks murderers, brutes, sociopaths strolled like lords - something that would never happen in the Core. Her father’s parties were elitist to the point old friends were cut from the guest list at the merest rumour of bankruptcy.

As she watched the animal that invaded the expensive party Danica had to admit at least the Sith were honest about their intentions, unlike Cassius and his allies. With a tired gesture the woman placed the plate back on the table with half eaten oysters spread on it. Still holding a glass of exquisite Coruscant wine Danica moved toward the crowd, finally bored of self-imposed loneliness. She noticed Jessoin moving away from the Epicanthix and toward Nieraan. Dany frowned at this, deciding to tail the Zelosian until she reached the small group. The human adjusted her free flowing dress so carefully designed to highlight what was best in the feminine figure at the same time looking classy and not vulgar. The dark haired woman had put hours into the final result as there was no room for even one unruly curl to swirl around her face unplanned. It only now occurred to her Nieraan had found those preparations tedious and preferred to hide away with his autistic, socially inept friend.

Giving Jack the look of bored antipathy, the woman glided toward the Sith and placed herself between him and Nieraan , just in time to catch a gist of Jess words. Dark, impish smile spread on her lips as fingers searched for the Firrerreo’s glass to whisk it away and replace with fine wine. ”Aren’t they a lovely couple?” She asked Jessoin - cold, angry undertones hid in the tone of Danica’s voice like wasps lurking in a thick shrub. The woman winced at the theatrical use of cane, before returning her attention to the offensive bottle of cheap liquor. Jess absolutely adored attention, resembling a capricious male diva - they were similar in that regard though not a fact Danica wanted to realize. Instead stubbornly keeping her gaze on Nieraan, Jack. and their bottle of unsavory booze.

”You could ask me to order something like that for you, Nieraan or is it just your innate tendency to piss on entire règle de savoir-vivre I’ve tried to teach you in the past few weeks.” She asked calmly, her gaze trailing over the Firrerreo’s frame. Danica couldn’t help but declare him the most appealing man in the room which immediately bore the question: how come ,something so pretty could behave like tossed out from a barn. The most terrifying part though was Danica liked that even if refused to admit it.

The woman of course didn’t deny any relationship they had - only Nieraan could stay delusional in hopes no one knew. In truth, everyone most likely did. Basic truth of high society: everyone knew who was doing who. Nothing facilitated group dynamic like a fresh pile of spicy rumors. Denying them only gave others weapon, so Dany behaved as if it didn’t really matter, though inwardly wondering if she was actually a bit ashamed of this dalliance.

[sparrow]

Her eyes followed his cane as he pointed out the other guests, complete with name, description, and relationship status. Good to finally be able to connect the faces with the names.

"Ah, so that's Maskrr," she murmured. "Tiny little thing." As for the others, Livco didn't really make anything that she particularly cared about, although the tidbit about the relationship between their CEO and Onin was potentially useful. And Monroe... He's like twice her size... how does that even work?

She detected movement in the corner of her eye, and her hand reached up to intercept his, metal fingers wrapping around his wrist and squeezing down just tightly enough to cause discomfort, but not injury. "Don't touch me."

And the plant man seemed unfazed as he leaned in to whisper into her ear. His words were complimentary, charming. He seemed to know what she liked to hear, and for a moment she could feel her cheeks redden slightly. Stop, she thought to herself. Remember who you're dealing with.

"You've rehearsed this script before, haven't you?" she said finally. His little speech was smooth. Too smooth. "You're quite the curious creature yourself, Zarander. When I first met you you were bawling your eyes out at having to kill your girlfriend. And yet now you've seemed to have taken it upon yourself to sleep with every woman in the Temple. Why is that?"

"You'll forgive me if I don't take you up on your offer for later, yes? I'm sure you'll find someone else."