Above the skyline (Poludnica)

[CaptainBonkers]

It had been a while since Andon had had the chance to visit a proper soiree. So long, in fact, that a tiny part of him felt alienated from the opulence of it all. It was that was that small echo of a voice at the back of his head that always tried to convince him that taking any leave time was wrong. But as usual, it was wrong. Now was the time to have a leave if ever there was one. With the twelfth rotated out of front-line duty for the next month Andon using some of his accumulated leave days was hardly going to matter to anyone. With his men safely deployed well behind the front-lines the chances of Andon's substitute screwing up royally were practically non-existent.

So for now he was free to enjoy himself freely and thus wasn't bothered by that easily ignored feeling of alienation. After all, no matter how much time he spent away from the circles of high society, in the end Andon was still a baron in the Sith Empire and as such was in his element among his peers and those aspiring to enter that that category. 

Andon wasn't quite sure who the host was but whom ever they were, they hadn't hold back when it came to the preparations. The building in itself was already quite impressive and beautifully designed but its aesthetics were currently being enhanced by skillfully placed decorative holos that gave the hall a pleasant soft glow that shifted according to the music the orchestra's playing. The drinks being served were all in the 'hideously expensive' category but that was to be expected. No one notable in the the Empire would have dreamed of serving anything else than the very best to their guests.

In his grenadier officer's dress uniform Andon fit in rather well. Half of the men here appeared to be in one uniform or another. Most of them seemed to be in the regular army or navy uniform and few ranks below captain were being represented. Andon was of the party's average rank of colonel but the black of his uniform made him separated him from the grays and whites of the other branches. The lightfoil on his belt had a similar effect.

The security at the door had given him some hassle over his weapon but after he had pointed out calmly to the guard at the door that he had just let in two darkly clad members of the Sith Order enter with their lightsabers without any questioning, they had relented and let him in with his foil. 

Andon drained the remains of his drink and searched the crowd for a server. Once he spotted one he begun to make his way to him.

[Poludnica]

There was nothing more pleasant than hosting a successful party. Danica belonged to those whimsical, moody creatures which most in the Empire perceived as weakness. The young woman didn’t make a tragedy out of that, instead coined it into a charming strength. In the political realm of the empire, where strength decided about one’s position as much as birth, she was but a harmless little bird. A mere caprice brought into the Order by a Sith Lord as a mascot. Let them think that. As always Danica played her role , an easy feat, after all it was a part of her nature and education.

“Welcome. Lord Gorian. It’s so good to see you. How is your beautiful wife?”

“Admiral Dennov, I heard about your amazing success. Congratulations.”

“Lady Astoria. You look delightful in this dress, burgundy is certainly your color.”

Smile and games. People tend to like Danica, after all, the high class was also a skill. She had to remain cunning among the vipers. Despite being force sensitive, her father had never trained her. There were traces of subtle training - she had good instincts and a gift to sniffing business ventures but nothing else. The only thing left was to learn how to gracefully dance between the snakes to avoid being bitten.

The highest ranking guests first, even if someone else was a target of her charm today, decorum needed to be respected. “Oh dear, really?…Don’t worry, my lips are sealed.” People often shared gossips and secrets with her. Sometimes it was a cold calculation and manipulation, sometimes because she offered them a false sense of security. But often they were simply stupid.

After an hour of constant chatter with more or less pleasant people, she took a recluse near the buffet table. The snacks would tickle even the most demanding palate. She discreetly adjusted her dress. It was the most comfortable but during occasions like this comfort didn’t matter. Danica waited two blasted months for one of the most renowned fashion designer in the Empire space. Eight weeks of frustration were already forgotten as the dress turned out wonderful. Exquisite and tasteful in the shades of cold green. Akin to an ancient glacier. Modest yet having certain allure that spoke to the men’s imagination. She gathered dark hair into an elegant bun and decorated it with the small diamonds. The Sith women around had…different tastes. Danica often remained baffled at the fact how comfortable they are with revealing clothes. The aristocrats had more…decent.

Danica delicately nibbled at a tiny, exotic calamari but quickly put it down on one of the plates. One of her security personnel walked toward her and discreetly whispered: “He is here.” Danica waved at the man dismissively. Always an actress. Swiftly she scanned the crowd before finding the colonel who was reaching for a drink. The Coruscanti woman quickly assessed him, her vigilant green eyes fishing out the important details. Tall, moderately handsome, making an impression of a detached loner. Someone he didn’t entirely fit. Danica knew this feeling all too well. Andon’s movements possessed a feline grace - not surprising considering his training.

It was for the game to start. Danica walked to the tray, looking a bit unfocused, watching the crowd as if looking for someone. Only when wrapping her fingers around the dainty glass did she locked her gaze with the Baron’s. She smiled, a mild surprise gracing her features. “Oh…I am so sorry. So impolite of me. I didn’t greet you at the doors.” An honest worry mixed with guilt replaced the feigned surprise. “I am a terrible host.” Danica offered apologetically before giving Andon a lady like bow, not common around the Empire nobility but very popular among the Republic high class.

[CaptainBonkers]

Andon's mind went to overdrive trying to remember the hosts name. He hadn't paid much notice to it beforehand: there hadn't been a title before it and the name otherwise had not rung any bells. Maybe he had heard or seen it somewhere before but if so it had apparently been in a context or situation that had failed to leave an impression. It had been something along the lines of Livain...Liviana? Yes, that sounded right. Hopefully it was. Andon would have hated to have gotten the name of the host wrong

"Not at all Miss Liviana." Andon replied and bowed back at her. The way she had bowed had caught his eye; not many ladies from Empire bowed in such a manner. It piqued Andon's interest, not that he particularly needed an additional reason to be interested in a lady as gorgeous as she was, because it suggested Republic background. He himself was, technically speaking a Republic noble too, the estate his title was orginally derived lay in the Tapani sector and he had spent several years there before the war.

"One could hardly expect you to greet all of the guests in a party as grand as this."

[Poludnica]

He seemed...surprised. Or at least taken by surprise with her sudden approach. There was awkward silence between them, filled only with Danica’s polite, expectant smile. Finally, Andon put together the name with the face. The Sith envoy had to admit he did it faster than most. A light, coy laughter left her lips. „I am glad you find it grand, it’s nice to find a soldier who enjoys a bit of...” For a moment Danica’s voice trailed off as she looked for a proper phrase. „Socialite gatherings.” The dark-haired woman gazed around. The place was filled with spoiled nobles – decadent and interested only in momentarily pleasures.

„I was afraid that after so many battles you may find this party dull.” She offered and took another glass from a waiter who silently passed them. They had a good training, enhanced by fear of the nobles wraith. Danica wasn’t the most forgiving employer and could throw a plate or two in a fit but never enjoyed cruelty. „I must admit, I rarely had a chance to enjoy a company of the Imperial officers.” Danica offered Andon a smile caught between playful and charming. „Please, walk with me.” The woman gestured at a spacious balcony adjacent to the ballroom.

„I would be thrilled to learn first hand how our army is faring.”

[CaptainBonkers]

It would seem that it was possible to be intrigued, flattered and suspicious all at the same time. Being singled out by the host of the party, especially when said host was a sight like Miss Liviana here, was quite flattering when one took into consideration that there were other, far more important men and women around. At the same time it was also suspicious: why was she giving him this much of her attention?

"It would be my pleasure." Andon replied. "However if you wish to know how the Army is faring in general I am afraid that you have chosen someone whose scope on the matter is quite limited when compared to some others present in here. I know only little beyond the immediate front my regiment is deployed at."

Regimental commanders usually weren't informed much about the state of the war in general directly by their superiors but people like Andon had their way of getting information through unofficial channels. Most common way was getting them from an Academy buddy who'd gotten a cushy job at the General Staff. Rest were usually gotten through fellow officers as rumors. Never through the news broadcast, though. No one in their right mind trusted those any more.