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Realms: These Shattered Stars Logs

Chapter Seven, Part Five

The last few minutes to the time of the dinner proper wind down. The arrival of the guests has slowed to a trickle. Once again, none have made a splashy entrance -- at least not as noticeable an entrance as the Leottsens. The more olfactorially sensitive folks present can perhaps detect the faint scents of the dinner being cooked.

Mingling is something of an art form. In a lot of respects the question of who approaches whom depends entirely upon who has the more pressing intent; functions like these are hardly ever purely social. Even the more social purposes have a purpose behind them.

Take Deirdre Leottsen, for example. As Freyja had surmised, she is of betrothal age, and while this is not her formal presentation to society, it is clear that she's being set before the available bachelors of Balmorra. Again, though, there is the question of who is a suitable husbond for her, considering that her dowry is 90% of the financial holdings in an unsworn city. It is unlikely she will be wed to an aristoi.

That does not, of course, hinder proposals from hopeful paramours. While such are, by tradition, done with much more discretion, there does seem to be a minor cometary cloud around Deirdre. Naturally, it utterly pales in comparison to the one around Syf. And like it or not, since Freyja is the center of attention this evening, there is a much more obvious and much less purely social circle surrounding her and Leif -- of aristoi and some of the more brave kurasai, speaking quite pleasantly and intently with her as she and Leif are plied with polite and curious questions regarding their decisions in the Curia.

Freyja is relaxedly 'into' her aristoi mask, speaking pleasantly to those who want the attention, and thoughtfully to those who seem more interested in that. Internally she's vaguely surprised at how easy this is when she doesn't fight it... but that's a mostly amused consideration to save for later.

Freyja is still quite glad, however, that the other two women are there as well. It lessens the pressure on her and Leif.

Freyja spares a quick, worried glance towards her paramours. Hopefully they're not getting pressed as well. She'll do her best to help, if they want, if the crowd is getting a bit much.

It's as she's considering her paramours that a rather unpleasant thought occurs to her... and after a moment of internal consideration she whispers to Zero, Hey, sweetheart? Could I ask a favor of you? Could you pass a request on to the Mandalorian, Major Owl? It just hit me -- if their strike force comes here... well, there are an awful lot of civvies and innocent bystanders here. Could you ask them not to search out the Si'yul on Balmorra, please?

Zero and Fhazil, for their part, find themselves with their own attention. Balmorran society -- Balmorran aristoi society, at any rate -- tends to frown on outright questioning of someone as to being a paramour of someone, but it does allow some oddball ways of putting the question and pursuing curiosity. For Zero's part, more than a few of these polite interrogations are from lesser aristoi who have a sister or daughter who could do much worse than be married to a future baroness' paramour, which would have the effect of, in essence, making the paramour in question effectively part of the aristoi -- a point that a few take great pains to drop ever so discretely.

As soon as I turn down the twenty-fourth... no, twenty-fifth marriage proposal in the last half-hour. Forget staying sober straight to the end of this.

Hit with that mental message, Freyja finds herself with the sudden need to cough in order to hide her desire to laugh aloud! She grins, her eyes dancing with mischief, and reassures the person she's speaking with -- she's fine, just swallowed wrong! A moment later Zero hears a faint mental giggle, You poor thing! Heehee... ahem. Sorry... let me know if I can help, all right?

Freyja cheerfully adds, Try standing next to Master Roakkana -- that helps deter the merely inquisitive!

I'll live. It's seeing them offer me their daughter while they're wearing the clothes I was wearing when I left that's really off-putting...

Freyja smiles quietly and gives him a gentle mental hug, Hang in there, Zeriza. Just a few days, and we're done and out of here. She thinks a moment, then happily adds, If you want, I know Piper and I would be quite pleased to pick out something more colorful and 'native' for you, for the hafla?

For you too, if you'd like, Fhazil?

We'll see. It's actually sort of flattering. I just wish I knew what prompted it.

Fhazil just then is attempting to beg off considering someone's aunt for marriage. That might be a good idea. Is it just because 'marriage is in the air' that half the nobles here seem so intent on betrothing their siblings and daughters? or is it just some sort of auspicious thing to arrange for a betrothal at around the time of the baroness' wedding?

Zero politely disentangles himself from a knot of hopeful aristoi, and slides through the crowd a good ways, looking to get away from the older comers and find where the younger attendees are congregating, and instinct tells him to look toward the back.

Freyja smiles, You're 'in favor,' my dears. Her voice gets a little dryer and more pained as she adds, Don't take it too much to heart... crowds everywhere are notoriously and thoughtlessly fickle. You may be cheered deafeningly today -- but they'll have forgotten you by the time the next 'new' thing comes up... and even faster if they think you're not 'in' any more. She sighs quietly, then adds a little wistfully to her friends, including Master Roakkana, I'm guessing there's neh way we could take our Jedi tests before we have to leave, though... and even if we could, I'm guessing we'd be considered heretics, or worse, hai?

Roakkana replies, While there is no way for me to impose my beliefs upon the Council, the trials for you at this point are a mere formality. No trial could possibly compare to what you have gone through. In my eyes, you are both Knights. Be that as it may, the trials last for a week; there'd be no way to do it properly before you had to leave again.

Zero glides easily between the partygoers; this at least is comfortable to him, the practiced ease of someone who's made it his life's calling to be places he isn't supposed to. I know that's the real reason, but I'm curious... He zeroes in on what looks like a small group of what could be considered young and fashionable people. I'm just wondering what they'll tell me to my face. He grins. Flattering to hear you say, Master. He closes on his quarry, timing his approach for effect; melting out of the crowd just at the edge of the small knot of partygoers.

Freyja nods silently, giving a faint mental 'thank-you' to Master Roakkana. She may not feel it correct to style herself as a Jedi Knight... but it's tremendously encouraging to hear her Master tell her he feels they're there already. Her slow, quietly happy smile shows on her face, accidentally encouraging the person she's talking to. She doesn't mind... she's very happy currently.

Zero smiles coolly, half his face still shrouded by his long white hair, not so much for concealment anymore as for effect as he politely addresses the small circle of people. "Sah. How's the party for you?" He realizes semiconsciously that this is the same look he used to give people that had five seconds to live; he supposes that Freyja's got her mask and he has his. He actually doesn't feel very cool or interesting at the moment; he feels in truth rather out of place, neck deep in more money than he's ever seen or is ever likely to see. Politics was never his strong suit. Still, he's very good at faking it and looking like he has the whole planet in his hand.

The small knot of persons -- judging by their clothing, they're kurasai, mostly Northern Balmorran -- are sharp and quick. They notice Zero an instant before he speaks. "Hoi! Kuras Satau, I believe?" one said, a broad grin splitting his face. They appear to be herdsmen mostly, managing the autumlas herds in the Rigg lands near Macronainsberg. "Aye, th' party's goin' well, thank ye! Come an' 'ave a sip wi' us afore th' dinner!"

"Oh, aye!" another chimes in; he actually looks vaguely familiar. "We'll nae be forgettin' whot ye did wi' thot monst'r o' a war droid. Least we can be doin' is askin' ye tae ha' a touch wi' us."

Freyja has a precious moment where she isn't under some sort of verbal guns or at the exact center of attention. Syf had just drifted by and it was almost a classic demonstration of subatomic electromagnetic interaction, as an ionized nucleus of nearly infinite potentiality swept by and neatly stripped most of the electrons out of Freyja's orbits. This, fortunately, gives Freyja some breathing room, and also, unfortunately, makes her more susceptible to picking up free electrons. "Arving Lady, a pleassure," the Trandoshan suddenly at her side ssayss -- er, says in a not unpleasant, sibilant, faintly gurgling hiss. "Heir-Lord Thalsskin of House Narssgott, at your sservice. What you would call the Arving of Haus Narssgott.

Freyja sighs in quiet internal relief, making a mental note to thank Syf later, even if she doesn't know why she's being thanked -- then refocuses abruptly, with the appropriate serene smile, at her new conversation partner, "Heir-lord Thalskin, a pleasure to meet you. Hai, I am familiar with your honorable Haus." She smiles a bit ruefully, adding, "We may even have met as children, although I fear my memory wasn't as good then."

Zero grins a little. "Well. I won't say no, certainly. Nice to see someone that isn't trying to marry off a relative to me. And... the war droid, was a bad accident. I'm just pleased nobody got hurt."

The aristoi parts his jaws in the Trandoshan equivalent to a smile. "Hai, we may very well have. It iss unfortunately ssomething which I have no memory of, either." House Narsgott is on... amicable terms with Haus Rigg. Owners of Jui-saas Agribot Consortium, their major contract had been a strong one with Haus Jotun to supply the moon with agricultural droids. That was about 15% of their business, which Baron Rigg had renewed; the other 85% of Jui-saas was to various developing and fully-developed agricultural worlds throughout the Colonial worlds and the gal-east portion of the Expansion Zone. While they had been wary of the unification of Hausa Rigg and Jotun, once they learned their contract was to be renewed they were perfectly amicable with the merger. Rumor has it, of course, that they're trying to diversify their customer base to marginalize the Jotun-Rigg 15%... just in case.

The kurasai almost beam as one, and Zero finds a glass of something thrust cheerfully into his hands. "Aye, 'twas quite th' day!" the first kuras exclaims. "I'd be swearin' tae MacNeil thot war droid scared 'alf th' geri-cats oot o' th' region f'r 'alf a tenday!"

Zero smiles quietly. He breathes a quiet sigh of relief. These are his people. For better or worse, he thinks, I'm always going to be a peasant.

Freyja's small smile turns into a wry grin, "Amazing how many affairs we get taken to as children! I suspect half the room so far has met me as a child, and I'm too embarrassed to admit I don't recall." She chuckles quietly, "Ah, well... this is what celebrations are best for, I suppose -- renewing old acquaintanceships." She smiles, "How is your family doing, Arving lord? Well, I trust? The Baron my father, and the Arving lord Jotunsen, mentioned your Haus favorably during the contract renewals."

Thalsskin inclines his head. "I am pleassed it went well. The contract with Hauss Jotun wass an important one to my Hauss. And hai, my Hauss is well. We are hoping all iss well with yourss?"

Zero finds the 'sip' to be nothing less than a very lightly fermented fruit juice, quite clearly Balmorran in flavor, based on some of the berries he remembers from his last visit. It doesn't give a buzz, but if one likes the taste of alcohol it's actually a pretty pleasant drink, exactly what one would expect in a drink to have in polite company.

"So, please tae be tellin' us, Kuras Satau," one of the kurasai asks, "Ye'r from Sedrak, aye? Ye're one o' th' land, then? or a soldier or such else?"

Freyja smiles gracefully, "Hai, we are all well, Force be thanked -- both the original Haus, and the new one we welcome joining with us. I trust you and yours will be able to make the wedding and hafla?"

"Oh, hai," Thalsskin says pleasantly. "We are looking forward to it. I fear, though, that I will be the only of my family to be in attendance at the hafla. My mother hass been assked by Count Thullakhazzhan to help coordinate and provide ssecurity for the arrival of... our off world guesstss."

Zero mms softly. "Well, to tell the truth, Kuras... I was a soldier by necessity, just like most other Sedraki. But, my father is a farmer, and my mother a teacher. I... well, I left home when I was young, to try and find my place, you know? I carried my sword off world."

Freyja looks calmly curious, "Oh? The Count has been contacted by the Sith Lord Ghang Si'yul, then?"

The older kurasai makes a grunt-like sound. "Always th' same as it 'as been," he rumbles philosophically. "When ye git right down tae it, th' last ones tae defend th' land are th' ones 'oo work an' till an 'graze it. 'Tis nay a goot t'ing tae have tae take up arms ag'in th' one takin' yer land, but when th' right an' noble defenders 'ave fallen..." The other kurasai nod soberly, though this seems to be an old course of conversation with them, or at least the one speaking.

"Of that I have no knowledge, Arving Lady. It sseemss the Count iss unssatisfied with the ussual levelss of ssecurity, and sseeks to improve it yet more with help from my Haus, and two otherss of more martial bent."

Freyja nods thoughtfully, "Really now." She gives the Trandoshan a curious glance, "Forgive my ignorance, Arving lord... but it was my thought your Haus mostly built agribots, hai?"

The Trandoshan nods. "Thiss is true. However, my mother hass served in the Republic military -- I believe she iss the only noble reigning on Balmorra to have achieved the rank of general. She hass thuss been clossely involved with ssystem ssecurity ssince the beginning of the war. She iss working with two military droid manufacturerss: Dossen Military Automation and Urniss Galacticss."

"So, Kuras Satau, what d'ye farm on Sedrak? We're moostly 'erdsmen 'ere, but m' gran-ma emigrated f'rm a farm on th' moon."

Zero smiles a bit. "Well, my father tends the paddies, we mostly grow staple crops. Just enough for him and my mother, and whatever small animals they've decided to take in this year..." He grins a little. "The truth is, the government compensated them pretty well for their part in the war, and I think really he does it to have something to do with himself. The same with my mother... they're just not the kind of people who can sit there. They need to be living their lives."

Freyja says, "Ah!" She nods slowly, "That makes excellent sense." She's silent for a moment, wondering just how put off the Count will be. It's a good bet the Sith lord is quite aware of the Count's treason as well, after all. She wonders softly to Fhazil, Would Sith lord Ghang be the type to dodge an arrival ceremonial if he knew it was arranged by one of the treasonous Republic aristoi? Quietly she says to the young Trandoshan, "Do they know when the Si'yul will be arriving tomorrow?"

Thalsskin inclines his head. "The vagariess of hypersspace travel make it imposssible to tell, I fear. At lasst check from Sspace Control, they exspect him ssomewhere between late afternoon and late evening. Ah. If you will pleasse excusse thiss one, Arving Lady, dinner appearss about to be sserved." He gives a polite bow to Freyja, waiting her acknowledgement before going into the crowd.

Fhazil's reply is almost amused: Would he be the type? He'd relish that sort of thing. Misdirecting an enemy is almost a point of personal honor with him. You think he might feel threatened enough by Count Miz to do that?

The kuras nods again. "Aye, a good an' honest crop, 'tis! 'Tis well tae be hearin' yer pa is thot type o' man. If'n 'e ever comes tae Balmorra," and when he says the planet's name it leaves little doubt as to whether it was a Northerner or a Southerner who named the world first, "'e's more'n welcome tae come by th' village. An' you yerself, o'course-!"

A soft, well-nigh silent cough comes from behind Zero. "Forgive me for interrupting...."

The kurasai all seem to automatically put on some kind of cloak of politeness; whomever the person is, it's not so much that they're unwelcome, it's just that they're not o' th' land, as they might put it. "Och, good e'en tae ye, Kuras Leottsen..." Zero turns slightly over his shoulder.

Freyja gracefully returns the courteous bow, thanking the Trandoshan for the pleasure of his company. She grins to herself (and Fhazil as well, via the link), Somehow I doubt he'd be threatened, precisely... it's more I'm guessing he's not interested in aiding the Republic traitors who sold droids to the Oathers? Hm... so if he's the type to do that... She grins mischievously, Well... he could well neatly bypass them all, with that invisibility device on his ship! Hm... perhaps we should put constant watch on our Haus landing pad, so he gets a proper welcome should he turn up there.

Fhazil considers for a moment. Maybe. He's not usually one to buck ceremony, though Count Miz does make things... interesting.

Deirdre Leottsen is there, regarding Zero politely and calmly. She bows slightly, hands clasped before her at her waist, though she does not drop her eyes from his. "I would be honored if you would escort me in to the dinner hall, Kuras Satau."

Freyja debates mentally with herself... she needs to warn her mother the Sith lord might well turn up unexpectedly tomorrow. Anyone who casually mentions arriving late afternoon or evening -- well, she'd expect them early in the day. She should probably be able to sneak out very, very early for her hopeful birthday present to herself -- a quick slaypneer ride before anyone is up much yet -- without meeting the Sith lord, but past about breakfast time she'd amusedly guess the planet could pretty much expect him at any point -- if, that is, he chooses to dodge the traitors.

Freyja grins and checks those speculations with Fhazil -- is that sort of misdirection his Sith lord's style?

Zero returns the bow in his open-handed way. "Well, Kurasai... seems I'm being called out." He smiles a bit. "Enjoy the party, aiyah?" He offers Leottsen his arm. "Sah. Wouldn't be polite of me to refuse."

Fhazil thinks for a moment, as the majordomo announces for the guests to be seated in the dinner hall. I can only say that he never pulled anything like that with the Dark Lord, Freyja. He's not one for big entrances. But this... he's walking into the runhub's den here. He'll probably want to be more cautious.

Deirdre smiles then, warmly, and glides up to beside Zero decorously, quite properly placing her hand in the crook of his arm when offered and keeping a proprietary few inches between their hips. Zero, attuned to the attitudes of persons around him, and Freyja when she spots the two, can tell that a few of the would-be hopefuls -- both marriage and amorous -- discretely conceal varying levels of dismay at not even having been asked. Syf, of course, is, as usual, still cheerfully deciding upon the dozen or so offered arms.

Zero murmurs, mostly to himself, "Flip a credchip, Syf."

Deirdre comments quietly, and not at all cattily, "But credchips don't come with fourteen sides, Kuras Satau."

Freyja gives a thoughtful mental nod to Fhazil, All right, so we can expect him to follow ritual regardless of personal feelings. Well, that's something to know. She smiles quietly to herself, looking around for Leif, as is proper, but inwardly pleased well enough at the news. When she gives the Balmorran anthem/call, she can trust the Si'yul, if he's present, won't have an autumlas, at least.

Zero half-whispers, "Hopefully she'll get done sometime while my master's yet living."

Fhazil says cautiously, I said that's what he did back in the Empire, Freyja. Honestly? There've been times when I couldn't tell what he was going to do. Fhazil gets claimed by one of Freyja's mother's sisters, who fortunately is not trying to marry herself or anyone else off to him. And a moment later Leif is beside Freyja, offering his own arm. "Only a few more hours," he says wryly and quietly. "I think we can survive it..."

Deirdre's laugh is quiet, though it well reaches her eyes. "When one is popular and desirable, that tends to happen. had Freyja stayed on Balmorra, it'd be interesting to see which of those two would develop the larger circle of amorous courtiers."

Freyja smiles at Leif, her eyes bright with merriment as she takes his arm. She whispers, "At least we don't have to escort Syffie, hey?" She grins, pleased he seems to be handling it well. She'd worried a bit about him, as well as her paramours. Master Roakkana, of course, never seems bothered by anything... a comfort, really, to know he was there to lean on if necessary.

Zero says, "Something tells me, Deirdre, that Freyja'd sooner lose than win that contest."

Zero says, "I don't think she's interested."

Leif grins quietly. "That's certainly a blessing, yes. We all do our part, though, including Syf. Though your parents seem to be a bit lost as to what her familial duties will be."

Deirdre nods a little. "Not having ever been in that position... Zero," she smiles a bit when she says his name; up until now it had been strictly 'Kuras Satau,' though his use of her first name apparently indirectly gave her permission to use his first name. "I can't say I understand that feeling... but I do not blame her for not wishing it. Especially after she's known the relative freedom she has."

Zero says, "I wouldn't call it a desire to lack friends. Just a desire to have ones that didn't necessarily want something from you."

Freyja says, "Oh, I'm sure they've already worked that out with her. She's a show-person -- a 'face,' if you will. That's what she loves doing most... her holovids and being the 'face' for Cyteller. That's what I see when I look at her -- someone who'll do her own thing and will be happy to help family as well through doing that. Don't you see something like that too?"

Deirdre seems to consider that, as the pair merge into the tide of people entering the dinner hall. "Isn't that what a friend is, though? One who does not want what you can give them, but rather just wants you?"

Leif makes a quiet sound as they enter the hall itself. "Probably. She's certainly the freedom to do that, as second heir."

Zero says, "Anyone can call themselves a friend."

Zero says, "Actually being one is a more stringent criterion."

Freyja nods quietly, a little sadly, in agreement with Leif's comment. She hopes he doesn't regret his loss of freedom... she wonders if one of his younger siblings will lead him up the cathedral aisle to her, since his parents and older siblings are all deceased or missing. Even his aunt, while no longer missing, has had her ship sent to deal with the murky issues swirling around Kalatis' disappearance -- so it won't be able to be her.

The various couples, after passing singly through the doorway, split apart in accordance with tradition, the higher-ranked person escorting the lower to and seeing them seated, before moving up the V-shaped table to their own place. Freyja and Leif, of course, are at the head of the table and flanked by Forsetti and Erde Rigg. Zero's place is much higher on the table, across from Master Roakkana and on Leif's side. Deirdre is quiet, mulling over Zero's words, and says nothing until they reach her own seat, which is perhaps a dozen seats away from the very end of the table. She smiles quietly to Zero, giving a bow that again does not draw her eyes form his. "Thank you, Zero. I look forward to talking with you more, at your convenience."

Zero bows politely. "Of course, Deirdre, while I'm on-planet, I'd be happy to."

It's a few moments later that Freyja notices where her paramours are seated. She waits until Leif glances at her, then smiles warmly, trying to let her pleasure at his kindness to her show in her eyes and face. She's deeply touched at his being so thoughtful to her paramours.

Deirdre smiles, and bows in turn, curling her legs beneath her as she slides neatly onto her cushion.

Leif smiles quietly back, and murmurs, "They've helped you stay alive for the past year and a half, Freyja. How could I not want to honor them that way?"

Freyja blushes slightly -- it still startles her a bit to feel desirable and/or wanted, past simply being the Arving Lady! She can't exactly give Leif a kiss on the cheek here, though, without shocking several folks... so beneath the table edge she rests her hand lightly on his thigh and leans to whisper quietly to him, "Nevertheless, thank you from the bottom of my heart, Leif. I truly appreciate it -- appreciate all you've done, for all of us!"

Freyja whispers happily of the kindness Leif's done to her beloveds as well, adding, He didn't have to do that at all, either -- that was so nice of him!

The small cynical inner voice adds dryly, Hai... and if you'd died, he'd have been stuck marrying Syffie! to which, flush with the happiness and confidence of feeling smart, lovely, and desirable, she cheerfully replies, Oh, piss off -- I'm going to be happy about it anyway!

Zero seats himself quietly, resting his hands on his thighs. "An honor, to be sure."

Freyja tilts her head to thoughtfully study Deirdre, who walked in with Zero and seems to be still deeply in thought. She hopes Deirdre is as lucky as she has been, finding people who love her to work, play, and take joy in life with.

Freyja turns her head to regard Leif just as thoughtfully, absently brushing one fiery golden lock of hair out of her face. Hai... she's been truly blessed with fortune by the Golden Lady. Even her betrothed is someone who seems sincere, honest, kind... it could have been so much worse! -- but, Force be with them all, all their intermingled lives are all moving along with more joy than pain, she hopes... and she'll do her best to make those lives more joyous and less painful, however she can.

There is no incident as far as seating goes; anyone invited seems perfectly happy -- or at least outwardly so -- with their placement. There is nothing like what apparently happened in a betrothal dinner some six hundred years before, in Haus Skaldr, where a few weeks before the dinner Ringolf Skaldr had been insulted by a member of Haus Shaughnessey. Though it was too late to change the seat placements, Lord Ringolf had his retainers physically saw off that part of the table which was to have been for Lord Bruce Shaughnessey and his entourage. Fortunately Vakkal had not been spotted carrying a vibrosaw before the dinner hall was opened.

Dinner is at least as enjoyable as the last formal dinner they had on Balmorra, though there is no unusual Sith roast highlighting the menu. A quintet in the acoustically advantageous corner plays some Balmorran ballades while the meal is served. The dinner seams to be fairly conventional for Balmorra -- a mix of autumlas roasts, seabull fillets, and tuber steaks, with the courses interspaced with servings of sherbet. After the traditional opening, it progresses well, with comfortable conversation and in general, enjoying the food.

Fortunately, perhaps as far as Zero's concerned, there is no lunae-honey wine this time, but something from a more conventional Republic vintner -- which could mean Alderaanian grapes, Corellian mushrooms, or Shandyran moss. He does occasionally notice, however, from far down on Freyja's side of the V-shaped table where the Leottsens are seated, the occasional glance from Deirdre, though she never seems to be looking at him when he turns in that direction.

Even as Zero is noticing that, the group feels a mental nudge from Fhazil. Zero... why is Leottsen looking at you so much?

If I had to guess, either she's pursuing my affection or someone's hired her to kill me.

There's a stifled giggle from Freyja at that.

Freyja adds, with gentle amusement, Maybe you impressed her, Zeriza. What did you talk about?

The difference between real friends and hangers-on.

Freyja blinks internally with slight startlement... then sighs quietly, Poor woman. She's probably struggling with that right now as it is, not being married yet, and also being the heir.

Shame. She seems lonely.

Freyja nods thoughtfully, adding, Weirdly enough, I suspect there are an awful lot of the aristoi, and wealthy kurasai, in that position. I'm guessing, for example, that Leif's position is... not a happy one, unfortunately, and I wish I knew how to fix that. She sighs quietly, adding, I admit, I would never have suspected this as a child. I'd always thought I was the only lonely one, since everyone else was always surrounded by others.

But I've slowly come to realize that just as one can be alone but not lonely... so can one be lonely even when in the midst of a crowd. The trick, I think, is to actually like yourself.

So you're not afraid of being alone with yourself.

Freyja smiles in quiet happiness, adding, Although I admit, I prefer being with lovers to being alone. Stay with me tonight, guys?

As if there was any doubt.

Freyja's quiet internal smile spreads to her face... in the soft candlelight her eyes shine, and her face glows with happiness.

The dinner itself ends pleasantly enough, and with Freyja's permission the quintet relocates to the hall outside the dinner hall and begins to play waltzes and other dances for the guests who wish to dance. The guests have mostly broken up into little groups scattered between three roughly equal categories: those who are dancing; those who are watching the dancers or remaining on the periphery of the dancing; or those who are conferring quietly with each other.

Syf is, of course, on the dance floor, likely with a dance card half a parsec long. Some of those, in fact, are probably carryovers from the last formal dance she was at and couldn't fulfill. All in all, the celebration seems to be winding down, and a few of the guests are starting to take their formal leave and are retiring for the night. Almost all are staying in the guest wing of the Haus, which is filled practically to capacity.

Freyja grins at Leif, her eyes alight, swaying slightly with the music, "Want to?"

Leif seems a little surprised, but smiles, bowing his head to Freyja. "I would be pleased to, Lady."

Freyja beams happily and gracefully moves into a dance with Leif. She may not consider herself much of a dancer in comparison to her sister, but she's lithe, graceful, and relaxed -- and that does a great deal for any dancer! She doesn't push poor Leif, of course... once the dance is finished she thanks him courteously and lets him retire gracefully. However she will, if possible, keep dancing!

Freyja seems to have herself quite a few people wishing to dance with her, of all three of Balmorra's species -- and not all or even most of them ones who simply can't be fit in on Syf's dance card.

It is while Freyja is dancing her second dance that Deirdre quietly approaches Zero's seat. "Kuras Satau -- I mean, Zero," she says by way of greeting, bowing politely.

Zero glances up from his drink. "Deirdre?"

Freyja is a little startled, but quite pleased -- she loves dancing, and it shows! She gives priority to her beloveds and family, of course... but past them, she's graciously happy to accept dances from new acquaintances as well as old. It's all part of that surprising new feeling she's got about being here on Balmorra -- when she's determined not to be miserable... she finds herself having far more fun than she realized she could!

She smiles a little. "I just wanted to wish you a good eve, as my family is retiring for the evening and it is unseemly for an unbetrothed lady to remain unescorted at a function such as this."

Zero sets his cup down. "You know, I can't dance to save my life. But if you'd like to stay and have a drink with me..."

Deirdre smiles and bows her head slightly. "I would be pleased; thank you, Zero. I get by with much less sleep than my parents seem to need or want." At the far end of the hall her parents seem to take notice of this, and take their formal leave for the evening from the Baron and Baroness, as Freyja is dancing. Fortunately, Roakkana is seated comfortably nearby, and favors the Balmorran kuras girl with a smile and a rumbled greeting.

Zero waves for another drink to a passing server. "I know just what you mean. I don't seem to sleep much, myself."

Deirdre returns Roakkana's greeting in the formal Balmorran manner, and nods quietly as she sinks into a cushion near (but not too close) to Zero. "It seems to be a habit I picked up over time. Macronainsberg seems to never quite go to sleep."

For the next dance Freyja has as her partner a Rodian, third son of a baronet, who seems to be quite the accomplished dancer. He's apparently well familiar not only with traditional Balmorran Rodian forms but also Balmorran Human forms as well.

Zero says, "It's the ships, for me. It's never really nighttime or daytime on a ship. Just hours with numbers. And I always feel like someone should be keeping an eye out... maybe it's just paranoia."

Freyja is dancing and thus able to momentarily forget the duties of her life -- and also thus glowingly happy. Her beautiful, expensive clothing and decorations flare out attractively... but are not nearly so lovely as the glossy shine in her fiery golden hair, or the brilliant joy in her ice blue eyes, and alight on her golden face. She is momentarily utterly unself-conscious -- Vakkal and Captain Thorn both could recognize that absorbed look as she dances -- as bright within herself with happiness as she ordinarily shines within the Force.

Deirdre tilts her head to the side curiously. "You've spent many hours on spaceships, then?"

Zero nods, taking a long drink. "Spent most of my life on them in one way or another. I was a drifter for most of my adolescence."

She nods quietly, taking a sip form her own drink. "Why did you leave? If that isn't a too-forward question...."

Zero shrugs. "Looking to find my place in the world. I didn't really know what to do with myself after the Ten Years' War. I was looking for something to guide me."

She nods a little. "Odann's search for the skaldic mead." She smiles a little, regarding Zero. "Did you find it?"

Zero says, "Not right away. I was someone else's person for a long time. I did... a lot of bad things to get by."

The Balmorran tilts her head curiously to the side. "You did questionable work for someone? You're not proud of it, of course. Is that how you met Freyja?"

Zero says, "Sort of. The work I did when I met her was mostly legitimate. I was investigating on the Rim for someone. Observational thing."

Deirdre smiles. "I'll restrain my curiosity. It does not sound like something I should pry into overmuch, is it."

Zero grins a little. "To be perfectly truthful, Deirdre, at the risk of sounding clichéd, if I told you any more the Jedi would have to kill you."

She looks honestly surprised at that. "The Jedi? Oh... I certainly won't pry, then." She smiles. "It is good to at least see the work you did didn't keep you from being able to come back to Balmorra."

Zero nods, "I should be grateful. The Order's business has brought me to Balmorra, which is a lovely place -- and even my own homeworld, which I don't see often enough." He shrugs, "Freyja and I have had different home-life experiences, obviously."

She tilts her head to the side and smiles, "Well. Not everyone is the Arving Lady of Haus Rigg. So what was your life on Sedrak like?"

Zero leans his head back a little, looking someplace faraway for a moment. "Loud," he says. "Loud and busy. I grew up at the outset of the Ten Years' War... I spent all my waking hours on the walls with a slug-thrower on my shoulder. Lot of bad memories about that time... but that's not really what I think about, when I think of my home. It's what it was like after... I didn't spend too much time on Sedrak after the war; too young, too... I don't know. Stress-shocked, still. I left the planet looking for something to do with myself."

"It was only later, much later, when I realized what a good thing we had going on Sedrak. When I think about it, I think about the way it is now. Quiet. All the plants have grown back. My dad tends his fields, and my mother's a teacher..." He smiles and shrugs. "Peasant dreams, you know."

Deirdre listens, and if he doesn't pull away she places just her fingertips on his arm. "I am glad you have good memories of it now," she says. "It's been a thousand years since there was any sort of fighting on Balmorra. It's hard for many of us here to even imagine what such a war must be like, for it to last ten years..."

Zero grins a little and places his hand over hers. "It's ugly, loud, and frightening. I hope it never comes back to Balmorra. Like I hope it never comes back to Sedrak."

Deirdre smiles quietly. "Well. That makes two of us, then. I'd not want it to visit your world any more than I'd want it to visit mine."

Zero says, "You should come see Sedrak sometime. It's a far cry from Balmorra, as far as money goes... most of our planet's money is in corporations these days. But there's still plenty to see."

Her smile falters just a little. "I'd like to sometime. Whether I'll be able to is... well, I would like to."

Zero ahs. "That's right... sorry. I forgot where we were for a moment."

She smiles again. "It's all right. Freyja had an unprecedented opportunity. In a way I think it's better; she's had more experience than just Balmorra. I lived off-world for a time -- I was away when she left with the Jedi Master -- but I returned a few years ago."

Zero nods. "Well, it's always good to get an outside perspective on the place you live. It's a big galaxy; no reason to confine yourself to one little corner of it. I've seen a lot of strange places. Even been to Kessel once... fortunately not as an inmate."

Deirdre says, "Kessel? I've heard that's a horrible place. Why would you -- oh. I see. More work that you can't tell people about," she says, eyes twinkling merrily.

Zero says, "Actually... I was there to pick up a friend. But... heh. Yeah. It is a horrible place. A rock in the middle of nowhere under a cluster of black holes... crawling with spiders and dust. I don't know how Balmorrans feel about religions, but if there's a hell, Kessel is at the bottom."

Deirdre gives a faint grimace; it's obviously not a merely affected gesture. "I'm rather glad that's never been on any voyage itinerary, then...."

Zero grins a little. "It's not my favorite place in the galaxy... but I'm glad I went once. Just to say I've been."

The music and dancing continues unabated, despite the hour, and the departure of the more staid members of the party. On the dance floor Freyja, Piper, and Syf are laughing as they do a 3 woman circle dance. It seems to involve swift, light-footed steps, clapping as they go, then whirling their bodies around to reverse and reach into the center of their little circle to lightly touch their hands together -- then whirling back and starting the circling dance over again.

In the warm candlelight their eyes are bright with happiness, and their hair shines in rippling shades of gold, scarlet, and mahogany as they circle. The light, evocative music seems almost to merrily tempt them on, with silken swirling skirts and glittering jewelry flashing. Together, at that moment, they make a strikingly lovely moving scene.

Deirdre smiles a little. "Have you been to Evaluus, just gal-south of Tanaab, in this sector? I was there, once, for a month. That was as far as I've ever been from Balmorra.

Zero says, "No, I've never been there. What's it like?"

She shifts her position a little, stretching her legs out under the table. "Mmm... it was nice there. Very pretty, very temperate. They say their weather control system is the best in the Colonies; that it never has a day of horrible weather."

"When I first heard of it, there was a school there I'd been considering going to -- one of the better ones in the sector, supposedly. I went there for a month to see what the world and school was like, since I'd probably be spending five or six years there. It was so... horrendously boring there I felt my sanity wilting after one week as a guest."

Zero snorts quietly. "Guess we have something in common at that."

She smiles quietly and nods. "I ended up going to school on this world near Commenor that seems to have a year-round storm bashing its continents' shores all the time." She gets a little distant, perhaps with the drink, perhaps with the late hour, perhaps with memory. "My parents were mystified I would even think of going to school there. I was mystified they could think I'd want to be in a place where it never storms."

Zero grins. "I like the rain, myself. We get monsoons on Sedrak... the latter half of the year more or less is the storm."

She laughs quietly. "Then I'll definitely try to go there sometime soon."

Zero grins. "Just forget about an umbrella. Stay indoors."

Deirdre laughs pleasantly, a sound that carries in the dinner hall. "I probably should take that advice. In my first month on Evaluus I wanted to 'experience' the storm by going out in it. I shouldn't have done that -- the winds almost picked me up and threw me offshore an hour after I stepped out. My roommate swore it took days to get my clothes dry after that...."

Zero grins, "You're lucky you kept your clothes at all."

She smiles. "I'm lucky I didn't end up in the fisheries!"

Zero grins, "No, really, I'm serious. I went out in the monsoon when I was a teenager, about six months after the war ended, and walked between two buildings in a culvert where the wind would concentrate... I dragged all the way down the culvert, and got home wearing a pair of shoes."

She laughs again. "Oh, my... I'm so sorry! That must have been embarrassing."

Zero grins and shrugs, "Well, you know. It's hot during the monsoon."

Deirdre smiles, "So I've heard. I take it it's warm all year around? Is that why the dresses and clothes are rather light? At least, that's the impression I've gotten -- that they are in general."

Zero nods, "Yeah, it's a very warm, wet planet. Very fertile until you get into the central plains, then it's all grassland."

Deirdre nods. "Balmorra is much more temperate, going from cold to warm over the course of the year."

Zero laughs softly. "Sedrak goes generally from wet to wetter as the winter wears on."

She smiles. "I suppose we have to worry more about wearing appropriate clothing. It'd do no good to show up here in untrimmed muslin at this time of the year, for example. It's a pity, though. The Sedraki cheongsams are very nice, even if they're only appropriate for wear during the hotter months."

Zero grins, "I'm partial to them myself, but I'm biased."

She tilts her head to the side, and asks with a wry smile, "You don't have the intricately convoluted politics of Balmorra on Sedrak either, I hope?"

He smirks lopsidedly. "Actually, politics on Sedrak can be complex, but they're... not quite like this. The civil service on Sedrak is considered the highest calling, and to even get into the government you have to pass a set of examinations... then to keep your job you have to keep passing them. After that, there's the usual office politics... but basically anyone who wants to serve can apply and be examined. After that you have to work your way up."

"A meritocracy. It seems like it's working well for Sedrak." She smiles. "We've been... fortunate. Or rather I should say the cantons have, with their traditions of the aristoi. The three unsworn cities do their best but... after a few decades and financial cycles nobody remembers the names."

Her lips quirk in a bit of a smile as she looks out to the dancing Arving lady. "While if you say 'Rigg' to a historian... you'll get a history that predates the Republic by a rather decent margin."

The musicians bring an intricate, swirling, participative dance to a rousing close, then take a much-needed breather, gulping down cold drinks with mingled relief and enthusiasm. Freyja's partner grins as he swings her around, laughing, in a clothes-flaring pirouette to conclude the dance, and there is much happy cheering and clapping of all the dancers for the musicians' efforts.

Freyja thanks her partner for the dance, then darts over with Piper to where Master Roakkana, Zero, and Deirdre are. Her eyes are alight with enjoyment, and she's laughing as she hugs Master Roakkana, "Heiyo, Master, are you having a nice time?" She whirls to light-footedly join Piper, who's hastily unbuttoning her coat where she's standing next to Zero, "Heiyo, Zero, Deirdre -- hope you're having a nice time! Come dance, if you'd like?"

Zero blinks. Somewhere in the back of his head he tries to piece together why every time he sees Piper, one or the other of them is getting undressed.

Freyja also is quickly unbuttoning her coat, and she and Piper drop them in a shining silken heap next to Zero, then strip some of the more intricate and dangling jewelry from their persons. Piper grins and winks at Zero as Freyja says breathlessly, "So, may we leave our stuff here? Now the older -- er, more sta- um... hai, well, we can lighten up a bit now!"

Zero looks down at the pile of clothing. What kind of party is this? "Uh, yeah, sure you can..."

Zero has, in short order, a glittering small pile of jewelry next to him on the decorated outer-coats... golden necklaces, jeweled bracelets, sparkling hair pins -- all the pieces which tend to come out too easily, or catch when dancing.

The two women straighten, retying their sashes and chattering cheerfully to each other about clothing, "Want this green one, Piper, or shall I dump it on the pile too?" and "Ach, lady, use th' blue 'un there, w' th' golden coins on th' edge... swirls nicer, an' matches yer eyes!"

Soon the two are more comfortably attired in traditional short, embroidered tops and loose silken trousers, with light, gauzy skirts over that. The clothing style is obviously far better suited to enthusiastic dancing than the more brocaded formalwear of earlier. Piper's hair is still braided up, so she heads happily back out to the dance floor.

Freyja's having a bit of trouble with her hair, and kneels next to Zero to swirl the silken mane back up and pin it firmly into place. She grins at Zero, her eyes dancing, then reaches for his goblet, "Dancing does make one hot and thirsty. May I?"

Zero says, "Of course you can. I'm handling this liquor a lot better. Of course, the circumstances are a lot better this time as well. Less reason to hit it too hard, aiyah?"

Deirdre is smiling pleasantly, watching as she rests her hands on her lap. "Well," she says, standing smoothly, "it has been a while since I've danced... though I'm not quite sure this dress is designed for that..."

Zero says, "You lot are going to get a terrible shock if I have to take any of my clothes off for that."

Freyja's rippling laugh is delighted, and then she has a long, thirsty swallow of Zero's drink, her slender golden throat accented by the tossed-back angle of her head. A moment later she puts the goblet down in front of Zero again and sighs, "Ah! Good stuff. Well, back to the dance -- join us if you'd like!"

A mischievous light gleams in her eyes as she leans forward and nuzzles Zero's cheek -- and, more surreptitiously, runs her warm, wet tongue along his ear -- then she bounces lightly to her feet and laughs, "Nonsense! Dancing is for the pleasure of the movement with others, not for fashion statements! Come along, if you'd like!" and she darts back to where Piper's trying to persuade a nervous Fhazil to join them in a dance.

Zero blinks and shivers a bit. It's not outwardly apparent as to why, but then he straightens up a little. "Well, Deirdre? What do you say? It's either that or stay here and get progressively more drunk."

She smiles and nods. It's not likely she noticed the bit of intimacy between Zero and Freyja -- or at least the more obvious expression of it. "I'm afraid I cannot hold my drink nearly as well as most people, so it might be best." Her smile turns a little shy. "I'm glad I wore leggings with this... because of the chill outside."

Zero grins and stands up. "Probably for the best then. I can really drink when I put my mind to it. Wouldn't do to be the only one left sober, would it?" He offers her his arm, "You see? I told you. First the winter storm, next thing you know -- naked."

She laughs, pausing only for an instant before taking the offered arm. "We're fortunate, then, that the winter blizzard season has mostly already passed..."

Zero says, "Well, you never know..."

Piper lures Fhazil out onto the dance floor -- with what technique the others aren't quite sure but from Zero's experience it probably involves threats of large-scale larceny of his wardrobe. Deirdre has obviously not danced in quite some time, and her dress is also not entirely conducive to the swirls and turns of traditional Balmorran Human forms, but she manages to hold her own.

Freyja draws Leif into the dance also, if he's willing. Once the music has started, and the couples have joined in the steps of the dance, she tilts her head enough to whisper quietly to him, "Leif... you seemed surprised when I asked you to dance earlier. Um... I forgot to check -- you do like dancing, hai? I didn't make you do something you didn't want to do?"

Leif chuckles softly. "It's not my first choice of physical exercise, Freyja, but I enjoy it well enough."

Freyja grins, reassured, as she swirls lightly around him in the steps of the dance, her skirts trailing along his legs and their fingertips touching, "All right! Just wanted to be sure... thanks!"

It is at least three hours later, well past midnight, when the last of the guests (sans Deirdre) have gone to their quarters. Most will probably not be showing up for breakfast on the morn. The servants are already clearing away the table and cleaning up the halls.

Roakkana has begged off a bit early, citing a desire to get a full night's sleep and meditation in before the festivities of the morrow. They'll be including, he notes wryly, meeting ones diametrically opposed to his own philosophy. "Always rather exhausting," he says, chuckling.

Freyja grins a little sheepishly at that, giving him a very sincere thank you and a tight hug goodnight before he leaves. Zero yawns a little, not so much for dancing's sake -- he's no stranger to physical exertion -- but he has had quite a bit to drink over the course of the evening.

Syf herself has also retreated to sleep, which in and of itself depopulated the party by about a fifth to a full quarter. Piper seems to be fully awake, however, for at least as long as Freyja is awake, though Deirdre looks a little the worse for wear as far as the sheer volume of dancing Freyja has done.

Freyja eventually realizes the servants and musicians would truly like them to depart, so she stops dancing and takes a moment to thank both groups for their patience and kindness. Then she looks around, beaming and cheerfully waving her friends over if they see her. "Heiyo! So, would everyone like a nice hot buttered rum before bed? Or hot shoklait? That's what I'd like, myself. Cookie lets me make lovely rich ones as long as we clean up after ourselves."

Zero stretches a bit, and nods. "Sure. Sounds perfect. Not that I'm gonna have any trouble sleeping after all that wine..." Deirdre smiles and begs off on the rum, but the shoklait does sound good to her. Piper also begs off on the rum, though Fhazil and Leif agree.

Freyja grins, "Wonderful! C'mon, all -- to the kitchen, but quietly!" She'll troop off that way with everyone who wishes to go, with much giggling, shushing of each other, and faint jingling of jewelry.

The manse is quiet, for the most part. Some areas are lit at all hours of the day, of course, such as the front hall where there is the (infrequent) person pleading hospitality at ungodly hours of the night. Even in those areas that are not, though, there can be seen the occasional shadowy form of a patrolling arms bearer or huskarl.

The house frehkees, finally released to roam the manse, find them easily and patter along cheerfully with them, claws clicking on the wooden and marble floors. The house is quiet, dark, and warm at this hour, and Freyja will slip into one part of the huge kitchen with folks. There's a large, scarred wooden table in the center with chairs around it.

With a bit of hunting and help from Piper, Freyja locates mugs and spoons for everyone, puts on water to boil... and then goes unerringly to one cupboard. To her pleasure, there's a battered but still decorated tin in there, which she takes out with both hands, "Oh! It's still here..." She carefully pries the lid off, then beams, "-and Cookie still keeps it full! He's a real sweetie."

Zero says, "What is it?"

Freyja grins at Zero, her eyes and wide smile gleaming in the dim light of the candle-lantern she lit, "It was a gift to Cookie from me when I was just a little girl. You know how kids are -- they give you gifts they'd like? Well, he solemnly promised me he loved hot shoklait as much as I, and would always keep it full for himself -- and I was welcome to have a little too, if I wanted."

Zero ohs. He grins a little. "Cute."

Freyja smiles, looking almost fondly down at the old tin in her hands. "Goddess... funny what little things will bring back memories..." A moment later she rubs one eye once, still smiling, and continues to make hot shoklait... although she makes one mug more than is necessary, and covers it to keep it warm.

Then, with a bit more help from Piper, she finds the necessary ingredients for buttered rum, and soon that rich, buttery, delicious scent fills the kitchen. Over the link she whispers to Vakkal, Can you spare a moment for the kitchen? We're making hot drinks... would you like a hot shoklait or a hot buttered rum?

Vakkal sends back cheerfully that unfortunately he's on duty -- he's actually keeping an eye on the front hall for another hour more. He notes it's been a good night so far; they've only had to chase away three or four news-fax reporters who had holovid cameras.

Freyja laughs quietly over the link, and asks if he'd like her to bring some hot shoklait out for him and any others at the door?

Even as Vakkal responds -- he thanks her, though they have a large pot of caffe which is working well to keep them more than awake -- Freyja notices Deirdre's response to the Arving Lady serving drinks at this late hour. Or rather, the lack of response. Pleasant enough, still friendly, but... beyond that, kind of unreadable. If she's shocked, amused, or bewildered, she hides it well. At least on casual look.

Freyja smiles and wishes Vakkal a quiet night then, and she'll see him later. She tilts her head a little curiously at Deirdre's gaze, still smiling, "More shoklait?"

"Oh! Yes, please. This should give me no problem with falling asleep...."

Freyja pours a bit more into Deirdre's mug, then settles cross-legged next to Fhazil in one of the chairs. She leans back with a happy sigh, massaging her tired toes, "Well... that wasn't too bad a day, hey, Leif? Nothing too awful in Curia, and the kurasai seemed mostly pleased. What do you all think?"

Leif nods, taking a sip of the rum. "All in all, I think it went well, hai. Your father seemed to be very pleased with it overall, and it was appropriately equitable for everyone involved, I thought."

Freyja glances interestedly at Fhazil, Piper, Zero, and Deirdre, "What did you all think... or hear, even?"

In general, the Curia seemed to go over very well, the group agrees. The kurasai were very satisfied with the judgments and were fairly optimistic. In any change of reigning aristoi, there are concerns, worries, and a little bit of doom saying. But in general, the kurasai seem optimistic about it.

A quiet, relaxing time is had by all. Eventually Piper offers to show Deirdre to her family's suite, and the two head off together. Freyja leans forward to rest her folded arms on the table, and lay her head on her arms, so she can still see her friends. She smiles with quiet relief, "Thank goodness that went smoothly."

The four young people chat desultorily for a bit longer, then finally decide to head off to sleep. Freyja leaves the still-warm, covered mug of hot shoklait with a little note by it, 'For Cookie,' sitting on the table, and links her arms through her paramours' as they troop in sleepy relaxation up to bed.

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Last modified: 2002-Jul-16 16:14:54

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