Star Wars OPEN New Sith Trials: Dark Reach: Episode I: An Order Remade

GM UPDATE ONE OF THREE

IC: Grand General Loring
Defeat

The army collapsed, in essence.

It was not necessarily the slaughter by the multi-species force that landed.

It was not necessarily the loss of the Golans.

It was not necessarily the orbital attack, when they had air cover.

It was not even arguably the reports of the deaths of the Chancellor Ars Dangor, the slaughter of the Imperial Senate, or even the revelation that Mas Amedda was supporting this coup attempt.

It was all of it, yes, but it was also the vexed expression upon the black cloaked man that strode up the battlefield.

He had a crimson lightsaber in hand and he passed the Sith in the field.

Bernael, Iudex, Shimmer, Helinith, Renn, Soliloquy, Hekate, watched over by Serapis from orbit.

He stepped beyond the flaming wreckage of tanks and walkers, impressed; pleased.

His happiness pounded into his Sith.

He pointed, and the very last of the surviving Stormtroopers parted.

He gestured, and Grand-General Loring felt himself tugged free of his surviving AT-ST.

He arrived in Insipid's gloved hand.

A blaze of electricity drove the man into unconsciousness.

The Stormtroopers began to throw down their blasters, and Insipid stepped beyond them.

He looked to the other Sith.

"Kill them all; Bernael, Soliloquy."

With that, he stepped to the edge of the Senate, peering in, the Grand-General still in his hand, dragged behind.

It was over.

The rest?

It was mere detail.

TAG: @Silvertough, @darthbernael, @Mitth_Fisto, @DarthIshyZ, @Nehru_Amidala (see as below)

 

GM UPDATE TWO OF THREE

IC: Dark Lady Bellorum, Aryan Graul, Ike, Darth Insipid
Bridge, The Luxury Elite

The trio of Ike, Aryan, and Bellorum stepped from the lift onto a catwalk that overlooked the majestic bridge of the Luxury Elite, all were in formal evening attire to attend the gala event that evening.

The entire bridge crew stood as the three stepped up to the railing, the crew then bowed their heads in unison and kneeled to one knee.

Bell gently nudged Aryan and whispered, "they are paying tribute to you, Emperor, allow them to return to stations." She smiled softly and felt pride in the surprise effort by her crew.

Lifting his brow marginally, the Emperor turned to regard his wife and offered a curt nod. The reverent display served as a visual representation of their accomplishments; they had risen to the top, and now they could bask in the glory of their success. Aryan felt a surge of satisfaction well within his chest at that thought, eliciting a smile.

He then turned to acknowledge the crew. "As you were," he announced firmly before gesturing for Bellorum to carry on.

"You know, I started out here," Bell canted her head towards the massive display in front of them where Coruscant glittered against the backdrop of space. "Deep down in the lowest levels," she smirked, "that’s where I started my career."

She laughed and waved a hand as if her memories were a web she was brushing away from in front of her face. "I didn’t invite you here so I could reminisce, instead I wanted you here for two things." Bellorum looked to her left a short distance away, "Vai," she called out to the attractive female Captain, "join us."

"What happened to the Imp beefcake for brains?" Ike asked Bellorum.

Bellorum laughed at Ike’s inquiry, "funny you should ask. It turns out that Jerod wasn’t such a great guy, he was reported for harassing several young women. He was tried and found guilty and recently transferred to serve time working the spice mines on Kessel. An old friend there still accepts prisoners to work in his mines." She looked sad for a moment, "we didn’t get a chance to inform him about the loss of his son before he was shipped out. It was an unfortunate accident at the former academy. But let’s not get into all that, this is a happy occasion!"

The Captain walked over and bowed before the trio before she handed Bellorum a black leather portfolio. Bell nodded her thanks and addressed Aryan as she handed him the item, "this contains your copy of the deed naming you as a partner in my ship and business." She smiled softly and then pursed her lips, "I wanted you to go into tonight without any doubts that I would keep up my side of our agreement."

Aryan accepted the package in silence, his expression an impassive mask as he brushed his hand over the embossed surface. Under these strange circumstances, he needed confirmation that it was tangible and not some cruel dream where the file would simply turn to dust between his fingers.

When he was certain that he was awake and in full control of his faculties, Aryan popped open the cover and perused the document within. He noted his name and the various terms that they had discussed as part of their agreement; everything was present and accounted for.

Only then did he lift his chin to seek Bellorum’s gaze. "Thank you," he murmured quietly.

"Now, I’d like you guys to witness a little surprise," she turned to Vai and asked, "are we ready?" Vai nodded curtly and said, "yes ma’am, all is in order and we await your word to execute."

"Very well, oh, perfect timing," a servant walked up with a tray holding 4 stemmed glasses filled with champagne. One for each including Captain Vai. "I’d like you to join me in a toast to our ship’s new name. Switch to the new transponder codes now, Captain Vai," she ordered.

Vai signaled the officers below them at their stations, a couple of seconds later applause broke out all along the bridge. Bellorum proudly spoke out, "gentlemen, welcome aboard The Stardust, the most exclusive hotel and casino in the galaxy," she raised her glass and touched it to everyone’s gathered.

The announcement rattled Aryan more than he cared to admit. It was a jolt to the system that quickened his pulse and brought a roaring crescendo to his ears, rendering him inert. He found that he could not bring himself to meet her scarlet eyes, not when she could so easily perceive his emotions. No doubt they would be on full display for her to dissect and analyze.

While he recognized that Bell had likely intended to pay tribute to the ship that he had previously lost in service to the Sith, she could not begin to understand the sentimental value of the name itself. Memories stirred in his mind, drifting back to a time when his mother was the only safe haven in a dangerous galaxy. He could still remember her scent as she cradled him in her arms, an innocent child seeking refuge and strength from the inherent power of her words. It had been such a simple lullaby, but its significance had remained with him to this day:

A little bit of Stardust

There's a little bit of magic
in the universe that cannot be explained,
is this what we imagine,
in that image we are made?

To unhappiness he stoops and smiles,
two moons shine brightly either side,
a sparkle in his eyes, her madness wild,
and with spotted pocket handkerchief knotted tied.

He dries her cheek with tenderness and kindness mild,
banishing this wretched monster of hers with pride,
so what hides in here he cries!
She frowns and nods her head from side to side.

Aha! Elements of your tears my child,
for we are made of stardust scattered wide
across the universe, again he smiled,
poised with spotted pocket handkerchief and knot untied.

A sparkle in her eyes while on his face her sorrow shows,
and painted on her cheeks a little bit of stardust glows,
she grins, two moons shine brightly either side,
dreams and fantasies the universe bestows.

Is this what we imagine,
in that image we are made?
That little bit of magic
in the universe and that is how it goes…​

The poem had forever inspired him, which is why he had named his first ship the Stardust in honor of his mother’s memory. And now, Bellorum had continued that legacy.

Pressing his lips into a thin line to gather his bearings, Aryan finally lifted his champagne glass to celebrate with the others. However, he hesitated when he came across Bell, his eyes momentarily reflecting his sensibilities. "I appreciate the gesture," he stated in a low baritone, his voice barely audible above the quiet din of the bridge crew. "It’s…perfect."



* * *



A short time later...

Your attendance is required by the Circle of Lords this evening in the Grand Ballroom aboard The Luxury Elite to celebrate the Ascension of Emperor Graul and Empress Bellorum of the Galactic Empire​

Please arrive by 8:00 PM

Attire is formal

Closed invitation

No children or pets

Free bar

No children​

Ike, Aryan, and Bellorum strolled leisurely from the bridge to the green room adjacent to The Stardust’s Grand Ballroom. The by-invitation-only event was to be in the ship’s largest, and multilevel, ballroom. Caterers, florists, and ice sculptors from across the region had rushed in to provide their services, everyone wanted to be there to watch history in the making.

The trio was awaiting Insipid, so they could all make an entrance together.

Bellorum wanted a moment, so she walked over and accepted a cup of tea from a servant. She took her cup and sat at a lighted vanity to check her makeup. Touching up her lip gloss, she thought of the kiss shared with Aryan earlier in the Senate chambers, it was difficult not to overthink what had happened but she was definitely confused by her feelings. Ike therapy was going to be in order, and soon! Maybe once things calm down they could share a couple, or six, bottles of wine and sort things out.

An assistant quietly came over and slid a datapad in front of Bell, she discreetly pointed to a headline and then made to check the Lady’s hair.

Bellorum’s eyes scanned the breaking news from the Holonet.

For immediate broadcast -

New Emperor’s Marriage is a SHAM!!

Anonymous sources from inside the new Emperor’s circle are spilling the tea on his marriage. "It’s a marriage of convenience," said one source, and another with inside access claims, "they can’t even stand each other, it’s a marriage in name only."

This reporter asks you, "how are we to respect this mysterious lady when she’s clearly not a real wife to the Emperor? Will there be a line of mistresses to keep Graul happy? We all know he’s quite a ladies’ man."

End transmission.​

There were two other articles that were equally as scandalous. Bell noticed that Aryan looked over at her, 'he feels my emotions, this isn’t my imagination,' she thought.

She tilted her head, 'come?'

It was a subtle cue, like a faint voice echoing from a distant valley, but it was enough to attract Aryan’s attention from where he stood on the opposite side of the room. He couldn’t distinguish the voice itself, but there was no mistaking the strong impressions that accompanied it. He sampled anger and annoyance, as well as a sense of overwhelming concern—Bellorum’s concern.

Furrowing his brow, Aryan felt the familiar twinge of his conflicting emotions, but he quickly quashed them before they could dictate his actions. Instead, he did not hesitate as he crossed the distance to stand behind Bellorum’s chair.



"Are you alright?" he asked evenly, his hand instinctively pressing upon her shoulder to offer some reassurance.

Bell silently pointed to the headlines on the datapad and sighed.

Ike stepped over and pulled a real face. "Oh, that's gonna get annoying. We'll have to deal with this... and the leak."

"There's always a leak."



Bell nodded, "it’s maddening, but maybe we can spin it to work in our favor. We can sort it out later, tonight is for celebrating," she smiled at her two main men.

Aryan flashed a crooked grin at her assessment, but then scoffed at the headline that labeled him as a 'ladies’ man'. As a former Senator in the Galactic Senate, he was no stranger to the sensationalized rubbish touted by the mainstream media. He had often found himself the target of erroneous reports designed to spark the next political scandal. While there was occasionally an element of truth to certain stories, the networks had a terrible habit of fabricating their material to draw an audience.

That was the case here—except Bellorum wasn’t accustomed to the scrutiny and criticism of such a cruel industry. It would take some time, but Aryan was confident that he could coach her through this.

"Hey, don’t let them bother you," he soothed as he squeezed her shoulder once more, gently coaxing her to rise from the chair. "Let me handle the media for the time being, and then we’ll worry about the rest later—as you said, after the festivities."

Another smirk crossed his countenance as he leaned down to remove the protective cloak from her back. "Tonight is about us; remember that."

And then the shroud fell away to reveal the elegant silver gown she wore beneath, her exposed shoulders accentuating her lithe frame as the sequins sparkled in the overhead lighting. Aryan merely stood there, admiring her appreciatively.

She was absolutely stunning.



Any further commentary was intruded upon by Insipid arriving, looking like he needed to bite something. Ike threw Bell a glance of uh-oh, which Insipid saw and ignored, and he stepped over. "Grand-General Loring is prepared," he bit out. "The battle was won, though not without loss." He did not speak the obvious, they would simply adapt and move on.



"Another battle, another reorganisation," Ike shrugged. For a moment, their eyes met, and something passed between them and Ike stiffened, but did not redden. Resistance?

"Quite," Insipid eyed the datapad, levitated it to him without asking. His gaze narrowed. "Deal with this, Bellorum. My role, my only role, is to ensure the Empire is absorbed by the New Republic and we take control of it from within. Any deviation from that will draw my ire. The Sith will ensure we have no political rival, but the open politics, the propaganda, the ruling, I leave that to you."

Bellorum nodded, she would definitely be handling it.

He cracked a grim smile.

"Enjoy your time in the sun. Remember, Skywalker will be watching."

"Tomorrow we focus on those concerns," she looked fondly at Insipid and leaned in close to bestowed a rare gift of affection, she touched her cheek to his with an air kiss. "For tonight, I’m in an unusually ecstatic mood, Master," she said, "and I plan on enjoying it." Bell gave Ike a quick look that said, 'what the kriff is happening to me?'

He swept a hand to part the doors.

"Let us get our celebration afoot."

His tone was dull, as if he didn't care one way or the other.

Or, perhaps, he cared too much.

TAG: @Sinrebirth; @Lady Belligerent; @darthbernael; @Mitth_Fisto; @Shadowsun; @DarthIshyZ; @Silvertough; @Nehru_Amidala; @darthhelinith; @Master Vo'Un'Var

 

GM Update Three of Three


IC: Insipid, Bellorum, and Graul
Grand Ballroom - The Stardust









Insipid led them in, notwithstanding that, publicly, he would be considerably less important than the two behind him.

He would be shadow; the Emperor and Empress would be light.

But he intended to make sure they understood that he was still in-charge, and theatre was to be encouraged but not at the expense of hierarchy. He did however draw his expression into a smile, garish as it was, and allowed it to reach his eyes. Indeed, he felt it, for a moment. Notwithstanding, they had won.

The Galactic Empire was theirs, the northern territories, disarmed, yes, but still potent. There were other Imperial remnants - Moff Gideon was still unaccounted for, and there was the official Empire in the Core that was separated by cartography - hardliners at Humbarine, Commenor, Tinnel, Rendilli and Denon - that they would deal with in good order, but that was what Kuat was for, and, eventually, knowing Graul, Nubia. Their worlds would bridge the Empire and reunify it all, with Hapes as the financial wellspring of it all.

He enjoyed the feeling of the power that he was marshalling, allowed it to buoy his spirits.

He took the steps down into the ballroom, leaving Graul and Bellorum at the top of them, above them.

"You all know me," Darth Insipid spoke up, as Ike darted down the side-most steps to stand besides Azathoth.

Insipid nearly hesitated as Ike went as far to brush his shoulders up against Azathoth, but his smile remained firm, and he plowed on.

"Today we solidify the union between Sith and Empire and Consortium and Kuat. We become truly powerful, in every shape of the word. No more will we hide in the shadows cast by the New Republic, refugees from our own timeline, or disparate allies from this. Today we turn the key on our true destiny, to take this galaxy."

He levitated a glass from a scantily-clad human server. They'd have their minds wiped after the event, of course.

"Today, we took Coruscant."

"Yesterday, we killed Snoke and his final appeal to the Old Ones."

"Tomorrow, we will prepare the seeds of our dominion of the stars."

"The Circle of Lords stands here and now, before you." His smile became mischievous. "Not just myself and Bellorum and Graul, no, but Soliloquy and Bernael and Iudex, all Lords of the Circle." He'd not rehearsed this part with the others, but the Circle had to grow beyond it's double-trinity roots, in anticipation of them ramping up their membership and rule. Not three no, but always an Emperor and an odd-number of those preparing to take the reigns of power, to run the day-to-day of our Empire."

He wanted to say my Empire.

But it was our.

He had to remind himself.

Remind them.

A Sith Empire was nothing without an Order of Sith to serve it.

They had won.

Together.

"In the years to come? We shall reveal ourselves as a Sith Empire one more time, and oppress the galaxy. In the open, our Emperor and Senators and Queen Mother will expand our influence separately and yet secretly unified," he indicated Helinith, who of course had Renn besides her, and then Serapis was nearby in whatever form he saw fit.

He ignored the rather inevitable expression of surprise on Iudex's face. Not as close as Ike was to Azathoth, Shimmer flashed a smile at the Falleen that was all love, and Insipid's grin grew more wicked. Soliloquy would hate that. Undoubtedly, Hekate would want to congratulate her Anzati lover.

There were others too, those he had kept track of, or advised. Some would be returning to the Sith after an absence, such as Ravenous. Others, the presence of all of the Sith would push them free of their coma, and awaken them again, such as Anark. And others such as, Tormentum, he would be invited and not know of the Sith, but he would know in his dreams that all the power he sought was here. Invitations also went to Thunderous, and Hades both long standing members of the order.

In this very room, during the ascension, ratified by Grand Vizier Mas Amedda, who politely stood at the edge of the room and bowed to Insipid and the new leaders of the defeated Empire, his desire to serve fervent and filling the Force.

"My friends, we have triumphed over the past, and we shall take the future."

He raised his glass.

"Now drink, eat, imbibe, take, revel, enjoy."

He downed his blood-wine.

"FOR THE SITH!"

Bellorum stood beside Aryan while Insipid made his speech. Tormentum had outdone himself arranging the magnificent displays of food, alcohol, and ice sculptures.

An invitation had also been extended to the reclusive Raul, who Bellorum believed was still lurking around on The Stardust. She would be keeping an eye out for him.

Bell was having trouble focusing on Insipid’s words, maybe because was feeling warm standing so near Aryan, but then there was a moment when she recalled this exact scene. She had stood here before. The vision was hazy but she had seen herself in a shimmering evening gown, standing at the top of a grand staircase, and beside a tall man in formal wear. They were standing just as they were that moment, gazing across a festive ballroom.

She shook off that image and looked up at Aryan and smiled, she gently squeezed his arm as she admired how handsome he was in his formal wear. Bell slid a little closer until his arm was pressed against her…she hadn’t thought out that move because his arm was now pressed against the side of her breast. Fortunately anyone looking would think her blush was simply the excitement of the moment.

She looked away because she was sure he was trying not to laugh at her. Bellorum was mortified. ’He’s going to think I’m a bloody harlot,’ she thought with a sigh.

Insipid had stopped speaking and the crowd was now cheering. Bell used that as an excuse to take a step away and look up at Aryan’s face as she joined in the applause. She gently tugged so he would lean down for her to kiss his cheek in celebration, even in heels he was quite a bit taller than his Dark Lady.

Tag: @Mitth_Fisto @Silvertough @Master Vo'Un'Var @darthhelinith @Darth Tormentum @PCCViking @Snokers @WookieeRage all other Sith tagged in previous 2 posts.

Thank you @Sinrebirth and @HanSolo29 you guys are a total blast to work with!!

 

IC Darth Bernael
And the end of battle

Bernael looked on, in amusement, as the Emperor strode through the battle. Not at the Emperor, of course, but at the few fools that attempted to get in his way as he walked toward the AT-ST that held the General. They didn’t even get close before they simply died. He absently blocked the few attacks that came in as the General was ripped free of the vehicle and sailed to Emperor Insipid’s outstretched hand.

As the Emperor dealt with the man, the troops laid down their weapons. Bernael’s cloak let off wisps of smoke as he stood, surrounded by the dead and dying. He inclined his head in a nod as the Emperor’s gaze raked the battlefield of the Senate Boulevard. An amused smile followed as the unconscious General’s boots scraped the pavers, dragged by his throat in the Emperor’s hand. At the command, he nodded once more, his voice gravelly from the carbon and dust and other detritus that had been inhaled in the course of the battle, ”As you command, my Emperor.”

Glancing over at Soliloquy he nodded, power suddenly beating on the air. He had barely used any of his Force abilities as he fought the Stormtroopers, it wasn’t necessary. But this, this was simply a slaughter, moreso than it had been when the troops were fighting back. At the outer edges of the troops that still stood, he could see some that were either picking their weapons back up or turning to flee, realizing that they’d been sentenced to death for facing the Sith.

As Bernael’s power lashed out, as he blurred and raced across the field, dividing the remaining troops in two, he subsumed and Hunger rose. His hunger lashed out as he raced back and forth, his sabers sheathed, bodies falling as though he were the harvester and they the wheat. There was no need for a grand gesture of power, in a matter of minutes his racing path had turned one half of the battlefield into a land of the dead. As the last soul-drained body collapsed to the pavers, he ceased his running and glanced over at Soliloquy, to watch as the other Circle Lord dealt with his half.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grand Ballroom - The Stardust

Bernael was running behind to the celebration as he had been behind due to the order that the Emperor had given and then a thorough cleaning as he had dripped other’s blood as he entered and was directed to his stateroom. Even given the rank he’d risen to, he was not one given to formality of dress and what he chose for the celebration spoke to that. He reached the ballroom just as Emperor Insipid began to speak, and for the first few moments, he leaned against the entryway.



"You all know me,"

"Today we solidify the union between Sith and Empire and Consortium and Kuat. We become truly powerful, in every shape of the word. No more will we hide in the shadows cast by the New Republic, refugees from our own timeline, or disparate allies from this. Today we turn the key on our true destiny, to take this galaxy."

"Today, we took Coruscant."

"Yesterday, we killed Snoke and his final appeal to the Old Ones."

"Tomorrow, we will prepare the seeds of our dominion of the stars."

"The Circle of Lords stands here and now, before you."

At those words, Bernael stood from where he leaned, walking silently into the ballroom, snagging a glass as he walked, joining, a step below Empress Bellorum and Emperor Graul, Soliloquy. His wife stood nearby and he let his lip quirk at her almost disapproving glance of his tardiness.

"Not just myself and Bellorum and Graul, no, but Soliloquy and Bernael and Iudex, all Lords of the Circle."

"In the years to come? We shall reveal ourselves as a Sith Empire one more time, and oppress the galaxy. In the open, our Emperor and Senators and Queen Mother will expand our influence separately and yet secretly unified,"

"My friends, we have triumphed over the past, and we shall take the future."

"Now drink, eat, imbibe, take, revel, enjoy."

"FOR THE SITH!"

As the Emperor downed his glass, Bernael raised his and downed it as well.

”For the Sith!” he said, just loudly enough to be heard.

Passing Helinith and Renn as he stepped down, ”Something tells me you are part of that separately but united bit, and that I’ll be visiting Hapes on occasion.” he told them.

And then he was before his wife, ”Lady Hekate, did you believe I would miss this? You do have faith in your husband, do you not?” he asked quietly but teasingly.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Lady Belligerent, @Mitth_Fisto (Mentioned), @Silvertough (Mentioned), @darthhelinith (Mentioned), @Nehru_Amidala (Mentioned), All other Sith present

 

IC: Darth Insipid, Ike and Shimmer
Celebrations

The drinks flowed, and Insipid nabbed a Zeltron for later, having him sent to his room.

Ignoring the flow of events, nodding at the new arrivals, he made a beeline to Ike, who was shadowing Azathoth at a not quite respectful distance. Indeed, he was basically following the man around. Insipid glanced at the drama between Soliloquy and Iudex, which was interrupted by Shimmer inserting herself between them and basically raising a hand to slap her master -

Insipid ignored that, too.

He was about to ask Bernael if Hekate still wanted him to officiate their wedding when a thought crossed his mind.

I am sure you will be most busy this evening... my Lord... but when you have time, I ask that you grace me with a private word.

"Oh I am sure," he muttered, yanking another blood-wine to his hand from a passing tray.

He took a full swig.

A flicker of his finger tugged at Ike from his unmentionables, yanking him away for the moment. He yelped, but sat down at a table and another nudge of his finger separated Tormentum and Merrin and sent the woman to sit in Ike's lap. He looked baffled, looked up at Tormentum. "Is this yours?"

Far away to not be included in that chit-chat, Insipid turned to Azathoth. "What can I do for you that my husband has not already?"

TAG: @Shadowsun, @Mith_Fisto, @Silvertough, @Darth Tormentum (mainly), mentions for @darthbernael, @Nehru_Amidala only

 

IC: Darth Insipid
Wedding banquet

Nope. Not far enough.

"I'll bless it, but you'll need to check in with the Imperial Emperor and the Empress if they want to officiate," Insipid said.

"Three of us and all that," he fluttered a finger as Ike lightly helped Merrin up.

"I could do it," Ike said. "I was ordained at wild party on Celanon a few years back."

Insipid flexed his hand for him to go. "There you go. You have my blessing, new Sith, new Nightsister."

He hesitated. "You may want to go ask Circle Lord Soliloquy, he has ownership of all matters Nightsister." Then he indicated Azathoth. "I need to attend to some business."

"Without me?" Ike said, drily.

"For now, sure." Insipid turned aside, and left Tormentum, Merrin and Ike to track down Soliloquy or Bellorum or Aryan.

TAG: @Darth Tormentum, @Mitth_Fisto, @Shadowsun, @Lady Belligerent, @HanSolo29

 

IC: Ike
Coronation

Huffing, Ike headed to find some more alcohol and saw Hekate and Bernael basically attached at the hip.

The new Circle Lord, at that.

He cast a side-eye at the commotion involving the other Circle Lords, Soliloquy and Iudex, fighting over Shimmer, and he downed his drink.

"Maybe you should deal with that while mama bear and I have some gurl talk."

He waved for Bernael to give them some privacy and yanked two glasses to the table.

"So, you met Bernael when we were in the past, dated for however long you did, and now you've crossed paths again, a millennium later, when Anzati boy over there is a millennium older. You seeing my question?"

He drank both glasses.

She was pregnant.

TAG: @Nehru_Amidala (mainly), @darthbernael also

 

OOC: Stopping Shimmer's arm approved by GM, by her writer, @Sinrebirth

IC Bernael
Ahhh yes, such is a Sith Party

When Ike approached, Bernael chuckled softly at his subtle approach. He glanced over at the trio of Soliloquy, Shimmer, and Iudex. With a shake of his head he nodded to his wife, chuckling again as Ike dragged Hekate off to another table, to have 'gurl talk' as he said.

Turning back he made his way over to the trio, snagging a fresh chalice of bloudsoup, someone had remembered. He approached, Shimmer's hand frozen in midslap by a thought.

It was only a step later that he joined the group. Turning to Iudex, Shimmer's hand still frozen "My congratulations on your elevation, Circle Lord Iudex."

Continuing to ignore Shimmer he turned his attention to Soliloquy, "Little brother, such displays do not become you. I recall you saying the Sith were all but worth departing their tender embrace. And now you too are a part of the Circle, does this display show that, hmmmm, decorum such should be?"

Finally he turned his attention to the apprentice. Stepping between the hand and Soliloquy he released her arm as he spoke, "I'd stop that swinging arm if I were you." one eyebrow arched. "Yes you are an adult and perfectly capable of making your own decisions. And yes, your master should have recognized that forbidding something like that was all but telling the two of you to engage in it. But...he is still your master, and a Circle Lord, so slapping him, not matter how satisfying, would only result in leaving Iudex staring at a smoking pile of former Shimmer."

TAGS: @Mitth_Fisto, @Silvertough, @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Ike
drinking for two

"I have it on good authority that Bernael over there has had very little luck in the bedroom department. Between the last time you saw him in the dim and distant past, he's dated, mated, and lost them all." He took a swig. "It was a millennium and all, but he's still alive. Just wanted to check that you were alright with him outliving you, and then some."

Ike shrugged. "Look, I've had my fair share of nonhuman liaisons, but nothing as long time as you're reckoning. Bell doesn't count; I love her, but I like guys... and I don't know if you've noticed, but Insipid and I have our fair share of marital issues." He eyed the other Sith. Renn and Helinith, absent their Neti-human brood (hopefully), Shimmer going quite the shade of red when Iudex gave her a grin, and of course the new Emperor and Empress. All couples, rather clearly. He didn't want to look at Tormentum and the other woman in-case they were neck-deep.

"To be a Sith is not to be well-adjusted. I sometimes wonder if the only way Insipid and I will ever be happy is if we leave the Sith."

He had a thought.

Like Kronos and Esmerelda did.

He drank his second glass.

For her part, Shimmer leaned over and kissed Iudex on the cheek and said that she would freshen up and come back. Pick somewhere.

And then she was gone, heading to the ladies.

Her eyes alive, she ignored whatever baleful stares that Soliloquy or Bernael gave him.

Insipid and Azathoth continued their very private chat.

TAG: @Nehru_Amidala, @Silvertough (mainly), @darthbernael, @darthhelinith, @Darth Tormentum, @Mitth_Fisto, @Darth Kronos. @Shadowsun, @HanSolo29 (mention)

 

IC Renn
Celebrations

Before the speeches began Renn was slightly nervous, this was the first time, even including combat, that Tamus was not with him or Helinith. They’d found a babysitter and he hoped that the poor crewman that had taken the duty was up to the task. Their son was, after all, a shapechanging small living tree that probably was still filled with all the adrenaline of the recent battles. But that was their problem, for now.

He’d snagged a pair of glasses of alcohol, one appearing almost as a toy in his massive hand as he passed the second to his wife. He’d shifted so he appeared in what he liked to call his formal shape and he glanced around the hall as the speeches ended. People were already breaking up into groups and carrying on with conversations. He was intrigued by the newcomer, that seemed to look a great deal like the Emperor.

He leaned down, kissing his wife softly, ”My little Craziness, I do hope you save many of the slots of your dance card for me, even if we do so on the ceiling. I’m going to circulate some, but when we can dance, I want to.” he kissed her cheek again, then turned and began to wander.

Making his way through the crowds, his senses bursting with all the emotions that swirled through the enclosed space, almost making him drunk on it all, he found the young Sith Lord. Stopping before him, ”Azathoth, was it? I’m Renn, one of Bernael’s oldest, literally and figuratively, friends. Pleasure to meet you, didn’t realize the Emperor’s son had joined the Sith.” He spoke casually as though what was evident to him was common knowledge.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Lady Belligerent, @darthhelinith (Mentioned), @Shadowsun (Mentioned) All other Sith present