Hallowe'en was a widespread holiday, but perhaps there was no planet where the holiday was more widely celebrated than on the planet of Coruscant. The citizens of the ecumenopolis went all out, and it wasn't uncommon for the city's affluent to throw lavish parties in honor of the occasion. The holiday provided them with an opportunity to parade their wealth and less than humble abodes, and it gave the socialites an excuse to get together and party.
Coruscant's working class threw their own parties too, of course, and in Ripley's experience they had more fun than the socialites. The working class might have lacked the gizmos and the funding required to take their parties to the next level, but what they lacked in funding they made up for in heart. The most credits did not necessarily equal the most merriment.
The concept of Hallowe'en was relatively new to the Arkanian, but she had willingly been caught up in the merriment of the holiday since moving to Coruscant and hadn't given it a second thought. Over the years she had attended the lavish Hallowe'en parties and the low-budget parties held in someone's basement or even in the back of their store in the market district. To her own surprise, she usually preferred the latter. Even if the food wasn't as good.
That was what made this party in particular so special. It combined the best of both worlds, the funding of the rich and the simplicity of the working class. One of Coruscant's upper echelon had thrown a lavish party but opened it up to the public. It was revolutionary, or at least that was what people were saying. This generous benefactor had even gone so far as to open up their own mansion. People had poured into the home and into the adjacent courtyard, where the party was being held. The courtyard's large, ornate gates had been opened to allow anyone passing by to walk in off the streets and join in the fun.
The host or hostess had outdone themselves and spared no expense on the food and decorations. Paper lanterns designed to look like pumpkins hung from tree to tree. Jack-o'-lanterns were placed in every nook and cranny and on every table, each pumpkin carved into a unique design. The New Republic's starburst insignia was carved into some, the face of Coruscant's Senator into others. Still other Jack-o'-lanterns had been fashioned into the likeness of celebrities.
Rich Magnum, Voren Dhur, and everyone's favorite singing Jawa Klepti Uutkik were just a few of the faces featured. Artificial cobwebs were wrapped across tables and chairs, and even the service droids had been dressed up to look like scarecrows. The entire courtyard was draped in the glow of orange and purple lights while people of every species and class mingled to the sound of Hallowe'en music.
The deciscion to attend this party had been last minute, so Ripley had not come in costume. Scanning the crowd, she realized she wasn't alone in that aspect. While some partygoers had donned their favorite costumes, others had come in their every day clothes.
The Arkanian's twin brother had already disappeared into the crowd, abandoning her for the first pretty face he'd spotted. The siblings hadn't even arrived a minute ago, and already he had ditched her for another girl.
Typical.
"Excuse me, miss?" the service droid to her left addressed her from behind a table. Arranged across the table were vintage masks, each bearing the face of the rich and famous. Namely politicians, holofilm stars, and celebrities. "Would you like a mask?"
Ripley scanned the selections available, her white eyes wandering over the familiar faces. Some were strikingly similar to their owners, others with comically exaggerated features intended to mock. The new Chancellor, the ISC President, a Hutt Ball player simply labeled Mr. Macho, and Preef Callo were just a few of the faces present. Ripley raised an eyebrow at the sight of the infamous Rodian.
Since when do they make costumes for criminals?
She reached for the mask closest to her, securing the string around her head and pulling the mask of the new Chancellor down over her face. Ripley didn’t keep up with politics, but even she’d heard the comparisons being made to Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine.
"How do I look?" she asked idly.
"Very nice, miss," the service droid replied, naturally programed to be polite to all the guests.
"Excellent." Ripley turned, ready to join in the festivities and hoping the food would be good.
Coruscant's working class threw their own parties too, of course, and in Ripley's experience they had more fun than the socialites. The working class might have lacked the gizmos and the funding required to take their parties to the next level, but what they lacked in funding they made up for in heart. The most credits did not necessarily equal the most merriment.
The concept of Hallowe'en was relatively new to the Arkanian, but she had willingly been caught up in the merriment of the holiday since moving to Coruscant and hadn't given it a second thought. Over the years she had attended the lavish Hallowe'en parties and the low-budget parties held in someone's basement or even in the back of their store in the market district. To her own surprise, she usually preferred the latter. Even if the food wasn't as good.
That was what made this party in particular so special. It combined the best of both worlds, the funding of the rich and the simplicity of the working class. One of Coruscant's upper echelon had thrown a lavish party but opened it up to the public. It was revolutionary, or at least that was what people were saying. This generous benefactor had even gone so far as to open up their own mansion. People had poured into the home and into the adjacent courtyard, where the party was being held. The courtyard's large, ornate gates had been opened to allow anyone passing by to walk in off the streets and join in the fun.
The host or hostess had outdone themselves and spared no expense on the food and decorations. Paper lanterns designed to look like pumpkins hung from tree to tree. Jack-o'-lanterns were placed in every nook and cranny and on every table, each pumpkin carved into a unique design. The New Republic's starburst insignia was carved into some, the face of Coruscant's Senator into others. Still other Jack-o'-lanterns had been fashioned into the likeness of celebrities.
Rich Magnum, Voren Dhur, and everyone's favorite singing Jawa Klepti Uutkik were just a few of the faces featured. Artificial cobwebs were wrapped across tables and chairs, and even the service droids had been dressed up to look like scarecrows. The entire courtyard was draped in the glow of orange and purple lights while people of every species and class mingled to the sound of Hallowe'en music.
The deciscion to attend this party had been last minute, so Ripley had not come in costume. Scanning the crowd, she realized she wasn't alone in that aspect. While some partygoers had donned their favorite costumes, others had come in their every day clothes.
The Arkanian's twin brother had already disappeared into the crowd, abandoning her for the first pretty face he'd spotted. The siblings hadn't even arrived a minute ago, and already he had ditched her for another girl.
Typical.
"Excuse me, miss?" the service droid to her left addressed her from behind a table. Arranged across the table were vintage masks, each bearing the face of the rich and famous. Namely politicians, holofilm stars, and celebrities. "Would you like a mask?"
Ripley scanned the selections available, her white eyes wandering over the familiar faces. Some were strikingly similar to their owners, others with comically exaggerated features intended to mock. The new Chancellor, the ISC President, a Hutt Ball player simply labeled Mr. Macho, and Preef Callo were just a few of the faces present. Ripley raised an eyebrow at the sight of the infamous Rodian.
Since when do they make costumes for criminals?
She reached for the mask closest to her, securing the string around her head and pulling the mask of the new Chancellor down over her face. Ripley didn’t keep up with politics, but even she’d heard the comparisons being made to Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine.
"How do I look?" she asked idly.
"Very nice, miss," the service droid replied, naturally programed to be polite to all the guests.
"Excellent." Ripley turned, ready to join in the festivities and hoping the food would be good.
Halloween social open to anyone and everyone, regardless of faction :)