Open Sing Us a Song, You're The Padawan

[Zana Ari]

Zana couldn’t help but agree with Cairo, narrowing her eyes, “People seem weirdly on edge,” She remarked, surprised to see so much grouchiness. She looked up at Cairo again, “Whatever, I wanted to see you, so that’s all I’ll worry about,” Zana said confidently as they kept dancing. Truthfully, she didn’t give a rat’s ass about anyone else acting like a toddler. Zana smiled at Cairo and was stepping closer to rest her head against his chest when that damned dinosaur of a padawan ran right into the Morellian. Zana stumbled forth as they both almost fell over and she whipped around to catch the asshole casually striding off.

It didn’t matter that Cairo tried to tug her away, the Force abruptly coiled around Laeo to make him skid backwards right along the floor, “Apologize, right now,” She said icily, keeping Cairo right where he was with a grip on his hand. Zana glared at Laeo and it was clear she wasn’t going to let this go. Not this. Not after Cairo had already been made to feel unwelcome. She would make damn sure she was in his corner. And she would start by making this absolute ancient tool remember to act like an adult.

@Fine Dining Set @Tom

 

[Laeonas Tannaras]

​

It hadn’t registered in the Padawan’s mind that his little bump was anything more than that. He hadn’t cared enough to give it more than a passing glance. Such moments were common in crowded nightclubs or even city streets, two environments the man had spent most of his youth in. Even if he had cared, he was bumping into a bunch of teenagers. Long as they didn’t toss drinks at him, he’d-

“Hey bro, what the fuck?”

The voice cut into his headspace just as he was about to start getting into the groove. It was clearly agitated, and it took a moment for him to register what had actually happened. “Oh fuck.” He thought to himself, his desire to continue dancing melting away as his stomach hit the floor. It was going to be one of these moments.

He was about to start preparing the usual lines of faux remorse as he started to turn— right when he felt the force coil around his frame. He skidded a couple inches, eyes widening before he summoned the force to his aid, an equal and opposite force pushing back against Zana’s pulling. The look on Laeonas’ face shifted from blissful, distant and aloof, to bloodshot, wide eyed and livid. His gaze first fell on the bronze skinned prom king, before shifting his gaze to the tiny twi’lek in the saddest rag of a dress he’d ever seen. That was a lie, but as his blood began to boil, what was true mattered a hell of a lot less.

There quite literally wasn’t much a stranger could do to piss him off more than this. Nothing short of shoving him into a puddle of sewage or calling him a gigolo. This was a challenge, a direct assault on his person— over a fucking bump that hadn’t even hit her. A tiny part of him was tempted to let her pull him closer, just so he could use the momentum to close the distance and introduce her jaw to his knuckles. A younger man would already be trying to knock her teeth out.

But taking him out of his world had reminded him of all the other people in it. Looking at the girl, his stare didn’t break for a few seconds, letting the tension grow thicker with every passing moment. “Step off.” he replied, letting the declaration hang. “Or that rag from goodwill won’t be the only thing that needs stitches.” petty insults thrown out in a venomous slurry in spite of the optics. He didn’t care if he was giving her the first punch or not— let her explain herself to the masters, but he was not going to kowtow to some twi’lek tyke after interrupting her slow dancing in the dark routine.

​

 

[Reinhart Grimm]

From everything Reinhart heard from Alex about the Jedi and the good they did, their padawans still needed a good deal of supervision. Personally, he thought there should be more harsh punishment for things like back home, but what was a man to do, eh? Jedi Knights weren't the same as Adamite Paladins.

Still, he figured he should see things for himself. Carrying a folding lawn chair and wearing decent clothes the far-away Paladin entered the gathering, assaulted by strange styles of music he didn't recognize and unusual smells. The greater galaxy may well never stop being alien to him, but if he were an honest man- and he was- he'd at least admit the clothes were far more comfortable than rough-spun cloth.

There were also 'cigars', which he quite enjoyed, one clamped between his teeth even then as he deployed his folding chair and sat down, a bottle of 'sweet jasmine tea' placed in the cupholder. Jedi were singing, dancing, mingling. Overall it seemed fairly peaceful.

Temporarily. Some older fellow barged right through a dancing couple and now there was a whole altercation about it brewing. Reinhart sipped his tea with a disapproving grimace, keeping an eye on things for the beginning of it rather than really doing anything. Tapping a finger against the Justicar badge clipped to his belt, Reinhart elected to watch how things unfolded, judging how a group of young Jedi handled disagreement and strife before stepping in. It was how Paladins did things.

'Course he didn't understand what that scruffy remedial Padawan fellow was on about. The young Twi'lek lady looked perfectly lovely in yellow. Since when did older Jedi have such a bad attitude, anyhow? Reinhart was nearby in case anyone was in dire need of a good slap upside the head. This being code for 'horrendous and creative punishment' as well as literally. A passed-on Master actually wrote a whole document on the subject called 'How to Train Your Padawan' that was left in the archives.

What was his name? Hannibal something?

 

[Cairo Kisufi]

Then he ran his mouth. What the fuck were they teaching these Jedi - didn't they get home training? Zana held him in place as he tried to escape the situation, but he wriggled his hands out from under her as she held him. As she demanded an apology, rightly, he provided an insult.

By the time Laeo got to 'goodwill,' Cairo's left hand was raised. When the sentence was finished, he struck, bringing the back of his hand down to strike Laeo's right cheek. The resulting slap would create a resounding smack as How dare he disrespect her like that? What was the deal with the weirdo Jedi? Weren't they supposed to be the chill ones?

He didn't make any further move to strike, and he didn't expect the Jedi would broker a full fight in the middle of their party. He looked to Zana, consternation melting towards her face. His look was apologetic. He truly hadn't wanted to start drama, but people wanted some with him! She seemed so sensitive. He hoped she didn't take it too personally.

"Don't listen to him. Just some fucking creep that can't find chicks his own age." Such a deflection might not be enough to actually heal the insult, but he hoped it would provide some deal of comfort. He'd look to her again. "You, uh, wanna go smoke with me?"

@Sreeya @Tom

 

[Zoya Unduli]

The dance, unfortunately, did not last for long, and Zoya was pulled out of her brief escape by a raised voice. Opening her eyes she was in time to see Cai having some sort of altercation with an older looking guy who seemed very out of place among the much younger crowd dancing around him. And then the Twi'lek got involved, and seeing the man's reaction immediately made her wonder if he was like her, a Sith captive or reject taken in by the Jedi idiots? Though in that case she had to wonder how he was still alive. She was a useless reject who no one in the Empire would miss. But he looked old enough to have been a Champion, surely someone would have sent an assassin to chop his head off, the Sith didn't leave loose ends like that.

At first she didn't have any intentions of getting involved, but his comment about the Twi'lek's dress made her frown. Not because of any sense of concern for the Twi'lek, she simply didn't like bullies. Her earliest memories were of getting picked on, forced to become tough to survive. So his comments left a bitter taste in her mouth. "Rag from goodwill?" She called out, over the hush that had fallen over the gathering after Cai slapped him. "And what, those curtains you stole from the local diner to stitch yourself a shirt are the epitome of style? Talk about creeps in glass houses."

She turned to Zana, as Cai returned to her. "Ignore him," she said, "that dress looks lovely. Broody here," she continued more softly as she gestured towards Thelian, wherever he was by then, "couldn't keep his eyes off of you."

@Sreeya @Fine Dining Set @Altaris @Tom

 

[Thelian Lsai]

Despite the Echani’s typically blank expression, there was no masking his surprise when Zoya abruptly grabbed his wrists, tugging him along towards the dancefloor. He expected the Mirialan to continue to scream in his face, or simply to storm off frustrated when she wasn’t able to get a rise out of him. Instead, those silver eyes widened as he allowed the Acolyte to pull him out into the frey.

The Echani couldn’t help but stare down at the Mirialan when she repositioned his hands on her waist, clearing his throat a bit. He didn’t say anything to in response to her words about Zana, instead keeping his attention dedicated to swaying slowly - side to side - and cautiously avoiding stepping on the girl’s feet. He felt her hands loop around his neck, while his own hands gripped tightly onto her lithe waist and pulled her close.

Of course, their dance didn’t last for very long before it was interrupted. Their lose position to Zana and Cairo meant that the Echani had a front row seat to the entire exchange - watching as Laeo stormed in, practically knocked them off their feet and was about to keep going. The Echani’s eyes immediately narrowed into harsh slits - those piercing silver stares sending daggers into the Brentaalan’s back. Thelian briefly glanced back to Zoya. “Gimme a minute.” He said flatly before stepping back from the Mirialan, proceeding to make a beeline for Laeo, Zana and Cairo.

With Laeo’s back turned to face Cairo and Zana, the Brentaal would never see the Echani approaching - but everyone else would. Zana, Cairo and everyone else would see Thelian practically bulldozing his way through the crowds of people that danced, jaw set tightly and fists curled - squeezing tight enough to turn his knuckles white. The dude acted like a complete jackass, and the Echani wasn’t going to tolerate that for a split second. Even if Zana surprised him by pulling Laeo through the Force.

And then he started mouthing off. Thelian maintained his gait, and yet the Echani couldn’t help but stare wide eyed in response to the insult he had thrown at Zana. The words alone were enough to send a spike of rage to course through Thelian - and a single look at the Twi’lek - at the look on her face in response - meant that the Echani could only see red.

It didn’t matter that Zoya threw back a retort or that Cairo proceeded to bitchslap him. He didn’t care if it would get him thrown out or reprimanded by the Masters. Who the fuck was Laeo to disrespect her?

As Thelian cut through the crowds between them, the Echani Padawan drew the Force onto himself. It coalesced and built in intensity, flowing into his limbs and enhancing his physical strength far beyond natural means. Unlike the way that thrown Severus into the ocean back on Chandrila, Thelian made no attempt to reach out and grasp Laeo through the Force. Instead, he focused every bit of his energy into his extremities.

A split second would pass between Cairo’s bitchslap and Thelian closing in on Laeo. Whether the Brentalaan took the hit like a man or tried to defend himself didn’t matter - because it would leave the dinosaur Padawan distracted and not paying much attention to what was coming at him from behind. Thelian reached forward and latched one hand onto Laeo’s shoulder, abruptly yanking the Brentaalan backwards and turning his torso to face him. The Echani didn’t give the Brentaalan any breathing room to figure out what was happening before his other fist - already raised and drawn back - barreled forward, attempting to slam directly into the Brentaalan’s face.

The Force flowed directly into the Echani’s fist and enhanced the punch beyond its natural limits - adding additional weight beyond the snow-haired Padawan’s muscle mass and fighting experience. There was enough force behind that punch to shatter the Brentaalan’s nose on impact or knock his teeth loose, depending on where the punch landed, and to send him bodily careening backwards.

“Who the FUCK do you think you are?!” He spat, his words raw venom directed towards Laeo. Whether Cairo intended upon escalating things or not didn’t matter even remotely to Thelian. Because he’d seen the look on Zana’s face, and the Echani wasn’t going to stop until either him or Laeo were beaten and bloodied.

He didn’t look backwards - didn’t glance away from his opponent - but nevertheless directed his voice to the Twi’lek. “You look fucking amazing, Zana.” He didn’t address Zoya’s comment about being unable to keep his eyes off her, because frankly the Mirialan wasn’t wrong.

With that split second of pause, Thelian continued his advance forward - fists raised and ready to throw another punch at Laeo - regardless of whether or not the ancient fuck took the first hit or not.

@Sreeya @Fine Dining Set @Tom @Wit

 

[Clove Vanhoop]

---

Clove heard the restless murmuring behind her back before her talk with Ruz could even begin. She threw a peek behind her, only to see Laeo(@Tom), Zana(@Sreeya), and the new kid(@Fine Dining Set) standing in front of her. At first, she was content to simply watch; none of this was any of her concern, and Zana could fight for herself just fine. But then Laeo flung the rag's remark along with a veiled threat, and Clove's cheeks started to burn up.

What the frak?

"Sorry, one moment, Ruz." Clove smiled apologetically as she returned her eyes to her best friend(@SlagathorTheUnknown), although her twitching ears betrayed her irritation. Her fingers clutched the side of her wheels, and she began to make her way over to the three with a few hefty pushes.

Her cheeks became warmer and warmer with each fresh turn of the wheels, until they were almost glowing in a strange poisonous bundle of violet matter, all while her ears continued to twitch violently. She was familiar with these feelings, which bubbled and swirled in her stomach like an uneven keg of powder about to explode; she'd been there before, only once, when someone decided to bully her childhood friend with the most pitiful things. Back then, she completely exploded, and to be honest, it didn't end pretty for that bully.

But she was now a Jedi, reaching the end of her training as a Padawan. She couldn't blow up, not here, not now. 'Emotions, yet peace,' she repeated in her head as her knuckles went a boney white and her fingers gripped the hand rim in a steely grasp. The mantra continued, 'Ignorance, yet knowledge,' as she got closer.

Then matters began to escalate. The Morellian struck Laeo in the face, seeming to take the insult just as badly as Clove had.

... 'The crystal is the heart of the blade.'

Thelian(@Altaris) then appeared out of nowhere, dashing through the crowd. And, to be honest, it only seemed to add ten more layers of irritation to an already shaky keg. The Force whirling around his hand told her all she needed to know: he was about to throw another Thelian punch. And he did. Because, of course he did. He'd done the same thing for her back on the beach, but dear Force, someone has to teach him how to control his violence. Plus, she knew damn well that Thelian's assault would lead into a fight.

'The Force is the blade of the heart.'

Clove propelled herself ahead with a single rapid sweep of the wheels. And just as she arrived between Thelian and Laeo, her wheels screeched to a halt, firmly securing her position between them. She wouldn't be able to stop Thelian's punch in time, but she would try her best to deescalate the situation before it got out of hand. The Force obviously began to surge through her body; if either Laeo or Thelian tried to go around her to reach the other, she wouldn't hesitate to send them down with a Force Push loaded with all her strength, even if it meant burning through all of her energy in one go. "Thelian, back off. He's not worth it." She hissed, but she didn't look at him.

Her eyes, which were ablaze with fire, were locked onto Laeo's. Clove couldn't care less if he was still standing, laying on the ground, or doing whatever it was he was doing, or if her wheels collided with anybody. He'd single-handedly wrecked a perfectly lovely evening by going pathetically deep on her friend. "What the kriff is the matter with you?! You're supposed to be the grown-up here, yet you're behaving even more immature than Maura. And then there's the threatening and shittalking of her outfit. This is the first time I've seen her wear a dress and you insult her?! You are like twice Zana's age, what the kriff man?! You could've just apologized and moved on with your life. Is this your idea of what it means to be a Jedi? Please, please just leave."

Clove's right hand gestured towards the doorway as she said the word "leave." She kept her posture ever so stiffly, looked Laeo dead in the eyes while visibly keeping back most of her anger, the mantra still playing in her head. Because, no matter how enraged she was, no matter how desperately she wanted to slam her wheels into his knees and mess him over for hurting Zana, she refused to go as low as him. She wasn't going to move or budge until he left, and she wouldn't hesitate to chase him if he tried to go any other way than the doorway.

---

​

tag in the post!​

 

[Oren Zapan]

The Jedi Master had hoped things would sort themselves out, they had started to, but one Jedi had begun to escalate things to a far greater degree. Oren's first instincts were to jump into it and to resolve it, but he was aging and the younger students couldn't rely on the relics of the Order to solve things for themselves forever. Every action had a consequence, every malice attempt a pushback. This older padawan and the students would see that through what had begun to transpire.

He would simply watch through the crowd, ready to step in if it turned almost deadly, but he wouldn't engage. Instead, he took a sense of pride at the words that Clove had said. Everything about Laeo was only a decade or two younger than he, but even at the man's age -- he couldn't ever imagine making fun of a bunch of kids clothes. There was something about the way he spoke, his irrational actions that hinted he was not ready to be a Jedi Knight in the Master's eyes. He made a note to speak of this matter with the Grand Master and the Counselors of their Order, but he did not say those words aloud.

Instead, he would simply step through the crowd to stand beside Clove, giving her an appreciative and warm nod if she looked to him, before turning his attention back to the older padawan. His eyes narrowed as he rested his hands against his sides, he didn't need to say anything, the others had made it clear that his actions were not wanted. He wouldn't linger among the students and instead would move off to join the Master whom he had not met personally.

"I'm getting too old for this." He'd say as he cracked a smile to the Master, "Whatchya' drinking?"

tag: @Sreeya @Fine Dining Set @Tom @Wit @LilyNion @SlagathorTheUnknown @Altaris @Mr. Teatime

 

[Reinhart Grimm]

Reinhart kept on watching through the process of the besuited fellow slap Laeonas across the face. A little hit wouldn't kill him but it'd get the point across. Alex may or may not have approved of not stepping in at that point but she didn't bring a Paladin into the order to coddle folk. Honestly, it was heartwarming to see so many of Zana's friends rush to her defense. Even the Sith prisoner had something to say, which he found somewhat funny. There wasn't much call for the older padawan's behaviour, especially given Zana's call-out was perfectly reasonable.

Then there was Thelian. It didn't take a mind reader or empath to pick up on his anger. Of course Reinhart was technically both, so he got something of a head start. The Paladin was anticipating a punch or something, kosher young people stuff. It was about when the Echani padawan gathered the Force around them and approached Laeonas that Paladin Grimm rose from his chair, dark brows slightly lowering toward a frown. He strode nearer the group, leaving his cigar behind on an ashtray.

On the way he picked a stick up from the ground, picking off a stray twig or two from its dry surface. Suddenly in came Clove on her wheelchair, eyes alight but presence in the Force relatively calm as she focused on preventing a fight and deescalating. Alex would've appreciated her taking a stand, figuratively speaking. She was a good kid among others.

Whether or not Padawan Lsai's punch hit, the lad was far too quick to act in anger. Luckily he wasn't strong enough to kill someone. Bore discussion, but he was still a kid, still growing, and surrounded by companions. Clove's words rang true, but that didn't counter the fact Thelian' had used the Force in anger.

Oren smiled, but Reinhart didn't, looking over at the older man."Sweet tea," he answered gruffly with the exact same expression, turning back to the padawans. Clove got a solid nod of approval for what she'd said and done.

"Padawan Lsai," Reinhart called out in the calm, deep-lunged tones of a man used to a military order. His stick tapped the ground in front of him. "You know better than to use the Force for a brawl. Work it out. One lap of squat lunges 'round the area. And I do believe you owe Padawan Vanhoop a song of her choice." Seemed fitting for Clove to pick a song for the lad since her interference would save him from worse punishment.

The other one was another story. Paladin Grimm locked Laeonas in his stony, watchful gaze. Here was a man only two years younger than Reinhart himself and he was picking fights with teenagers. The Grandmaster must have made a mistake and Reinhart absolutely had his own thoughts on the matter. Oren smiled, but Reinhart didn't, looking over at the older man.

"Padawan Tannaras. This is how you act among and toward your peers, fellow Jedi, all younger than you? I expect better from Ms. Unduli, much less a Padawan of the Order." Telling someone they were more volatile than a teenage Sith was not something Reinhart expected to do today, but here they all were. "You're running back to the ship, where you're going to sit put, wait, and reflect on your actions." He gestured with the stick toward the door, reinforcing Clove's request. "Get moving."

@TWD26 @LilyNion @Altaris @Tom @Sreeya @Fine Dining Set @Wit

 

[Jacata Lurel]

This was even less chill than usual. It had literally only taken minutes before the arguing and then fighting started. He leaned forward, debating to get involved or not but luckily one of the older Jedi actually intervened.

He debated on leaving. The exchange he had witnessed had been kind of cringey but maybe now it would be alright. He took another drink from his cup before setting it down. No, he didn't want to leave just yet. He actually liked karaoke and it wasn't like the chance came up every day.

He stood as the Jedi Master was dispersing some of the trouble makers and hopped up on the small stage, selecting a track quickly. Everyone needed a go-to karaoke song.

Jacata wasn't a great singer, but what was important in karaoke was to just send it regardless of talent. The music started playing and he gestured to some nearby Jedi to join him. Some shrunk away, some just looked another direction. There were plenty of mics on the stage if anyone wanted to join in.

"Just a small spaceport girl!!" he belted. "Living on a lonely worlddddd! She took the midnight ship going anywhereeeee!" he sang, holding the mic in both hands.

 

[Zoya Unduli]

Zoya was similarly confused regarding the future of the little party. If it had been a Sith party someone would have killed or maimed the idiot and things would have carried on, but this lot seemed a little different, so part of her thought that might be the end of her one opportunity to party.

But then the music changed again and someone started signing, and she spotted a Mirialan boy singing along with some other Jedi. Shrugging, she walked to the nearest table and foudnherself another drink, taking a big swig just in time to join in for the chorus.

"Just a sithy gaaaal..." she belted out, forcing herself to relax once more, "born and raised in Korribaaaan, took a midnight spear in the you knooooow where!!"

She noticed a few weird glances as she opened her eyes, and realized that she might have sung the lyrics to the version some acolytes had played at one of the yearly functions, which had of course become a big hit among the acolytes. "What, she was a bitch so they stabbed her in the heart and killed her."

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

What a shitshow.

Granted, Laeonas had been a jerk, but that was almost to be expected given the man's reputation. Ruzaan was taken aback by the inability of many of the Padawans around him to actually act like Jedi; and all this before anyone had even gotten the opportunity to get properly drunk! Thelian had lost control yet again, and his fist connected solidly with Laeo's jaw; now the second time the Echani had shown up to a social and been involved in a fight. Even Clove had lost her temper, and seeing her angry was the only thing that kept Ruzaan stationary- frozen out of shock.

The timely intervention of both supervising Jedi Masters seemed to restore some control over the social, but a bitter taste was left in the Togruta's mouth at the way that things had so quickly fallen apart. Even the enthusiastic belting of "Don't Stop Believing" wasn't enough to raise his spirits, and he swallowed hard before making his way towards the fringes of the social. He wouldn't leave, but he was visibly deflated and tried to find another glass of water or perhaps someone to talk to.


@TWD26 @LilyNion @Sreeya @Altaris @Tom @Fine Dining Set @Wit @Mr. Teatime @Raydo

 

[Jacata Lurel]

Jacata was getting into it now. He excitedly gestured as the Mirialan (@Wit) joined in, not really even noticing she used different words.

"Just a city boy! Raised in South Coruscanttt! He took the midnight ship going anywheree!!" he continued to sing into the microphone.

As the song picked up, he pulled out some of his rather ridiculous dance moves. Trying his best to imitate the old rock holo-stars. He wasn't good, but he was having a blast.

"Strangers, waitin' Up and down the sky lane..." he sang before hopping off the small stage and holding the mic out to a random person to get them to sing a line.

 

[Laeonas Tannaras]

​

The words had barely left his mouth, venom and bile dribbling out, before he was met with a blow. Not from the twi'lek girl, but the prom king. Aquamarines would blink a few times, and for a moment the man forgot all about the bump, about being yanked, about trashing a teenager's apparel just because she was the one doing it. His mind practically emptied itself of all extenuating thoughts and feelings, and he was left only with the situation before him, left to ponder a single question that now resounded in his mind;

"...what am Ai doin'?"

He was about to wonder for a moment-- a singular moment as he turned to look at the girl, (@Sreeya) the grip on the force having dissipated. The look of righteous indignation was gone, and the man wouldn't see some uppity tyke that needed to be smacked down a peg-- but a girl. A girl he'd just tossed hateful, venomous bile at for little more than a tug. His expression slowly softened, the red smack mark still on his cheek. He'd open his mouth--

--and thelian's (@Altaris) fist would connect. Not against his nose, as his original positioning would've allowed it to-- but with his lower jaw. The man could feel the crack of bone as knuckles met bone and flesh, enhanced by the power of the force. Laeonas' entire torso was blown back, and he'd stumble, legs unable to keep him fully upright. Yet he didn't collapse, as his hands would meet the ground before his back did. He remained in that position, reconstituting himself after such a powerful blow, the world coming back to him over the course of the next few seconds. Than, he pushed.

The force flowed through his limbs, and promptly, the man pushed himself up, jaw slack and hanging at an unnatural angle. He heard the Albino's words; the question every self righteous prick asked when they thought he'd done something wrong. Than he'd watch as he turned his voice to the twi'lek, and the human's eyes would widen in a mixture of surprise-- and a foul sense of amusement. Thoughts of reflection had been broken-- much like his jaw, and as he stared at the boy before him, he was now focused on doing what he'd done to the twi'lek-- hurting him.

Pressing his hand up below his jaw, the man would fish out a loose, dangling bit of whatever in his mouth-- and spit it out, two molars smacking against the floor. He coughed a little, blood trailing down his lips as he stared daggers at the Echani. "Aih know th'at Ai ain't... a gym rat white knightin' fer a girl... who'd rather be dancin' with a wannabe prom king." He answered, voice slurred do to the blood and spittle, as well as the incorrect angle of his jaw. But he spoke his poisons anyway, adding, "...who can't even 'it as 'ard... as a drunkin' da after gettin' fired."

He let his hand fall from his jaw, fingers wrapping into fists as he stared at the boy. Had he allowed himself to, he would've leapt forward, and the fight that would've resulted would only end with either Thelian or Laeonas left broken, bloodied and beaten hard enough to keep them in bacta for a week. Yet that angry, hateful counterattack didn't come-- as a tiny, wheelchair bound girl he knew (@LilyNion) put herself in the middle. The man was confused at first, feeling the obvious gathering of the force around her-- but than he saw the fiery look in her eyes, an expression he'd never seen on the tiny knife eared girl before.

The girl proceeded to go on a short, but powerful tirade, tearing into the man and his actions. His eyes began to widen as each sentence hit harder than the last-- the accusation he was behaving worse than Maura, the reminder that he'd been tossing insults at a teenage girl, an ego crushing reminder that he was significantly older than her. Most damning of all, and the one that caused Laeonas' expression to shift from confliction to a depressive, yet also horrified look of recognition-- was the jab at the fact that his conduct was, undeniably, completely unbefitting of a Jedi.

The man stood in shock for a moment, looking at the usually friendly girl who was obviously holding back a torrent of righteous fury. His jaw hung slack, and aquamarines wandered, darting from face to face, looking at the floor and his bloodied teeth just a few feet away. His fists slowly unfurled into pale, trembling digits. Very suddenly, an older master (@Mr. Teatime)-- one he'd met once at the beginning of the trip-- cut in. His words were much more professional and far less biting, but they only served to reinforce the girl's point.

He stood there for a moment, blinking a few more times. He'd slowly turn, glancing once at the table he'd left the booze on. Summoning it back to his hand, he'd immediately move forward, crowd parting for the disheveled, bloodied mess of a man that called himself a Jedi-- yet had acted as anything but this evening. His hands were trembling by the time he reached the door, to the point where when he raised the bottle in his hand to take a swig, it'd slip, from his grip, shattering on the floor. It didn't interrupt his gate though, as he'd walk out.

He'd hale a cab, mumbling the dock where their ship was parked. The entire way back, his facial expression was a blank, slack jawed, empty eyed, distant look. His thoughts were like a movie reel, going back over the party, what had happened-- what he'd done. He searched every moment, and each time he recognized, bit by bit, the utter magnitude of what he'd done. The cruelty, the malice, the utter disregard for anyone else. He'd recognized in the past that he did wrong, did it often-- but never before had he come to understand just how terrible his actions were to this extent.

Laeonas really was a fucking bastard.

​

//exit

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

A couple songs later, and Ruzaan had found something that looked like water but definitely wasn't water. He didn't really know what it was, but he needed something to take his mind off of the recent events and sipping a beverage- even if the beverage in question wasn't as cool as he expected it to be. In fact, it was almost warming, which was odd, but he was more calm after he'd finished the glass, and confident enough to make his way back out onto the dance floor with a very specific purpose in mind.

The Togruta made his way towards where he saw Cairo (@Fine Dining Set) and Zana (@Sreeya), and waited for the music to change before approached the couple. "May I have this dance?" he asked, eyes flicking between the Twi'lek and her date.

If Zana agreed, Ruzaan would replace her to dance with Cairo, even going so far as to try to lead; a strange sight, given that the Morellian was taller than him. However, Ruzaan wasn't as interested in dancing as much as he was with getting to know this newcomer and maybe make a new friend.

"Hi, I'm Ruzaan" he introduced himself. "I've not seen you around before. What's your name?"

 

[Clove Vanhoop]

---

She would have been embarrassed by now if it hadn't been for the fact that the older Jedi seemed to support Clove's little speech. But there was no need because one was nodding at her, and the other reaffirmed her request and sent Laeo away.

Still, none of that was enough to quell the roiling anger in her stomach. Even watching Laeo accept defeat and walk to the door didn't solve it. Partly because she was still annoyed with Thelian for getting violent yet again, and partly because... well. She was simply just grumpy.

"I'm going to leave and meditate for a bit." She wasn't sure who she was telling, or if anyone heard her at all. But she didn't seem to mind. With a sigh, she turned around and exited the building, making her way to the ship she had arrived on.

---

​

/exit thread

​

tag -​

 

[Ruzaan Kai]

As he danced with Cairo (@Fine Dining Set), Ruzaan couldn’t shake the feeling that he was missing something obvious; but every time he tried to collect his thoughts, he found them to be sluggish and foggy. His balance was off as well, and on more than one occasion he stepped on Cairo’s feet. Their conversation, too, was awkward, especially once Ruzaan caught a glimpse of Zana leaving the social with her shoulders slumped and her head down.

Oh.

Ruzaan finished dancing with Cairo and soon thereafter left the social, his stomachs feeling like they had rocks in them. He’d really misread the situation. The next day, Zana (@Sreeya) would find a handwritten note shoved into her temple mailbox.

Dear Zana,

I messed up. I’m sorry that I treated you so poorly at the social. It wasn’t my intent to hurt you, but I understand that my actions were hurtful. You’re one of my friends, and you deserve better. I apologize for my actions, and I hope that you can forgive me.

-Ruz


/ThrExit