Life Day

[Jamo Jakatta]

In the shadow of the Massassi Temple, also known as Rebel Base One, there were fires burning. Spitted meat turned on skewers, as the wine and ale flowed freely. Somewhere, someone struck up a tune with a bow and rowdy drum beat soon followed. Hundreds of shadows moved to and fro, footsteps crunching on the frosted grass. The voices and laughter of adults and children alike filled the air, as ensigns mixed with admirals, Jedi with junior cadets and everyone else inbetween.

It was a gathering the likes of which the Rebel Alliance hadn't known for many moons, with faces old and new coming together to celebrate Life Day. As the world from which they had executed the destruction of the Death Star, Yavin 4 seemed like a hell of a fitting choice for a hell of a shindig.

At the fringe of the crowd, Jamo Jakatta ducked low and scooped up a handful of snow, which he padded into a rough ball. He moved on his toes, craning his neck to find the face he was looking for. Sure enough, he spotted the Commander of Rogue Squadron after a minute or two – and moments later the snowball was hurtling through the air at Kelly Perris's handsome head.

[Carré Inirial]

It was so different than anything else she'd seen at home, or even in her time at the Academy. Decorum was set aside for what looked like a rather lot of fun...the dancing, the games, the food, the sentients all mixing together. This, Carré knew, was how it was supposed to be. Not the uptight, protocol-driven soireés she was accustomed to from home, or the rank-specific get togethers she'd known in her short time at the Academy.

Times like this made her miss her brothers all that much more...half would be in amidst the dancing, while the rest joined in the games - and inevitably one of them would drag her along no matter her protest. It brought a smile to her glossy lips, their pearlescent sheen glimmering in the light. It matched the shadow above her emerald eyes, and the soft white parka, pants, and boots she wore.

Fingers smoothed out the fitted garments as she rose, abandoning her cushion and her empty mug on the rock a short distance away from the festivities. Uncertain of, well, everything, her boots crunched in the snow as she walked the perimeter of the group, looking for a familiar face.

A sculpted brow arched as she caught sight of Jamo tossing a snowball, and wondered who on earth his intended target was. Pulling her gloves out of her pockets, she crouched down and formed one of her own - packing the snow nice and tight before lobbing it straight at Jamo and plastering a bright, innocent expression on her face.

[Jehkran Dmath]

He watched.

He always watched.

Jehkran leaned up against the post. He had his flack jacket on and mitten. It was cold. The helmet hid his white Echani hair. He was comfortable against the pole. A few tents had been bent up right. Small places of refugee during the cluster. Life Day was as festive as ever. Folks from across the galactic war turned to peace for a day, here. The very thought could bring a smile to a face. Jehkran just wouldn't smile - he rather smirk. Behind the dark eyes and slanted looks cooked something devious.

A snowball flew by.

He saw it coming. As it hurled through the air, his brows rose with a knowing excitement. All around was green, and white. A cool flew through. Against the chill of the post, with his arms crossed, he felt his mouth water. The young soldier sucked at his teeth with hunger. It wasn't his stomach that grumbled. It was his spirit.

He still smirked.

There was no hesitation. He went down, and scooped up some white. A pat here, there, and there had the snow in a perfect ball of doom. He snicker like an evil baboon. Ready to attack with his head craned back, and arm further. The picture of pitcher, he slung the ball with sedated fury and joy. The smirk that was smeared across his face into a smile as he leaned in to his throw.

His perfect snowball went diving into the crowd around him. There was no aim...just faces. Just rebels. Just fun.

Oh, how he loved Life Day.

[Sanis Prent]

"Give me another."

One of the junior officers passed a bottle down a makeshift bar in my direction, which I deftly halted with the back of my hand. I paused, looking down at my empty glass, the ice barely having melted from my previous drink. I listened to the disjointed but eagerly-joined life day carols, hating the sound of them precisely because I couldn't feel whatever so many people here obviously did. Maybe it was because my dad left before I was born and my mom died on the streets. Maybe that was just my excuse. Maybe because I chafed and railed against the notion of belonging to anything at all.

I filled my glass, and took another drink, hiding my unease behind an easy smile. That part was easy. I knew I could lie. Lie to everybody including myself.

I passed the bottle on down the line to Cirr, who simply drank from it, eschewing the glass. We paused, looked at each other, and almost nodded. I knew where he came from, and he knew where I came from. That absurdity is about as close as I've come to family.

Small miracles.

"Who knows, maybe we'll even make it around another turn. Half of me still thinks I'll live forever. Half of me is amazed I didn't die at twenty."

Cirr took another drink, laying a heavy arm over my shoulder.

"Yeah, and jin anotherr ljife jI was marrrjied. Then jI woke up. Glad jI djid, and yet, maybe jI want to drream agajin someday?"

I made a screwed up face as I paused with a mouthful of liquor. Swallowed.

"That's something I never want to hear with your arm around me."

[Dashiel Starborn]

Alongside the makeshift bars were various free-standing barbecues and cook pots, most of which had just thrown together on a whim at the last moment using whatever equipment they had to hand, none of it intended to be anywhere near a kitchen. There was a huge bin of root stew on the boil, but it was some char-grilled meat that caught Dash Starborn's attention. The chef – wearing a Special Forces patch and a proud grin – was dishing out burgers.

Dash sniffed at the offering and prodded between the two slices of hard bread that held the burger. “No blue sauce?”

[Kelly Perris]

He saw this fight coming. Find snow, rebels, throw the illustrious Rogue Squadron into the mix and certain predictable hijinks were bound to ensue. You'd think leader-man had been here before. Oh, plenty of times. Most of which he was the guilty party, the instigator. Jamo had beaten him to it this time. Already, Perris had packed a few hard balls of the white, fluffy, cold stuff. And with one enroute to his face and barely whizzing overhead as he ducked, Kelly had no issue with returning the favour.

"Jamo, you mutinous, lightloaferin' sack of..." and he lobbed the whiteball with expert aim at his intended target. And that wasn't all.

Someone had already come to his defense. While that was all fine and dandy up in the black where, if he was being defended, it was obviously needed, his momentary knight was cheeky in assuming he'd needed the help here. The next pre-prepared sphere was for that pretty head, which he could see - Rogue Squadron's latest addition, Carré Inirial.

"And if I needed your help, missy, I'dve asked for it!" He shouted over the rapidly increasing, chaotic fray and he whipped the ball right at her.

No point in posturing over 'not beating up on the women' where it wasn't necessary. Being a gentleman did have its limits. Though, with his action of snowballing them both, it might have begun to sink in just what kind of payback it might mean for him.

Kelly Perris grinned, as his targets both laid eyes on him momentarily, before they all ducked more peltings. Two on one? More than that? It could be handled. Maybe.

Life Day was always fantastic.

[Jamo Jakatta]

The crowds were a blessing and with a well timed dodge Jamo saw to it that one of Kelly's snow balls didn't strike him, but instead caught the furry head of a Bothan. Lucky for Perris that it wasn't a Wookiee!

As he weaved away from his pursuer, Jakatta came alongside Rogue Squadron's newest recruit. He eyed her get-up for a second, an amused grin curling his lips. In his hands was another snowball, ready and raring to go. “Hey, fluffy – funny, isn't it, how even when we're out of the cock-pit, we just can't quit hunting?”

[Saricia Ask'lan]

s'Ilancy had more or less ordered Saricia down to the moon and have a good time. Any words that attempted to escape the Kroenen Lupine's lips to dissuade her mentor, were silenced by encouraging words that would not be moved. She had learned quickly that the elder Lupine was emphatic in her beliefs, no matter how small or large the issue. It was annoying, truthfully, but no one should be alone for Life Day. Well, that was the argument, but the native Sacorrian had been alone for years, taking care of a sick mother who would never recover from the illness that had attacked her mind.

The last thing she wanted to do was celebrate. She never had anything to celebrate, but here she was, a ghost amongst the fires and song, lost in the merriment that was a stranger to her. Today she wore brown dress that provided much warmth from the cold. Its fibers were thick and strong so that the biting cold would be absorbed before it hit her pale skin, as did the hood covering her head. Kneeling by the fire, she bathed in its glow and warmth as blue eyes surveyed the scene before her.

Even she could not deny the small smile wanting to form. Snowball fights, drinking, singing, and dancing, it was enough to move full lips in appreciation.

[Navaria Tarkin]

Just out of eyesight, unless you knew where to look, Jedi Master Navaria Tarkin was nestled against a tree and looking up at the night sky. Yavin IV held no memory for her personally, but the moon's past was deeply rooted within her bloodline. It was here within the orbit of this very moon, that her Grandfather, the Grand Moff Tarkin, was killed by the Rebellion. A sense of peace washed over the Jedi over the loss. Being here was not only a place of victory for the Rebels, but a place of personal history where Navaria's family had changed forever.

Simply being present at such a historic location, especially considering who she was, gave the Rebels a moral boost. To think that a Tarkin would aligned themselves with Rebellion would never have been thought possible. But she didn't want to push her luck just yet. Being just outside of the festivities, watching her comrades dance and laugh was perfection in its own right, and Navaria didn't want to ruin the moment and remained a silent observer.

[Grace Van-Derveld]

Life Day held little meaning to her in prior years, but that was because she had Dasquian Belargic to force good spirits upon her - even if good spirits were a simple smile that parted serious lips just once. All though there was one year that the Spy actually danced with her partner, much to the surprise of everyone present on the Vostech, one of the Mon Cal cruisers that hosted Life Day that year. He always brought out the best in Grace, hell, the brought out the best in each other. Without his presence, she should have been locked inside her quarters and away from all of this festive fun. As the Director of Intelligence, she felt a duty to her subordinates and allowed her presence to be known - at least at the bar.

She was on her third ale, and they were going down smooth. Too smooth. It had been so long that Grace could not remember the last time she was intoxicated, but tonight was a good a night to bring about a deadened mind from drink. Her presence was noted and ignored for the most part, save for a few nods, smiles and waves out of respect for who she was. Most were savvy enough to stay away. The Director's mood, though quite competent in her work, had diminished into robotic mannerisms that everyone knew were attempting to hide the pain of Belargic's death. Though, some of that pain was oozing to the surface with a fourth drink and haunted eyes that were alight by the glow of the fires.

[Daria Nytherciria]

After weeks of breathing recycled air, the chilly night air of Yavin 4 was glorious. The earthy smells, the presence of life all around them... these simple things were enough to lift Daria Nytherciria's spirits considerably. Space travel didn't suit the Miraluka Jedi Knight, so – in spite of the risk the stop-over posed – she had been pleased to hear they would be spending Life Day on terra firma.

An over-enthusiastic member of the Wheel's crew had just thrust a pair of cups into her hands, knocking them together with his own. “To the health and wealth of the Rebellion!” he toasted, as hot, spicy scents rose from the cups. Daria couldn't help but smile, though she had no desire to join the crewmen in their raucous celebration. Her path took her away from the throng of people to the edge of the forest, where she found Navaria Tarkin in quiet contemplation of the night sky.

Sinking into a curve in the tree trunk, Daria offered one of the cups of hot, spiced ale to her companion. “From the crew of the Whaladon,” she said, venturing a small smile.

[Corell Capstan]

“Corellian rum.”

The blonde Jedi padawan held up one finger to the barman, who had kept the bottle close to hand knowing that the tumblers he had already poured for Capstan were not likely to be the last. Having spent the past years crewing with a bunch of vape-heads on a smugglers ship, Corell took to drinking like a Mon Cal to water. As she knocked back another mouthful, complete with a ice-cube that she crunched between her teeth, her eyes drifted down the bar to another solitary drinker. This time, two fingers were raised to the barman, then gestured in a quick slicing motion between herself and Grace Van-Derveld. The look in her eyes said she would be glad of the shot.

[Sanis Prent]

I watched a familiar brunette wander over to the festivities, and my mood changed from the stoic rut I'd previously been in. An easy grin crossed my face as I finished my drink, clapping Cirr on the shoulder.

"Find some trouble to get into, big guy. I've found mine."

I crossed through the throng, seeking out the doe-eyed Lupine.

"Didn't take you for the party type of girl. I'd like to think I had something to do with you braving the snow. Want a drink?"

[Saricia Ask'lan]

"Didn't take you for the party type of girl. I'd like to think I had something to do with you braving the snow. Want a drink?"

She recognized his scent immediately even before the first words had escaped his lips. Just meeting him once had made a lasting impression.

"Sanis Prent," Saricia said and looked up towards the human with a polite smile. "You're correct, I'm not."

The Lupine moved to her feet, "To be honest, I was forced to come down here but it is nice to see you again."

[Navaria Tarkin]

With attentions skywards, the intimate presence of Daria would never go unnoticed for only when she was near did the Jedi Master feel whole. Brown eyes fell in time to see the Miraluka stand beside her, the enticing smell of spice ale coaxing her to take one of the cups and taste.

"They have my thanks in their generosity," she replied and took the cup, noticing how vibrant Daria was tonight. The time spent away from space was already bringing color to such gentle skin that not even the cold could erase. Her companion was positively radiant and Navaria could not help kissing her against the cheek softly. "And you have my gratitude in joining me."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

A little body skipped through the maze of adults and ducked through legs, darted around droids, and twirled about in a generally aimless direction. It was her second Life Day, and Teagan s'Ilancy was bursting with excitement. Who would she see today? Would Wyl be here? He better be - he was her husband after all.

She wore a pair of red and white striped fuzzy tauntaun horns on her head, with small gold-colored bells on each horn tip that jingled with each step she took - they'd been a gift from her Dad, and Dama had groaned at the sight of them. The little Lupine was quickly learning that anything which made her mother perplexed was always worth having.

Dama had also made sure that she was dressed warmly enough, though thankfully Dad had made sure that his daughter didn't look too much like a Corellian tick was about to pop. Whatever a Corellian tick was. She'd only looked at him funny when he'd said it.

There! There was a familiar face!!

Doing her best impression of a happy tauntaun, the little Lupine clomped through the snow.

"Merry Life Day!!!"

[Sanis Prent]

"Didn't take you for the party type of girl. I'd like to think I had something to do with you braving the snow. Want a drink?"

She recognized his scent immediately even before the first words had escaped his lips. Just meeting him once had made a lasting impression.

"Sanis Prent," Saricia said and looked up towards the human with a polite smile. "You're correct, I'm not."

The Lupine moved to her feet, "To be honest, I was forced to come down here but it is nice to see you again."

"Forced?"

I made a face.

"Sounds unpleasant. Come on, they're ladling out some hot spice grog. It'll warm you up, and you can tell me all what you like to do for fun instead of party."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"Sanjis! Damn!"

Cirr sighed loudly, turning to the barkeep for another go at a drink. It seemed there was absolutely no shot at any pretty girl that crossed their path. Sanis always made sure he was there first.

He gulped down a double of whiskey, wiping at his mouth with the back of his hand as he let out a small burp. Was there no consolation for him? There was that blonde-haired Jedi, Corell, just a few seats down. He thought about the possibility. She liked to drink, and he liked to drink. That was common ground right? Damn, he really wasn't any good at this whole thing. If he was back on Carshoulis, it would simply be a matter of working out and looking good until the right girl just slipped a collar on you. He wasn't sure he was cut out for all this effort.

"Merry Life Day!"

And then, a familiar voice rang out. Cirr turned around just in time to see a little...tauntaun? Whatever it was, it tackled him at the knee, and then Cirr knew.

"Tak!"

The disaster of his romantic life put aside, Cirr reached down to heft the little kid up eye level with ease.

"Happy Ljife Day to you too!"

[Grace Van-Derveld]

A shot of something was placed before Grace and the Rebel sniffed it curiously. "Corellian rum?" she questioned with an arching brown brow at the Rebel manning this make shift bar.

"Yep, from Corell down the way."

She lazily lobbed her head towards the blonde's position and gave her an honest smile of appreciation. Though a bit of a hot head, Grace knew she was training with the Jedi and probably sense her foul mood. Taking the shot in her hand, she toasted the air towards Corell and downed it in one smooth gulp.

[Saricia Ask'lan]

"Well, more encouraged with a stern gaze perhaps?" Saricia joked and followed Sanis across the way. "Something warm does sound good."

She was afraid of saying anything more about fun. There was no fun in her life lately, only sewing, taking care of the kudri herd before her life landed inside the Rebellion Fleet. Now it was training and studying her Lupine heritage.

[Daria Nytherciria]

Daria simply smiled, both hands curled around her cup of ale as she lifted the steaming concoction to her lips. It tickled her senses and when she took a ginger sip, she felt the spices tingling on her lips. Exhaling slowly, her breath spiraling out into the cold air, the Jedi Knight laid her head back against the ancient trunk they both rested on. Above them, the tree branches glittered with the evenings frost, whilst the distant firelight softened everything, the combination of smoke and darkness giving the impression that the band of Rebels were alone in the world. To the Miraluka's eyes, the gathering looked like the dance of fireflies, whilst the forest around them appeared as sinews of muted light stretching towards the heavens.

“It's pretty here, isn't it?”

[Navaria Tarkin]

Though devoid of sight as the rest of the beings present here possessed, Daria's unique ability to see through the Force blessed the Jedi Knight with extraordinary sight that only members of her race could appreciate. Navaria could only imagine what the redhead was seeing, but in her heart, she could feel the peace that it offered her, being here right now amidst the purity of life surrounding them.

"Yes it is. I'm glad I came," she admitted and tasted a small sample of her spiced drink. It was quite hot and it tickled her lips and tongue but even with that small taste, her chest grew warm its affects.

[Corell Capstan]

Corell watched as her gift to the Director of Rebel Intelligence was raised in salute, then promptly downed in one. Though she hadn't exactly had any dealings with Grace Van-Derveld before, already she was finding herself warming up to the woman. Signaling for another pair of glasses, then waving a dismissive hand and beckoning for the bottle instead, so paced down to where Van-Derveld was sitting and poured the pair of them both a generous measure. She didn't ask for permission, simply took the stool next to Grace, which was cold on account of being empty all night.

[Daria Nytherciria]

Oddly enough, the Jedi as a whole had needed no convincing when it came to the prospect of attending the Life Day celebrations. The chance to relax, to spend only a handful of hours just living, was one few of them would deny. They had earned it, after all, paid for it in blood, sweat and tears throughout the years. Just a taste of this kind of good will and fraternity was enough to remind them all what they were fighting for.

Closing her eyes, Daria let her head drift to rest against Navaria's.

“Do you have any fond memories of Life Day?”

[Grace Van-Derveld]

Grace's idly allowed her eyes to look towards her right as Corell sat down next to her, the only one brave enough to do so. Of course, the Padawan had no inkling of the Director's reputation except by hearsay - which was of course, nothing spectacular outside of her professional accomplishments. Regardless, without saying anything and merely being a presence next to her, Grace would welcome the silent company and rum.

Taking the shot glass, she clinked it against Corell's as her way of saying thanks before downing the second shot of the night.

[Tionne Thanewulf]

Seated by a large, luminous fire, elbow resting on metallic crate, Tionne Thanewulf observed the celebrations of a handful of people who were the sole resistance to the still thriving Empire. In hands of so few lay the future freedom of countless star systems oppressed by the perfectly polished, merciless Imperial boot. And yet these few feasted out of pure hedonism, no victory to be washed down by excessive amounts of rum and ale. Still, the sense of unity was present, with warmth of human interaction that often dissipated in the cold expanses of space.

‘’Tell us of the Clone Wars, Master Jedi.’’ an ensign pleaded over the flickering flames, raising his ale to the redhaired Jedi. Eyeing him in an almost annoyed fashion, Thanewulf pulled the tip of her pipe out of her mouth, releasing a cloud of sweet scented smoke in a quiescent hiss.

‘’If I were to speak of the Clone Wars, we would be here until the snow melted. You wish me to tell you of the story how the Republic collapsed on the inside, while one of my kind betrayed all the ideals the Order stood for? I was there to see it with my own eyes. Be grateful you were only a glimmer in your father’s eye back then.’’ the Sentinel retorted, reinstalling the pipe between her lips and leaning back against the crate.

The ensign was not too pleased with her answer, as he and his companions expected epic stories of bravery like toddlers craving a bedtime story. But how could Thanewulf ever romanticize such a historical event if she was so unsure for which side she fought, or if that side was right in the first place? Despite the passage of time, memories of battles were still fresh in her mind, opinions yet needed to form. Thus Tionne grew quiet as she rose from her seat, slipping past the temple ruins and into the evergreen forest.

Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the darkness, boots creaking against the snow covering the mossy forest floor. One hand rested on the bark of a tall coniferous tree as she leaned forwards, emptying the pipe whilst tapping it against the trunk. Her gaze elevated to the hole in the canopy through which a luminescent array of stars was to be seen, her heart racing to the durasteel towers of Coruscant, to a place she once called home.

[Navaria Tarkin]

The weight resting upon her shoulder made the Jedi smile warmly after another small sip of her spice had been sampled. Daria's question invoked an image immediately. It felt as if it were yesterday that this particular Life Day had occurred.

"I was on Lianna with Drin," her smile grew and she confirmed the unspoken question. It had been a surprisingly 'late' present, so to speak, but the Trianii wanted to make the day even more special then it already was. "The planet in which I was named after for my fifth birthday. The fireworks were heavenly to watch as Drin scooped me up and placed me on top of his shoulders when the clock struck twelve in Sky City."

Looking down at red hair, the Jedi Master laid her lips gently within it, "And what about you Daria? Do you?"

[Barton Henning]

Amidst all the festivities, the crew of the Knightfall kept to themselves for the most part, as per course. There was a hand of sabacc in progress, cards being dealt on an upturned wooden crate, whilst they bartered with nuts and bolts – a sign that there was no true competition involved. The Captain had been so consistently dealt abysmal hands that he had finally taken the hint and folded out of the game, deciding to take a walk instead and enjoy the prospect of some peace (though perhaps not quiet) under the stars.

As he crossed the frosty earth outside the former Rebel Base, Barton Henning caught sight of a familiar figure moving out of the crowds and towards the tree-line. The light of the cook and campfires didn't quite reach the forests edge, giving the impression that Tionne Thanewulf had just melted into the shadows. Barton lengthened his strides and followed, the bristly scent of her pipe-smoke drifting a trail in the air after her.

[Tionne Thanewulf]

There was but one dream the Knight dared to dream. The liberation of Coruscant and making its streets once again cosmopolitan as they used to be. Return alien art into its many museums and plays and operas from the plethora of cultures into its theatres. All diversity that was once abolished, variety and color in an utter celebration of life…and most importantly – freedom of thought. Liberate people from the shackles of Imperial monotheism and enable them to understand how unity was their only salvation to that what lay outwards, over the edge of the galaxy. Even the darkest shadows would seem bright as day compared to the abyss Tionne had gazed into back on Bimmiel…

Her musings were interrupted by a familiar Force signature that approached her from the back. Henning was not even attempting to cloak himself, this reminding Tionne to teach him the skill once he was ready to accept any lectures she was willing to offer. Glancing over her shoulder first, the Jedi stashed her pipe into the depth of her leather jacket, but left it open, a tank top showing underneath. She had dwelled far colder places than this.

‘’It’s funny. I never thought I will be celebrating the fact I’m alive.’’ The redhead commented, pressing her back against the bark as she leaned against the tree – ‘’You don’t seem to thrilled with this charade either.’’ Her remark was left hanging in the air for a few moments, as her eyes grazed his rugged features that emerged into the pale luminance of a distant moon that rose on the horizon.
‘’I was considering getting drunk, but then I was not sure you would be willing to carry me back to the ship.’’ she said, gracing him with a faint, albeit lustrous smile.

[Barton Henning]

Barton shook his head, though he mirrored a hint of Tionne's smile, laughter-lines at the edges of his eyes. Pushing his hands into the pockets of his jacket, Henning let his gaze drift upward to the stars and the constellations formed by forest canopy concealing some of their lights. After a handful of heartbeats, his attention trailed back down to where they had come from, where the whoops and cheers of party-goers grew rose and fell. For a moment he watched shadows capering in the fire like children at play, then turned to pace slowly past Tionne, casting a wandering glance over the surrounding area.

“I wouldn't've taken you for a reckless drunk,” he said, eyes flicking back to the redhead for a long enough to show there was still humour in his expression.

[Tionne Thanewulf]

A part of Tionne was curious why Henning followed. Sure, it was hard to amalgamate with the chirpy crowd he probably considered children due to their age and manners alike, clatter echoing deep into the forest. A true miracle as to not having yet attracted any wild beasts infesting these parts. Remaining observant of her counterpart, Tionne stepped closer, canting her head to the side.

''There are many things about me remaining unknown to the general public. And I like them that way. If I was to get drunk, it would certainly not be amidst those who need to follow me. Maybe in your quarters only. That way I'd spare you the carrying.'' the redhead retorted in jest, then let all playfulness leave her features. Her gaze grew gloomy as she regarded the man who endeavoured to wake her from her carbonite sleep. His simplicity and humbleness was greatly appreciated by the Coruscanti, his coolness having the potential to become her anchor.

''Came here to appreciate the scenery?'' The question was posed, but Thanewulf expected no reply, merely his trademark silence and indecisiveness. Burying herself in place, front facing his side, her hand was elevated to remove a miniscule platelet of ash that dared to land in his short hair, just above his ear.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Smiling from ear to ear as she was plucked up from the ground, Tak happily tickled at Cirr's ear tufts while standing in his lap.

"It's great, isn't it?!"

She leaned against his shoulder, looking out at the sea of faces from her new higher vantage.

"I bet everyone's here!"

[Sanis Prent]

"Well, more encouraged with a stern gaze perhaps?" Saricia joked and followed Sanis across the way. "Something warm does sound good."

She was afraid of saying anything more about fun. There was no fun in her life lately, only sewing, taking care of the kudri herd before her life landed inside the Rebellion Fleet. Now it was training and studying her Lupine heritage.

"Damn right it does."

We walked along, headed to a spot where somebody had an open fire and a big pot on a simmer. Two cups were passed, a dark bottle glugging in a few ounces into each, and a steaming ladle of from the pot was poured on top of that. The richly-scented grog smelled of harvest fruit and spice, with the faintest notes of Corellian Rum trailing it. I kept one to myself and passed her the other.

"I'm ready to relax. Don't know about you, but going point-A-to-point-B with the wheel is getting old. Like a little change of pace. Maybe I'll put in to command for a leave furlough and get a few days out in the real. Ever been to Ryloth?"

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Smiling from ear to ear as she was plucked up from the ground, Tak happily tickled at Cirr's ear tufts while standing in his lap.

"It's great, isn't it?!"

She leaned against his shoulder, looking out at the sea of faces from her new higher vantage.

"I bet everyone's here!"

"Sanjis jis herre, but that's about all jI know."

Cirr shrugged, transferring Tak to the seat adjacent to his.

"Everrythjing jis djifferrent now wjith us jin the Rrebelljion. We'rre put out to escorrt duty, away frrom everrythjing."

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

There had been a time when Charles had loved life day. Well, maybe not so much the day as the night that followed. Sure decorating trees, eating insane amounts of wookiee-cookies, and other activities were enjoyed... but it was the fireworks that had always been her favorite. When she was younger, Charles and her older brother had always spent time putting the explosives together with their father and set them off so that homes several klicks away could hear, if not see, the madness emanating from the Tur'enne residence on Corellia. But that was a long time ago...

Now the day held little meaning and the celebration itself had been scoffed at (Why the hell did she need to go to Yavin 4 anyway? She had been too green to go the first time around, this stupid celebration shouldn't have been any different. Waste of frinking time...) But there was a slight chance that maybe, just maybe, some of the members of her old squad would show up. But even that had turned out to be a bust. The entire company in the 5th Regiment that she had been a part of before being transferred to Dorn Force was apparently off on some suicidal mission of 'utmost importance'. Figured. The whole group had become like a lot of older brothers to her and ever since the transfer, as far as Charles was to be concerned, they were all ghosts, never to be seen again.

On top of that was the overall lacking of anyone even from Dorn Force attending the little party(never mind the fact she was rather angry at herself for even remotely finding any sort of upset in the fact that one of the boys in particular wasn't there). And then there were the Jedi. It wasn't that she didn't trust them, but something about the kriffing force-users always seemed to make her edgy.

Yep. Frink the whole thing! Or at least, that's the mentality she resigned herself to. A rather large mug of Corellian spiced ale had been procured from the bar at least. Though all the while she was drinking it, Charles couldn't help but think she just may have considered given up one of her arms for a bottle of Whyren's Reserve at that point in time.

Not wanting to force a death-glare on anyone dumb enough to throw a snowball at her from the main group, the blond Corellian stepped off away from the majority of the crowd and took up residence leaning against a larger tree, keeping the makeshift bar in eyesight, and returned to downing the ale.

[Dashiel Starborn]

The burger had been, in a word, demolished. Real, home-cooked food was a rarity for so many members of the Rebellion, who either spent their time gulping down protein cubes and protatos on board the Wheel, or buying the cheapest meal they could afford when on field assignments. Dash thought of the last burger he'd eaten, a greasy thing from a Biscuit Baron vendor on Coruscant, and decided that this slightly over-done Life Day burger was far tastier.

With his stomach satisfied for the time being, the young Intel agent turned to see if he could spot any familiar faces. The rest of his family seemed to have turned down the chance to attend. His father was on assignment somewhere near Wild Space, and aunt Celeste – well, one look at Grace Van-Derveld was enough to remind him of just one of the many reasons she wouldn't attend. His brother Salvo hadn't been in touch, but seeing as he was the black nerf of the family – and not exactly on good terms with the Rebellion – it didn't surprise Dash that he hadn't crashed the party.

All in all, that added up to just one familiar face and the prospect of shooting booze with the Director didn't seem all that appealing. He'd been about ready to call it a night when a sullen looking figure, radiating about as much welcome as Van-Derveld, drew his attention. He ambled over to the tree Tur'enne was leant against and gave her a nod.

“Someone's looking full of cheer.”

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

"You know me, brightest spot in the whole kriffing galaxy." There was no lacking in sarcasm that came with the statement and afterward Charles immediately brought the mug of spiced ale back up to her lips and took a rather large drink from it.

Out of all the familiar faces (Most of them only so because of reputation, though there were a few like the current Director of Intelligence whom she had worked with... though considering how that mission had gone down, it was probably best to leave Van-Derveld alone) Charles honestly hadn't expected to see 'Bluesauce' Starborn. Not that she was opposed to it, they had been set up to work with each other on a few missions (probably thanks to Colonel Starborn), and Dashiel had been one of the few people that hadn't immediately gotten under her skin. But that had been during assignments, and Charles quickly reminded herself that it was hard to tell what people were really like once you took them out of that sort of element.

"Gotta save up the optimism for when they send us out to the field." She tried to tone down the small bite that had been in her words the first time around and even allowed a small wink to accompany it.

Another drink was taken from the mug and she smirked and tapped on the side of it. "Have to admit though, you stick a dozen of these in me and it might just start pushing its way through, though."

[Saricia Ask'lan]

"Damn right it does."

We walked along, headed to a spot where somebody had an open fire and a big pot on a simmer. Two cups were passed, a dark bottle glugging in a few ounces into each, and a steaming ladle of from the pot was poured on top of that. The richly-scented grog smelled of harvest fruit and spice, with the faintest notes of Corellian Rum trailing it. I kept one to myself and passed her the other.

"I'm ready to relax. Don't know about you, but going point-A-to-point-B with the wheel is getting old. Like a little change of pace. Maybe I'll put in to command for a leave furlough and get a few days out in the real. Ever been to Ryloth?"

The Lupine inhaled deeply, sighing over the combined fragrances that tickled her nose and brought memories of a happier time on Sacorria - before Dama grew mad. Saricia, a girl of three, running through the fields towards her home as Dama called out that lunch was ready. Similar fresh smells of spices would entice her stomach to run faster.

Opening blue eyes widely, she realized that Sanis had asked her a question. "Ryloth? No," she shook her head shyly, "I've not seen much of the galaxy. Only since coming to the Wheel have I seen anything other then Sacorria."

Yet eyes widened just a touch further that indicated understanding of such casual speak. "Are you asking me to go with you?" she asked with such innocence.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

"Sanjis jis herre, but that's about all jI know."

Cirr shrugged, transferring Tak to the seat adjacent to his.

"Everrythjing jis djifferrent now wjith us jin the Rrebelljion. We'rre put out to escorrt duty, away frrom everrythjing."

She didn't really care much about 'esskort dooty', and the whole meaning was lost on her. All she knew was that it was life day, and the little Lupine was very close to bursting out of sheer excitement. She sat on her knees, lightly bouncing.

"Wellllll, I think Dama and Dad are coming down in a little bit, so when they get here there'll be more people here that you'll know."

Eyeballing Cirr's drink, Tak leaned on the bartop, inching ever so slowly closer.

"I came down with Aunt Sarsha, but I don't know where she is now. Probably having fun somewhere like us."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"They arre, huh?"

Cirr responded distantly, not sure if this was a good thing. With what happened last between Sanis and s'Il, he was sure that wasn't a good idea getting them back together.

He reached forward before the curious kid could intercept his whisky, and tilted back the drink. For her efforts, Tak got her head gently pushed to the counter and her hair was ruffled up.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

"Heeyyy!!"

Pulling out from under his hand, Tak straightened her jingle tauntaun horns.

"You're gonna mess up my horns!"

[Sanis Prent]

The Lupine inhaled deeply, sighing over the combined fragrances that tickled her nose and brought memories of a happier time on Sacorria - before Dama grew mad. Saricia, a girl of three, running through the fields towards her home as Dama called out that lunch was ready. Similar fresh smells of spices would entice her stomach to run faster.

Opening blue eyes widely, she realized that Sanis had asked her a question. "Ryloth? No," she shook her head shyly, "I've not seen much of the galaxy. Only since coming to the Wheel have I seen anything other then Sacorria."

Yet eyes widened just a touch further that indicated understanding of such casual speak. "Are you asking me to go with you?" she asked with such innocence.

I finished a swallow of grog with a coy grin, then a look of mock astonishment.

"You're not about to tell me this is the first time a good looking girl like you has ever been asked out for a good time, are you?"

With a shake of my head, I continued.

"They've got underground geothermal lakes. Minerals in the water are good for the skin, everything helps you relax. If that's not enough, you can get a masseuse after a swim. I'm the first to admit I'm not the most cultured guy, but a day or two over there goes a long way to help you forget the troubles on your mind."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr hoisted Tak up again, this time minding the horns.

"You want a sjip, huh? Rreally?"

Blue eyes darted left and right conspiratorally.

[Cleo Némain]

Song and dance and food and so many other good things! It was all far too much for Cleo to contain. Life Day had come to represent so many things and a celebration was so much needed. And there she was, smack right in the middle of a group of others dancing... spinning, twirling, letting the long green and red scarf trail behind her as she attempted to prevent it from catching on fire or on other people as she kept close to whoever was playing the pretty music.

She knew a song they didn't, she bet. Her mom had sang it to her on Life Days past when she was just tiny before she had died, and it was a real pretty song and it was stuck in her head and it was all that wanted to be in there. If she could only get her hand on a candle, then it probably would have come bursting out of her. Because the song needed a candle. But that was okay, she hadn't sung it since she was little and it probably wouldn't have been so good. So instead she kept it in her head and continued to dance around the fire that was oh so good feeling.

The snow and frozen grass was crunchy under her feet and that was great too. It would all have to do, and she liked it.

[Carré Inirial]

"And if I needed your help, missy, I'dve asked for it!" He shouted over the rapidly increasing, chaotic fray and he whipped the ball right at her.Blinking in surprise as Jamo expertly dodged her frozen missile, her emerald gaze widened further at the sound of the Commander's voice echoing from across the way. As such, she noticed at the very last second that he'd chucked a snowball straight at her head - one, she noted that she didn't have time to avoid entirely. All the young woman managed to do was turn her head so that it thwapped solidly against the upswept curls of her ponytail.

It disintegrated and dripped chunks of ice and rivulets of cold water down her neck and beneath her parka. Carré bit her lip to stifle her squeak as she darted behind the nearest tree to avoid the next flying sphere.


As he weaved away from his pursuer, Jakatta came alongside Rogue Squadron's newest recruit. He eyed her get-up for a second, an amused grin curling his lips. In his hands was another snowball, ready and raring to go. “Hey, fluffy – funny, isn't it, how even when we're out of the cock-pit, we just can't quit hunting?”Fluffy? Well, it could be worse. At least he hasn't called me snookums yet today.

Carré did manage to grin at him as she replied, flicking the last of the ice from the back of her neck that she could reach. "Got a point there, Jamo. Now...not that I'm surprised that the Commander has such excellent aim, but I demand retribution for the fact that I have snow and ice slithering down my back. Shall we?" She arched a brow and tossed the waiting snowball up and down with one hand.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Cirr hoisted Tak up again, this time minding the horns.

"You want a sjip, huh? Rreally?"

Blue eyes darted left and right conspiratorally.

Her own eyes lit up like blinking lights on a Life Day tree. Did she want a sip?! Of course she did! She'd seen Dama and Dad drink this stuff all the time, and they always seemed to really like it... and since they never let her have a drink, it was probally cause they wanted to keep it all to themselves.

A vigorous nod, and the little Lupine smiled wide.

If Dama knew she was sharing a fancy-drink with Cirr, she'd have fits! Of course, there was no telling what Dad would do.

The thought did little to nothing to deter her however, and Tak scooted closer to Cirr.

"Is it good... ?" she whispered.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr smiled a knowing smile.

"Well, jI thjink jit's good, and jI thjink jI know a thjing orr two about what's good, so, surre."

Cirr eased the pungent booze closer to Tak, ready for her predictable reaction to the freedom fighter's hooch.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

She could smell it from where she sat, and it curled her nose hairs for sure. But still, it might've smelled kind of bad, but it had to be good.

Carfefully she climbed back into the big Cizerack's lap, situating herself more comfortably while shifting the glass so that it rested in front of her.

She looked back over her shoulder at Cirr.

"Is there a certain way I have to drink it?"

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr shrugged.

"jI dunno. Ljike blue mjilk jI guess."

Not exactly the best course of action for a beginner, he knew.

[Saricia Ask'lan]

I finished a swallow of grog with a coy grin, then a look of mock astonishment.

"You're not about to tell me this is the first time a good looking girl like you has ever been asked out for a good time, are you?"

With a shake of my head, I continued.

"They've got underground geothermal lakes. Minerals in the water are good for the skin, everything helps you relax. If that's not enough, you can get a masseuse after a swim. I'm the first to admit I'm not the most cultured guy, but a day or two over there goes a long way to help you forget the troubles on your mind."

Sanis was not incorrect in his presumption, but Saricia never had time to consider the coy looks of boys and accept invitations for a 'good time'. Each promise of good fun, even if there were no expectations of something more, had been turned down. Family came first, and the young Lupine took that law seriously. Fingers idly play with the metal cup handle as Sanis continued with enticing lures of promising relaxation.

"It sounds lovely," she admitted truthfully, "But I'm not sure if Master s'Ilancy would allow an off world excursion. We have much to do on the Wheel."

It was an excuse in the replace of fear. She wanted to go, her heart was curious as to Ryloth and the handsome pilot standing before her, but the newness of the situation was perplexing and the Lupine reverted to old habits.

[Jamo Jakatta]

Fluffy? Well, it could be worse. At least he hasn't called me snookums yet today.

Carré did manage to grin at him as she replied, flicking the last of the ice from the back of her neck that she could reach. "Got a point there, Jamo. Now...not that I'm surprised that the Commander has such excellent aim, but I demand retribution for the fact that I have snow and ice slithering down my back. Shall we?" She arched a brow and tossed the waiting snowball up and down with one hand.

“Already got myself a wingman,” Jamo said, tossing a nod off towards a male Zeltron who slipped through the crowd towards them with an absolutely devilish smirk on his lips. Iyar 'Flipper' Thiled wore a parka of his own, in a shade of blue so luminous that it was a wonder the rest of the party didn't have to wear shades whenever they so much as glanced in his direction. Apparently the Zeltron didn't know the meaning of the word discretion.

“So I'm afraid you're flying solo on this one, puffball.”

Carré gave him a look and Jamo shrugged.

“Hell, if you're gonna have a decoy, might as well go all out.”

With that, he shoved Iyar into the line of fire and grinned as gleefully mischievous laughter spilled from the Zeltron's lips. Jamo turned to plan his next attack and went wide-eyed when a girl whirling by caught his hands and swept him up in a column of dancers who were galloping their way through the crowds.

[Barton Henning]

''Came here to appreciate the scenery?'' The question was posed, but Thanewulf expected no reply, merely his trademark silence and indecisiveness. Burying herself in place, front facing his side, her hand was elevated to remove a miniscule platelet of ash that dared to land in his short hair, just above his ear.

“Came to make sure you didn't burn the forest down with that pipe of yours,” he replied, his voice dry at first but that hint of a smile there to remind Tionne that there was some life in the Captain yet. When her hand fell away, Barton turned again, finding himself restless in the open space. It was such a drastic change to the deck of the Knightfall, and even to the streets of Cloud City he had called home for so long. He looked into the darkness of the woods.

“I bet you could walk for hours out here and never see another soul.”

[Sanis Prent]

Sanis was not incorrect in his presumption, but Saricia never had time to consider the coy looks of boys and accept invitations for a 'good time'. Each promise of good fun, even if there were no expectations of something more, had been turned down. Family came first, and the young Lupine took that law seriously. Fingers idly play with the metal cup handle as Sanis continued with enticing lures of promising relaxation.

"It sounds lovely," she admitted truthfully, "But I'm not sure if Master s'Ilancy would allow an off world excursion. We have much to do on the Wheel."

It was an excuse in the replace of fear. She wanted to go, her heart was curious as to Ryloth and the handsome pilot standing before her, but the newness of the situation was perplexing and the Lupine reverted to old habits.

"Let me tell you a few things about Lok s'Ilancy. She never turned down an opportunity to see the sights. Before we got organized, I kept her on the lam."

I smiled, closing the distance between us a little.

"Besides, you've got the best escort in the Rebellion to take you there. You can't do better than that. I'd like to show you a bit of the galaxy and get your feet wet."

[Saricia Ask'lan]

It was surprising information to say the least. She had learned of her Master's connection to Sanis, but Saricia was taken aback at her assumptions. And then taken aback by a casual step forward by the Smuggler.

"You know, there are others that would argue that statement Sanis Prent," she said, finding some strength in her words while some of the shyness subsided. The argument on the Wheel with him and Rogue Squadron was quite memorable.

Blue orbs looked past the Smuggler towards them with a thin smile, "Maybe we should ask them?"

[Tionne Thanewulf]

“Came to make sure you didn't burn the forest down with that pipe of yours,” he replied, his voice dry at first but that hint of a smile there to remind Tionne that there was some life in the Captain yet. When her hand fell away, Barton turned again, finding himself restless in the open space. It was such a drastic change to the deck of the Knightfall, and even to the streets of Cloud City he had called home for so long. He looked into the darkness of the woods.

“I bet you could walk for hours out here and never see another soul.”

The Knight snorted, retrieving into her hard shell plastered with sarcasm. Her hands fell idly to her side; having found nothing effective to do with them, Tionne reached into her jacket, retrieving her pipe once again. The tip found its way into between her lips and soon enough, the sweet scent of tobacco mixed with herbs encompassed her slender form. Drawing in a lungful of smoke, Thanewulf tilted her head back in relief.

''You worry about my pipe, while you left a dozen drunk flyboys next to a huge bonfire. Yes, I am truly a hazard to wildlife.'' the redhead remarked cynically, turning away from Barton to gaze at the snow-covered arboretum that lay before them.
''You need to get out more. That ship of yours...it's a good ship. But this is life...'' she said, taking a few steps outwards into the wilderness, then turning to Henning, hands spreading - ''This is freedom. Freedom of body, freedom of thought. This is what we need to fight for. A feeling you have in your chest right now...to be felt in every corner of the galaxy.''

There was an uncanny gleam in Tionne's grey eyes, as the hand that held her pipe turned upside down, the ash littering the snow beneath.
''To be felt, freedom needs to be consumed. You have learned how to run, Henning. Let's see how well do you chase.''
Turning sharply on her heel, Thanewulf dashed forwards into the woods, copper hair flagging behind her. Her senses stretched outwards through the Force, the pulse of the forest now her own.

[Dashiel Starborn]

"Gotta save up the optimism for when they send us out to the field." She tried to tone down the small bite that had been in her words the first time around and even allowed a small wink to accompany it.

Another drink was taken from the mug and she smirked and tapped on the side of it. "Have to admit though, you stick a dozen of these in me and it might just start pushing its way through, though."

It was funny, how you could tell the spooks and specialists by just looking at them. They were the ones slouched over the bar nursing tumblers of liquor, or lurking at the fringes of the party with a jaded glint in their eyes. Maybe they had just seen, and knew, too much to let go the way the likes of Rogue Squadron could. Mentally, Starborn shrugged. He pulled his hands out of his pockets, to turn up the collar of his jacket against the cold.

“Seems like everyone's hitting it hard tonight. You're gonna be lucky if you get half a dozen before the rocket-jockeys drink the kegs dry.”

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

"Nah..." Charles let her eyes wander from Starborn over to one of the louder groups of pilots, some parading around in their flight uniforms as if hoping to be called back into action at a moment's notice. You know, despite being drunker than all hell. A gentle subtle shake of her head came just shy of being accompanied with an eye roll as she looked back to Dashiel.

"Rate they're going they'll all pass out or go find some quiet spot on the fridges with a partner before they run out."Despite her statement, Charles tightened the grip of the mug in her hands as if one of the rocket-jockeys might have stumbled their way over to her and attempted to relieve her of it. No such move was made, but the thought couldn't help but imprint it in her mind.

"With any real luck, their COs will have them running some obnoxious drills tomorrow while they're experiencing the day-after blues."

She took another deep drink and let her gaze look down into mostly empty container. "Then again, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Major Wagyx-hole Glayde went and pulled that on Dorn tomorrow. Probably take the opportunity of us being planet side to make us run a few miles up a hill or some skrag."

Charles paused for a moment and lowered the mug slightly before looking back to Dashiel and let a slightly lopsided smile form. "I probably shouldn't be saying that type of thing around you, huh? Force forbid it got out that little Second-L-T Tur'enne was mouthing off about another superior officer. Bunch of rodders upstairs might think it's a grand idea to demote me and transfer me to mess duty or something."

The smile turned into a smirk as she changed the tone of her voice only into a slightly silly-dramatic tone. "And then, dear Blue Sauce, whatever would I do with myself if they didn't let me go on missions with you anymore?"

[Carré Inirial]

Carré shook hear head and tried to suppress the grin that threatened to break her nearly perfect 'look'. Failed completely as she burst into laughter at the sight of Jame swept wide eyed into a dance while Iyar pranced around in a jacket so blue she suddenly wanted her sunglasses to shield her eyes.


Days like today she wondered at her own sanity.

Shielded for the moment by the blinding spectacle that was Flipper, Carré knelt in the snow and packed together several snowballs. With one in each hand, she peered around the tree and quickly fired her two snowballs behind Iyar and straight at the Commander - one at his head, the other at his chest.

Two more found their way into her hands as she waited, and watched, trying to not be distracted by the nearby group of dancers.

[Dashiel Starborn]

“That's just too damn depressing to think about.”

Starborn shook his head and hid his smile in his drink. He had to admit, getting paired up with Tur'enne hadn't turned out like he'd expected. She had a mouth on her, but his father always said that Command could put up with sass if it meant the job was done; Dash he supposed SpecForce was no different.

He hadn't had the pleasure of meeting any of Tur'enne's colleagues, but he knew the branches reputation. They were the best of the best, usually up to their necks in the thick of it, doing the dirty work that the idealists of the Alliance didn't have a clue about. It would take a certain type of person to be able to deal with that, Dash thought, and he didn't suppose getting on well with others was part of the psychological profile.

His eyes wandered aimlessly across the crowds, touching for a moment on a small group tossing a chance cube, alternately cheering and booing.

“They've got another assignment lined up for me, but no explanation until after...” he waved his mug vaguely towards the revellers: “This is all over. Didn't want to harsh the party buzz, I guess,” he added, his last words laced with sarcasm.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Cirr shrugged.

"jI dunno. Ljike blue mjilk jI guess."

Not exactly the best course of action for a beginner, he knew.

She'd never had blue milk at all, but if it was anything like the opek milk she'd always had on Cathar, then no doubt Cirr's drink would be delicious!

One last lingering look at Cirr, and Tak reached for the glass, gripping it both hands. Sure, it smelled strong, but Cirr said it was like drinking blue milk, and blue milk had to be like opek milk. Which meant that it would not be bad at all.

Despite her protesting nose, the little Lupine brought the glass to her lips and took a long gulp.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr began to shake with a boistrous belly laugh. She actually did it! The silly cubling did it!

He waited for the inevitable response to her drink.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Oh by the Bloodline it was STRONG!!! Or at least that's what it seemed like!

But! She wasn't about to let Cirr think she was a sissy - after all, Tak was sure that her husband, Wyl, would think she wasn't tough enough to stomach the drink, since he probably drank stuff like this all the time. Instead, the young Lupine swallowed very slowly, and once she was sure that she wouldn't spit any up, turned to smile triumphantly at Cirr.

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

“They've got another assignment lined up for me, but no explanation until after...” he waved his mug vaguely towards the revellers: “This is all over. Didn't want to harsh the party buzz, I guess,” he added, his last words laced with sarcasm.

"Oh how kind of them." The sarcasm was more lighthearted than earlier, something Charles wanted to attribute more to the fact that her mug of spiced ale had gone empty rather than the fact she was talking to Starborn.

"Probably something suitably risky and life-threatening, I'd imagine." The last tiny bit of spiced ale that was in her mug was finished off and she looked back to Dashiel.

"So with that to look forward to..." Her mug was raised slightly and clinked against his own. "How about another round?"

[Sanis Prent]

It was surprising information to say the least. She had learned of her Master's connection to Sanis, but Saricia was taken aback at her assumptions. And then taken aback by a casual step forward by the Smuggler.

"You know, there are others that would argue that statement Sanis Prent," she said, finding some strength in her words while some of the shyness subsided. The argument on the Wheel with him and Rogue Squadron was quite memorable.

Blue orbs looked past the Smuggler towards them with a thin smile, "Maybe we should ask them?"

"Sure thing."

With a grin on my face, I turned and walked with a bit of swagger to my gait, yanked a fork off the nearest person's plate and clinked it against my glass.

"S'cuse me, s'cuse me, can I have everyone's attention here?"

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Oh by the Bloodline it was STRONG!!! Or at least that's what it seemed like!

But! She wasn't about to let Cirr think she was a sissy - after all, Tak was sure that her husband, Wyl, would think she wasn't tough enough to stomach the drink, since he probably drank stuff like this all the time. Instead, the young Lupine swallowed very slowly, and once she was sure that she wouldn't spit any up, turned to smile triumphantly at Cirr.

Cirr looked at the Lupine like she had lobsters coming out of her ears, and calmly took the cup back from her.

"Uh, good job kjid."

His ears flitted a few times as he looked from her to the glass and back. Damn, that didn't work.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Her throat still burned, but she was sure to put on a smile anyway. She was glad she didn't have to drink anymore, but she was determined to still make Cirr think she could handle it.

"Can I have my own?"

[Jamo Jakatta]

Twirling to a halt as his dance partner released him and clasped the hands of another, Jamo swayed for a moment before catching his balance. He grinned as he watched the girl dance away, with only a kiss on the cheek to remember her by.


"S'cuse me, s'cuse me, can I have everyone's attention here?"

A voice rose above the chatter and murmur, drawing Jakatta's attention. Arms crossed over his chest, he watched Prent with smirking curiosity.

[Ben Merasska]

Ben and Lyanie had kept up with the sabacc game for a bit longer after the Cap'n had left, but soon enough he'd felt the draining sensation of boredom coming on.

Leaving the hand half finished on the table, he warily watched the rest of the party-goers and stayed uncommonly (well, as far as anyone but Lyanie knew) quiet, simply enjoying the fun and happiness that surrounded him.

It was like having a family again.

[Kelly Perris]

She got him that time - just in the chest, though. A smirk grew on his face as he finished packing the third ball of another trio of snowballs after being pelted and was just about to take aim and fire when the unmistakable voice of one Sanis Prent hovered over the assembled. Perris' smirk dimmed to a civil smile as he considered the multitude of reasons why Prent of all people would want everyone's attention. Most every of those reasons landed in a heap of trouble. Recreational trouble, usually.

"Whaddya want, Prent?" Kelly shouted over the crowds. "One pretty girl not enough attention for ya?"

Kelly stood there, jumping a snowball up from his hand, over and over again, waiting to see what incendiaries the rebel had for his targets this time. Sanis thought he was the greatest thing since ryshcate and Kelly was more than happy to show him up for shits and giggles. After all, he hadn't been a fully operational fighter pilot for nearly thirteen years by pretending. He would claim longer, but sitting in the confines of an Academy didn't count. Not to him.

[Carré Inirial]

The brunette grinned in triumph, but only for a moment - thwapping the Commander solidly in the chest would certainly earn her some form of retribution. Her smile didn't dim as she knelt once more to pack more snowballs, balancing them on a low tree limb to be within easy reach. It was the loud obnoxious voice she knew all too well. Wrinkling her nose, she grabbed two of her snowballs and stepped out of her cover enough to be able to see the source.


"S'cuse me, s'cuse me, can I have everyone's attention here?"Carré was about to retort something similar when the Commander chimed in, and she simply grinned, bouncing a snowball in each hand as she waited for Sanis' latest proclamation. If nothing else, he made an excellent target, standing in a clearing near the bar like that.

[Saricia Ask'lan]

"Sure thing."

With a grin on my face, I turned and walked with a bit of swagger to my gait, yanked a fork off the nearest person's plate and clinked it against my glass.

"S'cuse me, s'cuse me, can I have everyone's attention here?"

Big blue eyes were as bright as reddened cheeks in the firelight. Saricia wasn't expecting Sanis to take her light humor so seriously. Now her joke had become a dare, a very loud dare which was causing far too much attention upon either them, as evident by Perris' retort.

She wanted to slink down against the ground and watch the travesty that was to occur through have opened hands - like a young pup cowering, but she did not. Like a bad speeder wreck, Saricia was too transfix upon Sanis for her own good ...

[Sanis Prent]

I could see the red on Saricia's cheeks. She hadn't thought about that, had she?

"It's been brought to my attention by this pretty lady right here that some of you, in fact, might disagree that I'm the best escort pilot in the Alliance by a parsec or two."

I scanned the crowd, making a show of it.

"Let's see a show of hands on that one."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Her throat still burned, but she was sure to put on a smile anyway. She was glad she didn't have to drink anymore, but she was determined to still make Cirr think she could handle it.

"Can I have my own?"

"No."

Cirr made a face at the obviously insane lupine child. Hoping to stem the tide of any possible beginnings to Tak's alcoholism, he hefted her up, planted her down on the adjacent stool, and asked the barkeep to whip her up a steaming hot caco. A warm sugar-rich drink should keep her distracted from that sort of thing, right?

As he was sorting out the Tak problem, his ears twitched as Sanis began to essentially provoke every single pilot within earshot. Cirr sighed, his shoulders sagging as he did. Saricia looked, well, mortified.

[Carré Inirial]

"Ohh, I certainly disagree."

Carré replied, before her internal "Don't Say Anything, Idiot" filter could engage. And it wasn't even a quiet reply. It was loud. Her voice carried just as much as it had that day in the mess hall.

With an arched brow and two well-made snowballs in her hands, she simply stood and debated over throwing one or both of them at the Sanis.

[Jamo Jakatta]

Jamo punched one hand into the air, though the fact that only his middle-finger was extended suggested he wasn't entirely in agreement with Sanis.

“You're the best at something alright, Prent... talkin' outta y'r cargo hold.”

[Dashiel Starborn]

"Oh how kind of them." The sarcasm was more lighthearted than earlier, something Charles wanted to attribute more to the fact that her mug of spiced ale had gone empty rather than the fact she was talking to Starborn.

"Probably something suitably risky and life-threatening, I'd imagine." The last tiny bit of spiced ale that was in her mug was finished off and she looked back to Dashiel.

"So with that to look forward to..." Her mug was raised slightly and clinked against his own. "How about another round?"

“This is why they keep throwing us together,” Starborn said, as he knocked his mug against Charlotte's. “You've got a knack for knowing exactly what I'm thinking.”

They were fortunate to find that not all of the cauldron's of ale had been drained yet. As he ladled out two generous measures – full to the brim – Dash heard the jeering and shouting come from what was unmistakably Rogue Squadron. He nudged Tur'enne in the side and, smirking, nodded off towards the swaggering rocket-jockeys.

“Aren't you glad you never went to flight school... they're gonna be living this one down for weeks.”

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

She'd only gotten one sip out of her caco drink, but knew in a second that it was loads better than Cirr's drink. It was sweet, and definitely something Dama wouldn't ever let her have. Dad might.

Suddenly distracted by the sound of Sanis' voice, the little Lupine whirled her head around in its' direction, her tauntaun horns jingling. She didn't know exactly what he or any of the other people were talking about, but it didn't sound like they were particularly happy - like how Dama sounded whenever she was telling her how young Lupines weren't supposed to behave in such unruly ways.

In a flash she was up and standing in her seat, a rather perturbed figure in too many layers of clothes and fuzzy jingle bell tauntaun horns.

"Hey!"

Her voice, like any child's voice, had a wonderful way of carrying out over the crowd.

"Sanis is a great pilot! And he's great at lots of other things too, like playing cards, and shooting, and playing My Little Dewback, so be nice!"

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

“Aren't you glad you never went to flight school... they're gonna be living this one down for weeks.”
She was just about to make some sort of 'my hero' comment as Dash refilled her mug before the ruckus with Rogue Squadron started up. Some smartass comment was brimming on the edge of being spoken in return when a child near the bar stood up and made some sort of announcement regarding one of the pilots.

A slight snort of amusement left her before she began emptying the refilled drink. "Oh you have no idea."

It only took a small handful of steps to get the young sniper closer to the bar itself, taking the opportunity of the little girl's catching everyone's attention to snag two shots from the bartender. Corellian rum by the smell of them, the barkeep must have been handing them out to someone else and had them at the ready, not that it had mattered much to Charles what they were, but anything Corellian was fine by her. Both glasses were carefully palmed and balanced in one hand, the mug of ale held firmly in the other.

A quick jaunt back placed her on the edge of the crowd and back with Starborn. As most were waiting with baited breath to see what would come from the cute kid with the tauntaun horns and the pilots, Charles grabbed one of the shot glasses with her teeth, shoving the free one into Dash's hand. With that done she quickly took her own shot from her hold with her mouth, only to down it quickly, enjoying the gentle burning sensation the stronger alcohol gave on the way down.

"So what the frink made you want to play spy anyway? I figure everyone's got a story, but your folks aren't in Intel as far as I know... your sis is though, huh?"

[Dashiel Starborn]

“Cousin,” he said, moments before knocking back his shot of rum. It burned all the way down to his stomach. “Everyone makes that mistake though, so no worries.”

With only a few years between them, Dash and Jane had shared much of their childhood. When his wife had been killed, Regulus Starborn had buried himself into his duties, leaving Dash in the care of his sister and Dash's aunt, Celeste. The woman was as hard and cold as a Hoth ice-storm but she had kept the boy on the straight and narrow, when all he'd wanted to do was yell a big fuck you to everything his father stood for. The same couldn't be said for Salvo, the elder of Regulus's sons, but that was another story.

“Some families start up repair shops, others raise nerf... the Starborn's enlist in the Rebel Alliance,” Starborn said, perfectly matter-of-fact. He shrugged. “I'm not tough enough for the military, not enough stick up my ass to get into the navy. Intel seemed like the best of a bad bunch.”

This last part was said, taking a cue from Tur'enne, with a note of sarcasm.

“No stuffy uniform, and I hear the retirement benefits aren't too bad, if you can survive the day-to-day.”

[Daria Nytherciria]

Daria's question invoked an image immediately. It felt as if it were yesterday that this particular Life Day had occurred.

"I was on Lianna with Drin," her smile grew and she confirmed the unspoken question. "The planet in which I was named after for my fifth birthday. The fireworks were heavenly to watch as Drin scooped me up and placed me on top of his shoulders when the clock struck twelve in Sky City."

Looking down at red hair, the Jedi Master laid her lips gently within it, "And what about you Daria? Do you?"

<style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } --> </style> “I don't remember ever paying it any special notice.”

If the confession saddened Daria, it didn't show. The luxuries of celebration and relaxation had not been things she had ever craved, or indeed known. She opened her eyes and looked to the sky, to the hundreds upon thousands of stars above, each of them brilliant in their own right yet appearing as little more than flickering dots from down on Yavin 4's surface.

“As far back as I can remember, every day has always been as vital as the one before it.”

[Sanis Prent]

"That's right, I am a great pilot!"

Without a shred of shame, I pointed out Tak with a smile and a wink, looking back to Saricia as I took a drink, the same look of unvanquished confidence I'd had on my face even before I decided to make a fool out of myself.

"Faster reflexes, better spatial awareness, better on sortie."

I paused, eyeballing my two main detractors in the squadron who bothered to show their faces.

"Harder drinker, tougher fighter, and let's be honest, I'm even better looking too."

I tossed a look to Carré, winked, killed my drink, and let the empty glass spin on the bar.

[Carré Inirial]

Arching a brow, she reigned in her temper and opted for taking a deep breath, and then another when her ire subsided too slowly. Gods the man was infuriating beyond all belief.

A tilt of her head and a flick of her wrist saw the snowball in her right hand fly out towards Sanis and the bar. It missed the man by scant inches, instead clipping the glass and sending it tumbling over onto its side. It earned her a mock scowl from the guy tending the bar, and she offered a sheepish grin in response.

"Well you're obviously failing somewhere, sweetie, since the lady asked for a second opinion. But you're right in one thing...you are definitely the handsomest little dewback I've ever seen."

Offering the sweetest smile she could muster, she sauntered off into the trees.

[Ben Merasska]

“Do you really have to be... ah, so confrontational with him?”

Ben shifted a bit nervously in his seat as he saw the pretty lady from the big Mon Calamari boat. She was heading his way, so he decided that he’d be a nice guy and try to speak with her again. Even if she was a Rebel, which Ben found didn’t bother him so much as it used to.

That realization did bother him, almost as much as the Rebellion did; so really things hadn’t changed.

“I mean, it seems like he’s doing it on purpose, and does it matter?”

[Jamo Jakatta]

With a little more ale and a little less sense, Jamo might have socked Prent one, then and there. He didn't have any particularly strong feelings about the man, but there was something satisfying about the idea of wiping that grin off his face...

But Perris was nearby and the man had the power to revoke his flight status. Not even knocking Prent down a peg was worth that. Instead, he weaved off through the crowd's in search of something to wash the bitter taste from his mouth.

[Carré Inirial]

Blinking, she met Ben's gaze and offered a sheepish smile as she approached. She perched in the seat next to him and reached up to flick a chunk of lingering ice away from the back of her neck.

"I can't help myself, really...he just...that level of smug gets on my last nerve really fast." she replied, her expression turning a bit apologetic. Carré shrugged and smiled at Ben.

"I swear he does this to me on purpose, and it shouldn't matter. But at least...at least I didn't punch him this time...that has to count for something, right?"

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

“Cousin,”
She actually wanted to apologize, which was a rather strange thing in and of itself. At least he hadn't said wife, though. Frak, Charles... get a hold of yourself.

As Dash knocked back the other shot and spoke up again that the error wasn't a big deal, she felt at least relieved he had gotten that out before she'd managed to actually say anything. Though it did give pause to eye the empty shot glass she was still holding and wonder just how kriffing strong the proof on that rum had been and how in the galaxy it was that it had run through her system fast enough to even remotely bring her to any sort of weird mentality she was drifting off into.

As he went on answering her question she drank from the mug of spiced ale again. His story wasn't all that uncommon. There had been a good number of people with the "because my father/mother/whatever was in it, so I joined up too" thing going for them... though admittedly she almost liked the ones that started with the family member being in the Empire and they alone had been smart enough to call it quits there.

“No stuffy uniform, and I hear the retirement benefits aren't too bad, if you can survive the day-to-day.”
"That's a big 'ol if there." As lighthearted as she said it, there was a grim truth to it. After all, Intel had lost it's head guy not too long ago... something she and Starborn had both unfortunately known about first hand. The thought of that operation still caused some lingering sense of guilt that caused her to glance over at the bar and wonder if another shot of rum was a good idea. Though that's where at least one of the louder pilots were sitting and it seemed all the flyboys were itching for a fight... as much fun as that might have been to get caught up in, she had promised herself to save that sort of thing for if Glayde decided to show up.

[Dashiel Starborn]

It was a well-known fact that an Intel agent had only a twenty-three percent chance of surviving their first twenty field assignments. Dash wasn't anywhere near chalking up that many and though he'd gotten out of them alive, the same couldn't be said for all the other operatives working the same cases. Even people like Van-Derveld and Belargic, whose reputation made them seem bulletproof, were only human.

“It's one of those things you try not to think about,” he said, feeling the rising need for another shot. A smirk tugged up one side of his mouth, as he eyed the indecipherable look on Charlotte's face. “And the reason why I heartily approve of all this rum.. gotta take a load off somehow.”

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

She couldn't help but grin, even felt its slightly warming affect all over. Frinking Starborn... "You know, that is an excellent assessment of the situation. This ale just isn't cutting it."

Charles handed her mug to Dashiel, making sure to give him one of those playful looks that threatened bodily harm if he even considered drinking from it, never mind the fact he had his own.

The ruckus at the bar was calming down, though the tender was still keeping an eye on the pilots, and attempting to predict anymore snowballs that might be headed his way accidentally. So it was perfectly natural that he had forgotten one of the bottles of rum and it hadn't taken Charles long to see it, saunter over, pretend to be helping out behind the bar for a moment, snatch the thing and two smaller tumblers (shot glasses were just going to be too small, she figured), and ease her way back over to where Dashiel stood.

The half empty bottle was in one hand, the glasses in the other, and she held the bounty up to the Intel agent with a playful grin. "Sadly not full, but I think this will suit our purpose?"

[Ben Merasska]

Ben shrugged, grinning in return. “I guess it does. You don’t need to say you’re sorry, I was just curious, ya know. I don’t like fighting all that much.”

He found himself searching for something to say to fill the silence.

“Ah, I’m Ben, by the way. I don’t think we were really introduced last time. I’m the pilot for the Knightfall. It’s a, ah, a freighter with the Supply Corps. Nice ta meetcha.”

[Dashiel Starborn]

Charlotte

Someone must have noticed what a free-for-all the place was turning into. Chances are, they were turning a blind-eye to it. Either that, or the people supposed to be watching had downed more than their fair share too. He certainly wasn't going to tell Charles to put the rum back wherever she'd found it, anyway.

Two mugs of ale in hand, Starborn glanced around within a second spotted what he wanted. He hooked the toe of his boot under an empty and over-turned storage bin and gave it a pull from its resting place to the little patch of land he and Tur'enne had staked out for their own. It was a couple of feet long and would make a decent enough flat surface to either sit on or, more importantly, set up a run of shots on.

With business-like efficiency, Dash drained the last of his ale and felt a heady and pleasant little buzz settling into his skull. The empty mug, and the second that was almost there, were set firmly onto the make-shift table-come-chair-come-bar. Starborn sat alongside them, and with two fingers quickly tapped an empty space.

“Alright, then - line 'em up, soldier.”

[Carré Inirial]

"I grew up with six older brothers...got used to fighting really early cause I usually got stuck in the middle of it..." Carré replied with a soft smile, eyes drifting upward for a few moments as she lost herself in the fond memories of her brothers. Overbearing, loud, and obnoxious, but she adored each of them in spite of their faults. Shaking her head slightly, she realized her voice had trailed off and she'd fallen silent. Blinking, she was thankful that Ben came up with something to say in the meantime.

"Pleased to meet you, Ben. I'm Carré...one of Commander Perris' pilots. Rogue eleven, callsign Phoenix." Her smile brightened bit, with pardonable pride, as somehow, in spite of the way they'd first met, the man still picked her to be a Rogue. Bright with interest and curiosity, she took the opening he offered and asked about the Knightfall."The Knightfall? She's a freighter? What's she like? What's it like flying a ship that size?"

[Lyanie Quez]

"She's a freighter, alright. And she's a good girl." Lyanie piped up, smile beaming as she idly shuffled the deck, watching the edges of the cards speed by into a neat pile by the learned trick of hands. "Knightfall's done us good."

She looked over the newcomer that was talking to Ben and realized that she looked familiar. Very recently familiar. Quietly, Lyanie placed the deck of cards on the crate and picked up a mug of cold ale that she had been slowly nursing throughout the rounds of sabacc. Cold beer in the midsts of all this snow. That was a display of the tough. Maybe the nutty.

"Hey, you're the new cog with the Rogues, right?" Lyanie winced inwardly, remembering that particular night and having completely missed that Carré had already mentioned the factoids of her name and designation. "How do you like them? How about the Commander? He's really not a bad guy, all things considered. I remember when he wasn't a commander. Ben knows what I'm talking about. Used to be a real partier, that one. Guess he musta smartened up when I wasn't lookin'."

[Ben Merasska]

Lyanie’s interjection had Ben raising an eyebrow while he tried to remember who the commander looked like. His eyes widened.

“Perris? I didn’t recognize him,” he said, looking doubtful. “But I suppose it fits. He was better pilot than me, anyway. I just had insane amounts of luck where he had skill. I might be able to give him a run for his money now though. Nah. He’s only gotten better. It’s been too long since I flew a snub to really challenge fighter jocks.”

Ben’s voice, as usual, didn’t hold any bravado, nor did it have a boasting tone. At least, when talking about himself it didn’t. When it did, he usually laded on large amounts of sarcasm and sheer outrageousness to it, showing that he wasn’t serious. His last remark was just thoughtful musing on his sudden understanding of how much he’d grown up since he’d been a fighter pilot.

He turned back to Carré with a grin. “She’s a classic,” he said. “Dynamic-class, so she's older than most dirt, likely. Not as many modifications as some of the others, but still handles like a dream. Could do with some upgrades to the sublight engines, but I’ve got no real complaints. Need money and time for upgrades like that too.”

He grew thoughtful, absently picking up cards as Lyanie dealt them out, but not looking at them.

“It’s a lot different to pilot freighters than snubs. Closest snub you can get is a Y-wing, and then it’s still a big change. Shuttles and landers are better training.”

[Carré Inirial]

"That's me...the newest and the youngest of the bunch. Honestly? The Rogues...much as most of them seem to live to annoy me, I wouldn't trade them for anything. We're a really weird bunch individually, but together we're something else."

Carré grinned broadly as she nodded to Lyanie and murmured thanks to the barkeep. A tentative sip of the mug revealed it to be a warm cider spiked with something that burned pleasantly on the way down. She sipped again and cradled the mug in her fingers as she spoke.

Emerald eyes blinked as her smile suddenly turned conspiratorial. "Commander Perris? A partier? Really now...what else can you tell me about him?" While she had no doubts the man could drink the lot of them under the table and still be able to walk a straight line, she was decidedly curious about what he was really like. What little she did know was....colorful, to say the least.

"Oh come on, Ben...its like riding a 'bike. I bet you could still do it." Watching his expression, she sipped from her mug and fell silent for several moments. His smile drew another out of her as he mentioned the Knightfall, his expression mirroring Lyanie's perfectly.

"Would you teach me? How to fly something like a shuttle, I mean...I've always wanted to know."

[Lyanie Quez]

"Um, well..."

She tried to think back. Drew in her lower lip and looked thoughtful, her pint of cold ale poised halfway between the crate and her mouth, clutched between hands fitted with fingerless gloves - well, those mitts with the removable tops that have sort-of half fingerless gloves built in? Right.

"...a player. The ladies loved him and thinking back, I used to go for it, too, but never acted on it. Admiration from afar, right? But, yeah. I don't think he's like that anymore. Doesn't seem to have the same air about him anymore, y'know? I hear he only shows up in the cantinas for the squadron, these days and not for himself. That sometimes, they have to practically drag him out for socializing. Though, he looked like he was having fun with you."

She blushed a little, then and took a hearty gulp of her ale, nearly finishing it off. Lyanie raised her eyes and looked at Carré, a small pleading look, that she wished to clarify.

"I mean, having fun with you guys. I don't think anybody could really resist a snowball fight. At least no snub pilot. Like Hoth. Couldn't go too far out, but there was snow right at the doorstep for the playing, providing there were no snowstorms up and about."

[Ben Merasska]

"Would you teach me? How to fly something like a shuttle, I mean...I've always wanted to know."

Ben nodded cheerfully, but soon frowned and blinked in surprise. He’d not considered that the pretty lady – Carré, he’d have to remember that – who flew starfighters would want to learn to fly freighters. When he flew starfighters, freighters just seemed boring and drab compared to the speed and abilities of an X-wing.

Lyanie was speaking with her too, and he waited for his best friend in the whole ‘verse to finish up her part of the conversation. He’d started laughing when Lyanie noticed her little foible, and laughed even harder as she tried to fix it. Lyanie fixed him with a glare, but it wasn't one that indicated she was angry with him, but more like exasperated or slightly annoyed. Not trying to be mean, he quieted down to the odd snicker and chuckle. He’d not forgotten about the question Carré had asked, but wanted to see how this played out before he’d ask if she wanted to actually have him teach her about flying shuttles.
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[Barton Henning]

There was an uncanny gleam in Tionne's grey eyes, as the hand that held her pipe turned upside down, the ash littering the snow beneath.
''To be felt, freedom needs to be consumed. You have learned how to run, Henning. Let's see how well do you chase.''
Turning sharply on her heel, Thanewulf dashed forwards into the woods, copper hair flagging behind her. Her senses stretched outwards through the Force, the pulse of the forest now her own.

He watched her go, in a kind of stunned silence. For a heart-beart, he turned back towards the wine and song and laughter of the party, but he knew that wasn't his place, not when he felt like the ghost at the feast.

He moved at a brisk walk first, through the damp grass, but soon his pace quickened and he was swiped away branches from his path. The forest was dark and deep, with only the sound of night-birds fluttering over head to disturb this silence.

“Tionne?” Henning called, his voice startling some creature from its perch on a branch above. Barton only glimpsed a vague shape of it as it scurried through an opening into one of the tree trunks. He searched the canopy above for a moment, wondering what else was living up there, before bringing his focus back down to the forest floor.

His pace had slowed and when he looked around, he realised he could no longer see the lights from the Life Day party.

“...Tionne?”

[Tionne Thanewulf]

Excelling at the art of virtual invisibility, Tionne managed to vanish from plain sight, greatly aided by the play of shadows orchestrated between the maze of tree trunks. There was nothing but the smell of pines and freshness of the snow surrounding them, the clatter of the cheering crowds now completely lost to utter serenity of the evening. One could exhale their last breath in this woods and nobody would know; most people would consider themselves lost at this point, but a Jedi never truly was. As long as there was some beacon to follow, no matter how faint and flickering, a Jedi would find their way home.

Observing Henning from behind a tree, Tionne allowed for a dampened giggle and a smirk, as he followed her through. Isolating him from the confinement of his ship and everything he was familiar with, Barton could no longer clutch so firmly on the certitude and safety that kept him ignorant and...alive over the years. He would have to accept the fact he was needed and that refusal of involvement was equal to the tyranny Jedi and Rebels alike fought.

Slowly approaching him from the back, with the lightest of steps to avoid detection, Thanewulf placed her palms over his eyes gently, her soft palms pressing against his temples. Leaning in closer to his ear, the redhead whispered ever so softly -
''Why do you call out my name when you know I am here?'' the Knight asked, referring to the fact she did not even attempt to hide her Force signature from him - ''Can't you sense me?''

[Carré Inirial]

Somehow she'd polished off her mug of spiked cider without realizing it, glancing down and finding it empty after attempting to sip. Turning back briefly, she offered a grateful smile to the tender who just refilled her mug and shuffled off again. Quite happily, she lifted the mug to her lips and was in mid-sip when Lyanie piped up again-


"...a player. The ladies loved him and thinking back, I used to go for it, too, but never acted on it. Admiration from afar, right? But, yeah. I don't think he's like that anymore. Doesn't seem to have the same air about him anymore, y'know? I hear he only shows up in the cantinas for the squadron, these days and not for himself. That sometimes, they have to practically drag him out for socializing. Though, he looked like he was having fun with you."

-and just as quickly, Carré choked on the cider, cheeks flushing a brilliant crimson, which she hoped would be attributed to the cider and her choking. And not to the comment that might have struck a bit close. Shaking her head as she caught her breath, she took another careful, smaller sip and almost sighed as Lyanie backpedaled a bit.

Carré managed a grin and nodded, tilting her head to glance out at the crowd, wondering where the Commander had gotten himself off to. "Well, I know I'd have been hard-pressed to resist a snowball fight..." she replied, her voice trailing off. She'd not been at the battle of Hoth as her squadron had been assigned elsewhere at the time, but several of her year-mates from the academy had been there.

"Interesting little tidbits about the Commander though...I'd never have guessed. I keep waiting for payback though, I smacked him in the chest with a snowball not too long ago." she grinned impishly at both Lyanie and Ben before glancing down at the cards in their hands.

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

“Alright, then - line 'em up, soldier.”
It was no sooner said than done, the bit of spiced ale in her mug was finished off and two (what Charles best estimated as) double shots of the rum later a piece, and the Corellian girl had found that sitting near the make shift table in the snow wasn't as cold as she had thought it was going to be. With the third in hand waiting to join those that had come before it, Charlotte found her free hand pulling a stray thread from the side of the simple pair of black pants she wore.

"You know, Starborn... you aint such a bad guy."

The third helping of rum from the bottle she'd whisked away from the bar was sipped at a bit as she found another stray bit of thread and tugged it away slowly. There were more like them, all along the side of the one leg from where she had painstakingly removed a series of yellow stripes that had once adorned the pants. Once and only once she reminded herself as the rest of the glass was knocked back. Now they were carefully tucked into a small cloth bag and stowed away in the bottom of her footlocker.

Charles looked up to see if Starborn had followed her on the last drink. It was only polite, she felt, to not get ahead when the rum was in short supply.

"Thanks for uhm..." The empty tumbler was waved just slightly. "making sure I didn't mope about too much. This is supposed to be a party."

[Kyran O'Hurn]

Life Day.... It was amazing how one day could mean so many different things to so many. Ky had long since lost any tradition that he might have once clung to. Too many Life Days spent in the field either alone or with a small team. Now it was a day to connect with comrades old and new. He hadn't intended to attend the celebrations, but a few old friends had convinced him to come.

And so he was here. Mingling with a lot of the other NCO's that were in attendance. A few of them he knew from Spec Ops, but most were new acquaintances. After an hour or so Ky wandered away from the main group of NCO's.

After a quick stop at the kegs for a top up Ky moved out to the edge of the party to endulge himself in a simple pleasure that he was rarely afforded. If there was one up side for Ky it was the snow. He had always enjoyed it. While some would bitch and moan about the cold and dampness of having to undertake missions in winter weather Ky almost enjoyed it. There had always been something about the soft crunching of snow as it compacted beneath ones feet as they walked.

After a few minutes just enjoying the sound of his footsteps crunching in the snow Ky returned to the party with a slight grin on his face. It was Life Day after all. Time to see what kind of trouble he could get himself into.

[Selinica Miriya]

She had been convinced to come. Well, it hadn't exactly been pleading, but more of the fact of the knowledge being paraded about her that it would be just like most every mission if she stayed in with the Mitternacht. Except, it would be by choice, this time. Grudgingly, Sel assented and agreed to go with everyone else, into the gods-be-damned snow and try to enjoy herself. Inwardly (and she would sure as hell not admit it), she was starting to feel okay with this 'being a lawful person' business and 'not thieving anymore'. Running afoul of the law just seemed easier and more exciting. Well, it did until they started letting her out of her own damned ship on missions.

They had to start trusting her and allow her to prove herself as an integral member of the team at some point, right? Right. That was the logic. Everyone deserved a chance, providing they weren't chances that would get everyone obliterated. So far, so good.

So, here she was amongst all the snow and plantlife that didn't succumb to winter hibernation, hands of fingerless gloves huddled around a fair sized mug of cider - no, spiked cider, she firmly decided, once she took a sip. Much, much better. There wasn't anyone on the team she could think of that would outright disagree with that observation. From where she stood near the makeshift bar, she had only managed to spot Charles and Starborn. Starborn was alright, Charles was another Corellian woman and,... well, both of their Corellian-bred attitudes tended to be in opposition to each other. It was a working relationship that was civil. At least they both could agree about Glayde, for the most part.

Also, what she could deduce to be members of the illustrious Rogue Squadron - which was later proved, thanks to the equally rogueish Sanis Prent (who she couldn't deny was handsome enough) - had been taking part in a fun-looking snowball fight. Aside from the time Goylus had decided to take it upon himself to put snow down her shirt and trousers, which did not end well for him, Cailis hadn't participated in such an activity since she was a child.

It was Life Day. Throwing back the last of the cider, she left the glass with the bartender and went off in search of fun, herself.

[Serasai Onashi]

The party was already in full swing by the time he’d arrived, as he’d known already. He leant against a tree and puffed on his pipe a few times to keep the leaf inside the bowl lit. He slid his gloved hands into the pockets of his great-coat and watched the assembled with an air of someone looking in on something long ago and far away.

People were talking and laughing everywhere. Onashi almost felt like he needed to do some huge practical joke to probably ruin the party for several other members. But he didn’t want to sour the occasion, and someone undoubtedly would take offence at the joke and get angry.

Tur’enne was here, drinking some fellow from Intelligence. She seemed to actually enjoy the man’s company. Onashi decided to be nice and not ruin her night just yet. And then there were the pilots, loud, boisterous, and posturing like a huge number tomcats in the same freezing alley. Perhaps there was a bit more camaraderie here, but the sentiment was still the same.

He hadn’t seen Glayde or Dalgas around. He doubted Dalgas would show up, but it was always possible. You could never tell with the Colonel. He’d seen O’Hurn earlier, but likewise, he felt like trying to enjoy the night without souring someone. He smirked at how impossible that seemed right now. Perhaps he just wasn’t made for parties.

Two others had run off into the woods. He mentally saluted the man; that red-head was gorgeous. There was another red head and a brunette cuddling some ways away. He’d be intruding on a moment there. Some girl was standing near a cat-like humanoid shouting something and then getting distracted.

Didn’t seem like there was a place for him amongst all these people. It almost made him wish he belonged. Almost. Then he remembered he was likely getting paid more than most of them, and his spirits lifted greatly.

[Mara Tallen]

"Listen Da, I have to go...I've been ordered planet-side for the Life Day celebration."

"Ordered, Kittan'ika? You don't want to go?"

"No, I don't want to go. I just lost Ardent a couple of weeks ago, I'm not in the mood to play nice with a bunch of people I don't know."

"I can understand that. But you must ask yourself, how would your partner wish to be mourned? I do not think he would want you to remain alone on Life Day."

"No, he wouldn't. He'd shove me onto the transport in chains. Thank you for the clarity, Da...ni kar'tayl gar darasuum."

"Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum, Mar'ika."

Even at twenty-one years of age with five solid years of military service behind her, she still used her father as a sounding board. The young woman doubted that fact would ever change. Watching as his image faded from the comm screen, Mara smiled and logged off.

A short while later, she stepped off the transport and wandered down the short path through the trees. There were sentients everywhere, in various states of celebration and inebriation, and lines of dancers weaving throughout the entire set-up. Ducking a stray snowball, she arched a brow at what must have been a bunch of pilots trying to plunk one another in the most uncomfortable places possible. A brunette took a shot to the back of the neck before diving behind a tree for cover, the sight of which made her grin in spite of herself.

Fingers tucked themselves deep into the pockets of her dark blue parka, the fur-trimmed hood having fallen to her shoulders. Pin-straight locks were gathered into a loose twist to leep them untangled, a fact for which she was thankful given the breeze that kept tugging at them. She spared a brief glance to ensure that her black leather pants were tucked precisely into the tops of her fur-lined boots, before she continued forward.

Mara avoided the groups that had gathered and huddled together, wishing there was a familiar face in the crowd. There was no one she recognized though, and took a solitary seat by the edge of the trees, a warm mug of mulled wine cradled in her fingers.

[Dashiel Starborn]

"You know, Starborn... you aint such a bad guy."

Charles looked up to see if Starborn had followed her on the last drink. It was only polite, she felt, to not get ahead when the rum was in short supply.

"Thanks for uhm..." The empty tumbler was waved just slightly. "making sure I didn't mope about too much. This is supposed to be a party."

Starborn had another shot of rum in hand, though he was in no hurry to chase it down. Along with the ale, the first two had warmed him up nicely, his cheeks red with more than just the cold. When he looked up to see Tur'enne waving her glass about, his mouth spread into a smile.

“Anytime..”

Seized by the impulse to toast and drink, Dash swallowed down half of his rum, then sucked a breath in through gritted teeth. Through slightly damp eyes he saw Charlotte giving him a disapproving look, and couldn't help but laugh, spluttering coughs coming out along with it.

“I swear, they must make this stuff outta rocket fuel... burn's like hell.”

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

“I swear, they must make this stuff outta rocket fuel... burn's like hell.”"Excuse me, Mister Starborn, but do I have this correct?"

The bottle was snatched up off the crate and held in one hand, with the other coming to rest just below it, as if showing it off.

"Are you mocking this fine beverage? I'll have you know that this isn't just rum. It's Corellian rum and that makes it far superior to just any old junk rum you'll find. Why this... this is absolutely..."

Her eyes began to wander, catching site of Onashi amidst the crowd - apparently the Dorn boys had decided to show up. Goodie. If that mercenary even remotely decided to ruin her fun with Blue Sauce she was going to use that bottle to break open his head.

"Well.." The bottle was looked back to and she laughed. "Okay so it's low shelf skrag and really not very good at all, but it's still better!"

She refilled Dashiel's glass, changing it from mostly empty back to almost too full and poured herself another full one as well. With drink back in hand she let her eyes begin to scan the crowd again.

"So mind your-"

You had got to be frinking kidding... what in the void was HE doing here? And why hadn't she seen him before? The familiar face was spotted and instantly every bit of her insides felt like they were about to form one giant knot. She let her eyes follow the man for a moment until he was out of sight, feeling a horrible sinking feeling somewhere in her chest. Frinking rodder son of a-... he does it on purpose!

The bottle of rum remained in one hand and the tumbler was grasped again and its contents quickly downed before she let her eyes return to Dash.

"...tongue." The word was practically mumbled as she felt her cheeks growing warm again.

[Dashiel Starborn]

Seeing the expression on Charlotte's face, his eyes tried to follow hers to catch a glimpse of what had given her cause to hesitate – but whoever, or whatever, it was seemed to have gone. Dash peered at the crowd a moment longer, twisting around, but it was useless. He shifted on the crate and lifted his chin at Tur'enne, who was being far too meek for someone with so much rum inside of them.

“Somethin' up, Chuckles? Eyes bigger than your belly?”

[Ben Merasska]

Well crud. This hand didn’t seem to be lookin’ his way. He had 17; the shift would undoubtedly screw him over.

“You really want to learn to fly shuttles?” he asked. “Shuttle-work, unless you’ve gotten a modified one that works as close air support, is quite possibly the most boring flying possible. And that’s including those beautiful Imperial ones now... the Lambdas (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Lambda-class_T-4a_shuttle). Slower’n anything you’ve ever seen, but it’s the safest ride in the galaxy. Almost doesn’t need shielding with what they do to the hulls. I mean, I’ll teach ya if you really want to, but... it’s not usual for a fighter pilot to willingly start flying shuttles.”

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

“Somethin' up, Chuckles? Eyes bigger than your belly?”
She had been in the process of pouring more rum into her glass when he had spoken. Taking care to not spill her drink, or hit to hard, the bottle was put down and the back of Charlotte's hand smacked Dashiel in the upper arm.

"Don't frinking call me that, Saucey."

Another glance was cast back out into the crowd, but the sea of faces didn't betray her again and so she looked back to Dash and found that once more she couldn't help but let a small smile come to her. Yeah, he was a good guy... one of the better she'd met, really. Damn him too...

"Nah, its nothing. Just thought I saw your pops out there."

The sly smile she had been holding slowly returned at her little lie.

"And I'm rather comfy here. Didn't feel like having to dart into the woods to keep you outta trouble."

[Carré Inirial]

"Damn, Ben...when you put it that way I guess not." Carré grinned, swirling the warm cider around in her mug before taking another sip. Shifting on her stool, she fell silent as she watched the cards flit across the overturned crates that were serving as a bar.

She leaned over to peek at Ben's hand and arched a delicate brow. With the worst streak of luck where card games were involved, she tended to avoid them like the plague. Carré had lost track ages ago of how many credits she'd lost to her friends on Carida, or even her squadron mates in more recent years.

"I still want to learn to fly something bigger than my fighter. I can't exactly use my Interceptor when I've got leave-time...or my X-wing. Can't fit a whole lot of art supplies on either one, to be honest. Hell, I'm lucky I can take along a sketchbook and a couple of pencils." She drained her mug and set it aside, nodding as it was refilled.

From an inside pocket of her fluffy white parka, she pulled out a small sketchbook and a pencil. Fingers deftly flipped the book to a blank page, past various sketches of her X-wing from different angles. Emerald eyes lifted to gaze intently at Ben and Lyanie both for several moments, before she leaned over the small page and began sketching.

[Cleo Némain]

"Tha' is jus' all kinna neato righ' there. A fly-ie folk... err pilot.. anna draw maker?"

The small voice of Cleo came up from behind Carré as it's owner peered at the sketchbook in her hand. Dancing was starting to make her woozy, too much spinning in one night could leave you laying on the floor and watching stars move about in circles that they weren't supposed to. So Cleo had gone and looked for familiar types to be familiar with and she saw two of the more familiar and friendly types from the Knightfall and so that would do.

"Ya know... He's all kinna talent-filled-up alsa'" A finger was pointed lazily at the Knightfall's pilot. "Sings all kinsa good when he wants ta."

She nodded her head as if the entirety of what she had said held some great truth to it... until she waved at Lyanie in an over enthusiastic manner.

[Dashiel Starborn]

“Pah... Reggie? He'd of been rambling on about the old days for hours now.”

Even as he said it, Dash grinned. There were a handful of people who could get away with calling Regulus Starborn by such an endearment, and his sons were not amongst them. The Colonel wasn't one for parties such as this, though Starborn knew that in his own way, his father would be marking Life Day. Probably by vaping the hell out of an Imperial convoy.

“Reckon he'd probably take a liking to you, you know?” He said, studying Tur'enne for a long moment, nodding faintly. “...only on account that you're special forces and all.”

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

"Take a liking to me?" With an eyebrow quirked the tumbler was brought to her lips once more and its contents smoothly downed just as the others had been. A glance down into the empty made her wonder just how many she had gotten ahead of Dash at that point, he was behind, that was for certain. A fleeting thought came through that she was rather thankful for Blue Sauce and his keeping her mind off of the damn Trekker.

"Look before we even get into the whys he'd have to go and take a liking to me in the first place, let's get this all straightened out... SpecForce or no, your dad, just like everybody else in the entire outfit probably cringes at the name Tur'enne. So maybe some other girlie would do, but I highly doubt that you'd get any sort of approval for being seen lurking about with impulsive little me outside of those little errands they keep tossing the two of us on."

All the while she'd managed to keep a small smile on her lips and she leaned against the crate and looked up at Dashiel from her perspective from sitting in the snow.

"Not that I mind them doing that... Still tryin to work my head around why that keeps happening. You think your pops and Dalgas got some sorta deal goin' on where I keep getting tugged outta Dorn to watch your ass or something? Though that does get back to the whole thing of the Col. having to take a liking to me in the first place to even let me go about doing that."

[Dashiel Starborn]

“I think they knew a good thing when they saw it,” Dash said, shrugging off the apparent coincidence of the their reoccuring co-assignment as he followed her lead and sent yet another mouthful of rum burning down his throat. He slid down off of the crate and bent down to scoop up the bottle, up-ending it to half-fill his tumbler. The rest he offered to Tur'enne, slowly tilting the bottle so that if she didn't act fast their stash would end up just another suspect smudge in the snow.

“Lurking, huh.. is that what we're doing?”

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

At first the movement of the bottle was almost lost to her as she found herself somewhere between being lost in her own thoughts, what Dashiel was saying, and the really nice feeling the rum had provided. But if there was one thing that she cherished it was anything from home and it would have been just a downright crime in her mind if it had gone to waste... as horrible as it honestly was. Her glass was snatched and placed underneath the falling alcohol just enough to catch the last bit.

"Well if we are, we aren't doing a very good job. Think we've been spotted by more than just one person."

With the bottle finally empty and with rum in both their glasses once more she lifted her's up just slightly.
"Chakta Sai Kae." And then it was brought to her lips and the rum drained once more.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

After Sanis had risen to his full height of bravado when he called Saricia's bluff, he swaggered off to buy a few drinks and generally have a good time. Cirr lingered around him before eventually milling around the group again. He was getting a good buzz on him, which meant he was also hungry. Fortunately, a party like this had those bases covered. He headed over to where a group of people were huddled around a fire pit. A hash slinger was dishing out kippered dewback, some sort of stew, bantha short ribs, and a few hot, heavy dishes best suited to dealing with people who decided drinking in the cold was a good idea.

"Thrree of those dewback plates, boss."

Cirr tilted down the rest of his whiskey as he waited. The hash-slinger didn't look at him, busy instead on his work of cutting and portioning meats.

"That's a lotta chow there, space jock. How bout one?"

Cirr's blue eyes blinked as his ears cocked at uneven angles. Feeling the false warmth of alcohol, he unbuttoned his jacket, tossed it aside, and slid his undershirt off. At 6'4" and 265 pounds, he wasn't cut from marble, but you could definitely see stone showing in a few spots.

"Come on, grrjiddle-monkey, jI'm a grrowjing boy!"

The cook finally looked up at his insistant customer and laughed.

"Hope you don't grow too much, damn! Two plates, landfill. Just put your damn shirt back on."

The group around the pit laughed as Cirr slid his shirt back on, then his jacket, not bothering to button it up as he was passed two steaming plates of kipper. Resting one on top of his whiskey glass, he began to head away from the chow line when he spotted the familiar faces of a pair of Knightfall crewers.

"Hey!"

[Lyanie Quez]

Lyanie's smile grew wide into a grin at the sight of Cleo appearing behind Carré. She laughed... nay, giggled when the girl waved so energetically at her, where she had so lackadaisically pointed at Ben. The engineer waved almost frantically back at her, after gently placing her hand of cards on the crate. She came so very close to knocking over the glass, at the bottom of which sat what remained of her ale. Lyanie considered a refill as she looked to speak back to Cleo.

"Ben's always been a guy to break out in song. And he doesn't mind it one bit to have any of us join in." She looked positively happy, so many good memories tied together by the thread of song. "And he's been a great pilot about as long as I've known him."

That wasn't to insinuate that his becoming her friend improved his flight skills, but there was certainly something to be said for the influence of good morale. And Lyanie knew a thing or two about boosting morale. The more, the merrier, for example, which boosted her already quite happy disposition further when another body came their way.

"Well, our little group just keep growing and growing! Hey, Cirr!" She seemed just as excited to see him as she had to see Cleo. It was just a good feelings day. Lyanie waved him over, failing not to laugh even a little at the sight of the two piled plates in the Cizerack's hands. She eyed them, a scrutinizing look as he approached. Then she looked him in the face when she spoke again.

"Are you hungry or somethin', or were you planning to share?" Not that she was hungry, accourse. She'd been one of the first people to tackle the food pit. "Good food, though. I wouldn't blame anyone for filling themselves to the gills."

[Ben Merasska]

Ben was very much surprised at how many people had gathered around. Nowadays it was only he and Lyanie, with the Cap’n joining in; it wasn’t too long before that he’d been alone at gatherings and parties and such. It wasn’t a bad feeling, all told, to be surrounded by new and old friends.

Ben wasn’t used to many possessions, so he’d been able to stuff most of them into his ‘Beloved Bag’, a large satchel that was now sitting beneath his bunk on the Knightfall. He’d wanted to learn to fly bigger ships because they were boring, and the chances of dying were significantly lowered. Well, that and he didn’t know much else that could get him a job.

“C’mon Cleo,” he said, scooting over a bit on the crate which served as his seat. “Sit down. No sense in standing when there’s all this room, eh?”

Ben’s grin grew to a smile when Cirr shouted out and walked over and he nodded in greeting to the bigger humanoid.

[Carré Inirial]

She was saved from having to fumble for a name at the sight of Cleo popping up beside her, when Ben called her by name...and neatly avoided her statement of being a good singer. It made Carré grin as she nodded to her, and set her pencil down.

On the page was a rough sketch of Ben and Lyanie standing in front of Knightfall, though only a portion of the ship was visible. Carefully, she tore it out of her little notebook and handed it over to Lyanie, before spending another several minutes making a second sketch for Ben.

"Hi Cleo...I'm Carré, with Rogue Squadron. Yeah...I fly and I draw...weird combination, I know. Here...let me finish this and I'll draw one of you." she replied with a grin, finishing the second sketch a scant few minutes later. Handing that one to Ben, she looked up at a familiar voice and laughed.

"Hey Cirr...you can sit with me. There's way more crate here than I need." Carré patted the space beside her as she moved over. "Cleo was just telling us that Ben's a fantastic singer...ever heard him?"

[Cleo Némain]

The whispered "wow" she'd let go of as Cirr approached with all the food - she had never seen anyone like HIM before. Then again, she hadn't been to very many places in the galaxy, either. Still, she instantly took a profound liking to him, not like that, but in the fact she liked the unusual even if it sometimes didn't care for her a whole lot.

Lyaine and Ben she liked too... only for the fact they didn't need nicknames in her head. She liked the way Lyaine's name sounded just by itself and while she secretly sometimes referred to Ben as "Ben-27-Single-Speaking" in her head it didn't sound so nice when she said it so he just went by "Ben" or "Benny" when she talked and that worked fine. And when he had offered a spot near him to sit she practically squeaked before darting over to the spot and plopping down.

Though as soon as she sat down she started wondering why she had, snow was fun to stand in. But then there was someone new to meet. Miss Weird-Combo-Carré, who even said she would draw for her which made her eyes light up. This was fast becoming the best Life Day ever.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr took the seat nearest Carre, a bit sheepish that his wolfish appetite was picked up by Lyanie.

"jI, err, got anotherr one forr whoeverr wants jit."

Passing off his deception with an innocent smile, Cirr let his blue eyes linger a bit on the very cute mechanic before tucking into his remaining portion of kipper. Chewing, he listened to Carre's question, and swallowed before answering with a shake of his head.

"Can't say jI have. jIs he any good? jI once took lessons, but jit's...djifferrent forr us."

[Ben Merasska]

Ben actually flushed a bit as the topic went back to his singing. He wasn’t prone to embarrassment, but he actually just broke into song loudly whenever he felt there was tension that needed to be broken. Or when he wasn’t really thinking about it. People usually didn’t take notice of him, aside from odd glances at the equally odd spacer, and he’d long been used to those. But actual attention aside from the familiar ‘Shut the frack up!’ was not something he was used to.

“Uh,” he began. “Right! Cleo, you ain’t leaving the Knightfall, are ya? Cause I haven’t come up with a suitable pirate name for you yet, and you need one if you’re part of the crew. If it’s the Cap’n, I’m pretty sure I can wheedle him into letting you stay.”

[Carré Inirial]

Carré just shook her head and grinned as Ben completely changed the subject, lifting her mug for a sip. She paused, arching a brow at the empty mug and trying in vain to remember how much she'd had so far. Was it three? Or maybe four?

Bah. It didn't matter. She didn't have to be coherent particularly early tomorrow that she could recall, and it was the first Life Day in a very long time that she'd enjoyed so much. Carré was determined to -keep- enjoying it, and as such happily accepted the refill of warm cider. She sipped with a sigh of pleasure before getting back to her third sketch.

This one featured Cleo as she'd been only a short while before, spinning and twirling amidst the dancers around one of the larger fires. Arms splayed out, it almost looked like the girl was floating, which, given that she was a Jedi, wasn't an impossibility. With a careful tug, the sketch came free from the book and Carré leaned around Cirr to pass it to Cleo with a jovial 'Happy Life Day' accompanying it.

Her sketchbook and pencil rested on the taller crate serving as a table while she cradled the mug in her fingers and sipped. Glancing up at Cirr, her mind wandered back to what he'd said several minutes before.

"Different how?" she asked, curiosity lighting her features.

[Dashiel Starborn]

With the bottle finally empty and with rum in both their glasses once more she lifted her's up just slightly.
"Chakta Sai Kae." And then it was brought to her lips and the rum drained once more.

It felt like the right time to offer a toast of his own, but Dash couldn't think of any that fit the moment. He'd been brought up on Coruscant and just about every salute there was to the Emperor's memory or the glory of the Empire. Instead, he lifted the bottle to eye-level and peered at it blankly, what he was seeing taking a moment to register.

“Well.. we're all out.”

His arm swung down, burying the bottom of the bottle with a crunch in a half-inch of frosted grass. He turned his eyes towards his tumbler, which now contained the last of the precious, precious rum.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Almost embarassed to say, Cirr's ears drooped down.

"You know, when we'rre young. Beforre puberrty and such. Now, jI don't thjink jit would worrk."

Taking another bite, he spoke again.

"When we'rre young, jit's jimporrtant to appearr beautjiful and talented, because you want to be marrrjied off to a rrjich and powerrful woman. So, jI had that as a talent."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Having left Cirr, the little girl hopped her way happily through the myriad of bodies milling about, hot cocoa in hand. It was a bit of a delicate balancing act, but she'd learned early on the precise art of not spilling her drink.

Her eyes were peeled for either Dama or Dad; they were supposed to be here somewhere. After all, they said they would follow later after her and Aunt Sarsha - or rather, Reesha was easier to say - had showed up. She wondered if Dama would have any of the bitey drink like Cirr'd had. She knew that her Dad would probably have wine... or maybe wiskee. Dama always said those were her Dad's two favorite drinks.

Of course, she also said that her Dad was a Slayn & Korpil man.

Whatever that meant.

[General Dan]

"Well look at this little tauntaun!"

Dan parted company with a group of commanders, singling out his little girl with a smile. He stooped down to her level as she ran up to him, bells jingling on her little horns on her outfit.

"You having fun tonight sweetie?"

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Beaming wide, Teagan was sure to give him a careful hug, what with her cup of cocoa still in hand.

"It's great!"

Her jingle bell taun taun horns only served to accentuate the wide smile she wore.

"Is Dama here with you somewhere?"

[General Dan]

Dan resisted the urge to laugh outright. Every single movement, no matter how subtle, caused a jingling sound from the bells framing her head. He instead focused on her question.

"She said she was coming, but I don't know if her shuttle touched down. She had some business back on the Dauntless."

[Cleo Némain]

There was so much going on, it was easy to get lost in it all. She liked listening to Cirr talk, that was for sure, the sound of it made something in the back of her head tingle. Or maybe that feeling was just being caused by the slight twitching her whole body had taken on account of the chill air. Either way Cleo knew she liked the feeling. It was when Benny spoke her name again that she snapped out of the small reverie.

Though when ComboCarré handed her the drawing she almost had a complete relapse into her own tumble of thoughts. She barely managed to chirp out a small "thanks", but that was enough to end it again.

"A pira' name?" The concept seemed odd to her, after all they didn't look like pirates. None of them were missing any body parts. "Uhh, dunna. Cap'in Barty has'na said iffin I get ta stay or nah. Though he 'asn't gone an' said tha' I needta go no wheres. Guessin I'll come an kinna go as 'm needed or nah needed, ye?"

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

She rolled her eyes. She'd gotten really good at that lately.

"Dama always has bisniss to do." Not so much an attempt at whining, Tak spoke with an exasperated sigh that every child in the galaxy seemed to invariably perfect early on.

With one hand still holding her mug, she put an arm around her Dad's shoulder, a subtle hint that she wanted him to pick her up so that she could see the festivities from a higher perch.

"Did you get me something for Life Day?"

And before he could answer, "I got something for you and Dama - Aunt Reesha helped me pick it out, but I wrapped it all by myself."

[General Dan]

Dan smiled at her question.

"Well, have you been a good girl this year? The Life Day spirit brings good things if you're good."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Without missing a beat, the little Lupine turned his question right back around to him.

"Well, first you tell me; have you been good this year?"

[General Dan]

He arched an eyebrow at his daughter.

"I think I'm a bit old to be getting any presents from the Life Day spirit."

He hoisted her up and thumped a jingle horn.

"He only comes to visit the little girls and boys."

[Carré Inirial]

Carré nodded, turning slightly to face Cirr where he sat, between her and the others. While growing up on Alderaan in a Royal house likely wasn't too similar to his experience, she could at least appreciate the sentiment to some degree.

"Ahh...well, I can understand that to a small degree. Most of my friends on Alderaan when I was younger thought of little else than making a favorable match within one of the other Royal Houses, or even off-world into another 'proper' family. Luckily, I wasn't saddled with parents who thought I needed to be married at fourteen. Just eng-" blinking, she drained at least half of her mug and smiled sweetly. "Nevermind...I'm rambling."

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

“Well.. we're all out.”
The empty bottle was mockingly saluted. "It died with honor."

Her words came out slower as a lackadaisical smile fell on her as she propped her elbow up on the crate and let her cheek rest on her hand.

Charles eyed the remaining bit of rum and with her free hand, still holding her empty glass, motioned at it. "You better drink it, Blue Sauce. Otherwise that's alcohol abuse and that doesn't go without some sort of repercussion."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr finished taking another bite as he listened to Carré, and averted his eyes for a moment, tugging at his right ear as a bit of nervous body language.

"Well, yeah."

He looked back up to the others.

"jI was marrrjied. Technjically, stjill am. Therre jis no Cizeri terrm forr, errr, annullment? Marrrjied at eleven."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

With a look of near-horror, she stared at him. Too old to get presents on Life Day from the Life Day spirit?!

"Does that mean I'm gonna get too old one day to get presents from the Life Day spirit too?!"

[General Dan]

Dan laughed a little.

"It'll be alright. By the time you're all grown up, you'll still have presents from all your loved ones, and you'll have a little one or two of your own and they'll get visits from the Life Day spirit."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Still skeptical, she gave a slow nod. Maybe he was right, but still! She'd only found out about Life day two years ago! The thought of getting too old for the Life Day spirit was terrible! She would have to let Wyl know; did he know about this??

"I guessssss," she trailed off, her mind moving like lightning over this sad new revelation.

"I s'pose when Wyl and I buy our kids," she started seriously, "... we'll have to be sure to tell the Life Day spirit about them."

[Carré Inirial]

"At eleven? Is that common among Cizeri? And if you're still technically married, does that mean you can't do anything about it? Though if there's not even a word for annulment, I suppose not."

Carré took a long sip from her mug and pondered Cirr for several moments. Thankfully, however, her internal 'don't ask that' filter was still functioning, in spite of the spiked cider now swimming happily through her veins.

[General Dan]

Dan closed his eyes momentarily, stifling another laugh. He certainly wasn't about to broach that subject.

"That's true. Better let them tell the spirit what they want for Life Day, and make sure they're good kids too."

[Saricia Ask'lan]

"That's right, I am a great pilot!"

Without a shred of shame, I pointed out Tak with a smile and a wink, looking back to Saricia as I took a drink, the same look of unvanquished confidence I'd had on my face even before I decided to make a fool out of myself.

"Faster reflexes, better spatial awareness, better on sortie."

I paused, eyeballing my two main detractors in the squadron who bothered to show their faces.

"Harder drinker, tougher fighter, and let's be honest, I'm even better looking too."

I tossed a look to Carré, winked, killed my drink, and let the empty glass spin on the bar.

Saricia inhaled sharply, hoping that another fight would not break out between the pilots as it had done so weeks prior. Some of the scars had at least scabbed over to afford a shred of decency that a physical altercation would not be best during the holiday. It was a precious moment of peace and celebration.

Looking off to the side, she gave Sanis a most quizzical look, "You are so ... So ..."

She sneered briefly, cursing her lack of basic before the proper word to describe the pilot popped into her head. "Incorrigible. Yes, that's the word. You knew I was joking, but you enjoy goading them."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

He nodded at Carré's question.

"Morre often than not. We marrry young, and the matrrjiarrch can have severral husbands."

Cirr's face contorted into an expression of deep introspection, trying to wrangle out the right words, or even to determine how much he should say about it.

"Usually jit jis a good rrelatjionshjip and you arre taken carre of. Clean ljife, well fed, a good place to ljive. Usually."

[Sanis Prent]

I walked with her as I stepped away from the throng, a look of satisfaction on my face.

"Incorrigible. I like that."

A smile started to grow as I turned fully to face her.

"You like it too."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

"I told the Life Day spirit that I wanted a pony this year."

She bit her lip in deep thought, just another habit that had been taken from her mother.

"Do you think I'll get one?"

[General Dan]

Dan inwardly started to think about the prospect. Of course, he'd gotten her a speeder bike, but now she wanted a pony? Where would he get a pony this late in the game. He could put it up back on Schwartzweld but that was the easy part. Who would take care of it when they were gone?

"Well you didn't answer me. Have you been a good girl this year?"

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

"Of course I've been good. I've been eating all my vegebles, and I even let Dama cut my hair last month."

Which had been something of a constant battle between mother and daughter - Tak's reasoning for her constant refusal of trimming had always been that her Dad's hair was long, and so that meant hers could be too. But when Dama told her that the Life Day spirit wouldn't bring her presents on Life Day if she was bad and didn't do as she was told, Teagan was quick to give in. Grudgingly, but she finally agreed.

"And besides, Dama always says I can't have stuff like a Red Rodian BB rifle or a Big Repulsors Pod Racer Speeder Bike. A pony isn't bad, so I think she'd be ok with that."

[Lyanie Quez]

He nodded at Carré's question.

"Morre often than not. We marrry young, and the matrrjiarrch can have severral husbands."

Cirr's face contorted into an expression of deep introspection, trying to wrangle out the right words, or even to determine how much he should say about it.

"Usually jit jis a good rrelatjionshjip and you arre taken carre of. Clean ljife, well fed, a good place to ljive. Usually."

Quietly, Lyanie had been watching, following the conversation. It had taken an interesting turn. So, married, huh? At eleven? And... but... she found herself considering Cirr's expressions then. The looks his face and the twitches and rotations of his ears betrayed something. The mechanic leaned in, tucking hair behind her right ear with one finger.

"Usually? But....?" And then she sat back again, and blinked, shaking her head, suddenly looking a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, I don't mean to pry."

[General Dan]

Dan smiled and kissed Tak on her forehead, causing the bells once again to jingle.

"Well, that's up to the Life Day spirit, I guess. He knows if you've been good or bad. It's out of my hands. Somebody's going to have to make sure she's asleep on time tonight just to make sure though."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr bit his lower lip slightly as he looked at Lyanie. He was ashamed of it, and now worried that it had come out. He wondered what she would think of him, and if it would make him seem lesser of a person in her eyes.

"Mjine wasn't jideal."

His lips moved to say more, and he paused, looking at his feet.

"jI don't want to talk jill of herr. She was...my matrrjiarrch. Stjill jis, but jI'm done wjith that. As bad as jit was forr me, Mama found out. She hated jit worrse than jI djid. jIt brroke herr hearrt that...thjings happened. That's why she hjirred Sanjis to take me away frrom jit all."

He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, now venturing to look up at Lyanie. She must think that he was flighty and utterly untrustworthy.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Very carefully, the little Lupine pulled the taun taun jingle horns from her head. A little bit of maneuvering and they were soon enough situated on her Dad's own noggin. He looked much more festive now, she thought.

She kissed his cheek, and knowing that Dama was nowhere to be found - at least not yet - she whispered conspiratorially in her Dad's ear.

"I really want a Big Repulsor's Pod Racer Speeder Bike though. More than a pony."

Not to mention, Wyl would be so jealous if she got one.

[General Dan]

Dan inwardly felt vindication in being able to know his daughters deepest desires.

"Is that so? What does your mother have to say about that?"

It wasn't a mystery to know how she felt about the notion. She had an innate aversion to any sort of mechanized travel at all.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

A sad sigh.

"She always says I'd run someone over with it."

[General Dan]

"Hmmm, well, your mother is concerned...."

Dan enjoyed baiting her, especially since the outcome was already set in stone.

[Lyanie Quez]

She stared at Cirr when he looked on her again, further embarrassed that she somehow made him touch on something that wasn't good memories for him. Lyanie felt sort of like a deer trapped in headlights at that, not entirely aware that she was a bit wide-eyed and lacking words. That is, until she clued in that she probably looked appalled which was furthest from the truth. She looked away with her eyes only, swallowed, and looked back.

"I'm sorry, Cirr." Well, that was a good start. She wasn't exactly sure for what thing she was apologizing for (or if it was really necessary), but it felt right to do so. "It had to have been pretty bad if..."

No, let's not poke at it. You can do better than that.

"...I mean to say, your mother must care for you a lot. It must have been hard. And I thought it was bad enough that I get flak for not being married at all..."

Well, that really isn't much better. A closed mouth gathers no foot, you know.

She was about to go on, then simply just clapped her mouth shut and turned a few shades of blush, staring down into the empty glass, very much wishing that it wasn't so empty.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr could appreciate that she was dancing circles to make him feel better about it, and honestly, he was over it. I mean, it was four years since he'd left. Life had, for all intents and purposes, moved on. He was happy in his new life with Sanis. He felt, for the first time, that he had a purpose. He felt challenged, and that was what he wanted.

"Lyanjie, thank you."

He nodded reassuringly and smiled.

"jI am thankful forr people who carre about me. Mama, Sanjis, and my new famjily herre. jIt's djifferrent, yes, but sometjimes ljife jis full of change."

He was genuinely enthralled that she took such great pains to put herself in his position. It was as if there was an empathy that he needed desperately to feel, and he felt excited that maybe she could be the person to help him feel complete.

[Lyanie Quez]

She let out a breath that she seemed to have been holding in, feeling and looking like she had deflated when she did. She looked up at Cirr again and smiled sheepishly. Here was a guy that wasn't so bad.

"You're..." Her smile crept closer to that usual cheeriness that it had. "... you're welcome."

Lyanie nodded, as if to emphasize the truthfulness of her words. She felt more confident of it as she did.

"My momma and daddy and.... yeah, and Ben too. Best friends are family too." She stole an appreciative glance at Ben. "Heck, the whole crew. Just one big extension of family, in all its function and dysfunction. It's kinda like the ship chose us, not the other way around."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr's tail started to pick up momentum at her line of talk. It was, suffice to say, a novel way of thinking. To say that the ship you were on was family, of a sort. Cirr could get behind that. Of course Mama Taa and his real family off across the galaxy was one thing, but beyond that, Sanis was all he had, and he was thankful for that.

So then it was, as if like in the romance plays he'd heard before. Two great houses and star-crossed lovers. Knightfall and Layla. Cirr got a bit quiet, starting to daydream a little and wonder about little inconsequential things that Lyanie might like or do.

[Carré Inirial]

Arching a brow, Carré watched the interplay between Cirr and Lyanie, smiling.

Wondering.

She set down her again-empty mug and eyed her waiting pencil and sketchbook. With half a mind to sketch the pair together, she reached for the book and pencil and flipped through the sketches. Her Interceptor, her new X-wing, some of her squadron mates, Tink ready to throw a hydro-spanner at her from the day they'd met...a variety of subjects sketched neatly in pencil. Flipping to one of the few empty pages, her pencil scratched across the page as the others chatted around her.

Another X-wing took shape, details of its paint job sketched in graphite and marking it as a particular ship. In front of it, the pilot took shape, dressed in a jacket and pants, a helmet dangling from his right hand. Commander Perris' trademark half-smile lit his features before she went back to detailing the ship behind him.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

As everyone chatted, Cirr's ears were drawn to the rapid scrape of graphite against paper, and his eyes followed to look over Carré's shoulder.

"Ah, well jit seems everryone herre has a lot of talent."

It was hard to believe this was the same pilot that Sanis had brawled with just a few short weeks prior.

"How djid you get yourr starrt wjith that?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"Hmmm, well, your mother is concerned...."

Dan enjoyed baiting her, especially since the outcome was already set in stone.

"Concerned about what?"

The sight of Dan wearing Teagan's taun taun jingle horns was enough to make the Lupine smirk. Of course, the fact that her daughter was holding a mug of what looked to be cocoa didn't escape her notice either.

Reaching up to tink one of the bells with a fingernail, s'Il deftly liberated the cocoa from Tak's hand. Sugar had a way of postponing bedtimes rather magnificently.

[General Dan]

"Our daughter seems to be wanting a lot of dangerous presents for Life Day."

He smiled as he hoisted her up a little, repositioning her in his arms.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

She gave a pout as Dama took away her cocoa. Dama always did stuff like that.

Her pout soon changed to earnest protestations however.

"But a pony isn't dangerous!"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"A pony is most certainly dangerous."

s'Il gave a cautious sniff to the cocoa she now held, and tentatively took a sip.

"And so are BB guns, speeder bikes, and anything else that you might get from Sanis this year -"

A pause, and the Lupine turned a stern gaze up to Dan. It was obvious she was speaking now to him as much as she was to Teagan. " -and anything you might get from your father as well."

[General Dan]

"Besides," Dan added, to continue the good-natured ribbing, "who is going to feed this hypothetical pony?"

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

"I will, of course. And we could keep him in one of the hangars. They're big enough. We could keep hay in your closet, and I'll feed him every morning and night."

[General Dan]

"Why my closet? Why not yours? It's your pony."

Dan suppressed the urge to laugh.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Teagan stared at him as if he'd suddenly sprouted a second head on his shoulder.

"Becaauuuse your closet is bigger than mine. Plus, I have to keep all my toys and stuff in mine too; you just have clothes. There'd be plenty of room for hay in your closet."

[Kelly Perris]

Having taken the time to indulge in some food - food more real than the day-to-day rations that were doled out on most any Alliance vessel - Perris found himself quite satisfied and also, sufficiently warmed up after taking and giving a fair few peltings of snowballs to start the festivities. Carting a warm, spiked cider in his mitt-free hands, he wandered away from the bar in search of familiar faces, familiar bodies. There were a lot of those, here. More than he expected. Six, going on seven years with the same cause did not necessarily mean you got to know a lot of people and see them again and again. The war machine took care of most friendships blossoming in any right way.

His boots crunched through the snow, waves of heat rising off the hot cider. He paused to take in a hearty gulp, feeling it warm him down to his toes and continued to wander, afterwords. The scene here on Yavin IV smacked of something distant in his desires, a thing that caused a tightness in his chest for only a moment, as he wondered if the war would forever be his everything, or if something sweeter, more succulent awaited him where the grass was metaphorically greener.

It was on this train of thought that he found himself converging on a mixture of crew between the Rogues, the Knightfall and the Layla. Right up behind where Carré sat beside Cirrsseeto. And when his feet halted, the crunching of snow stopped and his eyes alighted over the sketch presently being worked over by the newest addition to his squadron (it must have been coming up on a month, by that point, he figured) and it brought a partially smirking, mostly 'I'm not certain what to think of this' smile to his face. He stood behind them, silently watching her go through another few strokes and noting the fact that those fine, feminine hands still packed a whallop. Size matters not, indeed. He smirked, the one sound that drew their attention to him, finally, from being so engrossed in the woman's activity.

"Your eye for detail is impressive, princess." He just couldn't help himself, could he? Kelly took a hearty gulp of his cider. He didn't mean to sound conceited but.... hey, a pilot is a pilot is a pilot, especially off-duty. "You could almost do me justice with it. Almost."

[Ben Merasska]

"Uhh, dunna. Cap'in Barty has'na said iffin I get ta stay or nah. Though he 'asn't gone an' said tha' I needta go no wheres. Guessin I'll come an kinna go as 'm needed or nah needed, ye?"

“Yeah, I suppose,” Ben said, a bit down that a new friend might not be around as much. She made him smile, and he liked people like that. They were best kind, in his opinion. He cast a swift look at the drawing Carré had given Cleo, and he nodded in wide-eyed appreciation.

Lyanie and Cirr’s conversation, which had started sufficiently light-hearted, had gone into territory that Ben wasn’t much sure he’d liked. It wasn’t the shy glances that the larger mechanic was now giving his best friend that bothered him, but the fact that their conversation was serious. The past, especially the troubled kind, was best forgotten and never dredged up.

At least that part was over now. He once more watched everyone sitting around and chatting amicably for a bit, until Lyanie caught his eye and grinned, apparently also enjoying the atmosphere. Ben shrugged.

“There’s something missing,” Ben said suddenly. “But I don’t know what.”

[Jhyx]

Where did he come from? No one knew. What was he? No one knew. What was his name? Oh they'd all know soon enough!!

Like some lightning flash of orange flush, the little creature zipped through the underbrush and onwards to where he could hear voices and laughter. He hoped he wasn't late; or at least not too late. It was fashionable to be a little late, but one couldn't overdo such a thing! He was a gentleman after all! An adventurer! A lover! A thrillseeker! The bravest of the brave! Someone once called him a dandy too, whatever that was. It was probably some other way of saying courageous, so the little creature had been sure to add it to his list of things to describe himself with.

Dodging low branches and tree trunks, the little ball of orange fuzz rocketed closer. He could see a bonfire - ooohhh!! They probably had marshmallows and chocolate! And little weenies for cooking over an open fire. Or was it chestnuts?

He could see the periphery now, and speeding up, his tiny limbs propelled him even faster. He was a master of speed, deft and super-quick with Jedi-like reflexes and eyes that could spot a flea on a Bantha from a mile... no, ten miles away!

He reached the clearing, and with one final leap he made his entrance. Only, a slight misjudgment of his front paw went unnoticed until he'd tripped over a groundvine.

Head over feet the creature shot into view, skidding along on his belly, his back, and finally settling on his belly once more, sliding to a halt in the dirt with his rear in the air and his tail bent over his back.

Not the most graceful of entrances, but it would have to do. Unmoving, he cast his eyes up to the group of people he'd landed in front of and flashed his pearly whites.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr reached down and picked up the...whatever the hell it was...that had dashed out into the open and skidded to a halt in front of them. He hefted it up and gave it a sniff. If this were a more, uh, Cizeri sort of shindig, he'd help himself to a hot lunch on the paw, but living among forrda had taught him that it was something of a faux pas to do that. He especially didn't think it would be a good starting impression for Lyanie if he just tucked into some live random animal in front of her.

"What the hell?"

[Lyanie Quez]

At the sight of the creature that suddenly appeared in their midst, Lyanie went wide-eyed, completely drawing her attention away from the fact that Commander Perris, who had come up earlier in the conversation, had arrived to their group at the same time. This creature, it looked furry and kinda cute, but the sentience beaming from its face threw her for a loop. And then, Cirr picked the little animal up and sniffed it.

Lyanie had to clap a hand over her mouth to keep the giggles in. It wasn't easy, for they felt like they were going to spill out between her fingers and out the sides of her hand. The creature's sudden appearance, Cirr's reaction to the creature and the way the creature had been grinning (until Cirr snatched it up and it promptly disagreed with the situation) had shoved her into a barrel of laughs, which only edged off and slowed down when she nearly fell off her crate.

"What..." She peered at the creature, then, addressing Cirr. "...what is it?"

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr looked a little sheepish as he held the wriggly thing.

"Well, jI'm no experrt, but wherre jI come frrom and somethjing ljike thjis happens, you call jit food."

He made an exasperated and confused face as he looked at the little guy, and his ears fell low in confusion.

"Then agajin...jI have no jidea..."

[Ben Merasska]

Ben frowned at the thing hanging from Cirr’s... paw? Hand? Pand? Pawand?

“I still don’t know what’s missing, but I know that’s not it.” He studied it more closely. “I was hoping for some music or dancing or more pretty women.”

[Carré Inirial]

Blinking up at Cirr, it took her mind a moment or three to catch up. She glanced briefly down at her sketch and then back up to meet the Cizeri's gaze.

"Honestly, I don't really remember. Its just natural, I think...I've never really had to work at it. Its like flying...easy as breathing to me." The brunette smiled and shrugged - it really wasn't the greatest answer, she mused, but it was the only one she had. "You're next, Cirr...just let me finish the details on this one."

Emerald eyes sparkled as she bent her head to her sketch again, biting her lower lip as she usually did when losing herself in her art. She didn't hear the footsteps behind her as her pencil fairly flew across the page, her free hand lifting her mug for a sip every so often. Holding it up for a brief second, she tilted it, before leaning back over it again.

The Commander's voice filtered into her ear and past the cider-induced barrier, the tone of his voice wrapped around 'princess' sending a shiver down her spine. A bit more warmth flooded her cheeks, courtesy of the cider once again, while her emerald eyes glittered brightly. Shifting slightly, she looked up at him through several loose chestnut curls.

"Almost, Commander? I could do far more if you'd agree to sit for me."

The words were out of her mouth well before her filter even tried firing up. As if her cheeks weren't bright red enough.

[Lyanie Quez]

Lyanie had no idea, either. She sat back on the crate, hands on her knees. Her eyes flicked from the creature to Cirr, back to the creature (who seemed to be quite ably voicing its discontent with what she was certain was colourful language) and back to Cirr.

"Food?" She voiced, wondering.

She glanced at the creature, considering its cuteness. Though, rabbits were cute and they were tasty, too. She met Cirr's eyes, then.

"You mean... fresh... or cooked? How well done?" An odd smile came to her face as the creature protested more loudly at her considering comments and questions. She would play along with Cirr. Something about that creature's initial grin told her that the cuteness stopped with its looks. "I wonder if it tastes like rabbit or like chicken. You know, because everything tastes like chicken."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"Well, back home, thjis..."

He wriggled the creature more for emphasis."

"...was usually about as prreparred as we had jit."

He knew it was strange thing to talk about, but for some reason Lyanie didn't seem put off by the subject. Rather, intrigued.

He laughed at what she said next.

"And no, that's a human sayjing. jIt only all tastes of chjicken when you cook jit. No matterr anyway, therre's enough kjipperr to go arround. No way jI'm dealjing wjith the mess!"

[Cleo Némain]

Cleo had gone silent at the sight of the strange little creature. Her head tilted off to one side to watch it wriggle in Cirr's hold. She wasn't even hearing what the others in the group were saying, all focus on trying to figure out just what had fallen in with them all now.

"It kinna looks likka Kushiban. Only... kinna like one tha fell inna vat offa toxic stuffs." She nodded her head with profound certainty, only once, because more than that would have been a bit much.

A glance was given to Cirr, whom she knew was talking about something food related with Lyanie, but the whole thing had gotten lost somewhere with her wanderings if the poor thing could even understand the lot of them.

"Anna...iffin tha's the case, Ah canna recca'men goin an eatin it." Cleo laughed slightly. "Migh' end up makin ya glow or sumthin."

[Kelly Perris]

His face turned only slightly more serious, the grin still ever-present.

"Please, we're off duty, here. No ranks."

He took another sip at the cider and looked intently at the details of her sketch. She was good at it, alright and sometimes he had to think about it to remember that the men and women of his squadron had shining talents other than the ones that kept them from being mopped across the endless black.

"Oh could you?" He asked in a teasing tone. His voice dropped conspiratorially low and he bent over enough to whisper (although, not quiet enough that only she would hear it) in her ear. His breath came out warm and pleasant, scented lightly with the spiked cider and accompanied by his own musk. "I haven't heard you ask, but... if you do, I'll see what I can manage."

[John Glayde]

"I'm a man of my word, Sergeant; I said I'd buy you a drink if we made it back of Raxus Prime in one piece, and that's what I intend to do."

The look that his burley subordinate cast back, curtained beneath the hang of his currently unrestrained dreadlocks, suggested that their recent 'adventure' together would require more than just a single mug of ale as compensation. It was a position that John could certainly understand, particularly given how radically Amos' life had been changed as a result: once you knew Selinica, you couldn't ever unknow her.

Though, Glayde mused, as they wove their way through the throng of Rebels already deep in the midsts of celebrations, It probably isn't as life-changing as his most recent revelation.

He would have done this little bout of payback sooner, but their respective lives had prevented it. Almost immediately after their return from Raxus, Amos had finally returned home to Naboo, unfortunately to participate in the funeral of his mother. The Corellian didn't know all the specifics, but the Iakona that had returned was somewhat different from the one he'd known before; the fact that he spent most of his time hanging around with the Jedi red-head that Glayde had spotted over by the fire was his first clue, but he hadn't wanted to press for more details.

Maybe I should ask Leela, Glayde considered, wondering if the Valiant's Captain had shown up for the festivities; rumour had it that she was playing house with the Rogues and the Jedi, so the number of them present shifted the odds in favour of yes.

Realisation of the silence that he'd allowed to descend struck him; with a faked cough, he tugged his brows into a frown and tried to break it. "Bar looks busy," he announced. "I'll wrestle my way through; you go secure us some chairs or -" His eyes narrowed briefly. "- tree stumps to sit on."

Amos shifted uncomfortably. "You sure you don't want me to?" His muscles flexed silently, no further explanation needed.

Glayde scoffed. "I may seem short and scrawny by comparison to you, Wookiee-man," he shot back, "But I'm not stupid. No way I'm trusting you with my credits."

[Carré Inirial]

Emerald eyes slipped closed as he whispered in her ear, another shiver traveling the length of her spine. It was all she could do to not tilt her head any closer to his.

But you -want- to...

Now is really not a good time...I'm not nearly drunk enough to flirt with the Commander of my squadron...

Oh, you -so- are...

She so hated losing arguments with herself.

Carré tilted her head closer to his, breathing deeply as she did. Half lidded, her emerald eyes fairly glowed as she gazed up through her lashes. "Would you sit for me, Kelly?" she asked softly, her voice warm and low. An warm expression crossed her features as she lifted a hand, trailing the eraser of her pencil along the line of his jaw.

"Pretty please with a cherry on top?"

You are shameless.

At least I'm not purring at the man...

Yet.

[Amos Iakona]

Amos threw back a scowl in the Major's direction, a resigned snort managing to escape from his lips. "You're the boss," he muttered, voice deep and rumbling enough to cut under the ambiance with ease. He hesitated for a moment, sweeping the crowd from his extra few inches of altitude, and gestured with a bulky arm off into the distance. "I'll be over there somewhere."

"Over there?" There was a lilt of sarcasm in the Major's words. "They must've really been scraping the barrel when they let you through Scout Trooper training."

Amos didn't hesitate with a retort. "Only one of us made a career from jumping out of perfectly servicable spacecraft."

Glayde flashed a grin, with a pat to the front of his combats. "Balls of neutronium, Sarge," he shot back over his shoulder, disappearing into the malformed queue in front of the bar.

A roll of Amos' eyes was his only response, before he to retreated into the swarm of sentients on his own assigned mission. Fighting his way through the crowd of Rebels - half-drunk, fully drunk, and various fractions in between - was more like wading than walking, the constantly undulating pool of people flowing fluid to seal any passage he managed to open almost instantly. A Sullustan crashed into his legs, face uncomfortably close to an inconvenient location. He aimed a scowl down him, ratching up the volume of his voice a few notches to proclaim: "Move." The desired effect was achieved, with an added advantage; pouncing on the opportunity, he surged his way towards freedom from the crowd, before the current had a chance to drag him back in again.

Finally liberated, he leaned heavily upon the closest piller of support - one of the ancient trees that littered the Yavin surface. He sighed, casting a disgruntled glare at no one in particular. At least he could take some solace - and probably amusement, if he found a good enough advantage point - from the fact that Glayde would have to try and negotiate the same crowd, without spilling their beers.

Studying his surroundings, his gaze settled on a young woman, perched not too far away, apparently observing the proceedings from an otherwise unoccupied table. Seeing no other obvious seats - at least, nothing that wasn't likely riddled with creatures that would relocate themselves into his pants the moment he sat down - he tried his best to shift his lean into something casual. "These taken?" he asked, gesturing towards the empty chairs.

[Jhyx]

The smile was frozen on his face as he listened to the big catman talk about eating him. It wasn't all that surprising, as he'd had to hop from many a frying pan in his days.

Eyes going from the catman to the girl - the cute girl at that - he put a tiny paw to his tongue before 'slicking back' his ears, then puffed out his chest. Women liked that sort of stuff.

Hanging like a wet towel from the catman's grip, the little creature proudly lifted his chin up, eyes closed and paw to chest.

"I, am most certainly not food."

[Mara Tallen]

Footsteps slowly crunched across the flawless snow as she took a round-about route to one of the bubbling pots of spiced cider and poured herself a generous measure. She offered the tender a small smile and wandered back the way she'd come, avoiding the larger crowds and rowdy dancers as best she could.

This time, she perched at a small table and availed herself of it as a resting spot for her drink. Fingers smoothed a stray curl that escaped the twist of her hair, tucking it behind her ear as she settled into a comfortable chair. She leaned back into it, cradling the mug of cider in her fingers and sighing with some small measure of pleasure.

Were Ardent here, she mused, he likely chide her for flirting and lead her straight into some awkward situation just to amuse himself. Mara missed him terribly still, but that mission on Ruuria and her subsequent recruitment to Dorn Force had altered so much. And had gone a long way towards letting her put away much of the guilt and anguish that still occasionally reared its ugly head.
Studying his surroundings, his gaze settled on a young woman, perched not too far away, apparently observing the proceedings from an otherwise unoccupied table. Seeing no other obvious seats - at least, nothing that wasn't likely riddled with creatures that would relocate themselves into his pants the moment he sat down - he tried his best to shift his lean into something casual. "These taken?" he asked, gesturing towards the empty chairs.A warm gaze lifted, casting pale green eyes up to find the source of the voice. They trailed slowly up the impressive physique that was leaning against a tree a few scant feet away, not bothering to mask the appreciation of the sight. "Not at all...please, have a seat." she replied, her voice betraying a hint of her Felacatian mother with the faint purr that marked her tone.

[Amos Iakona]

Were Amos a perceptive man, he would have picked up on the young woman's favourable reaction to his presence, and would likely have pursued it, converting it into an opportunity to strike up a conversation that could have gone all kinds of places. It was Life Day after all; and what better way to celebrate being alive than to hit it off with an attractive stranger that he didn't even know yet?

Unfortunately, Amos was not a perceptive man. In fact, if there was a sentient being in the galaxy that was less perceptive of the thoughts and emotions of those around him - well, they were probably a Hutt, to be honest. In the case of Amos however, it wasn't callous indifference that drove his ignorance. It was more that, after seven years travelling around the galaxy on a ship with Jaden Luka - a man notoriously incapable of keeping his thoughts inside his own head - his ability to interpret non-verbal communications had atrophied somewhat. Add to that the fact that he'd still been a Stormtrooper the last time that a woman had slept with him without getting paid for her troubles and, well: Amos remained somewhat oblivious.

"Thanks," he muttered gruffly, settling himself down carefully, lest the chair he'd selected suddenly proved incapable of supporting his admittedly hefty frame. Settled, he glanced in her direction, and was slightly startled by the acciental eye-contact that resulted from her continuing to look in his direction; so startled in fact that he felt compelled to look somewhere completely different, and comment in some way on the first thing his eyes settled upon. "Certainly are a lot of trees down here, aren't there?" he offered, lamely.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"I, am most certainly not food."

"Eegh!"

It's sentient? Yikes! Cirr instinctively dropped the little rat thing and recoiled back a little.

[Lyanie Quez]

Lyanie started laughing again.

"I coulda told you that!" She managed, between rolls of laughter. "How many nonsentient things do you know that grin, slick their hair back... and..."

She frowned, eying the subject of conversation.

"...and check you out in a way that isn't for food or fear."

Her speech had considerably slowed with that last sentence. If it looks like a lech and acts like a lech...

"Who and what are you?" She glanced at Cirr, her eyes darting to him and back to the little guy. "Even better... who do you think you are?"

[Jhyx]

He hit the ground rather unexpectedly, eliciting a tiny squeak as he bounced a little. Lying there for a few moments, the creature slowly picked himself up and dusted himself off, all the while tsking about manners and etiquette, and how Catman had none of those. He patted at his tummy, small clouds of dust poofing away.

Another few moments of the same, and he was satisfied.

Now, as for introductions!

Quick as a mynock on fire the little orange puffball was up, first to Catman's leg, then onward up to his shoulder. He had a better vantage up here, and it was comfy to boot! Why, there was even a big ear to use as a handle in case things got bumpy! Or even if it wasn't bumpy. Ha!

"Madame," he began sweetly, "my name is Jhyx. Jhyx the Daring, Jhyx the Bold, Jhyx the Adventurer - " with each word he seemed to lean ever closer to her. He even batted his eyes a little.

She was looking at him funny.

Jhyx leaned back to plop his rear-end on Catman's shoulder, using that big ear as an armrest.

"I'm an Isnik."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

By this time, the novelty had worn off, and Cirr turned to the Isnik who decided to taunt fate openly by using him as a seat. Was he...getting fresh with Lyanie? How does that even...no, no, not even going to try and imagine the mechanics.

Instead, his ears switched forward and flopped back in one fluid whip-like motion, designed to either unseat the amorous little shrimp or give him enough of a clobbering to make him check himself.

[Cleo Némain]

"Still looks likka mut'nt Kushiban ta me."

Cleo folded her arms over her chest and let a small huff leave her. It was no fun for the Jhyx of Too Many Titles to spoil her wondering. Some things, she decided, were clearly better off left as mysteries.

[Lyanie Quez]

Lyanie smiled at Cleo's observation, a clearly amused look crossing her face at the Isnik's misfortune, which was entirely its fault for choosing Cirrsseeto as a perch. For all intents and purposes, Cleo was right. She sure as hell had never heard of an Isnik before and from the way things were going, she wasn't sure if she wanted to continue hearing of, or from, them.

"Yeah, but Kushies are less annoying." She looked with a fraction of sympathy at Cirr and smiled warmly, thankfully at him, and looked back at Cleo. "And there's also a ton of things I can think of that are cuter than a pint-sized playboy."

Lyanie finally remembered that Carré had done up a sketch for her and she'd been holding on to it the whole time. Making her eyes downcast, she looked over the details of the picture then tracked her eyes back up to Carré to thank her... but she seemed to be otherwise occupied. The whole thing made her blush a little, for the second and surely not the last time that day.

[Mara Tallen]

"Thanks," he muttered gruffly, settling himself down carefully, lest the chair he'd selected suddenly proved incapable of supporting his admittedly hefty frame. Settled, he glanced in her direction, and was slightly startled by the accidental eye-contact that resulted from her continuing to look in his direction; so startled in fact that he felt compelled to look somewhere completely different, and comment in some way on the first thing his eyes settled upon. "Certainly are a lot of trees down here, aren't there?" he offered, lamely.The young woman had a bit of a dilemna. Part of her wanted to keep staring, just to watch him react to her again. The rest of her wanted to burst into a fit of giggles over his tree comment.

Dear gods, what was -in- this cider?!

Mara settled for stifling her giggle behind her hand and covering it with several sips of her drink. Looking past Amos to where he'd suddenly decided was a better place to be staring, she nodded in agreement.

"Definitely alot of trees. Almost reminds me of home, except that there's no snow on D'xun." the young woman replied, proffering a tiny smile before looking away again and towards the crowds of people. Arching a brow as she caught sight of Charlotte with Dash, it made her wonder. Only briefly, however...Charlotte was liable to shoot her for the thought as it was.

A familiar face was winding its way through the crowd, and it made her break into a real smile to see John there. She sat back in her chair and glanced at Amos one more time, her smile still fixed in place.

The evening suddenly had so much more promise than it had earlier.

[Dashiel Starborn]

“Aye aye, lieutenant.”

With an equally jaunty salute, the last of the rum went down the hatch. Starborn barely felt the characteristic burn on the back of his throat, though it did settle nice and warm in his belly, leaving a spicy taste on his tongue.

“What now? And before you say it, I'm belaying any suggestion of dancing.”

The last word came out in a drawl, just the thought of Tur'enne and himself gambolling around a camp-fire enough to make Dash begin to snigger.

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

The mere thought of dancing was enough to bring out a single laugh from her. "No worries there, I don't dance. Don't matter if we managed to snag another bottle and put that one away too, I aint even going to think about that."

She looked to the group by the fire, letting herself linger on the few brave souls that had taken up the duty of making complete fools out of themselves. Her head shook slightly before she looked back to Dash. "Yeah... big negative on that one."

The empty tumbler was finally set down on the crate and she raised her arms above her head, interlacing her fingertips and stretching slightly. It was a funny thing how sitting still could mask just how drunk a person actually was and how a bit of movement could suddenly cause a realization. As Charles let her hands drop back down, one coming to rest on her lap and the other idly poking at some of the snow next to her, she let another small laugh leave her.

"Truth be told, Dash, I aint got a single idea. Had a plan before you showed up... hang around here, drink enough to feel nice and stupid, catch a ride back to the ship we're all stationed out of, head back to my bunk, wrestle with some self loathing, then lay in bed and stare at the ceiling until I passed the frak out, wake up tomorrow in my cot with a nasty hangover. You being here has gone and thrown all that right out the window."

She paused for a moment, letting the slightly melancholy look fade into a small smile that became another short bit of laughter. "Put anymore rum in us though and I half wonder if I'd be waking up in your cot with the hangover instead and put the self loathing off until the next day."

The laughter continued for a few moments until she caught on that she'd actually said what had intended only to be a random thought. Her cheeks suddenly turned red and she sheepishly looked back at the boy from Intel. "Or not..."

[Dashiel Starborn]

On the one hand, he was surprised. On the other, Tur'enne was so plain-talking that even without a belly full of rum, he could imagine her coming out with something like that. He matched her blush with an arch smile. Just the sight of her looking so uncharacteristically self-conscious was enough to buoy his confidence and spur him on to taunt her even more.

“How 'bout meeting in the middle - skip the self-loathing and we can wrestle in the rack 'til we pass out?”

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

Charles had been so prepared to attempt to laugh off her comment, apologize profusely, and then probably stammer out some excuse to wander away from Dash and silently curse herself for saying anything the rest of the evening while wondering what in the void had caused her to even suggest such a thing. Sure, she had to admit to herself that Blue Sauce was the kind of guy she would have gone for in better days... but then there was that other guy she had been beating herself up over while he practically acted like she didn't exist. 'Well, frink that rodder, if he wants nothing to do with you! All he does is make you feel like skrag. Even if he does remind you of... oh shut up, Charles! Dash here is well... well...you trust him enough, right? Yeah. Sure you do... Kriff. I need another mug of ale.'

"You're kidding... right?" A slightly nervous laugh left her as all she could do was try and call Dash's bluff. Charles was used to silly flirtation and back and forth banter... Onashi gave her plenty of chance for that. But even he had never come outright and said anything like that. Though there was starting to be this persistent thought that well... maybe it'd be good for her. Unless Dash was just mocking her at this point, of course.

[Dashiel Starborn]

Dash raised an eyebrow and gave a little shrug. Another drink would have helped right about then, if only so he had something to stop more words falling out of his mouth.

“You got any better ideas?”

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

"Not really." There was a distinct 'Did I seriously just kriffing say that?' moment that flashed through her head. It went along rather well with the warmth that she was hoping was being caused by the amount of rum in her system rather than the fact her skin was skill flushed enough she could pass for a Zeltron.

Another slight laugh left her before she pushed herself up off the snow covered ground and gently pushed the two empty tumblers off the side of the crate before sitting where they had been. A slightly lopsided smirk slowly came to her as she let her eyes rather determinedly focus on the agent's "Look, Dash, if you're just making fun of me..."

[Dashiel Starborn]

He had been about to say something fantastically witty in reply - to rebuke that little accusation of hers would some of the trademark dry-wit that had become the hallmark of their working time together - only... something got in the way. He'd only meant to shuffle a little closer, head falling forward for a moment with a soft laughter, but instead when he lifted his head he found himself drifting in to kiss her.

[Saricia Ask'lan]

I walked with her as I stepped away from the throng, a look of satisfaction on my face.

"Incorrigible. I like that."

A smile started to grow as I turned fully to face her.

"You like it too."

"Do I?" she said, looking off away with a chuckle. So confident and sure, Sanis was the polar opposite of the timid Lupine. He could step in front of an entire crowd that loathed him without showing the smallest care. With roles reversed, Saricia would stand there with mouth agape and skin white as a ghost, hoping for death from all of the embarrassment.

With only made pale cheeks reddened with it further with a smiling face and a hint of flirtatiousness in his speech. "I ..."

Did she like it?

"Maybe," she said, trying to cover up her indecision.

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

The first thing that popped into her mind was a silent prayer that she wouldn't do what she had the last time a guy had kissed her - freak the frak out. Of course, that had been the Major, and she hadn't expected it, and just about a billion other reasons could have been given. Though she was pretty sure if she had been sober a gut reaction would have been to slap Dash.

As it was, the kiss happened and with it came the expected tensing of every muscle she knew would follow no matter if she wanted it to or not. And despite the fact every irrational thought was practically begging her not to, she even managed to push herself forward, just enough to probably be considered a return of the motion.

When their lips parted another small laugh left her. "Force help me... if any of my squad saw that and give me a ration of shit for it tomorrow I think I may hunt you down and kill you, Starborn."

[Jhyx]

It was his quick thinking that saved him from hitting the ground once more in a less than dignified fashion. His quick thinking and two scrambling paws full of Catman's dark hair. Goodness! That ear packed a heck of a whallop!

And, fast as ever, Jhyx was nimbly atop Catman's head. His tail thumped the back of Catman's neck as the little Isnik leaned over his forehead to look upside down into those big blue eyes. Jhyx had to wonder if Catman saw the world in blue monochrome.

"You don't treat sidekicks like that, Catman."

[Sanis Prent]

"Do I?" she said, looking off away with a chuckle. So confident and sure, Sanis was the polar opposite of the timid Lupine. He could step in front of an entire crowd that loathed him without showing the smallest care. With roles reversed, Saricia would stand there with mouth agape and skin white as a ghost, hoping for death from all of the embarrassment.

With only made pale cheeks reddened with it further with a smiling face and a hint of flirtatiousness in his speech. "I ..."

Did she like it?

"Maybe," she said, trying to cover up her indecision.

"Maybe?"

Aha, there it was!

"Maaaybe...you'll take the invite. I'll get the leave time, and you'll get a lot of galaxy to see. And technically, still under escort. Consider it a wheel within the wheel."

[Navaria Tarkin]

“I don't remember ever paying it any special notice.”

If the confession saddened Daria, it didn't show. The luxuries of celebration and relaxation had not been things she had ever craved, or indeed known. She opened her eyes and looked to the sky, to the hundreds upon thousands of stars above, each of them brilliant in their own right yet appearing as little more than flickering dots from down on Yavin 4's surface.

“As far back as I can remember, every day has always been as vital as the one before it.”

"Such are the lives we lead. The Force grants us a blessing for every day we endure."

Shifting her position so that she may rest against the tree upon her side, Navaria delicately brought two fingers to press underneath Daria's chin, forcing their faces before one another. She was smiling, something that the Miraluka could not see, but the Knight could feel her companions warmth through the force burning far more brightly then the fire pits at camp.

"But why not celebrate? Be thankful for what we have endured, and the reasons for it? For there are many to rejoice about."

Leaning forward without any reservations, the Jedi Master softly kissed Daria upon the lips as their minds touched.

I can think of one quite readily ...

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

It was his quick thinking that saved him from hitting the ground once more in a less than dignified fashion. His quick thinking and two scrambling paws full of Catman's dark hair. Goodness! That ear packed a heck of a whallop!

And, fast as ever, Jhyx was nimbly atop Catman's head. His tail thumped the back of Catman's neck as the little Isnik leaned over his forehead to look upside down into those big blue eyes. Jhyx had to wonder if Catman saw the world in blue monochrome.

"You don't treat sidekicks like that, Catman."

Ears low, Cirr looked up at his annoyance manifested, then looked at the other very amused people around him and sighed heavily, wondering if any of them felt like dealing with it. Cirr wasn't going to be "that guy" and turn Jhyx inside out with his teeth.

"Sjidekjick huh?"

Okay, annoying as hell, but on the whole harmless. Cirr wasn't going to be killing anybody over that, even a very small anybody. He focused again on his cooling plate of kipper, intent on at least getting his eat on while the Isnik made an ottoman out of his head.

[Grace Van-Derveld]

She had the buzz - that hotheadedness that made you feel as if your head was swaying back and forth, though it hadn't budged an inch. Silent company was still regarded fondly. Unspoken understandings was Grace's preference - unlike the boisterous ego of Prent looking to the crowd for adoration and loathing. At least the commotion didn't last that long and things went back to an amalgam of murmurs of various conversation throughout.

Three shots drunker, it was time to go. Self pity and despair would be her bed fellows tonight and while she was still able to walk proper, Grace wanted a dignified departure towards the landing pads to where her shuttle awaited ...

[Saricia Ask'lan]

"Maybe?"

Aha, there it was!

"Maaaybe...you'll take the invite. I'll get the leave time, and you'll get a lot of galaxy to see. And technically, still under escort. Consider it a wheel within the wheel."

Mouth opened, there was nothing that came out. She was surprised that no squeak came forth to embarrass her. Some restraint was better the none. Clearing her throat, strength was mustered under a critical eye that seemed to hang upon every movement since Saricia had said nothing. She felt so utterly foolish, unsure of how to behave.

"I would have to see if Lok would agree, as I said previously." Maybe she'll say no at it would make this all the more easier. However, she was curious. Being off of Sacorria had sparked interest in seeing what else the galaxy had to offer. This would, technically, help to sate such yearnings ...

[Sanis Prent]

Ah, well damn. Still, not an insurmountable hurdle to scale, at any rate.

"Alright then. You go ask her. I know she'll be behind the idea."

Well...maybe. Maybe I could improve my odds?

[Amos Iakona]

"Definitely alot of trees. Almost reminds me of home, except that there's no snow on D'xun." the young woman replied, proffering a tiny smile before looking away again and towards the crowds of people. Arching a brow as she caught sight of Charlotte with Dash, it made her wonder. Only briefly, however...Charlotte was liable to shoot her for the thought as it was.

A familiar face was winding its way through the crowd, and it made her break into a real smile to see John there. She sat back in her chair and glanced at Amos one more time, her smile still fixed in place.

The evening suddenly had so much more promise than it had earlier.

Amos shifted a little in his seat, an uncharacteristic degree of discomfort catching him a little by surprise. She was still looking at him; and given his complete lack of understanding of what went on inside the heads of women, the shifting expressions on her face were making him feel decidedly nervous.

Also adding to his unsettlement was the fact that he had no clue what or where Dxun was. Astronavigation was hardly his strong suit, and while ordinarily that didn't bother him, he was suffering from a strong desire to contribute something more intelligent to this conversation than a redundant comment about trees.

As the focus of her attention shifted, he felt a sigh of relief leak from him as Glayde emerged from the crowd. Annoyingly, he'd managed to negotiate his way through quite peacefully, and had from somewhere magicked some sort of lid for the beer tankards that he was carrying. That Glayde was so resourceful, and had by virtue of such robbed Amos of the one sure-fire source of amusement for the evening, made Amos particularly glad that he would shortly have alcohol to disappear in.

"Note to self," he called out across the few yards that now separated him from the Major, hoping to regain some of his satisfaction by shooting his superior down with sarcasm; "Next time I want a drink delivered fast, I'll call in a favour from one of the fly-boys."

[Kelly Perris]

That tracing along the line of his jaw... He swallowed. Well, it was about all he could do to keep a cap on the feral monster of his sexuality that was sparked with that one, lingering touch. He stilled in that moment, looking back at her and the luxuria that hovered behind his eyes stole his grin and ran away. Perris breathed out and settled on his haunches, tearing his eyes away and silently taking a hefty gulp of the spiced cider that he came to the realization that it was still in his hand. The things that look and touch, even if it wasn't directly her hand, her flesh, brought out... by all rights, if he were a younger, more daring, more eager and less self-controlled man, he would have spilled that drink all over the snow and himself.

It was when that gulp swallowed that he lifted his eyes, capable of infinite expression from the the cold of an killer's intent to the warmth of a distinct heat, were now of all things, normal. Serious and normal.

"Begging, Miss Inirial." He considered the words, seemed to chew on them, as if meaty, they were. "It does not become you."

The warmth seeped back into his eyes, the lure came back to his smile.

"You'll have to do a better job of convincing me than that."

And with those words, he stood, knocked back the rest of the cider and began to wander off.

[John Glayde]

"Note to self," Glayde shot back, not allowing Amos' input to allow the usual pleasant smile on his face to falter, "Go to hell, Amos."

Settling both tankards down on the table, he flashed a wink across at the companion that Amos had serendipidously selected. Settling down into a vacant seat, he flashed her his most charming smile. "What's a cat like you doing in a place like this?" he asked, rhetorically, sliding one of the metal beer mugs across towards Amos.

His vision flicked between the Sergeant - or Jedi, or whatever - and the Captain. His eyes narrowed, perhaps sensing a little of the awkwardness that radiated from his burley, dreadlocked comrade. "Knowing this guy, he's probably been too stoic and silent to actually tell you his name." He patted a hand on Amos' surprisingly hefty shoulder, and gestured across the table towards Mara with the other. "Amos Iakona," he offered, "Meet Captain Mara Tallen of Dorn Force."

A twinkle of mirth flashed in his eye as contact established with Mara's intoxicating orbs. "Amos here just found out he was a Jedi," he revealed. His voice took on a teasing tone. "Play your cards right, and he might even show you his lightsaber."

[Serasai Onashi]

“I knew there was a reason I came to this shindig,” he sighed, placing his empty cup on the crate which served as his backrest. He pulled the bottle of wine he’d lifted from the bar up, and filled the cup once more. “Free drinks. Boring otherwise though.”

He pulled out his trusty data-pad, and thumbed it on, while eyeing the level of wine in his cup. The liquid nearly touched the top, and he set the bottle down. With a grin and wetting of his lips, he quaffed down some of the drink.

“Ah,” he sighed again, with a satisfaction rarely seen on his face. He glanced down at the data-pad and opted for the computer manual he’d recently uploaded as his reading material for the night.

He was sitting in an unsecluded, but still less populated area of the party, under an awning haphazardly placed boards and other odd things that served the purpose of creating a roof. He was well stocked with three bottles of rice-wine sitting nearby. Most of the others were sitting around and talking. There weren’t nearly enough females here, and what few there were had already been quite handily ‘claimed’, as it were. Thus Onashi found himself partaking of the second best thing at this party: alcohol. Much of the other stuff was gone, with only the less popular bottles of rice-wine still plentiful. Onashi actually favoured this drink; it reminded him of home.

Reclining on his log, with a conveniently placed crate behind it for a backrest, he began to read about coding computers and hacking systems.

[Jamo Jakatta]

She had the buzz - that hotheadedness that made you feel as if your head was swaying back and forth, though it hadn't budged an inch. Silent company was still regarded fondly. Unspoken understandings was Grace's preference - unlike the boisterous ego of Prent looking to the crowd for adoration and loathing. At least the commotion didn't last that long and things went back to an amalgam of murmurs of various conversation throughout.

Three shots drunker, it was time to go. Self pity and despair would be her bed fellows tonight and while she was still able to walk proper, Grace wanted a dignified departure towards the landing pads to where her shuttle awaited ...

Like a wayward satellite spinning into and sling-shotting out of planetary orbit, Jamo had gone from one group of revellers to another. Some had been happy to see him, some had tolerated him only until he'd fluked a winning hand in their game of cards. Against all laws of common sense, he'd even laid a few bets which he was going to pay for in the morning with one hell of a hangover. Until then, though, he was feeling good and right on course to drift into another stellar body's orbit.

A light, barely-passable jog brought him alongside Grace Van-Derveld. As he slowed to a walk that would put him in step with the Intel agent, he gave her a wry grin, oblivious to how surly she'd become.

“Tell me you aren't leaving so soon!”

[Carré Inirial]

At some point, she realized, she'd forgotten to breathe.

But it just didn't seem necessary when he was so close. And so warm. Her sketchbook and pencil lay forgotten in her lap, her fingertips lingering on the collar of his jacket, smoothing it almost absently.

Whether it was the alcohol or her own luxuria simply pulling free of its tight shackles, her emerald gaze burned brightly in response to his. She'd have repeated the touch to his jaw with her fingertips if a moment later he hadn't pulled back. Still staring, she finally remembered to breathe, the warmth in her gaze flickering as she tried to wrestle it back under control.

The warmth seeped back into his eyes, the lure came back to his smile.

"You'll have to do a better job of convincing me than that."

And with those words, he stood, knocked back the rest of the cider and began to wander off.With as much control as Carré could muster, she slowly closed her sketchbook and tucked her pencil back into the top. Unzipping her thick parka, she tucked it away in it interior pocket before she rose to her feet. A long sip drained the last bit of cider from her mug and added warmth to her already flushed cheeks.

Turning on her heel she followed after him, fingers reaching out to tap his shoulder and halt his movement as she caught up. She'd had three-quarters of a thought a few seconds ago, the very beginning of a retort lingering on the tip of her tongue. But once it had shattered the restraints she normally kept it under, the lush heat warming her emerald gaze refused to be quieted.

She did the only thing she could, heedless of the people milling around them.

Slender fingers rose to take hold of his jacket, pulling him close as she kissed him soundly.

Gods how she just wanted to linger right there.

But she'd been challenged, and the same alcohol that slaughtered her inhibitions had fed her pride. Letting go, she pushed him back slightly and licked her lips.

"Let me know if that was enough." she replied, turning and walking away, the words emerging over her shoulder.

[Daria Nytherciria]

As her lips parted from Navaria's, they curved into a small smile that was only partly hidden by copper hair falling into her face. The evening had Daria in good spirits.

“I rejoice and thank the Force that you have the patience and fortitude to endure me,” she said, soft laughter lines creasing at the edge of her eyes as she rested her forehead against her companions.

[Saricia Ask'lan]

Ah, well damn. Still, not an insurmountable hurdle to scale, at any rate.

"Alright then. You go ask her. I know she'll be behind the idea."

Well...maybe. Maybe I could improve my odds?

"You mean now?" came the innocent question. "Surely there is another more proper time. I would feel, awkward in asking today."

Or at all... was her thought. He was quite confident that Lok would give her blessing for her young student to go off gallivanting throughout the galaxy.

[Sanis Prent]

I shrugged, looking about.

"I'm pretty sure I saw her running around here. Beats trying to track her down and ask later. You know Jedi, always having to be somewhere."

[Kelly Perris]

"Let me know if that was enough." she replied, turning and walking away, the words emerging over her shoulder.

He followed her, caught up to her and caught her with his strong hands, halting her forward progress and pulling her back against him, slipping his right arm across her chest, shoulder to shoulder, hand resting on her left shoulder as he tipped his head low. He had a bit of height on her - not monstrously so, for it was only five inches - and it was enough that certain intimacies required a lessening of it or some compromise on both their parts. Well, in theory. This was all still in a testing stage. Still very new, very exciting and later, he might not know what to think of it.

"Oh, it was enough. I'm honestly not sure what I was expecting, but it was definitely enough." He laughed, a low and rich sound. "Just make sure you haven't bitten off more than you can chew."

He nuzzled his nose and mouth into her hair and grinned wickedly, gruffing a small laugh again. His words were not loud enough that they were broadcast for all to hear, unless someone were to stray close enough.The man he used to be would have had little issue taking up with a pretty girl in the squadron within twenty-four hours. However, the man he was now might not have even been this bold within a month... and it had been about a month now, since she came into the ranks. He had been aware, oh yes he had, but he had been patient, like a predator to its prey, like the hunt amongst the deep black - it was still difficult not to make most everything a conquest or competition.

"And I admit, something is bothering me. Now, I understand tit for tat, but was it really necessary to just walk away like I did?"

He might have understood how it might affect her to be doing this in full display of everyone - despite everything, she seemed to have scruples that were most definitely feminine and proper - for he did gather a great deal about his squadron from not only being social with them, but sometimes, merely watching. Like a hawk. The years had only served to strengthen his perceptiveness.

[Carré Inirial]

Not that she was having many thoughts, or quite frankly any thoughts at all, but her mind completely ceased functioning as he pulled her back. As he slid an arm around her, and held her up against his chest.

It was a blessing, really, considering she hadn't been certain how far she was going to get on weak knees as it was.

Carré eventually remembered to breathe again as she leaned back, half closing her eyes to just savor the feel of him. It was a heady sensation a distant part of her mind fretted she'd become addicted to.

Even that minuscule bit of unease fled as he nuzzled into her hair, his warm laughter rumbling across her senses intimately enough to send a shiver down her spine. Her fingers rose of their own accord, one hand resting lightly atop his on her shoulder, the other curling comfortably in the crook of his elbow on her other shoulder.

Carré couldn't have responded to the first few words he uttered, as enchanted as she was standing there against him. She wasn't even certain she could produce a sound resembling a word at that moment anyhow. What part of her senses the alcohol hadn't numbed, Kelly had taken over.

Tilting her head back as he spoke again, she smiled softly, her expression sheepish. Her voice emerged as a soft purr at long last, her Alderaanian lilt in full force. "Necessary? No...gods no. I really wanted to just stay right there and kiss you again. I just....it...seemed like a good idea at the time, and it stung a little that you'd walked away."

[Kelly Perris]

The sound that seeped into her voice, the accent that seemed as if it did not exist otherwise, became strong here and wrapped tightly around him, deep in his core where things, things that shouldn't be, were balled up. His other arm, the left, snaked around her, just above the waist, over her ribcage, and his breath held in, body tense. The sound of such a voice hooked in and tore at that thing that he kept down, so far out of view, from nearly everyone. It'd only been Leela that he shared it with, for she carried much the same thing.

It was the reminder of home - the vivid memories, the sound of his mother's voice, the lilt of the voices of all the women in his young life before his family's move to Coruscant. It was two years after that move that he had left for the Academy. He had barely been truly home since he was fourteen. Kelly Perris was nearly in his thirty-third year, a little over one year away from twenty years since he had left the home of his childhood and he could never go back. It ached. Something terrible, it did. It could be painful.

He let out the breath, at length, and loosed his arms from Carré, stepping back.

"Sorry... I'm... I..." He looked on her face as she turned, looking somewhat puzzled. He sighed, looking away. Whatever came from his eyes, then, he had little control over "...I've got to... uh, find... someone."

Kelly backed up a few steps more, then turned and kept walking, but faster, with no discernible course or direction, trying to make it look purposeful. If one watched, they could see one arm rising up, drawing across at face level, pausing and dropping down.

[Carré Inirial]

Find...someone?

The words chased themselves around in her mind as she watched him back up and then walk away - at a far brisker pace than he had amidst their earlier 'game'. She thought-

No, it didn't matter what she thought. She wasn't chasing him again, not tonight. Not when he'd let go and said he was going to go find someone. She hated herself a little bit in that moment, fingers absently pulling her parka closed and zipping it up against the sudden cold, some few tears spilling across her flushed cheeks.

Carré watched until she lost sight of him in the crowd and then turned to go in the opposite direction, plucking a bottle of wine from one of the bars as she went.

She forged her own path among the trees, rubbing at her eyes until she came to a small clearing with a large, flat boulder off to one side of it. It was blissfully empty, and her bootprints were the only ones marring the snow. Fingers brushed away enough snow to create a seat, her back towards the direction she'd come from.

A sip of the sweet wine and the bottle was set aside in a pile of snow to keep it cold. Her pencil flew across a fresh, blank page of her sketchbook, a landscape gradually taking shape as her mind chased itself around in unpleasant circles.

[Navaria Tarkin]

As her lips parted from Navaria's, they curved into a small smile that was only partly hidden by copper hair falling into her face. The evening had Daria in good spirits.

“I rejoice and thank the Force that you have the patience and fortitude to endure me,” she said, soft laughter lines creasing at the edge of her eyes as she rested her forehead against her companions.

Laughter from Daria, no matter how soft or brief, was a gift from the Force. At least, that was what Navaria believed. Such moments were scant and always treasured because it meant that her companion was at ease without wondering about the responsibilities set before them, or how insecurities often troubled the Mirakula's mind.

Arms enveloped Daria and Navaria could not help the smile that came, "It's the price I pay for loving you, and I will continue to do so for the rest of my life if I must."

Though there was some humor laced between the words, no truer words had passed the Jedi's lips.

[Grace Van-Derveld]

Like a wayward satellite spinning into and sling-shotting out of planetary orbit, Jamo had gone from one group of revellers to another. Some had been happy to see him, some had tolerated him only until he'd fluked a winning hand in their game of cards. Against all laws of common sense, he'd even laid a few bets which he was going to pay for in the morning with one hell of a hangover. Until then, though, he was feeling good and right on course to drift into another stellar body's orbit.

A light, barely-passable jog brought him alongside Grace Van-Derveld. As he slowed to a walk that would put him in step with the Intel agent, he gave her a wry grin, oblivious to how surly she'd become.

“Tell me you aren't leaving so soon!”

She had just hit the forest proper, ready to follow the small path marked by blue flags that would lead any fool towards the landing platforms, when Grace was interrupted by a far more intoxicated being then herself. Unfortunately for him.

"Go away," she sneered and began to take longer, and quicker, strides to be rid of him. He would get one warning.

[Jamo Jakatta]

Whatever Joker heard, it didn't seem to be the same thing that Van-Derveld said.

“Oh come on,” he asked, throwing an arm around her shoulders. “Where's your Life Day spirit?”

[Justinian Atreides]

Being one of the last ones to leave the snowball fight made you cold as heck. When you're cold as heck and the environment is cold as heck, you gotta work extra hard at staying warm. There were ways of doing that, both innocent and not as innocent. For the innocent side there was things like cider. However, the cider (which to his surprise and pleasure) was spiked and Justinian took to getting two large mugs of it, which the server gave him a strange look for. He just laughed and walked away, yelling his thanks over his shoulder as he did.

Why two? Well, the assumption could be that he was sharing, but damn it, there was no one he could see that looked like they could use the sharin'. Or he could be double-fisting. No shame in that. No, none at all. All in all, he needed somewhere (relatively) quiet and figured that somewhere off in the trees, he might find that. Later, he would suppose he couldn't have been too surprised at finding someone else along the path he had taken, but still he was surprised anyway.

"Oh, hey... new girl." He cocked his head to one side and watched her from a distance, wondering just what such a sociable, pretty lil' thing as her was doing out here all on her lonesome. Shrugging (carefully!) he approached with both mugs, weaving through the trees to the clearing.

"Hey, sugar." No, she didn't hear him. He lowered himself to his haunches and tried the little conversational foray again, both mugs of cider still steaming away. "Hey. Sugar..." He craned his head around awkwardly to get a good look at her downturned face and his eyebrows lifted, the motion nudging his cowboy hat upwards with the scrunching of his forehead.

"...oh, now." He exclaimed, though not too loudly. "What's goin' on, sweetcheeks? Why the stoic, guarded face of hidin' secrets?"

[Tera Uolmi]

It had taken a grand total of ten minutes for the rest of the Rogues to live up to their name and go, well, rogue. Leaning against one of the trees that ringed the clearing the Alliance's finest were gathered in, the sole of one boot pressed against the bark, Tera tilted her mug up once again, taking a sip of lukewarm cider. It tasted bitter and cold, and the twisting of her expression just about summed up the pilot's entire take on the evening so far. There were a hundred other things she would have preferred to be doing, and none of them including drinking piss-weak grog whilst watching her flight-mates and the future leaders of the free galaxy bubbling into their ale or sucking the face of whichever humanoid they happened to bump into.

[Ariana Darin]

The allure of Life Day was such a strange thing to witness. It was, after all, a Wookiee holiday and the reasoning for any other race to latch upon it as their own was a total loss to the reasoning of the Echani woman. Never the less, it was an excuse for some well needed R&R.

As drunken pilots were deftly avoided, the members of Rebels and Jedi alike that had found a partner to forget their worries for the evening were outright ignored as she found herself on the hunt for the single item that had at one time been plentiful than both but was now in short supply - alcohol. Ariana didn't often drink heavily, but this was a party. Though her want to keep from the eyes of already intoxicated individuals kept her from the makeshift bars where most were congregated.

It was the sight of an individual in one of the less populated areas that caught her eye. After all, he seemed to have a few bottles all to himself and she was tempted to take a chance in a game of alleviating him of one of them. A wide walk around where he sat was taken, hoping to come up unnoticed as close as possible to swipe one of the bottles of rice-wine. If she succeeded, then the bottle was hers. If not... well, perhaps the individual would be at least entertaining.

[Serasai Onashi]

He hadn’t noticed her until it was almost too late.

The Echani woman’s hand had almost reached the bottle when a cup hit the snow beside it. Onashi was looking at her from the corner of his eye, one eyebrow raised and a slight smirk on his face.

“If you want some, you’ll have to keep me company,” he said, lowering the data-pad he’d been reading and turning to look at her directly.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Teagan stared at him as if he'd suddenly sprouted a second head on his shoulder.

"Becaauuuse your closet is bigger than mine. Plus, I have to keep all my toys and stuff in mine too; you just have clothes. There'd be plenty of room for hay in your closet."

She had to think about her daughter's reasoning, and presently the Lupine found herself nodding absently. It was sound enough, if one approached the situation from a child's perspective. She snaked an arm around Dan's waist, mug still in hand.

"She's right, you know."

[Ariana Darin]

"Is that so?" Her hand that had been reaching for the bottle remained in place, fingertips moving slightly as she spoke the question before she retracted the movement, the same hand coming to rest on her hip.

"And what if I simply wish to take what I want, hmm? What sort of man are you to stop me?" Her words carried a tone of challenge upon them, but the small smile that accompanied and the shift in her posture gave away the fact she was more well meaning than designed to cause any real conflict.

[Ben Merasska]

At some point, Ben had the distinct feeling like he wasn’t really supposed to be where he was. It wasn’t some mystical sixth sense; Lyanie was seeming like she was having fun with Cirr, and that critter had caught Cleo’s attention mostly. Carré’d gone off with Perris somewhere, last he’d seen. It was more like he wasn’t really enjoying himself there anymore, and so should go somewhere else.

With most everyone’s attention on Jhyx, Ben murmured a half-hearted excuse to Lyanie and got up to leave. Lyanie merely favoured him with an absent look (the “You don’t really expect me to believe that, but I might actually” one), and turned back to regard Cirr and his new sidekick.

He’d not had much to drink, and it seemed like most of the alcohol was gone. Ben wasn’t much bothered by that, still having some booze left in the Knightfall. The pilot figured he’d head back to the ship and start doing some maintenance on the cockpit systems. The navicomputer was recently updated but the sensor array and readout panel still needed some calibrating, and the viewpanel could use a good scrubbing; Kira’s R4 unit was still on board, but telling the crotchety thing what to do, even if it was asked nicely, was an exercise in futility. He’d have to do most of the work himself.

The path back to where the Knightfall was landed lay on the other side of the clearing the other pilots were using as an arena for their antics. Not wanting to be in the middle of all those intimidating pilots, Ben decided to trudge around the clearing.

“It’s an old array still,” he mumbled to himself, “It’ll need some re-wiring, most likely. I can do that well enough. The sensor panel’s—oof!”

He walked into someone.

“Ah, sorry!” he said, backing away quickly. It was a pilot, who wasn’t looking very happy at the moment. His edginess doubled. “Wasn’t paying attention, it won’t happen again.”

[Serasai Onashi]

Onashi’s eyebrow rose even higher, and he shrugged. She was beautiful woman, and the expression she held was quite the fetching one.

“If you want to drink by yourself, go ahead. It’s not worth the effort to chase you down if you did take it. But then I’d have to get more in payment for the extra effort,” he flicked the power switch on the data-pad and reclined back once more, fixing the woman with a lazily interested expression. “And I’ll only tell you what sort of man I am if you keep me company.”

[General Dan]

She had to think about her daughter's reasoning, and presently the Lupine found herself nodding absently. It was sound enough, if one approached the situation from a child's perspective. She snaked an arm around Dan's waist, mug still in hand.

"She's right, you know."

"Well, she wants a pony, I figure she can put up her toys in the closet for auction so she has enough room for the feed."

Dan was having a hard time keeping a straight face as he goaded his daughter.

[Ariana Darin]

The Echani rolled her shoulders back before letting them fall, her head quirking to the side just slightly. "That perhaps would make you a first in that respect. Though that is twice now you have made some comment on my remaining here for a while, I would hate to seem rude and refuse it."

A small nod was cast at the datapad in his hand. "Though one wonders if you do not have enough company as is?"

[Serasai Onashi]

“Eh,” he grunted, looking at the data-pad. “It’s good for when I don’t have anyone to talk to, at least.”

He patted the log next to him, and pulled out the bottle that he had been drinking from. It was almost half gone.

“Now let’s start with the not being rude, eh?” he grinned, just as lazily as his former expression. “I’d be grateful if you could hand me that cup. Didn’t think to bring another.”

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She had to think about her daughter's reasoning, and presently the Lupine found herself nodding absently. It was sound enough, if one approached the situation from a child's perspective. She snaked an arm around Dan's waist, mug still in hand.

"She's right, you know."

"Well, she wants a pony, I figure she can put up her toys in the closet for auction so she has enough room for the feed."

Dan was having a hard time keeping a straight face as he goaded his daughter.

At Teagan's puzzled lookover 'auction', s'Il gave a chuckle as she stood on her toes to deliver a light kiss to Dan's cheek, ever mindful of the taun taun horns he wore.

"She doesn't know that word yet," the Lupine whispered.

[Ariana Darin]

The commentary that came in regards to the datapad was enough to elicit another small smile from her. Ariana quietly congratulated herself on the whole concept that had started the interaction. Drinks and entertainment, it seemed. And at least it appeared that the man she was speaking with had more brains than most of the inebriated 'gentlemen' that she had passed by so far.

"Sadly I hadn't the mind to bring one with me." The cup was plucked from the snow and held out to its owner as she took the few small steps that allowed her to take a seat on the log next to him. "Of course naturally I wasn't expecting to quite get caught either."

[General Dan]

Dan smiled knowingly, looking to Tak.

"You're gonna have to sell your toys to make room."

[Serasai Onashi]

The mercenary grinned, accepting the cup and pulling the stopper out of the mouth of the bottle with his teeth.

“It was close,” he admitted. “Almost didn’t notice your hand ‘til the last second. Had half my mind on how to hack into the computers of a military terrain vehicle based on a T3X military code, and the other half looking at your face. The code was interesting, but not.”

He sipped at the cup, and passed it to her.

“Name’s Serasai Onashi,” he said, slipping the data-pad into a pouch on his belt, and grabbing the other two bottles of wine and settling them on the ground between their legs, resting against the log. It was obvious he was expecting her to reciprocate with her own name.

[Mara Tallen]

Laughter emanated from the woman as she propped her long, lean legs up on the only empty seat left with John's timely arrival. Not that Amos wasn't an oh-so-pleasant place to rest the eyes, but without knowing his name or anything about him, she was at a bit of a conversational loss.

As John seated himself, Mara took a swallow of her cider and purred. Not a delicate, sexy sound, but the deep, rumbling purr one would expect from a massive feline predator. It earned her startled glares from those within hearing distance, but would hopefully have the desired effect on her two companions.

Two.

Now there was a delicious thought.

Brushing it aside as her eyes glittered with the possibility, Mara offered a warm, genuine smile. "Always pleased to make the acquaintance of a jetii," she said softly.

"John, honey, be nice. I've seen more than my share of lightsabers."

Sipping from her mug, her smile grew lascivious.

"Both kinds."

[Carré Inirial]

"...oh, now." He exclaimed, though not too loudly. "What's goin' on, sweetcheeks? Why the stoic, guarded face of hidin' secrets?"As was her wont when there were emotions flooding her senses and pencil and paper in hand, Carré had completely zoned out.

Couldn't hear, couldn't see past her page, and most importantly, couldn't think too hard about watching Kelly walk away from her.

She'd never been so confused by a man. They were normally simple creatures to figure out, and easy to read when they were trying to hide something. Kelly though, seemed to gleefully defy everything she knew and it gave her a headache.

Blinking at the sudden appearance of a white cowboy hat in her field of vision, it took several moments for the creative cobwebs to disappear and the ache to settle back into her chest. "Justin, I don't....I don't get it. Y'all are s'posed ta be easy to figure out. Kelly's given me a freakin' headache tonight. I just...I just don't get it."

Brilliant. Very eloquent. A bit more moron next time.

Oh shut the frak up.

Are you always so eloquent aroung good looking men?

Yes....no. Wait a minute...Justin's not...well, no, actually he is.

Ha.

Carré set her pencil down in her unfinished landscape, amidst the beginnings of a large house. Fingers rose to rub at her eyes and tear-stained cheeks as she sighed softly.

"I kissed him, you know. He was teasing me, he walked away, I went after him and I kissed him. Right there in front of dozens of people and half the squadron. So then I walk away, or at least, try to...he didn't let me get far. Kinda wrapped his arms around me for a minute there. Which...was good. I mean, really good. But then he lets go and says he's got to find someone else, and he takes off. What am I missing here?" the words emerged in a such a jumbled rush that Carré wasn't entirely certain they made any sense.

[John Glayde]

John had to stifle a grin; technically, he shouldn't really encourage this kind of behaviour from a member of his team, nor allow such an informal attitude to be directed towards him. But it was Life Day, and what with their past history as well; it'd fly for now, but he might have to clamp down a little when they got back to base. Mind you, knowing Mara she'll just think I'm being assertive, and will use it as an excuse to pin me up against something, and -

Unleashing a nervous cough, John stopped that particular train of thought before it managed to trundle on too far into distraction. He stared intently at his beer before downing a hearty mouthful. Right, he thought to himself, searching for something to say quickly before his lag in response drew out too long.

"I hope you aren't planning to use that as a precedent for mandatory 'weapon' inspections back at Dorn," he teased, shooting her a crafty wink. "I don't care how good it'll be for the men's morale."

[Tera Uolmi]

“Right.”

It wouldn't happen again, because next time she'd be paying more attention, instead of staring up into the stars where the Valiant was in orbit. At least the guy who'd bumped into had apologised, and not taken it as an excuse to start up a fight...

“Where you headed?” she asked, with a glance off to the darkness that seemed to be her bumper's destination. There was no party on there, though she knew there were a few shuttles and freighters dotted about the area, mostly military craft whilst the civilian vessels took shelter closer to the old temple.

[Ben Merasska]

It took a moment before he realized that the pilot—hey, a girl!—wasn’t murdering him. While Ben hadn’t been actually cowering, he’d been pretty close to it. Settling himself down with a ‘so far (you haven’t died or heard of a planet being extinguished), so good’ in his head, he followed the woman’s gaze down to where the ships were landed or docked.

“Ah,” he said, his mind blank for a moment before he gathered himself and continued. “I’m headin’ back to my ship. The party’s not really what I was looking for tonight. I figure I’ll be doing some maintenance, get a few shots in me, and then head to bed. In that order. Last time I took shots before doing maintenance I woke up on the top of the ship with a blanket over my head and a pillow under my feet. And a concussion, when I rolled off.”

At that point Ben realized that he was rambling, and cut himself short with a sheepish expression.

[Grace Van-Derveld]

Whatever Joker heard, it didn't seem to be the same thing that Van-Derveld said.

“Oh come on,” he asked, throwing an arm around her shoulders. “Where's your Life Day spirit?”

Even persistant in speech would have caused a spiteful tongue lashing. This touching of her person was a far graver offense.

With a scowl and no word of warning, Grace grabbed Jamo's hand off of her shoulder and twisted it into a wrist lock. Drunkenness never stopped an angered Grace from defending herself. She and Dasquian had taken an entire cantina on Ryloth once while uttered shitfaced.

But Jamo was not him. Not the one man that she yearned to have touched her once more as the pilot had just did ...

[Jamo Jakatta]

As anyone familiar with the pilots of Rogue Squadron was testify, lesson 101 of being a fighter pilot – after you'd gotten through all that flight simulator nonsense – was knowing how to beat the snot out of your wing-mates.

“Feelin' feisty, huh?”

Grace Van-Derveld didn't wear the wings of the 'fighter corps, but since she'd started the fight, she was fair game. His inhibitions numbed to the point of non-existence, Jakatta drove the point of his unhindered elbow back into the Intel agent's gut and prepared himself to wind up one hell of a haymaker when she dropped her hold on him.

[Grace Van-Derveld]

This she could handle. It required no thought, only action. A punching bag to release aggression building for too long since Imperial Center.

Admittedly, the elbow in the gut stirred a wave of nausea from the Director, but her iron clad stomach had survived worse over the years. Her free hand came up quickly to back hand the pilot in the face. The impact was deliciously satisfying ...

[Saricia Ask'lan]

I shrugged, looking about.

"I'm pretty sure I saw her running around here. Beats trying to track her down and ask later. You know Jedi, always having to be somewhere."

"True, but she is with her family. I shan't disturb her on this holiday," she answered plainly, but then smiled. "I guess you will just have to wait."