Draped in feathers, dyed a variety of purples, the newest arrival to the Tem Gala stepped out of their transport. Before them, a path led up between gardens, steps ascending into the ballroom. People milled around outside, dainty glasses of champagne aloft between poised fingers. The murmur of chatter provided base for the hum of music that radiated over the gardens. Lanterns flickered with artifical fire, casting a rosy glow and soft shadows that complimented the still setting sun.
A grin crossed the Human’s face, the transport behind her. She stepped forward, glancing behind to see the next attendees already pulling into place.
Zuza Lottson adjusted her cape, checking it and then her dress. It was a thin black thing, leaving little to the imagination. The front of her skirt was far shorter than the back ans the bodice left her stomach exposed, the fabric crossing her torso in a large X. It was mostly made up of mesh, opaque fabric webbing its way across the dress and concealing what needed to be conceal. The shortest layer of the skirt was made up of the opaque fabric, which was what Zuza made sure was patted down. Her cape protected her shoulders, though that was it. It was mainly a statement piece, and something easily discarded if needs be.
Zig wouldnt complain, but she doubted Anderson and Evelyn wanted to see that much of her.
Now, where were they?
Zuza climbed the steps, offering smiles and greeting freely to the member of the Principate around her though it felt… itchy, to do so. She doubted trying to find dirt on these frackers was going to be difficult.
The doors to the ballroom were secured open, allowing the flow of people both entering and exiting to do so freely. An occasional shoulder was bumped, but nothing more.
It was hard to not stare in wonder at the ballroom itself. The ceiling was draped with dark fabrics, chandeliers descending from between the folds in an effect that made them appear as if they were floating.
They may have been, actually, Zuza squinted up at them but a bumped shoulder provided a quick reminder to move along.
Most of the floor space was taken up by the dance floor, a large rectangle that lowered into the center of the room, its staircase mere feet away from the open doors, and across it a semi-circle cut out for the orchestra. They played above the dancers, allowing conversation to remain between those below and the music to be audible to all.
Past that, tables of food and drink provided many a stopping place to converse. Or just eat, Zuza supposed and she realised plenty were in fact eating.
She couldn’t imagine being able to eat here, energy alight in her system making the idea of stopping for so long seem excruciating. Shed had a snack on the way.
It occured to her, as she passed through the crowd, that she probably ought to have worn heels. Even with with the duo being visibly notable, the mass of people made spotting any matching features limited to those immediately around her.
Standing on the table would likely get her kicked out.
Zuza sighed, allowing herself to flow around the room and catching her own glass of bubbles to enjoy along the way.
There was something to be said for being fashionably late. For all his power in the Dark Side, Anders was far from being a psychotic madman drunk on power. He was sophisticated, chivalrous, a gentleman, if one were so inclined.
He made that very apparent at his arrival with his plus-one for the evening. Mrs. Evelyn Wyvern Anderson. To say she turned heads would be an understatement. Gala patrons were practically ogling the bright dress that generously hugged her features and accentuated her natural beauty.
Anders knew, of course, because of course he had stolen glances whenever his matching crimson eyes peered towards her.
Similarly, his own Crimson-colored tuxedo matched her dress. He tipped his top hat in greeting to the security as they were ushered inside.
“Shall we, my dear?” Anders offered his spare hand to his wife, his other placed atop the glimmering Ruby of his sceptre.
Evelyn returned his small with a small upward tug of her lips. “Let’s.”
The pair descended down the stairs with graceful precision and control, the absolute pinnacle of nobility and sophistication. No-one would have suspected that they were, in fact, here with an ulterior objective. As they descended, Anders’ eyes quickly scanned the room. Any one of these sycophants could be undermining the Severian Principate from within. The why wasn’t important at this moment in time. It was just a question as to who. More importantly, they were here looking for information on the whereabouts of their dear Draca.
To that end, where, oh where, was Ms. Lottson?
Evelyn’s trained footsteps were light as her heel barely made sounds when it made contact with the exquisite marble steps. Small rubies adorned her white hair that was up in an elegant updo. She had dark burgundy eyeshadow that brought out her emerald irises. Her sharp nails were painted with the same color.
For a moment, her hand grasp Anders a bit tighter than usual while they nearly made to the bottom of the floor. She reminisced her mother’s training.
Be alluring. Inviting. Let them come to you and have them think you are the most priceless object on display. Your eyes must meet with theirs and be warm. At the same time, have a wall. Let them hunger for a bite and feel like they have to chase or fight for it. Even more importantly, be sure to give them the impression that every piece of you is worth it.
Once they arrived at the bottom, a server approached them with a half bow and extended the silver tray with white etching around the edges. Bubbly champagne in a glass that had golden trims were grabbed by Anders and Evelyn. She did not thank the server and instead looked around the room and watched the body languages of the peers around them. There were here for two important things. One personal and one for their jobs.
Someone was going to bleed.
The hybrid brought the glass to her burgundy colored lips, “Where is she?”
Anders inclined his head, indicating his own lack of clarity on the subject. Alas, it was easy enough to locate the woman, who had evidently gone astray.
A delicate mental nudge was enough for Zuza to follow.
She came to the edge of the barrier, leaning on it and spotting the duo below on the dance floor. She didn’t wave, nor focus too much on them. Her eyes glanced over, lingering a moment before moving onto the next couple.
The plans were set, now everyone was here it was simply to set them in motion.
She turned away, sipping from the fluted glass and looking through those who’d gathered. They were looking for Draca, but as much as Zuza wanted to focus on that with them, it wasn’t her task tonight.
Zuza needed to disappear. Her time as a infiltrator was far from forgotten.
A hand rested on Anders shoulder as the elegant Chiss guided her on the dance floor. Evelyn’s eyes rested on his but she used her peripheral view to keep an eye out. You wouldn’t know the pair had a rough discussion a few days ago by the way they danced. The music was soft and harmonious so Evelyn matched her passion with the melody.
There was someone watching them intently. Then for a moment, break away before watching them some more.
We seem to have an audience, Evelyn chimed into Anders’ mind.
Better do something regarding peering eyes.
It didn’t take much, simply a nudge, a small wave, a measure of focus to wrap his power around the expensive, hand-crafted wine glasses decorating the table. To the untrained, it might have appeared like they fell to the floor and smashed on their own. A couple of woman screamed in dismay as their shoes were soaked in wine.
If Anderson hadn’t been paying attention, he may have missed the flitting of Zuza. Her cape was missing, leaving her shoulders bare to the overhead lights though without it her appearance was much changed.
Then she was out of sight once more.
A rush of adrenaline flushed Zuza’s face as she slipped through the door to the luxurious halls of the overnight stayers. With the party in full swing, there was no one here in the moment though she hugged the wall close to the doors.
She pressed on each door, seeing if it would slide open. These Principate pricks were cautious but not nearly-
Aha!
One plasteel door gave way, and Zuza slipped inside. She made sure it didn’t lock behind her. A suitcase sat upon the end of the bed, a smaller bag on the table.
“Time to see who a-la confident is.” Zuza murmured to herself, starting with the suitcase.
Cautious indeed, my dear, Zuza.
Anders raised his hand, gesturing to the nearby band for something with a bit more tempo. Too many eyes were wandering. If it was entertainment they desired, they entertainment they shall receive.
Dancing was, rather interestingly, an awful lot like fighting with a lightsaber. It required exceptional footwork, timing, balance, an understanding of give and take, knowledge of when to advance and when to retreat.
Anders was an exceptional dancer. As was Evelyn, evident by the way the dance floor began to make room for them both to perform. A twirl in the air had their audience in gasps and applause.
It made it all the more easier for Anders to peer into their minds. Yet, if they were content watching, then they were not the ones they sought, were they?
A thought then occured to him.
Zuza, see if you can find any files on Draca whilst you are in there.
And yet, it appeared, that the young Human, former Shadow Lady of Arcona, as always had gotten distracted. Anders and Evelyn increased the tempo of their routine. They were the players now, and all the world a stage.
Zuza!
His eyes darted in the vague direction of where he could sense her in the Force.
Zuza sighed, reaching out to the sense and thinking as loudly as she could.
Im looking for anything!
Shed rifled through that room quickly enough, stepping out into the hall again. It was… empty. Still.
I don’t like this.
Still, be faster than the problem. She continued her previous trick, eventuslly spotting a door half ajar.
Zuza didnt want to go in that room. Her hand brushed over thr shadow sheath under the hip of her dress as she stepped into the room. Yet, no one was in here. Nothing in the Force called to her.
“Kark it.”
Two suitcases, a bag. She dipped her hand into the bag, pulling out a holo and turning it on.
A pre set recording began to play.
The visage of a Mandalorian’s helmet popped into view. The voice of which was digitised, but she recognised who he was not by the lightning bolt on his chest, but by his name when he spoke.
“Heeeeeeey, Anders! Appius here. Good to see you, probably. Nah, you know I hate your guts. Frack you and everything you stand for etcetera, etcetera…”
Appius made a nonchalant waving motion with his hands as if he pathetically were swatting away insects.
“I’m probably the last person you expected to see, right? Well, the Principate and I came to a little… understanding, if you catch my drift. If you’re watching this, then you are likely at the gala. Right. Now. Congratulations, fracker! You are my guest of honour! But don’t worry! I didn’t come without a little something to show for your efforts.”
Appius stepped aside, revealing behind him a young, Zabraki Jedi. His hands were bound together. His head was lowered, and he was motionless, completely so.
Because he had been frozen in carbonite.
“Needless to say,” Appius fake coughed and popped back into view. “I have something you want, and if you want any chance of seeing him again, you’ll do exactly what I want, when I want it. You can expect to hear from me soon. Maybe. You know, because you walked into a trap?”
Appius laughed.
“Oh, one more thing,” the Mandalorian leaned in closer. “This message is pre-recorded and will detonate in three… two… one…”
three
Zuza snapped into motion, the force burning through her to toss the holo aside.
two
It was in the air. She was turning. Colours swirled, she pulled her hands to her chest.
one
A step was taken, focus regained on the door. Maybe itd be a late bomb maybe she had time maybe-
A piercing ringing split its way through Zuza’s brain. Temple to temple, to her eyes, her teeth that now tasted like copper.
She opened her eyes, looking at the wall in front of her. She pushed against it, yet all it did was lift her shoulders up?
Zuza blinked, tilting her head and feeling bile rise up her throat.
The wall was over there.
Zuza placed her hand underneath herself, looking down at what was apparently the floor and pushing again. Gravity argued with her muscles, though she made it onto her knees, nails pressing into the carpet to balance herself.
Legs? Burned, almost certainly. Back, situation same. Face, smashed into floor.
She dragged her gaze up to the door. It was closed still. But someone would….
Zuza groaned into her teeth, crawling to the nearest wall and pulling herself up. Tears built up as the pain resonated from each point of damage. It wasnt as bad it could have been.
The bomb must’ve bounced or something. Or the force had part in it.
Wait- people. People. Coming. Noise.
Where was the noise?
Zuza pressed a hand to her ear, finding no immediate difference in the volume of the room. The ringing made it hard to tell if that was bad bad or just bad.
PEOPLE
“Kist..” She patted her hip. Phausis still remained in its sheath.
When Zuza opened the door, a few faces had already appeared at the end of the hall. Their mouths began moving, lips twitching and then opening wide as they turned to look over their shoulders.
Zuza turned in the other direction. The mission was still going after all.
She thought as loudly as she could, hoping Anders’ was listening in.
Principate involved with Appi, this was a trap. Draca is in carbonite. Trap. He’s going to reach out soon, ive gotta. Uh
Working out what Zuza had to do derailed the rest of her train of thought into a one minded need to get out of this damn place.
With one final flourish, Anders bent Evelyn backwards, their eyes mere inches away from each other, their expressions neutral as they finished their dance.
Their audience gave a polite applause. Nothing raucous, as was the dignified response at an event such as this.
Yet, when the explosion was heard, and some of the patrons gasped, Anders did not move. He kept Evelyn in position.
Appius Wight. Of course it was. The sooner Anders could choke what little remained of that Mandalorian from the universe, the better.
Keep moving. Use the vents if necessary. Rendezvous outside the main entrance. Lethal force is authorised.
He relayed the message back to Zuza, finally pulling both himself and Evelyn to their feet. Several militarily armed individuals began to storm the dance floor, searching for them.
“My dear, I do believe we have overstayed our welcome,” Anders began to pull Evelyn towards the entrance when he felt the familiar tug of the Force in his subconscious.
The Chiss wrapped his arm around his wife and leaned them both forward to avoid the overhead blaster bolt that soared from one side of the room to the other.
A large, gloved hand reached out for Anders, though was halted by the swift, crack of Evelyn’s heel connecting with their neck.
Anders stepped over the collapsed body, the crowd parting to reveal a path along their angered way, as well as splitting the patrons into Civilians and Hostiles.
There was no time to deal with them. Nor would it be appropriate to begin crushing these flies beneath his feet. Evelyn’s logical reasoning didn’t even need to be spoken, he simply met her cool gaze and knew her thoughts on the matter.
They had what information they needed.
Escaping the ball was less strenuous than most of their other battles recently, at least. The only loose string was Miss Lottson.
More of Appius’ hired men approached, and in the cool night air with far fewer patrons around, Anderson activated his lightsaber. The black and red blade’s glow was usually minimised by the core, but in the dark with only stars and quaint stringlights, it dusted the sith in dark red light.
Any who got too close were either met with his lightsaber, or Evelyn’s dagger.
Anders reached out with the Force in a moment’s breather. She wasn’t in the building yet- Ah. Disguised amongst the shadows of the foliage, Zuza was making her way past the fighting. He gave her the gap she needed, then turned on heel away from the rabble.
“The three of us will depart now.”
Evelyn took a moment to spot Zuza, the limping making her otherwise cat-like gait through the brush visible enough. “Very well.”