2008-12-27 - Stormy Negotiations

:::2008-12-27 - Stormy Negotiations 
 The morning is a pleasant one for being so near the winter for Mantan. Bright sun and skies, and perhaps just a hint of rain later in the day. No one seems to be paying too much close attention to the weather, though. The cantina is filled with conversation, Mon Calamari shouting back and forth and carrying things. The building and the surrounding area has been decorated simply and elegantly, though it still seems a few minor touches are needed. Drinks and food of all kinds have been laid out, no real regard for who might be coming - children could, very well, walk up and steal some alcohol and not get scolded! Wandering her way through the entrance, and in a dress as well, is Nissa. She pauses in the doorway, leaning tiredly against the frame as she watches the goings on.
 Attention to security is not, however, lacking. There's the usual number of Mon Calamari bodyguards about, though Meena Tills is as yet nowhere to be seen, plus quite a few local militia types, though the latter seem primarily engaged in putting up bunting.
 Ibrahim wanders through the cantina, a little disappointed it's all so open-air and lively. Not like most cantinas he has been in. He stifles a little burp and heads toward the bar, which seems to be open. He scratches at his scalp a bit and orders himself a whiskey.
 Tuil enters the place followed by a pair of holographers documenting the Jedi-host and the set up. Tuil has a small comlink in his hand that he is speaking into now and then as the holographers record the event.
 Glancing at a silver timepiece, a woman who stands just inside the doorway of the delightful cantina, frowns. Looking back over her shoulder, Jasmine slips her clutch under her left arm before taking a few steps inward.
Approaching the bar, the blue suit-wearing woman asks for a cup of tea, finding penchant on a barstool with an errant look lost to the door now and again-- obviously waiting for someone.
 Serenella arrives fashionably late and looks a bit disgruntled. She has her droid Pinky with her who's pushing a pram and beeping equally disgruntled. "So where are the drinks?" she asks the next best person she comes across upon entering.
 One of the Prime Minister's bodyguards comes up to Serenella. "Glad you could make it!" he says to her. "Drinks at the bar. The ceremony hasn't started yet."
"Did someone say drinks at the bar? My, but this *is* an appropriately managed occasion. . . ." purrs a sultry voice: Crienna, dressed to the nines and fit to kill, so to speak, sidles up to the Prime Minister's bodyguard.
"Tell me, which way *is* the bar, exactly?"
 Graham moving seeming right behind the lady of the day. He gives her a poke to the side. "You gotta stay awake." he whispers over to her as he steps further in nodding and waving to those he knows. The young man seems quite relaxed and enjoying himself, but he does make glances back towards the spaceport perhaps he'd expected a guest not here yet.
 One of Tuil's holographers breaks off from the pack and stops to record a quick candid shot of Serenella and her entourage with the guard. The being checks the holo-recorder and is satisfied by the shot as she moves off.
 Nissa finally moves away from the doorway, shaking her head at a small Mon Calamari child that seems to be trying to help put up decorations. "Zarra, get off that barstool," she calls, already moving over to rescue the girl before she falls. "You're a great sister and all, but I prefer you not give the family a stroke today."
She's rewarded with an indignant sound from the small Mon Cal, even and she scoops Zarra off the stool and sets her on the floor. "I can decorate just fine!" the little one declares, before crossing her arms. Nissa just smiles, before...stepping onto the barstool and actually /up/ onto the counter of the bar. She reaches for one of the strings of decoration, to set it into place.
 Serenella grins at the bodyguard. "Good." She turns to Pinky. "Just stay in a quiet corner with him, okay?" she tells the astromech whose beep sounds like a sigh. Serenella heads on to the bar and grabs a glass of pink champagne while she looks around for Nissa. "NISSA!"
 Another of the bodyguards turns to Crienna. "Yes," he says, "have a drink! The family's very happy, you know. They struck a hard bargain."
 "Don't mind if I do!" coos Crienna. "Ooooh, yes, what was it I heard about a - candy clause, or some such?"
 A young blonde haired man finds his way into the cantina, looking a little annoyed. Tres straightens out his flight suit and looks expectantly behind him at the polished silver protocol droid that shuffles after. A big red bow has been tied to the center of his frame. "I say, Master Victory, this will be a -delightful- occasion! I simply can't wait to meet the special couple. I imagine..." It continues, with Tres chiming "Yes. Uh-huh. Naturally." every so often as he looks around for some direction.
 Fashionably early is hardly as classy as arriving fashionably late, but news of an open bar travels fast. Probably. Surely, that alone is not what brings a boy to the festivities. Navy suit perfectly pressed, coat unbuttoned just enough to pass though security checkpoints and reveal that, yes, he does, in fact, have a side-arm tucked beneath the pinstripe fabric. Yes, the safety was on. And, no, it would not be used for anything improper.
While held up with the security questioning, the bald L'hnnar boy scans the crowds, eyes flicking over various guests, rolling at First Lady Chancellor, then warming at other, familiar faces.
 The guard laughs. "Yes. The candy clause. You haven't heard yet about the skyhook clause, have you?"
 Terienn steps into the establishment crisply as usual. She glances about the assembled group with her keen brown eyes, and tugs and the bottom hem of her uniform jacket before stepping more fully into the room.
 Enjoying a spot of tea before the ceremony, Jasmine's teacup finds itself accompanied by a Mon Cal... flipper-foot? Glancing up, Bespin's CEO grins as decorations continue to ascend and be hung.
"Well, hello up there Minister Sarcat," the lady chimes, amused. "Need a hand?" Jasmine asks, glancing to the door once more before looking upward again to Nissa.
 "Noooo! Do tell!" chirps Crienna curiously, all ears. "The *skyhook* clause?!?!"
 The other holographer following Tuil notices Nissa and realizes a a prize-winning shot when he sees one. Kneeling quick for the angle, he aims the holo recorder at Nissa up on the bar and starts taking holo recordings using his recorder's auto function for quick candids. The holo-journalists association will /have/ to give him this year's prize...
 The guard laughs. "I'll give you a hint. That's Aunt Goldie's clause." He wanders off, looking like the cat that got the cream for not revealing all the detail. 
Meanwhile, one of the security staff gets on a mike. "Everyone, time to be getting to your assigned seats, the Prime Minister will be arriving soon!"
 Nissa manages to get the line of decoration pinned to the top of the bar, all the while her sister seems to be glaring up at her. "Why do you get to help?" Zarra questions, small hands coming to rest on her hips. Nissa turns where she stands on the bar counter, and mimics the pose, looking down at the other Mon Cal with amusement.
"I have better balance," she says. A wink is given to the cameraman nearby. She then moves to sit, perched on the edge as she looks to Jasmine with a smirk. "No, I'm fine...I didn't fall off the bar, so it's a good day." She winks.
 Serenella turns to frown at the holographer. "You publish shots up Nissa's dress on the holonets, you're dead meat." she warns him, "Mr. Tills sure won't like it." Then she turns to Nissa when she finally climbs down, handing her a little parcel, wrapped in pink paper, with a huge red bow on top. "Congratulations, honey!" she beams.
 Terienn simply follows the staff instructions and finds her seat.
 Jasmine grins, nodding her head. "A good day indeed-- it usually is when one decides to get married," the woman murmurs to the bride-to-be. She quiets at the explosion of red and pink, slipping from the barstool and taking a last, generous sip of her tea, before moving to find her seat also.
 "Assigned seating…” Tres dreads, knowing he'll end up next to someone he can't stand. He glances at the shiny protocol droid at his side. Oh, right. A little late for that. After retrieving a small datapad to look up his spot the young pilot makes his way over and finds a seat with his droid.
 Tuil waves for his professionals to stop what they're doing and take up strategic spots reserved for the press to record the event. Then he looks for his own place to sit... And there is a blue-dressed woman seated beside his.
"Hello, President Monroe. I trust you are well today?" Tuil asks as he sits down beside her.
 A rather confused looking young man in a freshly-ironed and starched Republic Navy uniform arrives at the scene of the wedding, bearing a gift which he searches listlessly for a place to put for several moments, eventually finding where some other gifts are and laying it there. Straightening his uniform coat, Captain Aiden Tellano spots Jasmine and moves towards the bar, waving to her and looking to his own seat -- finding himself sitting down on the other side of the CEO in the blue dress, across from Lindo. "Hi," he says cheerfully. 
 Nissa laughs, and the sound barely carries over the conversation. As she slides down from the bar, careful of the dress, she quickly envelopes Serenella in a hug. She accepts the parcel, smiling. "Dare I ask what's in here?" she says, shaking the box a bit. She then blinks, looking around a moment at the announcement. She then winks to Serenella, setting the parcel on the bar before she's off towards an area cleared before the stage. She pauses before she steps into the attention of everyone present, though, looking around for someone.
 Ibrahim sips a drink at the bar, watching the gathering people with some interest. He leans on his elbow and flicks at an ice cube with his tongue. A quick cough and then he eyes the number of people gathered and nods his head casually. The glance he gives the Jedi Tuil is one that is half-hidden by his glass. But then it is gone and he fetches another drink.
 "Unwrap it later in private.", Serenella advises Nissa with a wink and goes to find her own seat, keeping the one next to hers free in case her late husband will make it in time after all.
The security people circulate through the crowd. Occasionally, very occasionally they ask someone to show ID.
 Slipping towards the bar, quickly, with but a few nods to those there, Liam orders a drink - "Just water, no ice." - and slips to his own seat. One remains unoccupied at his side, which he gives a gentle glance, trailing a finger along the rim of his glass. Then, he stills, in preparation for the arrival of the Prime Minister.
 Serenella casts a glance over towards Liam. "Seems we've both been stood up, hm?", she smiles sourly at the boy.
 Gift rested gingerly on her silk-clad lap, followed by her clutch, Jasmine takes a moment to look at the wonderful decorations. But all too soon, she finds herself with company. "Ah, Master Lindo, how good to see you again," murmurs the low-toned voice of the lady, with a muted-in-kind smile. "Isn't it lovely? Indeed, I'm well, who wouldn't be at the union of friends."
Turning her head at Aiden's arrival, Jasmine grins. "I was wondering if you were even coming... I should've told you I'd taken care of the present," frets the CEO, moving her own gift to a place under the seat.
 Graham turns back finding a seat as well. He keeps a spot open in case the one he waits for shows up as well. He looks around all who are in attendance glad things have remained calm thus far.
 With the announcement things will be starting soon, the Mon Calamari that have been running around start to take seats - a good lot of them Sarcats. One of the Calamarian woman, older than Nissa, actually steps forward and gives her a shove towards the area cleared before she stage. "I told you before you left last year, not to bring anyone famous home," the woman says, winking. "And you still did!"
Nissa just rubs a dark stripe above one eye, her color darkening slightly. "Mother...not here." She's smiling, though.
 There is a bit of a stirring among the Prime Minister's bodyguard, and some of them scan the crowd more carefully. A stirring in the backstage area of the cantina suggests perhaps the Prime Minister has arrived.
 Mi'yuki enters the cantina, not sure what to really expect. She seems a little surprised and caught off guard by what she sees. It appears that there's a wedding about to start. Immediately the adolescent looks down at her attire, a choice of clothes for a mechanic in the belly of a starship, not that of a lady invited to an important occasion. Putting her badly stained hands behind her back she maneuvers through the crowds, attempting her best at blending in. Eventually she ends up beside Tuil. "Umm..."
 A faint grin spreads on the boy's face to Serenella's remark, maybe even a smirk, the lips curling just enough to show amusement. "Busy men, those two," Liam waves a free hand dismissively. "I am sure they will make it up to the couple, at a later time. At least you brought company." He casts a tilt of the head to the pram.
There is a bit of a drum roll from the musicians, the sort of increasing crescendo designed to get the attention of an audience.
 "Brought my favorite man in the galaxy along.", Serenella replies to Liam, giving him a smirk of her own, then actually shuts up when the musicians start to drum roll.
 Tuil glances over at Mi'yuki as she sits down beside him. "Ah, Miss Moon! I didn't expect to see you here. How are you doing? Is everything going well with your business?" Noticing her looks at her garb, he smiles and shrugs. "Just keep low. They'll never notice you what with all the crying for the bride."
 "Here you go," Pesiro responds to the man at the door when asked for an invitation. The Sullust President hands over a datapad with the recording. However unnecessary, Pesiro does like the formalities of such. The Sullust President is dressed in a black tuxedo with matching black gloves, belt, and shoes. He wears a black top hat upon his head and carries a white cane. "Ah, seems I arrived just in time," he comments as he moves further into the area, attempting to locate the place he should be standing/sitting.
Ibrahim turns as the band starts a drum roll, glancing around for a firing squad, and quickly realizing it is another purpose. He sets his glass down in his lap and stands a bit straighter.
 Nissa glances out over the crowd, smiling a bit before her attention turns elsewhere at the sound of the music changing as well, and she tilts her head, waiting.
 "You kind of... paged me," the adolescent says in a murmur to the man. "Maybe you could have given me some kind of heads up," Mi'yuki says as she takes a seat beside Tuil. As the music begins to rise she just sinks down in the chair, keeping a low profile.
 "Maybe you should stand over there, with the rest of the gifts." Tres advises P3G2 hopefully from their seats. "But - sir. I don't see why.." The protocol droid starts to respond. "Shhh. They're starting." Tres interrupts, and falls silent.
 Armed and armored to the teeth - usual for a Quarren- the sound of Arkai's footsteps have a metallic quality to them - maybe it's all that armor he's wearing. Oh well. A guard stops him, he flashes an ID and continues to move along, eyes looking from person to person before they find Crienna, and he heads that way.
 "Of course I'm coming! I wouldn't stand you up," Aiden says with a smile. "Besides, if I shun Chairman Tills, how will I ever get promoted?" He winks. "Oh, the present ... sorry! I just got something small, a like, cheese-slash-wine sort of thing... fish do eat cheese, right?" 
 Spotting Arkai, Crienna slips in that general direction as well, moving quietly towards him with a delighted smile.
 Mi'yuki reaches out and quietly places a hand upon Tuil's forearm. She gives it a small squeeze as if to wordlessly communicate something.
 Liam taps a finger to his lips, winking mischievously to the Chancellor's wife. "I won't tell Lord D'hannen, then." And, once again, sits still again, hands moving to cup the glass of water in his lap.
 A Mon Calamari in a fancy top hat appears on the stage as the drum roll ends. "Honor guests! Honored members of the Republic Navy and the Republic Guard! Honored planetary leaders! Honored Jedi! Honored Senators! Honored businessmen! Honored invitees of all stripes and species and honorabilities, it is my privilege to welcome you to our humble planet of Mantan, the seaside resort capital of the Galaxy! And to the Seaside Cantina, the Sarcat family's special gift to the weary tourist! Seat yourselves, and we shall soon have the honored Bridegroom and Bride-to-Be appear before you to pledge their troth in recognition of a contract negotiated with the bride-to-be's family. As is customary, a six month betrothal is required before a formal wedding, and that betrothal shall begin today, or rather, after due celebration, when the contract witnessed today is finally signed on Mon Calamari with the Bridegroom’s family present! Seat yourselves! And save your applause, please, gentle beings, for the end of the ceremony."
 Tuil glances at Mi'yuki. "Miss Moon, please. Be proper." He smirks and then turns to listen to the master of ceremonies...
 Serenella manages a genuine smile at Liam's little joke and takes a sip of champagne, while listening to the speech, her eyebrows arching upwards until they almost shoot off her head at the mention of a six month betrothal.
 "Hello, honey," the male Quarren stretches an arm out to wrap it around Crienna's waist once she is close, though armor might get in the way of a warmer greeting. "I've been looking for you /everywhere/. Where have you been?"
 Ibrahim folds his arms as others are greeted and he lifts a brow as he mentions under his breath, "Is this in invite-only party? That might explain the free whiskey..." but then he sips his whiskey and moves into a more thick part of the crowd.
 Pesiro finds himself a seat just before the Mon Calamari in a fancy top hat begins his announcement. The Sullust President raises a brow over his protective visor. "Sounds more impersonal than a Sullustan marriage," he comments aloud with a mutter. "More business than anything."
 Aiden looks oddly confused and leans across to Jasmine, "So they're not even getting married?" 
 Nissa remains where she is for a long moment, smiling. She then moves more fully into the area cleared for the occasion, one hand resting on a hip, as she looks up at the functionary. "Have you actually seen my fiancé anywhere nearby?" she asks, clearly amused.
 "Oh, here, there, and yonder. . .Mon Cal, mostly, looking into this and that," purrs Crienna delightedly in a low voice, nestling against the opened arm. "How about yourself? I seem to keep missing you. . .and *missing* you. . . ."
 "My apologies," Mi'yuki replies, retrieving her hand and placing it with her other in a clasped position atop her lap. Her attention goes towards the Calamarian who makes the great announcement. Reflexively her eyes go towards the back of the cantina to see who the pair might be.
 "Really?" Liam asides to Serenella, the closest ear he can find. "Six months? Seems more complicated than a Bith endocrine system. So, they're going to get married after that, right?"
 Serenella nods slowly and frowns at the boy. "You're a doctor, aren't you? Shouldn't you know about stuff like this? I wonder what happens if one gets pregnant by mistake and there needs to be a really hurried wedding? DO Mon Cals get pregnant anyway?", she wonders half to herself, half to Liam. "I guess six months is a good trial period. IF you manage to last that long together, you'll last for a whole lifetime."
 Tuil glances over at Miss Moon and nods to her. "Has business been doing well for you?"
 Tres looks to the muttering Sullustan President, down a seat or so from him. "I'd hate to see the paperwork for the honeymoon." He returns, good naturedly in a quiet voice.
 "I'm not at all sure if Mon Calamari eat cheese, but they must do," Jasmine whispers to Aiden with a grin. "Isn't it lovely? The bride herself was hanging decorations... so refreshing to see someone taking pride in their own nuptials, rather than leaving it to everyone else to make the day perfect," the CEO intones, glancing to her right at the arrival of one Miss Moon.
"Do you also run a wedding holography service, Master Lindo?" the lady with the pillbox fascinator asks, from behind the webbing of navy netting that hangs over her eyes.
 There is a stir now, and Meena Tills finally makes an appearance, coming up on the stage near to Nissa, flanked by some of his bodyguard -- the rest still keeping a vigilant eye for ne'er-do-wells in the crowd.
The top-hatted Mon Calamari -- apparently the Mayor of Mantanui -- bows. "Prime Minister Tills," he declaims, "It does Mantan and Mantanui and the Seaside Resort Great Honor to Welcome you to our Humble Planet."
 "Me too," Arkai replies, and his tone lowers somewhat, but his arms are still around Crienna. "Me too. Anyway, here to partake in these festivities?"
 Ibrahim scratches his chin as the other Mon Cal arrives and he smirks, "This certainly takes quite a long time to do anything..."
 The Sullust President chuckles at Tres' comment. "Indeed. Only two creatures with a true bond would seem to go through all this... bureaucracy." Pesiro pauses. "Seems terribly inefficient to me, however."
 "Indeed I am," replies Crienna, snuggling against him. "The Prime Minister has been a good friend, and Nissa is such a dear."
She falls quiet as she listens.
 Nissa very much looks like she might feel inclined hop down from the stage, being the only one up there besides the mayor. She relaxes a bit as Meena finally makes an appearance, shaking her head and smiling as she moves to hook one arm through his.
{Pose|Aiden}} "What's the point of this... you know what, never mind," Aiden says, clearly confused but not really minding the chance to go to a party and for free booze. "Sorry I'm late, Jas. Something came up on the Ryloth." 
 Tuil turns to Jasmine and shakes his head. "My program on frequency 75 needs some still images and motion clips of events for a segment I am planning. I am hoping that perhaps I can convince the bride and groom to have their ceremonial vows exchanged on the show, if that is allowed under Mon Cal law."
 Meena Tills inclines his head and whispers something to Nissa Sarcat. The Mayor stands by self-importantly, waiting for a word from Nissa to ... unleash ... her family on the bridegroom. In a manner of speaking.
 A pat of Aiden's hand, before Jasmine smiles. "Not a problem, I understand," she whispers with a grin. "Oh, how novel," the lady remarks to the Master Jedi, considering it. "Perhaps if not the vows, an exclusive interview with the happy couple? I'm sure that'd get great ratings."
 Tuil nods. "We'll see. By the way, I hoped to ask you if you received my holo message regarding permissions for visiting Cloud City?"
 Liam pinks a little at the woman's reply. "I'll-- I can't just explain something like that in public. But, it's rather like the mammalian..." His flush deepens and he looks down at his glass, and he is ever so quiet. At least for a little while. "You didn't wait that long with the Lord Chancellor," he adds, earlier flustering replaced with a cool smirk.
 Nissa seems perfectly content to stand there and smile, though the mischief in her eyes might clearly be seen. She glances back towards the seated crowd, before she gives a careful nod to the mayor. A glance toward Meena, and she smirks. "They're just family...I swear they won't bite," she says quietly. Even at the nod, several of the family move to stand, waiting for word to step forward.
 "Marriage is like buying a cruiser. You write up the papers, arrange the payments, and make sure everything is set smoothly before you take off." Tres mutters back, at an appropriate volume.
"Pardon me, Sir." P3G2 interrupts, "That isn't like a marriage at all. Would you like me to recite the definition? Marriage:.."
"No." Tres insists. "No, thank you.."
 "It seems a bit odd to ask people to get married on a show," Aiden muses. 
 "As well as it can when I am attempting to do several things at once. I have slowed plans and am cutting back to free up more time to engage in my new hobby," Mi'yuki explains to Tuil.
 Ibrahim sees the growing commotion and grunts a bit as he moves through the crowd, slipping into a less visible position.
 It's a good thing that the wedding reception is going on and there's a particularly dense sort of mingling of different species, otherwise drunken Mon Calamari would be singing in unison in voices that span from the subsonic to the ultrasonic. An odd experience, surely, for an outsider to see. Nonetheless, a rustle of purple silk trimmed in cloth of gold embroidery is about the only sound that the taller Falleen makes as he steps into the Cantina with a chin lifted a few notches above horizontal and a lazily sort of half smile resting on thin lips. Raziel does not quite pause at the door, instead making his way inside and toward the crowds with the grace of one born to mingle without having his feet stepped on.
 Serenella frowns at Liam. "What's mammalian? Don't use all those high-strung medical terms with me!", she huffs and takes another sip of champagne, then beams. "No, we didn't wait that long! He was really eager to get married quickly!", she explains proudly, "It was more romantic than this wheeler-dealing the Calamarians do here."
 Tuil glances the other way at Mi'yuki and nods. "If I have any more ships that require your attention, I will be sure to see if you have time. I don't wish to interrupt your free time."
 Jasmine frowns, looking down slightly as if trying to recall. "A message for permissions? No, I can't say that I did receive it Master Lindo. You have to understand," she whispers, leaning slightly towards the Master Jedi, "it was a measure to protect my people. I'd be happy to extend the same permissions to you as I have to Master Dawnrunner."
 Kalira isn't exactly the last one to arrive, but due to some faulty piloting moves (entirely her own, she's very inept) she does arrive a good deal later than she'd planned. She approaches the edge of the crowd gathered around the happy couple and searches for familiar, friendly, faces and manages to spot several but aims for one she knows will give her a summary of what she's missed.
The Mayor of Mantanui leans conspiratorially toward Nissa. "Ready when you are," he says to her in a soft voice.
 Tuil nods as he turns back to Jasmine and leans closer, "I would appreciate it greatly. Your work that you discussed at our last meeting intrigued me and I hope to discuss it further with you and Doctor Khan. Such permissions would greatly aid our shared efforts."
 Nissa nods towards the Mayor, glancing back at her family. "Go for it," she says, smiling a big nervously.
 Pesiro chuckles at the droid's comment rather than its owner. "Ah... not much of a romantic are you Mr..." A pause. "I do not believe we have ever met before."
 "Well the income has definitely slowed but it’s all right. There's more to life than creds, right," Mi'yuki asks, her eyes going towards Tuil's. She then shakes her head slowly.
 Jasmine nods, watching the display at the front and looking a trifle nervous. "I'll draw up the papers after I return from my vacation, I'm taking a week off start today," she whispers. Leaning toward Aiden, a few words are exchanged. "I... what does she mean by 'go for it?' ... he can't afford to be eaten by the in-laws..
 The Mayor stands self-importantly, consulting a list.
"Very well," he says.
"The first member of the Sarcat family to reach an agreement with the Prime Minister to allow him to bring Nissa Sarcat into the Tills family is Zarra Sarcat."
 "Victory." The young man in the flight suit offers, extending a hand past one of the other seated guests. "Excuse me." He adds. "Tres Victory. The pleasure is all mine."
"Oh, and he's…” He starts to introduce P3G2. "He's not important." Tres decides.
 Terienn still sits quietly among all the whispered chatter, trying to pay as much attention as she can.
 The Sullustan smirks as the man starts, but stops from introducing his droid. "Ah. Good to meet you. I am Pesiro Nonobi," Pesiro responds, introducing himself without any of the various titles he holds or has held.
 Once called, the small Calamarian girl Nissa was arguing with earlier marches up the stairs and onto the stage, no shyness about her at all. In fact, she seems to have a gathering of children of various ages following her - cousins, perhaps? She comes to stand in front of Meena and Nissa, hands politely clasped in front of her. "You promised a year of candy?" she asks, her small voice barely carrying to all present in cantina.
 "It's--" Liam gapes at the woman, seemingly unable to find the right words to explain himself. Especially not in fine company. "Well, nothing important, really. Like, people. Except," he takes another moment to place another smirk on his lips. "the fertility cycles are more spaced out. You know, that probably explains the complexity of the process."
As the Mon Calamari on stage begins to speak, the boy glances that-a-way, listening with the best the attentive efforts one his age can manage, but soon finds his eyes drifting elsewhere, looking over the guests. His meandering glance stills as he catches sight of the Tatooine Headwoman, and he subtly waves her over to the chair conveniently empty at his side, then, dutifully, returns to watching the ceremonies, grinning to the request of the little girl.
 Jasmine smiles wide. "Oh how precious!" the CEO giggles, watching the young Calamarian girl with her other age-akin followers.
 "Mr. Nonobi." Tres enthuses quietly in acknowledgement, withdrawing his hand quickly as the ceremony progresses. He can't help but smile at the young Calamarians demand for candy. He wouldn't mind some candy.
 Serenella tries to follow Liam's chatter but her frown deepens and she finally waves her hand about dismissively. "Oh shut up, kid, you're not making sense." she informs him and sips some champagne while trying to focus on what's going on on stage. She chuckles softly at the little girl's request and leans over to Liam again: "Hmmm, good business for my popsicle stall I believe."
 Meena Tills inclines his head to Zarra Sarcat. "You drive a hard bargain," he says softly. "But yes, a year's supply of candy is precisely what I have agreed to. Do you have any final additional points to note, or shall we enter it into the contract?"
 Arkai glances at Tres and heads that way, silently. Pesiro's talking to him? Well, he's acknowledged with a faint nod of his head before the Quarren starts: "Mr. Victory. Good to see you. Ready for next shipment?"
 Zarra frowns, her features scrunching a bit in thought. She finally shakes her head, giving two quick nods. "It's a deal!" she calls, practically grinning. Her little parade of small Mon Cal cousins let out whoops of excitement, before several of them actually jump Meena in hugs before rushing off the stage in laughter. Zarra just grins up at Nissa, before she moves on.
 Pesiro laughs at the little girl's demand upon the contract. "Ah... this is delightful. I rather hope someone else comes forward with a bit more... expensive demand. The young lady should have gone for toys or some other sort of novelty item that Mon Calamari children enjoy. Senator Tills has deep pockets after all."
 Tres gestures towards an empty seat as the Quarren approaches. It's a wonder there even was one. "Always ready to fly." He agrees in a whisper. "Do you know Mr. Nonobi?" He asks, figuring that they soon would anyway if they were going to sit by each other.
 The mayor consults his list. "All right. Mr. and Mrs. Sarcat, Nissa's parents?" ... he looks toward them.
 Tuil nods slowly at Mi'yuki's response and he shrugs. "I suppose so. Credits are easy come, easy go... What do you think of the ceremony so far, Miss Moon? More like a business negotiation than a betrothal."
 The First Lady's voice brings Liam's attention back to her. Which, of course, is not always a good thing, considering the roll of his eyes. "Perhaps I will bring by a children's holobook on the topic. You could read it to Tara, though glean a few things from it, as well." Condensation builds on the glass in his hand, little drops of moisture forming on the exterior, rolling down his fingers, then disappearing amidst the thick fabric of his suit.
 Nissa attempts to cover a bit of laughter with a cough behind one hand, as her sister and cousins march off the stage. She tries to keep a calm expression as her parents now take the place of the candy troop. There are a few others with then, namely aunts and uncles. It's Nissa's mother and brother that step forward, though. Both look very serious at the moment, though there is some amusement from Mrs. Sarcat. "A year's worth of the best assortment of alcoholic drink that can be found at next auction, Prime Minister" she says, her smooth voice carrying.
Nissa's brother makes a sound that sound a bit like a snort. "And they both come back for all holidays for the next three years," he adds.
 Pesiro looks over at the Quarren that arrives at his table. "Ah, good to meet you. Mr. Victory gave my name, but I did not hear yours," Pesiro comments with a smile.
 Finding that Graham is entirely engrossed with the proceedings, Kalira makes her way towards Liam and the empty chair that is conveniently beside him. She eases into it silently, murmuring, "Did I miss more than the first two negotiations?" she asks before nodding to Serenella with a, "Salutations," also murmured.
 Serenella turns her head very slowly back to Liam, her eyes giving him a sharp look. "My daughter is three, kid! I hope your holobook won't contain anything.... inappropriate. I'm not sure what your Dad let you read at that age, but my daughter only reads proper things for her age!", she huffs and falls silent as the next request is made. She nearly sits on her hands to suppress the urge to clap and whistle for Nissa's Mom. A woman after her own heart!
 Meena Tills inclines his head to the Sarcat family. That could be a very expensive item indeed, but he seems quite prepared to pay it.
"Agreed," Meena Tills says. "My wife-to-be is certainly worth such a blessing to your cantina!" And he squeezes Nissa's arm affectionately.
 Curiosity mixed with a flat sort of expression rests on the Falleen's face as he moves through the crowds for a moment longer before finally settling somewhere in between Jasmine and Liam, lightly plucking up a glass of water between long and slender fingers. Raziel pauses to lift the glass to his lips, sipping at it and canting his head to the side (left. four and a half degrees.) as he regards the Mon Calamari spectacle a moment longer.
"I am rather quite sure I have no idea what is going on at all. I assume, however, that this is some sort of pre-marital custom?" Raziel asks lightly of the nearest sentient.
 Arkai sits down in the aforementioned seat, offering Tres a nod of his head. His red eyes fix upon Pesiro. "Yes," he says, in a half-mutter. "He voted for the opposition."
 Jasmine's head turns, looking through the veil of her fascinator with a grin in Raziel's direction. "It is, indeed. A negotiation of sorts," she murmurs, quietly, as not to be obtrusive.
"The young Calamarian's already negotiated a year's worth of candy..."
 "Aren't most things in life a series of transactions, negotiations, and contracts," Mi'yuki replies to Tuil in a murmur as the proceedings happen in front on stage. "Its interesting enough for my first wedding slash betrothal. I bet the merchants love it. They get to sell cake... twice! Is there any cake?" Her head swivels around to see if there.
 Mrs. Sarcat smiles, more a smile only mothers seem to manage more than anyone else. She nods slowly, the gesture almost exact to the only Zarra gave. It might be clear where the little Mon Cal gets the move from, and where Nissa seems to have inherited her stripes as well. She and her husband move off the stage with Nissa's brother. Her mother glances over her shoulder, smiling as she calls, "Take care of her!" before they leave the stage clear.
Nissa just shakes her head, smiling as she settles a bit closer to Meena.
 "I assure you, very proper. Its light reading for children, but very educational. She'll have to learn sometime," Liam comments lightly to Serenella. "Better now than from you-- I mean, later." He covers his slip with a small cough, and takes a sip from his glass.
 Tuil glances back at the bar. "Just spirits as far as I've seen." He glances over at Jasmine. "Miss Monroe, what is this garment you wear in front of your face called?"
 "All right!" the Mayor declaims. "The final clauses in the contract near to being settled, there is one last person who must be satisfied... Nissa's aunt, Goldie Sarcat!"
There is a low muttering, as if those who listen who are in the know expect her to be the ... hardest to please.
 Serenella frowns at Liam, who can thank his lucky stars that Kalira just joined them, so she desists the urge to thwap him about the bald head. "I do not think you have any idea of what you're talking about anyway." she huffs and gives the woman a smile. "Hello! It's a rather fascinating ceremony, one has to admit."
 Meena Tills stirs slightly. The angle of his arms and neck suggests a certain nervousness, as if he knows what is coming ... and it's sure to be something.
 "A year's worth of confection?" Raziel glances over at the CEO of Bespin with a flick of yellow eyes. "I assume, then, that I have only arrived at the very beginning of the negotiations for dowry."
 "Indeed," Kalira agrees as she rests her hands calmly on one knee, legs crossed, as she makes herself comfortable in the chair. "Being bartered away, though, I'm presuming this is a sort of bride-price where Mr. Tills is obliged to pay for the honor of making the lady Nissa his bride?" she murmurs this question, clearly trying to clarify the proceedings.
 Jasmine's fingers ply the netting of her headgear slightly, that falls just enough to cover her brow and eyes but allows for sight. "Oh, this? A pillbox fascinator. It's a tradition on Vasatissa that ladies wear them to formal occasions such as weddings," replies the lady to Tuil. "I've many of them, just happened to have one in the right colour."
 Even as the ceremony continues, the weather seems to be changing slowly outside of the cantina. The heaviness in the air is growing, and the clouds outside darkening as they grow closer to the shore. An approaching storm?
At the call of her name, a loud cackle seems to rise in the air. A very aged Mon Cal begins to make her way slowly towards the stage, her ivory cane smacking on the floor of the cantina. One of the Sarcat cousins passes in front of her, and she pauses, waving her cane at him. "Watch the Krakana bone!" she shouts. She picks up to speed as she ambles along, clearly strong despite her age. As she reaches the stage, hip flask is retrieved, and she kicks back a gulp a moment later.
A pause, a blink at the couple. "What was it you promised me?" she asks the armored one.
Nissa looks somewhere between fearful, and about to fall over in completely amusement. She glances towards Meena, and back to her Aunt Goldie, clearly waiting to see what happens.
 Tuil nods slowly, noting the interesting name for such a thing to be worn on the head. He turns back to the ceremony to catch up on what has gone on in the last few moments.
 Meena Tills looks up. ".... Aunt ... Goldie," he says, his voice very, very warm. "Welcome to the betrothal. I take it you have the clause you wish to be added to the contract ready?"
 "Something like that." Serenella confirms with a grin, "You could also say: A public fleecing of Mr. Tills by the Sarcat clan to prize their treasured girl from them. But he's rich, so he can afford a year's supply of candy, booze and... Whatever the old bat wants." Her eyes focus on Aunt Goldie and she giggles a bit. "She's fascinating, but I'm sure glad she isn't MY aunt."
 And, with the Headwoman's presence among them, Liam stills his tongue from further remarks to the Lady Jordain. "Good afternoon, Doctor Valen," he pipes instead, more subdued, to the woman at his side. "Did you know the engagement process was so complex?"
 Raziel continues watching the Mon Calamari marital negotiations through the corner of his eye even as he turns slightly to regard Jasmine, now, with a faint half grin on his lips. The left corner of his mouth is twitched up, chin lifted, though he remains silent until Tuil turns away.
"Finding the atmosphere more pleasant than the last, dryer climate I spoke to you on, Doctor Monroe?" Raziel queries in a light tone, bringing the glass to his lips once more and sipping at it. Sip.
 Jasmine smirks at Raziel, shaking her head.
"Come, Tatooine has a majesty all of its own! I quite like it there, then again, I am partial to tropical weather. And you, Lord? Travels finding lots of interesting things for you?" she asks, quietly-- a look cast at wonderful Aunt Goldie as she ambles her way up there to the happy couple. A fleeting moment of amusement as it looks like the Prime Minister may have met his match!
 "Tatoooine in an interesting place, though rather moreso for the types of sentients that flock there than anything I could find myself on the planet," Raziel responds with a light shrug of his left shoulder before lips uncurl into a smirk of his own that flashes white teeth a moment. "I really must go back there, and purchase something of a summer home should I choose to stay out in the Galaxy a while longer. There has been, alas, rather little to capture my attention as of late. I believe I have visited most of the major planets of the Republic excepting a few; and once more it is to the sentients that populate that I have found my interested captured by."
Raziel flicks a hand lightly at the Mon Calamari ceremony underway in a flourishingly lazy gesture. "I am rather partial to the dry warmth, honestly. I was thinking of stopping on Vanix for a moment, after all this here is said and done, 'less I could find the metaphorical area off the 'edge of the map.'"
"Something I have not yet seen."
A quiet, rolling rumble echoes through the air, from the direction of the shore. Thunder?
Some of the security officials look up suspiciously at the noise.
 "Ah... I hope you do not hold that against me," Pesiro comments to Arkai. "I was simply doing a favor to a close college. It was nothing against your own credentials."
 Kalira shakes her head, a small smile of amusement on her face, "No, I must admit that I did not. Matrimonial traditions are not something that I have any genuine data on. I'm a doctor, a scientist, not a bridal consultant," she admits, giving Serenella another nod at her remarks.
 For a moment, Goldie smacks her lips thoughtfully, peering upwards through her monocle at the blue armored Mon Calamari. Removing it briefly, she points the end of her bone cane directly at his face and seems about to say something when thunder roars in the distance...and she completely loses her train of thought: "Somebody's doin' target practice out on th' sea. Keep it down!" She waves the cane at the group around them in general, squinting at how blurred they appear without her eye-wear.
"Where was I...Oh yesh!" She pops the manacle back in and steps toward Meena Tills: "A skyhook restaurant stationed over Mantan. Fully equipped and upgraded. You ain't getting my favorite niece cheap ya know." 
 "Of course not," Arkai nods, respectfully, to Pesiro. "No wrong, no foul. Although it seems persistence paid off in the end - I won though I wouldn't call it a landslide."
 Serenella watches the stage curiously, her eyes widening at Goldie's request. "If that old bat runs a restaurant, everything'll taste of vinegar.", she mutters to her neighbors and smirks, "No match for my Ortolan chef, I predict. Anyway, I feel a little responsible for all this, since it was me who first nudged Tills and Nissa together.", she explains to Kalira, "Can you believe this big Calamari guy all shy and blushing like a flower?", she smiles.
 "I thought Zarra was her favorite," Nissa murmurs, though only loud enough that Meena might here. She's smiling, though. She straightens as Aunt Goldie draws closer, glancing towards Meena for his response.
 Meena Tills inclines his head. "You shall have it," he replies. "It's the least I could do for you, dear Aunt Goldie."
His voice actually sounds sincere.
 Pesiro nods his head to Arkai. "Indeed. Do not take a narrow victory as anything but a sign that you had another qualified opponent running against you. My original election was won by less than a tenth of a percent. I am sure you faired far better."
Another rumble of thunder, louder and closer this time. The clouds appear to be moving in rather quickly, the natural light darkening a bit as they do.
 Tuil glances at Mi'yuki. "Miss Moon, do you like being rained upon?"
 "Wow, I hope not all weddings are this demanding on a groom," Liam looks to the doctor again, after watching the exchange on the stage. "I'd hate to imagine what a bride's family would ask of Father, if he ever chooses to pursue such endeavors."
 "Vanix is nice, you should visit Vasatissa. Just as lovely, sans the clones," Jasmine remarks to Raziel, with a smile. Her hand reaches into her clutch, withdrawing a pale blue parasol.
 Mi'yuki glances towards Tuil and shakes her head slowly as her eyes roll towards the ominous clouds. "I have a bad feeling about this," she murmurs softly. It looks like the ceremony is in dire straits.
 "I ... think I have, yes," Arkai agrees with a faint nod of his head. "So how is SoroSuub fairing in the aircraft business nowadays? Planning on expanding your fighter lines?"
 Kalira makes a small sound of amusement, "Knowing your father, he'd probably just steal the woman and be done with it," is said in a light voice that's colored with barely controlled laughter.
 An evil smirk lights "Dear" Aunt Goldie's features and she does the Mon Calamari equivalent of raising her eyebrows so that the monocle pops back out of her eye accidentally and plunks on the floor somewhere nearby: "Drat it all..." she mutters, leaning to go looking for it: "N'body move!"
However, her attention span is short lived and she waves it off: "Eh, I've got more 't home." Reaching for Meena's hand, she grasps it in her gnarly finned fingers and gives him a warm shake, slapping him on the back with her other hand: "Welcome to th' family, son. Here, have a swig," she hands him the silver flask. "Brewed it myself in the cellar. Can't stick it in glass - eats the bottom out..."
 Oooo, that one is impossible to resist and Serenella grins at Liam: "I'm sure it will cost your father ALOT to persuade any woman to take you off his hands.", she replies and looks up to the clouds with a frown, then half-stands to make sure Hayden is still asleep in his pram, watched over by Pinky.
 "Vasatissa? I am afraid, I think, that I do not know the planet," Raziel responds in an even sort of way, the drizzling of rain as it pitter patters down going ignored for the moment. Spots of damp spot his silk.
 Meena Tills takes the bottle and takes a long, slow swig. Only a slight sign of trembling at the helmet where he is sipping through a straw betrays any untoward response. Though after, his voice is ... hoarse.
"Thank you, Aunt Goldie," he says. "The remaining clauses of the contract are standard: protection from predators, vengeance against any who seek to harm my bride, care and protection of the young ... so without bothering to read the standard clauses, since the weather is getting worse, come inside, and enjoy the buffet!"
 "There are a number of potential designs being weighed, though there has not been a great deal of movement on the subject. It is more of a problem that SoroSuub is quite happy to sell Talon III's and sees only considering a smaller fighter to compare with the X-wing or a better microfighter than the TIE as really worth pursuing." Pesiro answers Arkai's question. "However, few individuals have come forward to propose project to SoroSuub, even though we have made repeated offers to consider them."
 "Vasatissa is in the Coruscant system, a hyperjump away," she replies to Raziel as her hand works to extend the parasol outward. It opens, lifted over her shoulder and enough at least to protect her head from the rain without blocking anyone's view behind her.
"It's a great casino world, you'd enjoy it!"
 Terienn sits as attentively as ever listening to the rest of the ceremony. She blinks as a raindrop lands on her nose. Tucking a lock of hair behind her hear, she waits patiently until the others in her row have risen at the invitation of Tills.
 Nissa actually coughs at the offering of the flask, giving a truly worried glance toward Meena. "I wouldn't...drink that," she says, speaking close so that her Aunt can't hear her...hopefully. Seems she's too late, though Even as she speaks, helpers from the cantina staff are setting out food everywhere. Mainly seafood, but there are other more comment dishes as well, for those who wish to eat something more well known.
Even as the announcement for food is given though, the building Mantan storm seems to swoop down on the gathering. The rain falling in large, downpouring drops on everyone. Nissa stands there a moment, and laughs softly.
 "Ah, yes. Merr Sonn Systems has received a few projects and concepts later and is working on sponsoring them. Sooner or later, the details of this will be out, surely," Arkai brushes his fingers against his tentacles, humming.
 Aunt Goldie slips her arm through Nissa's before she can barely finish voicing her objections. Giving Meena an approving nod - actually she's looking at an entirely different person now - but how can she tell without her monocle? - she smirks: "Aww, quit yer worryin' hun. It'll put scales on his chest!" And with that, she moves on in toward the promised food.
 Tuil makes his way unobtrusively to the bar and looks back from his vantage point as he looks to Mi'yuki. "This could go on all day, Miss Moon, perhaps you have time to go and change before the dance if you are worried about your attire?"
 "I suppose that I could," Mi'yuki replies from under the cover of the bar's eves. "Though I'll get soaked trying to get back and forth from my ship. I don't know if wearing a wet dress is any more appropriate than what I have on."
 "That's was you say, Aunt Goldie..." Nissa mutters, before giving a small sound of protest as she's dragged along with Aunt Goldie. And, in turn, dragging Meena along with her. "Watch the stairs, Aunt!" Even as they move across the stage, the rain picks up to a violent downpour, no doubt beginning to soak anyone who hasn't moved inside yet. Lightning forks across the sky, sending thunder across the ocean.
 Meena Tills leads the three of them ... Goldie, Nissa and himself ... off the stage and down to the inside portion of the cantina, where the buffet is set up ...
 A little rain, to a Corellian? Hardly a blink is given to the coming thunder from the ocean, or the large droplets finding their way down on the crowds as Liam grins to the headwoman. "Surely, he won't have to resort to that." But, his gaze does pass over the doctor to Serenella, grinning faintly, then rises to accept the invitation to find shelter from the rain.
 Raziel gives Jasmine a faint nod, chin lowering and lifting once more with the half smile never leaving his lips. "It does sound wonderful. Perhaps, then, I shall make it a point to look toward Vasatissa for one of my next endeavors. Things on Bespin going well, I hope? I was there none too long ago."
 Terienn files outward with her row toward where the food is being set up. Her hands folded with dignity in front of her torso, she merely blinks away the water of the increasing storm.
 Serenella tags after Liam into the bar to find some food, stepping away from kid and doctor to check on Hayden who's woken up and looks cranky. Lifting him from the pram and onto her arm, she carries him towards the buffet. "Okay, here's the deal, honey - Mommy's gonna stuff herself now, then we'll go home and pick up your sister and I'll feed you both and we'll find out where the heck your Dad is and why he hasn't turned up at his best friend's engagement.", she grumbles.
 "Oh?" Goldie's voice rises incredulously at Nissa's comment: "You've seen him bare-chested then?" She peers in the direction she thinks /looks/ like Meena as they climb the stairs. Bone cane smacking on the floor as they reach the buffet, she sniffs the air, pausing for a moment before releasing her niece's arm and saying gleefully: "Spirits!" Of course, referring to the scent of various alcohols wafting from the bar - for which she toddles instantly.
 Standing from her seat, Jasmine tugs on Aiden's sleeve. "I wonder, do Republic Navy Captain's dance?" she asks, looking up to Raziel then. "Ah yes, Bespin is doing fine. So fine, in fact, that starting today I'm taking a week-long vacation. My first since... I took office. No... before then," she murmurs, shaking her head.
"Anyhow, it's been too long and a vacation is far overdue. I'm spending a few days here in the Mon Calamari system, then returning home to visit family. I'm hoping things will hold together until my return," Jasmine chuckles, with a grin.
 Tuil shrugs. "Perhaps hire a cab or bring an umbrella?"
 "Maybe we should talk about this indoors?" Pesiro suggests to Arkai. "I assume you are primarily working on new amri, blasters and vehicle projects? Seems rather foolish for Merr Sonn to expand beyond that... after all, it doesn't even have a shipyard to support such." Pesiro holds his hat over his head to do his best to shield himself from the rain. "I would be rather happy to get some food as well."
 Arkai doesn't seem bothered by the rain. Maybe because he's a Quarren, and, well, his species lives underwater. But, being a businessman who understands the sensitivies of others that he certainly is, he stands up after a moment. "Of course."
 As the three of them move under the cover of the indoors, music begins to pick up from further in. A little winter storm never hurt! Little may be an understatement, though, for the rain is beating on the room harsh enough to rattle it. The next flash of lightning actually sounds as if it strikes right atop the building. Nissa jumps a bit at the sound, before looking towards her Aunt. Her color darkens, and she just shakes her head. "No comment," she calls politely after Goldie as she moves towards the bar.
 Meena Tills does not move toward the bar, or rather, he does because Nissa does and he is still holding her arm ... but he makes no move to drink anything more. "What is the drink Goldie keeps in there?" he inquires.
 Raziel gives a very idle sort of nod toward Jasmine, smiling briefly as thin lips stretch for the gesture before his expression falls flat once more. "Well, at the end of your vacation, I should like to speak with you, I think. Do enjoy yourself."
 Raziel gives a parting nod before heading toward a newly espied sentient in the crowd, and making his way toward Effie. "Princess Euphemia of House Bellamy of Vanix. Enjoying the rain?" he asks lightly, gesturing up at the falling drops of water. Pitter pat.
 Aiden looks up to Jasmine, grinning. "Of course, Captains dance. We even had a class about it at the Academy ... how ridiculous is that?" He stands up, pausing for an awkward moment and then taking her arm, glancing up at the roof as the thunder booms overhead. "Nice ceremony, huh? Though I was expecting them to actually, you know, get married..." 
 Euphemia Bellamy has been observing from the verge for a while, frowning a little, apparently puzzled by the combination of rain and an unclear ceremony. She turns her head toward Raziel, swiping her wet hair out of her eyes. "I am trying to make sense of this ritual," she remarks. "My etiquette primers didn't cover it."
 Kalira's head tilts back as the rain starts to fall, a bit of a novelty to one who makes her home on a desert world. "You never know," she replies to Liam, keeping her expression entirely blandly neutral - save for the obvious delight at seeing rain so suddenly. While many others are gathering and preparing to make for shelter from the rain, Kalira remains seated. She uncurls her hands, turns her hands palm up, and lets the rain fall on her without so much as a murmur of discontent.
 "The Mayor has traded a skyhook restaurant and a year's supply of confectionary sweets so far for his Lady's hand," Raziel responds with a shrug of his left shoulder. "And I believe he may have ingested some sort of poison, or an overly alcohol-laden beverage of some sort of another."
 Nissa pauses, looking towards Meena at his question. She laughs softly, rubbing a dark stripe above one eye as her color darkens a bit. "It's, umm..." she pause, blinks. She then looks towards Goldie. "Aunt, what do you call that stuff?"
 Pesiro follows the entourage indoors. "So, no comment upon the types of projects in the loop on Merr Sonn?" Pesiro questions with a hint of curiosity to his voice. He puts his hat under his arm with his cane after arriving under shelter.
 "So it's some kind of formal bride-price negotiation?" Effie wonders, apparently tickled pink at the idea. She covers her mouth, to hide a smile, and murmurs something.
 Goldie cackles, overhearing Meena and Nissa. Still, she looks in the opposite direction when she addresses him, not able to see anything but a blur. "I call it Flaming Stinger... or ish it Stinging Flamer..." The elderly female Mon Calamari falls to pondering this as the fearful bar tender sets an insane concoction before her. Catching Euphemia Bellamy's comment about not understanding the ceremony, she picks up her glass and cants her head a bit. However, someone else clarifies the issue to her contentment and she drinks. "Ergh...ain't like mother used to make." 
 Slipping her hand in the nape of Aiden's elbow, Jasmine grins. "It's rather interesting to note the customs of the Calamarian's. But I surmise the actual ceremony is completed post-delivery of said year's supply worth of candy, booze and restaurant among the Mantan stars. A class on dancing?" she says, swirling the parasol as the pair make their way indoors, away from the threat of the booming rain and lightning to follow. "I imagine that's rather awkward, dancing with other men... or ... yes how does that work?"
 Amusement flitters to his face for a moment at whatever is murmured in his direction, and his voice lowers in response before he responds a little more loudly, "Something of a dowry system, I do believe."
 Not quite to the canopy, Liam hangs back, waiting for Doctor Valen to get her fill of the rain. A smile of sincere amusement crosses his lips, baring teeth and dimples.
 Meena Tills gives Aunt Goldie what his helmet makes look like a considering look. "An apt name," he says quietly. He looks around. "We got quite a crowd here, didn't we? When does the schedule call for the opening of gifts? Don't want to insult anyone by waiting too long."
 Euphemia Bellamy widens her eyes somewhat, nodding as the Falleen speaks to her. "It takes many different customs to enrich the galaxy," she says noncommittally. "Diversity of species and habits is what makes this galactic salad of sentience so interesting." She is wearing a pale, fire-colored robe, like sky at sunset, and soft, feathery boots.
 Aiden follows Bespin's CEO, a smile flashing across his face. "There are female Cadets at the Academy, Jas -- though not all that many of them, truth be told. For some reason the Navy appeals more to men ... it was a bit of a complicated process and did involve some awkward man-on-man moments, I must say. It's a good thing we have no don't ask don't tell policy in our Navy, let me just say." A wink. "In all seriousness, we outsourced that class to some sort of dancing academy in sector 485." 
 Terienn finally nears Pesiro amidst the drying-off throng. Ignoring her damp state, she greets, "Good afternoon, President Nonobi. It's nice to see you here, sir."
 "Back in my day," Goldie waves the cane to gesture here to Meena widely, nearly knocking the head off of a nearby waiter who ducks out of the way just in time: "These parties used t' last days...weeks! Everyone's in such a gall-bustin' hurry these days..." Tsk, tsk, tsk...she smacks her lips again, finishing off her drink. "Well, best get at it, youngsters. See what kinda loot's under all that gift wrap!"
 The storm continues to pick up, the ocean flooding along the shore as the wind kicks up the waves. Nissa glances out one of the windows, perhaps a bit worried as the roof continues to rattle with the incoming rain. She then smirks, glancing back towards Goldie. "You're mother, you say?" she asks, tilting her head, "At least the family's a bit more...sane these days." She shakes her head, looking towards Meena with a smile. "Shall we?"
 "I do suppose so. It would be hardly any interest at all to explore were there not a lush buffet -- pardon the expression -- of morsels to sate one's curiosity," Raziel's chin lowers a touch in agreement before raising to its spot a few notches up.
 To be fair, Kalira probably would've just stayed out in the rain until getting water logged. But.. this whole affair is not merely for her enjoyment of the climate. Her lips curve faintly in a smile, eyes shadowed with thought before she rises to her feet and straightens her jacket with a tug and turns towards the direction that everyone else retreated too. She spots Liam lingering in the doorway, a smile of amusement on his face as she approaches.
 With music everywhere, it's hard not to be inspired to dance. A hand on the Captain's shoulder, her other cradled in his palm, the pose assumed is a rather formal and appropriate stance for a proper lady. Ginger steps timed to the music start as Jasmine's heels click, timed to the beat"I suppose they teach dancing in Officer's school because a great deal of one's charge as an Officer includes formal occasions. Quite a good idea," she says, smiling lightly. "So, yes, as I was saying to Lord Raziel earlier, I'm on vacation for the next week. Tomorrow I leave for Vasatissa after the ball. Where does the Ryloth have you busy these days?" the lady asks of Aiden, pleasant conversation as others mingle about.
 The Sullust President takes a moment to pause with his conversation with Arkai to nod his head toward Brae. "Ah. Admiral Terienn. I had not seen you up until now. Making yourself a wallflower again, are we?" Pesiro questions with a hint of amusement in his voice.
COMSYS: (all channels) From Lightning Quick, A croaking, rasping, rough female voice says, "My invitation seems to have been lost in the holonetworks..."
 With a little grin, Euphemia inclines her head to Raziel and looks back to the betrothed, observing them with evident clinical interest. She turns to peer at Tuil's approach, as if she sensed him coming, and, reaching out a little hand, waves him closer.
 Meena Tills chuckles softly to Goldie. "Well, we really need to greet people first," he suggests, "though if they offer their gifts at the same time ... that's fine. I suppose wee should start at the top ..." ... and he leads the way over toward Euphemia Bellamy.
 Terienn stands up straighter, if that is at all possible, and reclasps her hands together in the small of her back. In a slightly officious tone, she replies, "Why, whatever do you mean, sir?"
 "Hmm," Arkai looks around, and slumps just a little, "I think I'm going for a walk. I need to take a swim." What kind of justification is that? At any rate, this Quarren moves out, to the landing field.
 "Still stuck out near Merr Sonn chasing down the occasional pirate. The trails go cold quickly out in space," Aiden laments, shaking his head. "I could use some shore leave as well... in fact, I'm due some. I think I'll have to make use of it, visit some old friends on Coruscant... maybe go to some casinos on Vasatissa...?" He tries not to make a fool of himself, keeping his feet moving roughly in time to the music.
As the Jedi seems to suffer some distress, Aiden glances curiously at them, lowering his voice. 
COMBAT: Tuil chokes. Asphyxiating spasms lightly wounds him, destroying Tuil's .
 "Course," Goldie rambles on, tapping her empty glass on the bar to get the attention of the busy tender again. "Course in my days we used t' fill the nighttime parts of these here parties with skinny-dipping in the moonlight..." Oh yes, Goldie is a wealth of information on Mon Calamari customs. Knocking back her drink quickly, she turns to Nissa and pokes her in the arm: "Remember how you used to go out evening's with me when you was a little kid to the sea...ah, them were the days..."
 Raziel shrugs his left shoulder very slightly and murmurs a reply to Euphemia, seemingly unaware of any choking going on. It's a crowded room, after all. "I do believe you have company approaching, Princess Euphemia of House Bellamy of Vanix," he murmurs, gesturing toward the approaching Meena Tills.
 Tuil rubs his throat as if experiencing the light effects of a sore throat himself and then turns to depart the scene, waving off his holographer friends to remain behind and keep up the good work.
 Nissa moves to follow Meena, though she frowns at the chiming of her comsys. Her gaze flickers to Aunt Goldie, and her color darkens considerably. She tries to suppress laughter, but moves to drag Meena quickly away from Goldie. She then retrieves it from wherever she's hidden it up until now, the frown deepening at what she hears. "Whthe..." she glances down at it.
 Meena Tills has not noticed anything untoward, if indeed it is, and simply strolls up to Euphemia Bellamy and company. "Thanks so much for honoring me with your presence," he tells her.
 "I am intensely pleased to hear of it," Euphemia says lightly, frowning a little as Tuil's presence recedes from her. Still, her smile returns as she turns toward Meena Tills, saying to Raziel, "Doubtless you've met the Chairman since you're at his ceremony, Lord Raziel. Chairman Tills--should I use some alternate title today?"
 Pesiro nods his head to Arkai. "Very well. Keep in touch as I am sure we can find projects to collaborate upon," the Sullust President comments before looking over at Terienn. "I am sure you don't..." Pesiro comment with a snarky tone. "How is Thyferra?" Pesiro seems rather oblivious of the Jedi's plight, as there are so many present.
 Meena Tills makes a small gesture. "I suppose Prime Minister. Though it doesn't matter. This is a private ceremony and festival."
 The lady nods, the netted veil of her fascinator shifted as it scratches her nose. "Well, priorities are such right now that the majority of anything conflict-related pertains to the spaceways. There hasn't been an invasion for some time, though most doomsayers speak it as being the calm before the storm. In any event, you're owed a great thanks, along with all your fellow Officers and conscripts, for doing your elected duty."
A pause at Aiden's whisper, turning her head to try to see what he's talking about. "Uh... I don't see anything..." Jasmine offers, obviously a slight shorter than the Captain.
COMSYS: (all channels) A deep, old male voice says, "If the lady who wishes to discuss the invitation list wishes to speak, please contact Tuil Lindo immediately."
 "Prime Minister is the local variant of his title, is it not?" Raziel asks of Euphemia politely, before nodding once toward the Mon Calamari group. "I assume Chairman is the title given by the Senate, in the least. Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials," he adds, nodding his chin slightly toward Meena Tills.
 Nissa shakes her head, hiding the comsys again as she moves to follow Meena. She inclines her head to Euphemia and Raziel, her gaze lingering on the latter curiously for a moment. "Lady Bellamy, sir," she says, pausing a bit in her greeting to Raziel, "Thank you both for coming." She offers a small smile.
 "Well, then, I am pleased to attend," Euphemia says, inclining her head to both Mon Cals. "It has been an eye-opening activity.
 Liam's smile remains through the Headwoman's approach, just long enough to sour as a voice sounds over personal comlinks. A faint frown spreads on his brow, and he looks away from the woman, to inside the cantina proper. But, with the crowds, nothing amiss can be seen. The boy turns back to Kalira, nodding faintly. "Perhaps the couple of the hour will have a towel for you, doctor." His amusement comes guarded.
 "It looked like they were choking... I guess it's nothing," Aiden says, frowning a little and shaking his head. "Anyway... thanks, Jas. It means a lot for someone to care about what we Navy officers do, too ... appreciate it." He looks away for a moment, voice lowering. 
 Kalira simply brushes damp hair away from her face then steps to the side, slips of her jacket and gives it a brisk shake to remove the worst of the surface moisture then drapes it over one arm. "Nonsense, I wouldn't dream of bothering them for a towel. It's just water," she assures Liam with a smile, "and I haven't melted yet."
 Effie widens her eyes. "Risky for you, Meena Tills?" She cannot help smiling just a little. "Why, how is that?"
 "The only endeavors worth embarking on are those that add to the knowledge held, for use in future experiences, and those that strengthen us in a physical manner," Raziel notes lightly. "I am sure you have chosen wisely."
Raziel falls silent as Euphemia speaks, head canting to the side with some interest creeping to his face.
 Meena Tills chuckles softly. "Nissa, what do you think the Sarcat family would have done, had we decided to elope?"
His tone suggests it's not an option they ever took that seriously.
 Nissa laughs a little, smiling. "They would have tossed you out into the middle of the ocean, and locked me in the house for a stretch of time. After hiring bounty hunters to fetch us," she says. Her expression is completely innocent, and it might be hard to tell if her voice is serious or not.
 "We would've started bashing heads fer one thing,” Goldie retorts in her tart tone of voice to Meena, mirthfulness mingled with dead seriousness in her squinting eyes.
 "Most people go without thanks for things others come to expect. It's not at all proper," Jasmine replies, with a grin. At his words, a brow arches faintly, still dancing in time. "Oh? And what's that?"
 Alistair Bellamy glides into the cantina with his head held high. Once again, he manages the rather difficult task of looking at ease, even though his silk suit is drenched and clinging to his skin. Drops of water coat his entire face, but they do little to quell the fire in those Vanixian eyes as they traverse the room in search of familiar faces. For a moment, the side of his lip twitches, followed by the slight tilt of his head... almost as if listening to something. Now soured, the Senator pressed forth into the festivities.
 "Aha." Euphemia tilts her head a little. "Always enlightening to discover that the mightiest institutions rest upon -- well, personal consent. Power is not freedom, eh?"
 Aiden keeps dancing, glancing up. "Your lawyer's here," he grumbles, voice lowering. 
 "Yet?" Liam echoes, going about the process of removing his coat, rather drenched, pausing only to pull a small, black box from an inner pocket. A hand run over his scalp takes care of the moisture there. Ahh, the benefits of not having hair. "That seems to imply some sort of eventual possibility. Perhaps some time away from your world might fix that worry."
 Meena Tills inclines his head to Euphemia Bellamy. "It never has been," he replies. "Power is simply another form of slavery, from a certain point of view."
 Jasmine looks to note the arrival of Senator Bellamy, a hand lifted to wave as she catches the words from the Captain. Clearing her throat, she ponders wordlessly on them a moment, before replying in a hushed tone.
 The Sullust President glances about, now abandoned by Admiral Terienn and Arkai. Pesiro thinks for a few moments before deciding on a course of action. As eh spies the buffet, Pesiro makes his way toward that. "Ah... good, plenty to eat, now, what do they have?" he questions aloud to himself.
 "And what a viewpoint," Lady Bellamy says with her tiny smile still intact. "Does it leave you craving the freedom of a private life? Surely we all fantasize about such things at times--but never with more longing than when we find a person who complements us perfectly and with whom we wish to grow old, eh?"
 "Power-shmower," Goldie chortles from her place at the bar. "Is this party gonna turn into an effing political debate between big-heads?" She says this with a hint of a threatening tone. Grasping Nissa's arm, she points at the bar and tugs her off. "Even if nobody else cares that this is a celebration, we're gonna have fun. Get yerself up there, kiddo!"
Lumbering, the far more elderly Mon Cal huffs and poffs and begins climbing up on the bar."
 Meena Tills makes a small gesture to Euphemia. "We must do as she wills," he murmurs. "You do realize she hasn't actually SIGNED the contract yet?" His tone while wry suggests this is a mere formality. But not one to ignore.
 "Is this a political marriage?" Raziel suddenly queries, glancing 'twixt Nissa, her grandmother, and Meena Tills with interest.
 Kalira laughs quietly, favoring Liam with another amused smile, "Well, I can't predict the future after all. I would say that if I were to encounter a rather toxic acid laden rain that there would be a probability of melting. I'd think it'd be most uncomfortable," she adds. "But then, anything involving acid and exposure to tissue would be rather uncomfortable. And more than a day or two away from my world tends to lead to things unraveling. I need to pick an assistant that I can trust that won't hand the government over to the Tuskens the moment I set foot off planet."
 Euphemia raises both eyebrows. "You'll forgive me indulging my curiosity, of course. Since you've paid me the unexpected compliment of inviting me, I'd like, of course, to understand what momentous occasion I'm witnessing."
 Nissa looks towards the roof as another crash of thunder shakes it. "She'll be signing it if I have anything to do with it," Nissa says stubbornly, and then gives a sound of surprise as, ironically, Goldie comes to drag her off. She gives an apologetic smile to Meena and Euphemia, before she gives a simply shake of her head at Raziel's question. And then her Aunt is pulling her away, wherever it is they're going. She's still within conversation distance, though.
Aiden looks away for a few moments, continuing to move to the music. Then he nods. 
 The Vanixian raises his arm to answer Jasmine's wave, taking a moment to steal some handkerchiefs from a table. He proceeds to use them to dry his hair and face, though little can be done for the silk suit. Frowning, he produces a small comsys from some pocket or another and gives it a quick check.
 Meena Tills says, "An agreement between families," Meena Tills says softly. "Nothing more or less.""
 Pesiro grabs a plate at the buffet line and the appropriate silverware. He starts to slowly make his way up the buffet, being rather generous with what he puts on his plate. "Ah! Excellent. I have not seen these served in some time."
 Euphemia Bellamy curtseys to the couple, as if intending to allow them to proceed about the circuit of their guests. She leans to Raziel, murmuring a few words.
 Panting, but not quite winded, Goldie finally heaves herself up onto the bar, much to the horror of the poor tender who has staggered back by now, utterly aghast at her actions. Lugging Nissa up after her as a loud roll of thunder shakes the room, she claps her webbed hands together: "Ha-cha-cha...We can sign papers later. Right now we dance! Hit it boys!" She points to the musicians who suddenly switch gears and let all the stops out. One technician in the back of the restaurant takes the cue as well and turns on some dazzling light effects. Just...look at the Mon Cal go...
 Raziel nods very slightly toward Meena Tills, lips pulling up at the corners once more and a bright sort of smile flitting to his face. "That is absolutely wonderful. Truly beautiful. I wish you both the best in your nuptials based on emotional feeling, I really do; it is something I have only heard about.His lips thin after a moment, returning to a nearly emotionless sort of standstill before Raziel murmurs back to Euphemia.
 To that, Liam laughs faintly. "Now, now. I'm sure the dust ball can look after itself for a day or two. But, I hope you find a good assistant, doctor. Oh-- and I've gotten the first shipment together for you. I'll be sure to bring it by, personally. I would not really mind a break from our Corellian rains." The boy pauses to snag a passing waiter and pilfer some foodstuffs from his plate. Some aquatic salad wrap, in bite-size form, but it goes down as quickly as anything else. Another offered to Kalira, encouragingly.
 Nissa, quite fine with standing on the bar earlier to fix decorations, actually seems to hesitate now. She ends up sitting, perched on the edge of the bar, wondering what she should do. To distract herself, at least for now, she inclines her head towards Pesiro. "President Nonobi, it's good to see you," she says, "Thank you for coming." As the music kicks up, she shifts a bit...before waves towards Liam. "Mr. L'hnnar, would you care to dance?" she calls, hopefully heard over the music.
 Meena Tills turns to Alistair Bellamy. "Thank you, Senator," he says in a quiet, calm voice. "I'm glad you could make it. The Sarcat family is putting on quite the celebration."
 Euphemia Bellamy takes a step toward the drink bar, eyeing the champagne.
 At his name, Liam turns to look over his shoulder, an eyebrow arching. "Your husband to be won't mind, Miss Sarcat-- err, Madam Tills?"
 Pesiro is caught with something in his big mouth, chewing it, when Nissa passes him by. He quickly swallows and nods his head. "I am glad to be here," he comments just before she is off the races of greeting folk.
 "Finally, somebody with the party spirit..." Goldie rolls her eyes as Zarra, Nissa's younger sister hops on the bar with her aged Auntie and begins dancing as well, giggling gleefully. Nissa's mother stands off in the corner, both her hands covering her face as her youngest goes reveling with the old reprobate. Luckily they aren't all /over/ the bar, or Euphemia would not find herself in any safe condition to retrieve Champaign or any other drink at the moment.
 "They are indeed, a grand party worthy of the event it celebrates," the Vanixian replies. "Should I start referring to her with the surname Tills as well? I am not sure how Mon Calamari customs work in that regard."
 Raziel makes a last notation to Euphemia before sipping his own glass of water lightly, smiling a touch at the Princess all of the sudden and shrugging a shoulder lightly. His left shoulder.
 Nissa smiles toward Liam, laughing a bit. "Either is fine, I'm keeping my surname and taking Meena's as well," she explains. A glance towards her Aunt and sister, and she shakes her head. "Perhaps my Aunt Goldie could use your company on the bar? My fiancé may need some rescuing." She winks, before beginning to move back towards where Meena and Alistair are.
 Meena Tills makes a small gesture. "After the wedding, either name will do," he replies.
 The young commander notices Meena Tills and Nissa, he walks towards them, "Admiral, Minister." he says politely to them both politely, "Congratulations." he says to them.
 "Sarcat for now, then," Alistair replies, turning to smile at the approaching Nissa. "Congratulations, Senator. I was just telling your future... husband?" He turns to raise an inquiring eyebrow at Meena Tills quickly. "...how lovely the party is. Thank you for inviting me."
 Euphemia widens her eyes, evidently finding Raziel's remarks amusing or incisive--either one could produce that little quirky smile on her lips. "You have a distinctly accurate point," she says. "Distinctly accurate." She wonders aloud, "Will it be permissible to refer to Meena Sarcat?”
 Kalira surveys the offered aquatic salad wrap and gingerly accepts it, bottling back the usual remark about only drinking caf and subsiding on rations and sandwiches. Gamely she eats the offered foodstuff, making a noncommittal sound afterwards, brushes a napkin against her lips before watching the proceedings with amusement.
 "To be precise," Meena Tills replies, "It will be correct to refer to me as Meena Sarcat on Mantan, and as Meena Tills elsewhere. And conversely for Nissa."
 Turning toward the commander, Nissa offers a smile. "Thank you," she says, before turning towards Alistair and Meena. "Thank you for coming, Senator Bellamy. It's a pleasure to see you again." Glancing between Euphemia and Meena, she smiles a bit, amused.
 Agustus scratches his head, "Well there is nothing I can offer you to be exactly, because well, the Navy salary is pretty low." he is a bit shy about this, "I have came to give my personal Congratulations to say the least."
 Alistair Bellamy inclines his head and appears to be done with formalities, simply walking away from the group to inspect his communication system again. He glances briefly at Kalira. "Headwoman Valen, good eve."
 Liam chuckles to the Mon Calamari's reply, then tilts his head back to the Headwoman. "Now, a dance with you would be more proper, but," as Alistair approaches, he gives room. "I'll take a rain check."
 Once the musicians are finally wearing down (incidentally much sooner than Goldie and Zarra dancing on the bar) the elder of the two waves a dismissive hand to them to sign that they can stop. With a hop, she plumps herself back down on the bar floor, feet first and scoops Zarra off the bar, giving her youngest niece a spinning hug before patting her and sending her on her way. Beaming indulgently at Meena and Nissa, she straightens herself out and seeks around for the silver flask normally at her hip...it seems to have gone missing. She mumbles something and goes off into the crowd, poking randomly with her cane as she searches around.
"Lord Liam, by all means, do not let me intrude. Dancing should never be postponed. It is a very powerful thing and themark of a true nobleman." Alistair smiles and lowers his voice. "It is also quite entertaining." He puts the comsys away and snatches a cup of some clear liquid from a passing waiter.
 "It's quite all right," Nissa says, looking towards Agustus with a small smile. "You're company here is enough." She the nods towards Liam, giving the boy a wink. "Are you fairing well, Aunt?" she calls, even her smile grows and she takes Meena's arm.
 Kalira actually looks a bit flustered at the idea of actually dancing. her? dancing? These are not words that are used in tandem. "Alistair," she says with a nod of her head, gives Liam a look of bemusement, "a dance?" she actually reiterates aloud and blinks rather blankly for a moment.
 “Yesh, yesh, quite alright..." Aunt Goldie waves a webbed hand in Nissa's direction as she finds her beloved flask...only to turn it upside down and see that it's empty. "Some weasel...took the cork out of my lunch." She gasps, large Mon Calamari eyes growing wider with the shock.
 "Ah, no, were it not for the time," to which a glance is cast to a silver chrono on his wrist, "I would do just that." After all, dancing is a required class among many prestigious schools. Liam grins faintly, "But, if I do not return to Corellia before long, Father will send out a war fleet to fetch me." A joke, of course, by his tone. "It wouldn't be the first time."
 Another wave rushes in past the elderly Mon Cal's feet and she grins toothlessly at Nissa, squinting her eyes: "If they wanna, I'm game, dearie." Storms and tempests never harmed a Mon Calamari, and no kind of inclimate weather would DARE throw Aunt Goldie. Sloshing out the door, she calls back, "Just going for a bit of a walk. Just love these storms..." And off she wanders into the wet outdoors.
Category:December 2008 RP Logs