Week 9 Heroic Mission- Layne Yr & Prime's Grand Dinner and the Crazy Da'uhnb Dance Party at Casablanca station

Layne Yr arrived early in a stunning ballgown studded with actual diamonds.
She wore smaller heels so she could dance if asked and brought a bottle of the finest Kasanthian distilled fear mixed with the best binber wine.

"Prime,
My favorite partner in mad science.

What are the courses of the meal? I did bring a bottle of wine and a strong hunger."

As their party began in one ballroom of Casablanca Station, closer to the main lifts was a Ballroom rented out by the Da'uhnb Hustler Gootes Macbride.

After corning the market on gemstones from Kyrpos Gootes Macbride invested the money into an amazing party. It was in the Free Systems, at the most neutral station in the Polar Expanse.
And the music was intense.
And the invitations said it was going until


--
This mission is open to all players (except No Quall may come, but their non-implanted representative may show up).

Only Layne Yr and Prime are allowed into the private ballroom (and those they invite),

but all are invited to Gootes Macbride's Da'uhnb Dance party at another large ballroom near the maglifts.

There are unlimited posts to this Mission. All are invited to at least one or two, but no battle. This is a diplomatic mission only. This thread will be locked at 11 pm E.S.T. on Friday July 29th.

Only actions listed on this mission thread will count as locked in for player actions.

Please roll tests for dancing (Agility if no skill available) and other skilltests as needed.

Childeen arrived by Manta starfighter. It was one of the few craft in his fleet he hadn't been trained on. He stripped off his flight suit and underneath was a fine nightmare hide suit. the hide was extremely fine reflective scales that seemed to shimmer as he moved. He had a black tie that looked like it had at one time been a lanky black snake. His black hair was slicked back and he had used some of the fear he had consumed over the past few months to give him a blush of health.

As he docked he went to the spacer bar just inside the airock and saw the news. Terrorist attacks on Mars. He quickly went to a comm terminal, where he was given another shock. Leon Simmons told him about the E-strain outbreak in hushed urgent tones. He had heard it spread past the IR to almost every faction. Childeen gave instructions to his man and sent out a stream of messages. What a bad week to throw a party he thought.

Still if he left for his nearest holdings he would be out of the loop for a bit more time than he liked. So it looked like he was going to have enjoy the party as the galaxy fell to the fires. Seeing the waiter bring a tray of the kasanthian distilled fear and binber wine toward the private party Childeen quickly intercepted and took a glass.

He looked around to see who else was in attendance.

Lanaedra sighed.

She had her arms around his right arm as they walked, so Damien reached across himself with his left hand and gave her a gentle poke in the side. She jumped slightly, and looked at him disapprovingly. "Stop it, sir."

"You stop," he replied. "We're at a party. Look happy. Or at least content. And I told you not to call me 'sir'. We aren't working right now."

"This is why i didn't go to assist the Grey?" she asked. She looked down at herself, at the flowing, azure blue dress she was wearing. The neck was cut lower than she would have liked, and the fact the her long, blond hair had been pulled up into a bun wasn't helping hide what the dress wasn't. And, at the current moment, she was sure she was wearing more make-up than she had at any point in her life. She sighed again.

She looked up at Damien. He was wearing a suit designed so that he could wear it, and the back wouldn't be completely open. A white undershirt, a light blue vest, to match to color of her dress, and a black overcoat. Black suit pants and dress shoes completed his attire for the evening. That, coupled with his dark grey wings, shoulder length black hair, and silver eyes, he was a sight indeed.

He looked down at her. "What's wrong now? As i said, we're at a party. Relax."

"It's difficult to relax when i feel like everyone's staring at me, Damien."

Damien chuckled. "And why wouldn't they be? You look amazing."

"I don't like this dress," she said quietly.

"You should have said something before we left. There were other ones."

She freed her right hand, reached up, and smacked him on the shoulder. "I did say so before we left. Six times, actually. And another two on the way here."

"And this time makes nine," he said. "I can count." She hit him again. "Besides, this one looks good on you," he continued. "Matches your eyes."

She blinked, and looked back up at him. "That's the only reason you picked it?"

They stopped walking, and Damien looked around. Then, he looked down at her. "Yeah, pretty much." He looked back up. "Now, what say we socialize. I wonder who's here."

Lanaedra sighed again. Damien poked her in the side again.

The Diminutive Childeen spotted Damien. He strolled over casually, he certainly had a beautiful though obviously uncomfortable piece of arm candy. Childeen realized he may be the only one without a date, he was completely fine with that, he had no desire to love again.

"Damien." He said reaching up to shake his hand. "Its a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

The first thing out of either Damien's or Lanaedra's mouth as Childeen approached was from Lanaedra. "Damien, look at this dress. I think i look like a whore."

Damien chuckled. "Relax. You do not." He then turned to greet the small man. "Childeen, it's a pleasure," he said as they shook hands. "May i introduce my escort-"

She hit him. Again. Hard.

"Ow. That hurt," he said to her as she scowled at him. The Baribur straightened and re-started. "May i introduce to you to the Admiral of my personal fleet, and my friend, Lanaedra Adessa." She waved, sorta, and smiled nervously. "She's not very social, as you can see."

He cleared his throat, and continued. "So, my friend, how are you?"

Looking at himself one last time in the mirror so as to make sure there was not a hair out of place, Orleos sighed. He had traded in his normal Victorian attire for something a bit more of the Ancient Eastern Earther fashion or what one may find in the Markets of Chooru on Refuge. It was a zhiju, made from fine black silk with real silver thread lining the edges that would arc out into the dark middle and end in elegant spirals, yet cut short enough so that he could dance or duel should he find the need. The zelan whip that he was so often seen with had been woven into the fabric of a formal belt to complete the attire, but still accessible should he need it.

Upon his feet were matching black silk slippers that offered enough support for an event such as this, but soft enough to still be light and comfortable. His hair was pulled back into a pony tail at the nape of his neck and held in place with a black opal pinwheel clasp and in the center of the clasp was a punched hole in which a preserved black rose sat.

Orleos disembarked from his personal Freighter once it reached the docking bay of Casablanca Station. Cumbersome though the vessel may have been, it contained all the personal affects he needed when he traveled, whether for business or pleasure, but both were often the same in his mind. When he entered, he scanned the crowd and picked out Childeen speaking to a Baribur with an annoyed looking woman clinging to his arm.

The Baribur, he noticed, was quite handsome indeed, an amused expression playing across his features and the woman was quite lovely, especially with the seemingly permanent blush across her shy face, but she seemed put out with the dress she was wearing.

He walked over to where the trio was conversing and waited for their conversation to stop before speaking to Blackheart, "Childeen, it is good to see you again, especially after that fiasco with Ironsbane. Dreadful circumstances those were, but fortunate nonetheless."

The two of them shook hands, "And I see you have already made some new friends. May I ask who the handsome man and charming lady are this evening?"

Damien clapped his hands together as best he could, as Lanaedra was still holding onto his right arm. "See, Lanae, already we're meeting new people."

"My apologies, but if i may introduce myself-" He attempted to extend his right hand to the man, but it didn't happen as planned. He looked to Lanaedra. "Are you going to stick to me all night?" he asked her.

"At least until i'm comfortable here," she responded.

Damien sighed. "I'll take that as a 'yes'. Move to my left side. I need my right hand for handshakes."

As she re-located, he held his, now free, hand out. "Let's try that again. I'm Damien Ettondira, president of Terrovaea Industries. And this," he gestured to Lanaedra, "is my good friend, and fleet admiral, Lanaedra Adessa. Pleased to meet you, uh..."

Orleos chuckled at the actions of the woman at the side of the Baribur, one Damien, before extending a hand towards his and shaking it firmly, "Pleased to make your acquaintance Damien, if I may call you that? I am Orleos Sacrenine, Director of Sacrenine Fine Arts, but just Orleos is fine."

His turned towards Lanaedra before gently taking her hand in his and shaking it, "Pleased to meet you Miss Adessa. I daresay you look lovely in that dress, it suits you rather nicely." Then he smirked, "I'm sure all the women in attendance will be jealous though that you have the arm of a fine gentlemen such as this, I know I would be. Best to keep a tight leash on this one he he." And for extra emphasis he winked at her.

He chuckled as her face turned an even darker shade of red at his words. He proceeded to grab a glass of Non-Instilled Binber Wine from the nearest passing waiter and sipped while looking at the two, then he brought a hand to the side of his face in a gesture of false contriteness, "Ah, I forget my manners, I hope you enjoy the festivities. I know I plan to. Worry not, I'm sure no woman or man will try to steal him away."

Damien actually had to try not to laugh. "Damien will work just fine, my good man. And, Lanaedra, you might want to calm down. The embarrassment you're suffering from has turned your face a shade of red that i didn't think was possible for a face to turn. It doesn't go well with you're dress."

She tightened her grip on his arm. "I take that back. If everyone here is going to talk like that to me, your arm is mine. And it will be off somewhere there aren't any people."

Damien began to laugh. "Lanae, please, relax. I'm sure he meant nothing by it. And if he does, well, i'm honored that he thinks you'd be at all interested in me." He turned back to Orleos. "Please, you'll have to forgive us. We don't often attend gatherings such as this. Hell, this one doesn't even want to be here."

Lanaedra muttered something under her breath that brought Damien to laughing again. She looked up at him. "I need a drink," she mumbled.

"Yes, a drink." Damien held his hand out again. "Orleos, i apologize, but she seems intent on hunting down a waiter." As they shook hands, Damien leaned in to speak so that she couldn't hear. "And, between you and me, the way she is now, i'm going with her to see to it that she doesn't end up strangling someone." He righted himself, and half-shrugged his left shoulder. "That, and with the death grip she has, i don't think i have much of a choice. It was nice meeting you."

He turned to look at Childeen. "Childeen, my friend, it was good to finally meet you in person. Also, i'll need to talk to you later. However, it doesn't necessarily have to be tonight." And then to the both of them: "I hope you enjoy the festivities."

As the pair walked away, Damien looked down at Lanaedra. "See, isn't this fun? Maybe we should dance..."

Childeen had stepped to the back to watch the spectacle suddenly glad he hadn't thought to bring a date. As Damien was pulled away Childeen shouted back, "No worries, after this E-strain outbreak is under control I am sure we can find the time to talk."

He nodded to Orleos. "I can live with the conclusion of the Ironsbane fiasco. Everyone walked away from it eventually. Thank you again for the help. Unfortunately my time at the party is going to be a little limited. Why don't we go make the rounds of our hosts." He motioned for Prime and Yr's private hall.

Inside he walked over to Layne Yr. "Admiral Yr, I have spoken to you many times but never in person. Its a pleasure to finally meet you. This distilled fear and binber wine is quite the potent brew."

Orleos contained himself so that he did not laugh outright, but still shouted good-naturedly after the receding pair, "Try not to drink to much, you will want to remember this night I assure you, and I doubt you want to wake up in bed next to a warm body!" At the indignant glare he received from Lanaedra he simply held the wine glass in front of his lips to 'hide' the fact that he was smirking, but the look in his eyes said it all.

Turning back to Childeen, he smiled at the further mention of Ironsbane, "True. We should not keep them waiting for to long, it would be rude." Placing the empty wine glass on a passing waiters tray, he folded his arms into his sleeves andheld them in front of him, he set off with Childeen towards the private ballroom where they would meet with their true hosts, Admiral Layne Yr and Unity Prime.

He walked at a reduced pace so his diminutive friend need not overexert himself, but briskly enough so that they were not at a crawl, by 'average' standards of course and in record time they reached the private hall. The hall was nothing short of grand and their hosts were already waiting for them.

Layne's dress made her appear to be one large jewel that threw light every which way, but the ambient lighting of the hall did not make her seem glaringly so. 'How deceptive to appear so bright, but be so dark on the inside. Then again, it's like that terrible cliche of a rose having thorns, but in her case it's a rose and some deadly demonbeast...or disease.' he thought.

Unfurling his hands from his sleeves he bowed at the waist in greeting, "How nice it is to see you again so soon dear Layne and may I say that your dress is stunning, but not so much as you." He took her right hand and kissed it.

He then turned to the bald figure standing next to Layne and held out his right hand in greeting., "And you must be Ser Prime, correct? A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

The room Layne Yr entered was thoroughly unimpressive. Oh it was beautiful but so civilized. One entire wall looked to be made of glass, giving a breathtaking view of space. The room had a long table with two beautiful settings, one across from the other. The table was dominated with what looked to be a thick hunk of animal flesh, with think dark char lines along it.

It was well prepared and even smelled good. Interestingly, it had a delicate and almost floral aroma. Surrounding the roast were a number of strange looking smaller dishes. Some looked to be like gels, or frothed custards. Others were delicately prepared vegetables cooked lightly to bring out their natural flavor.

Prime walked in moments after Layne Yr, from another door. He was wearing a black dress military uniform with a single onyx pin where medals would normally hang. The uniform fit his muscled frame well, but Yr noticed that Prime's frame had changed slightly. He was still about 5'10, and was still bald, and his severe face was still criss-crossed with scars. However, his eyes did not have that slight glaze to them which Yr had noticed soon after Prime became mortal. If he were a more frivalous man, Layne would have suspected stimulant use.

Prime motioned for Yr to sit, took the bottle, and poured two glasses. Taking one, he sat.

"You look stunning, Layne Yr. Perhaps even more than usual. I've invited Trilat peoples of interest for a proper dance downstairs, but I wanted to enjoy a moment of relative peace with you first. If the battle-reports go well across the new front with the E-strain, this might be a proper victory dance.

Initial reports suggest, though, that this will be a week to remember. We have victory against the Fleets of Fate, and Ar'Yay's hive has gone hippie. The Iron Republic moves ever closer to us, and with the virus sample you gave me...we are in good shape. Once I'm done with the psychic plauge, we can keep the Quall at bay, and not just to ensure that they have hunting grounds. Its disgusting that any would accept that kind of alliance, but there you have it.

But enough of politics. How have you been, Yr?"

Prime took some food from the table, filling his plate. He sat down, sipped the wine, and readied himself to enjoy some fantastically unproductive, yet therapeutic, conversation.

For Layne, who enjoyed being the center of attention, hearing more "people" would be showing up gave her a deep sense of annoyance. It was like going out on a date and learning you would be joined by your partner's friends. Instead of an intimate dinner where you can speak freely, you end up surrounded by HIS hangers on and HIS horny libidinous crew who are more interested in banging you behind his back than any actual interest in what you have to say. None of this crossed her face. In fact anyone watching would think she was delighted by the news.

"It has been a pleasant month in many ways,Prime", said Layne, "With contracts through Maehl Holdings the TRILAT groes stronger. The TRILAT can now compete on equal footing with the IR in the polar expanse. This will guarantee our rebellion is not a flash in the pan. It may take decades but we have created an empire that could last a millennium. Our greatest threats are within our own ranks.
Like this Fleet of Fate situation.
I have been busy at work. While I do not have a grand lab like you do Prime, I have been testing things in their own right. Studying ancient cultures and what destroyed them.
I do look forward to a quiet relaxing meal."

Right as she said that the first two guests arrived, and neither were members of the TRILAT.
Layne smiled bigger, but inside she sighed. There went any hope of an honest communications, she thought.

The bastard Director Childeen Blackheart walked over to Layne Yr. "Admiral Yr, I have spoken to you many times but never in person. Its a pleasure to finally meet you. This distilled fear and binber wine is quite the potent brew."

At his side stood the ingenious art collector Orleos Sacrenine, who bowed at the waist in greeting, "How nice it is to see you again so soon dear Layne and may I say that your dress is stunning, but not so much as you." He took her right hand and kissed it.

"Eternal Greetings from the court of the Kasanthian Federation and the TRILAT,"Layne replied,
"It is so nice to see you gentlemen. Thank you for your kind words. When Prime told me we might be getting foot traffic from the party down the hall I must say I was concerned.
However if we are celebrating there are few I would have at our side like you most supportive gentlemen."

She turned to Childeen and smile seductively and said, "The Distilled Fear isn't just from a ripe source deep in the Kasanthian Kingdom. It has been aged in casks for centuries. It is a strong and old variety of beverage consumed only by the highest nobility in The Kasanthian Kingdom on Refuge.
I could have a few crates of bottles sent to you if you desire?"

Then she turned towards Orleos and said "Mssr. Sacrenine I am happy to introduce you to Prime of Unity. Prime, this unexpected man has his finger on the pulse of the illicit art trade in the polar expanse, and a eye for interior design like few before him. You are always looking for people to help teach the Choirs and few men are as wellread on the subject of modern Art as Mssr. Sacrenine."

Orleos bowed again slightly and smirked at her words, especially when she came to the words 'interior design', "You are to kind. Though I do agree, art is most definitely a powerful conduit with which one can express the colors of the soul, no doubt many could find it enlightening if they did but look."

The beauty of the statement was that it served a dual purpose, one being the philosophy that all would blatantly see, and the other was the hidden meaning beneath that only one such as Layne was currently privy to, "Speaking of artwork and interior design, how are the planet's that I have visited? Still breathtaking I hope?"

He turned to Prime, "As I said before, it is indeed a pleasure to meet you Ser Prime, but I must say I am intrigued," At this he examined Prime more closely, "You are not what I expected, at least not from my past 'dealings' with the Unity or from the shots I've seen of you."

Gootes Macbride finally thundered in wearing a bright Orange vest and looking like a blue reptiliod member of the Village People. As a time traveler he had partied with the Village People, he knew how to get down!

"I, Gootes Macbride welcome you to the celebration. I have finally cornered a market, so I can now afford pronouns!! Success feels good but Gootes wants to share so he threw party here at Casablanca station. "

Gootes goes to the bar first, does a line of shots. The strong K'iou Vagna Liquor burned good.
Then Gootes hits the dance floor.

"Remember everyone, Drinks and Food is my treat, its time to party like it is Year 1"

Childeen realized he would need to be very very careful how much of the distilled fear he drank. It was almost as addictive as being on a last stand world in its death throes. A powerful and narcotic fear he still couldn't look himself in the mirror and admit he enjoyed.

"Thank you very much Admiral." Childeen sniffed the brew again enjoying both the murmured screams and the heady fruit flavor. "I would absolutely love a few bottles though I doubt they will come cheap."

After seeing Gootes enter and start doing shots, "A drunk Dahumb...this is going to be a crazy party." Childeen noted offhandedly.