Life Day

[Daria Nytherciria]

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

“It's pretty here, isn't it?”

[Navaria Tarkin]

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

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

[Corell Capstan]

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

[Daria Nytherciria]

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

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

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

[Grace Van-Derveld]

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

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

[Tionne Thanewulf]

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

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

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

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

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

[Navaria Tarkin]

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

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

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

[Barton Henning]

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

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

[Tionne Thanewulf]

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

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

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

[Barton Henning]

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

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

[Tionne Thanewulf]

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

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

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

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

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

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

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

"I bet everyone's here!"

[Sanis Prent]

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

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

"Damn right it does."

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

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

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

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

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

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

"I bet everyone's here!"

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

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

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

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

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

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

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

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

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

[Dashiel Starborn]

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

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

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

“Someone's looking full of cheer.”

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

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

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

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

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

[Saricia Ask'lan]

"Damn right it does."

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

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

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

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

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

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"They arre, huh?"

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

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