Thrawn's Lounge

Harper decided to pretend he didn't recognize Piett, as they were out in a public area, and he reasoned that less people knew of his Intelligence posting, the better. He didn't know if it was classified or not, but in the case of uncertainty, he reasoned that it was safer to assume that it was.

So he did not salute his superior or pay any extra notice to him, only nodding in response to being spoken to in an exchange that could have just as well been two officers who didn't know each other from beforehand exchanging words, hoping that he had made the correct call and that he wouldn't get into trouble for not doing so. Instead, he knelt by Victarion to check his vitals (before the medic got there). Harper knew such an impact to head could be fatal if the luck was really bad. But not this time.

"He's built tough", Harper commented, before getting up, waiting for the medic to come, and listening to the exchange between Harnan and Piett, while trying to look like he wasn't.

Harper took his jacket, and walked outside of the lounge, however stopping there so that the officials who would come to clear up this mess could find him easily. He shook his head a bit sad that his important day had ended like this. It's not like he got that many days off duty. Their scarcity didn't bother him, given that he genuinely enjoyed his work, but still, it felt a bit sad when they got ruined regardless. He simply would have liked to treat himself a little as one man's celebration for his promotion.

Harper ran his hand on the clear surface of his holocom device on his pocket. He thought about calling someone, just to pass time, but he didn't have any personal contacts, since he didn't get along with his family, and his friends from his Academy times were deployed scattered across the galaxy, and as far as he knew none were on Coruscant right now, and even if they were they'd probably be on duty, and Harper knew better than to distract a soldier on duty. And his work kept him busy enough to not have any time for meeting any woman either. Harper didn't really mind being a loner, because most of the time he was very content with his life. But this was one of those times he felt genuinely sad that his conversation had been interrupted before it had started. He knew he would forget it soon, but at that moment when the wind picked up and his face felt a bit cold he felt quite annoyed and frustrated.

He hoped that the officials would not take too long, since if they didn't, he would still have time to go to a convenience store and grab a bottle or two of beer before heading to the Navy Quarters. He felt like that after this strange encounter he would definitely need one before he could sleep. At the same time, he knew that sorting out any crimes and disorder took precedence over his comfort, so even if the officials would take long, he would be there.

*Piett ignored Harper. It wasn't that the Captain's new posting was a secret of any kind, he simply wasn't relevant to the current issue as anything other than a bystander, so he could be talked with later. Letting the medic do his evaluation Piett moved closer to the Ren listening as he spoke.* I see. Well in that case I commend your restraint Master Ren. *Through Piett's flat tone it was impossible to discern if that was a complement or sarcasm*  Unfortunately it appears that there may be injuries that prevent you from completing this task at the moment. Rest assured that your armor will be returned to you as soon as is feasible, and I will have my own agents discern where the armor came from.

*Considering the matter settled he nodded respectfully to the big man and turned to begin issuing orders to his men.* Medic, a transport is on the way, you will escort the Captain to one of our nearby medical facilities. H-3 will accompany you until another guard unit is sent to relieve them. *He nodded toward the death trooper on his left.* Agent Cole you will escort Captain Harper to his next destination and get his recollection of events. Your men will do the same with the other witnesses and review any security footage available. *Finally he turns his cold gaze back on the helmeted figure.* Is there anything else I can assist you with today Master Ren or have matters been settled to a degree in which we can both return to our work?

Even though Nicademus tells her not to worry, Faina's skeptical and mildly concerned expression conveys that she will, naturally enough given how deeply she cares for him, never not worry for his health and happiness, but, as she has no desire to spoil the celebratory mood of their rare evening together with most of their family all in one place at the same time, she smiles affectionately and kisses his chin to demonstrate that she will let him off the proverbial hook, for now, the mischievous gleam in her eye probably enough to reveal to Nicademus that she has also already begun to consider ways she might ensure that he cannot avoid the time she plans to make him take for himself before the demands of his position have a chance to make her concerns for his emotional and physical well-being more founded than they might be at the moment. No stranger herself to sacrifice where her own duties are concerned, Faina knows all too well that not finding, or being made to find, ways to recharge and relax can easily lead to exhaustion, which can, in turn, negatively impact how well one does the duties they willingly sacrifice of themselves for.

Faina does not have long to consider what she might arrange for Nicademus to take some time away from his duties, as Fiora's surprise arrival overwhelms her with joy enough that her worry is, temporarily, set aside. Embracing Fiora tightly after Nicademus has done so and Remus has playfully chided his twin for her unannounced arrival and stolen uniform, Faina rests her hand on her eldest daughter's freckled cheek as she smiles and says, "My little Fee. I'm so happy to see you, and, she glances over at Nicademus and reaches for his hand to give it an affectionate squeeze, know you've made your father very . . . "

"Fee! Yvaine exclaims excitedly, bounding over to her older sister and all but tackling Faina aside in her eagerness to hug Fiora. OhmygoshIcan'tbelieveyouarehere! Yvaine gushes as she clings to Fiora, IsJinheretoo?Howhaveyobeen?DidMomreallycomeand. . . "

Remus, rolling his eyes as Yvaine begins to bombard their older sister with questions, pats her on the back and suggests, "Take a breath, sis', then, at that awkward teenaged boy stage where he is not always comfortable with hugging his older sister, gives Fiora a nod with a smile as he welcomes her, Sister. So good to see. . ."

Nicolina, snorting a laugh as she pushes Remus towards Fiora, tells him, "Dude, give her a hug for Force's sake, then grins crookedly as, after Remus gives Fiora a quick hug, she embraces her as well, clapping her heartily on the back as she says, Good to see you, Red. Been a long time." Not as familiar or close with Fiora given that her duties with the Emperor's Talons and the fact that her and Faina's friendship had not been as deep as it has become until Nicolina had been there for the Imperial Knight when she had suffered postpartum depression after the birth of Remus have limited the time she and Fiora have had to get to know one another, Nicolina nonetheless has the same affection and care for Fiora as she does all of the Emperor and Empress' children.

Ishild, more reserved and formal than her spouse, takes Fiora's hand in hers after Nicolina has moved on to allow the line forming to greet the prodigal Knight of Ren to move along, clasping it gently as she says with a cool voice that nonetheless betrays the warmth she has for her "niece", "Fiora. You look well, darling. Gesturing towards the table, she says, Come and sit, arching an eyebrow as she glances at Yvaine, bouncing on the balls of her feet nearby as though contemplating how to regain Fiora's attention, and quips dryly, before someone has the chance to jump all over you again. Putting an arm around Nicolina's waist as they head back to their seats, she adds, Now then, you must tell us all about how you have been."

No matter what is happening in the universe at large, the uppermost levels of Thrawn's Lounge are always filled with only the toast of Coruscant, Galactic and Imperial society; the recent passing of Emperor Nicademus Delvardus IV might have brought in more of the beau monde from offworld than usual, and the atmosphere is perhaps a bit more somber than it most often is, but one can still almost feel the tangible current of collective power, influence and wealth generated by the beings in the highest rooms.

There was a time when Celeste Randd, the only daughter of the Moff of Yaga Minor, who came from an old, wealthy family with longstanding ties to Empire dating back to the Galactic Civil War, dreamed of nothing more than to be a part of the rarefied society that is present in the room she finds herself in now, a time when she had the privilege to concern herself with little more than finding and maintaining a place among the socialites of Yaga Minor, but that was before she joined the First Order Navy and discovered a passion for flying that eclipsed her old dreams. While Celeste still enjoys the occasional forays into gatherings of the elite such as the one her father has invited her to join him in now, delights in seeing the latest fashions and in hearing and, now and then, participating in the effervescent or spirited conversations and debates to be had, she is always keenly aware of how frivolous it nearly all seems to her when compared to her life in the Navy.

As the evening advances, having participated in more toasts to Emperor Delvardus than she can count, and listened to countless opinions about what his passing means for the future of the Empire, Celeste excuses herself from the circle of politicians, military officers and other elites her father is debating the potential effects that the heir to the throne being an Imperial Knight might have on his reign with; active by nature, Celeste finds all the standing around making her restless, and so walks out onto a balcony overlooking the brightly lit, vibrant and bustling Coruscant cityscape. Taking off her Gaberwool Imperial kepi, Celeste blows a curl of dark black hair that has escaped from the tight bun she wears her hair in out of her eye and looks up to the stars, smiling as she imagines it will not be too much longer before she is flying among them again.