Hey all! Here is the first official chapter of A Dinner to Die For! Enjoy your day of Candy and Cosplay! Me? I'll probably do adult trick-or-treating and walk into a store with a $20 and buy the candy on sale.
"Are you sure about this?" Ezra asked. "I mean, we don't know this Ismene. Plus, she's an imperial. Won't she recognize us?"
"Maybe dressed normally," Kanan replied, "but you said it yourself. Sabine must have done a good job for us to have not been recognized already."
Kanan was right. Sabine had been the one to find the disguises and to make the two Jedi virtually unrecognizable. Ezra donned a grey shirt with sliver trim on the sleeves and shoulders. He wore black pants and black boots. Additionally, his hair was dyed a dark brown. Over it, he wore a dark grey beanie. Kanan wore a forest green shirt and navy pants with brown shoes. His hair was dyed the same color as Ezra's. He had shaved his mustache, leaving only the beard. His mask was gone, exposing the cybernetic implants that replaced his eyes. They had left their weapons on board the Phantom 2.0, where Hera was currently waiting to get them out if needed, to avoid being recognized, which Ezra objected to.
"We just have to trust that the contact knows what she's doing," Hera had told him.
The two were currently in a small transport headed to the mansion. Ezra, of course, was driving.
"Do you remember our cover?"
Ezra nodded. "I'm Soren River. I'm your son and I am on vacation from the Imperial Academy on Lothal. I'm not much into sports but I enjoy music. You're my father, Tybalt River. You used to work as a technician for the Imperial Shipyard on Lothal until you were blinded in an accident. You see with advanced optics provided by the Empire but you're still on medical leave. Since we both have some time off, we decided to take a vacation to Naboo because it is a beautiful planet and perfect for vacation. At least I'll be able to sell a little bit of it perfectly."
"I don't like the cover story either," Kanan replied, "but we need that information. These people carry some weight with the government here on Naboo."
"Which is why I don't like this idea," Ezra retorted. "Like you said, these people carry some serious juice with the Empire. How are we supposed to defend ourselves if we're busted?"
"I have my comlink on me. Hera will be down here in the new Phantom within a few minutes if we need her."
"Okay," Ezra said, not convinced.
Kanan reached over from the passenger seat of the transport and rested his hand on Ezra's shoulder as they pulled up to the mansion. "It'll be fine, Ezra."
Ezra nodded and took a deep breath. "We're here."
Ezra parked the transport and climbed out. He walked to the other side and helped Kanan do the same. Kanan wrapped his arm around Ezra's shoulder and the two walked to the door. "This place is huge," Ezra breathed.
"Remember what we talked about Soren," Kanan said softly, getting into the act.
"Speak only when spoken to, I know Dad," Ezra replied.
Ezra knocked on the door and waited. A few seconds later, a young woman wearing a red dress answered the door.
"Welcome," the woman greeted. "You must be Tybalt River."
Kanan nodded. "Yes. I'm Tybalt River." Kanan motioned to Ezra. "This is my son, Soren. Thank you for inviting us."
The woman nodded. "Of course. Pleased to meet you. I'm Ismene. You're right on time. The other guests are already here."
Ezra was shocked upon seeing the hall. It was practically sparkling, thanks to the natural sunlight flitting through the windows and the crystal chandelier.
"Wow…" Ezra breathed.
Kanan chuckled. "Come on, Soren."
The two Jedi followed Ismene into the dining hall. Everyone was already seated. On the left, there was a red Twi'lek donning a sleeveless back dress with black net-like bands around her arms and her lekku. Next to her, there was a human male dressed in a grey uniform typical of an imperial officer. He had pale skin and grey eyes. There was no hair on his head and he seemed very cool and collected. He looked very uncomfortable next to the Twi'lek. There was an empty seat next to him. The plate in front of that seat had a tag on it that read "Soren River."
On the right side of the table, there was a nervous looking Rodian man wearing a white shirt and grey pants with green skin and blue eyes. Next to him was a human woman with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a white dress. The seat across from the empty one was also empty, except this time, it was labeled "Tybalt River."
Ezra and Kanan took their seats and Ismene started towards the kitchen. "Let me get the food," she said.
It was silent for a moment before the Imperial officer broke the ice. "So what's your name, kid?" he asked, turning to Ezra.
Ezra perked up nervously and turned to Kanan, who nodded.
"My name's Soren River," Ezra replied quietly.
The officer narrowed his eyes for a moment, causing Ezra's heart to pound. "Shy one, is he?" he asked, turning to Kanan.
"He's just nervous," Kanan replied with a chuckle. "He hasn't been to one of these things before."
"Really?" the man asked. Ezra suddenly felt like he was being interrogated. "You plan to work for the Empire someday?"
"Yes," Ezra replied. "I'm actually on vacation right now. I want to become a Stormtrooper so I can serve the Empire to the best of my ability." Blast it! How did those words come out so easily? He felt bile rise in his throat but he swallowed quickly. Kanan seemed to sense how uncomfortable Ezra was getting so he jumped in. "You look like an officer," he said. "What do you do?"
"I work on a Star Destroyer," the man replied. "Tybalt, is it?"
"It is."
"My name is Xander Fyre. I'm a commander for the Imperial Navy. What do you do for a living? And what's with your eyes?"
Kanan sensed a pang of remorse come from his padawan. He sent a probe through the Force to calm him down before speaking. "I worked at a shipyard," Kanan replied. "There was an accident about a year ago. I took a piece of metal to the face. I got my eyes replaced but they still have me on medical leave for the time being."
"Sorry to hear that," the human woman said. "My name is Skyle Avery. I don't work for the Empire directly, but I serve them a lot in a small café I own. I collect information and report possible insurgencies. I think there's a senator who does the same thing on Lothal. I think his name is Gall Trayvis."
Ezra had to try so hard not to growl. He still couldn't believe the senator's treachery. Trayvis had gotten his parents arrested when he was seven, which in turn led to their deaths nine years later. A year had passed since the death of his parents and it still hurt. Another calming wave from Kanan got him focused once again.
"You may call me Aversa," the Twi'lek said from the table.
"Aversa! Remember what we talked about?" Xander growled.
"My apologies sir," Aversa replied.
"I apologize for my attendant," Xander said. "Her name is Aversa. The Rodian is my other attendant. His name is Eden Lark. He is more well behaved than the other one."
Both Kanan and Ezra flinched at the treatment of Aversa. Kanan took a deep breath and sighed. This man was definitely imperial.
"I never did ask," Xander said. "How did you like that girl I set up for you, Eden?"
"The dinner was fine," Eden replied. "The best I had in years. However, while I appreciate the effort you gave in finding a suitor for me, she wasn't exactly…polite."
"Polite?" Xander asked, raising a grey eyebrow.
"She seemed so bitter. Kept rambling about the guy she last broke up with. I don't think she was ready for another date."
"She said she was," Xander growled. "I'm sorry Eden. Must have been a knife to the heart."
Eden nodded. "Yes sir."
"Well, you know what they say. Third time's the charm."
The conversation was ended when Ismene walked out, pushing a long silver tray. "Feel free to serve yourself," she said with a smile.
The guests stood and began to serve themselves.
Please tell me what you think of the OCs! Who do you think will kick off the events of the story? Who are you going as for Halloween? Why is the sky blue? Why am I asking this many questions?
Happy Halloween everyone! Please be safe!