Lily stared at the woman in the mirror unable to truly comprehend what she was seeing, or rather who she was seeing. The dress wrapped around the woman in on itself was made of some sort of fine silk she'd never be able to pronounce correctly. The glossy ebony fabric was as soft and weightless as her invisibility cloak could ever be.

The design was, as most things in this galaxy were, foreign and unfamiliar but it hugged her hourglass figure in all the right ways and if she were to be honest exposed more of her cleavage then she was comfortable with. The floor length skirts were slit on the sides reaching all the way to her upper thighs so when she moved quickly it exposed her alabaster legs to the open air.

Her hair, something she'd fought half a year to keep the incompetent hairdressers of the Empire away from was pulled into a series of braids that wrapped around her head, leaving a few loose locks to frame her face. In the center of this her mother's wand and an identical piece of of carved wood were thrust into place as decoration, this had been her personal touch to the outfit and the Emperor had indulged the addition.

All told the woman facing her was a gorgeous specimen of grace and sophistication, which Lily promptly ruined by spinning in a circle as she giggled to herself.

"I feel so...pretty!" Mara Jade shook her head as she approached the young woman who in the span of a day became her friend and if she were to be honest, potentially something more if she were willing to risk it.

"You look beautiful, although we do still need to apply the makeup, I'm glad you told that droid to buzz off by the way. Freaking things have no idea how a woman is supposed to look and have a tendency to make anyone who falls under their crosshairs look like a two credit whore."

Lily turned to meet Mara's gaze and the redhead felt a shift in the force as her partner for the evening eyed up her own outfit. Hers was an identical cut to Lilith's, although in a deep red that bordered on black, her hair was similarly styled but just as with her new friend she wore no makeup or shoes yet. All told, the pair would probably make most straight men in the galaxy pant with desire, more then likely exactly what the Emperor had intended, he did ever so enjoy making these social gatherings more interesting for his own amusement.

"You look beautiful as well Mara," Lily stated this and much to Mara's amusement blushed as she glanced away. It was interesting, despite the very animalistic interest her new friend showed in her she seemed to restrain herself when she looked like she wanted to do anything but be restrained. A thought for another night perhaps, Mara reached out and took Lily's hands in her own and caused the raven haired teen to giggle again as she playfully spun her impromptu dancing partner in a circle.

"None of that you flirt, come on lets get dolled up, it's all we can really look forward to this evening." Despite her training as an assassin, and despite Lily's training as a lady of the courts and a front line fighter, neither young lady was ready for what awaited them when they escorted the Emperor to the Military Convention.

It would seem the term 'Military' was loosely used in this regard, rather then just a bunch of gross old men rambling about bygone battles the place was filled with contractors, bureaucrats, and most horrifically, the press. As flashs strobbed over the pair flanking the Emperor both young ladies were drawn from their irritation by said rulers chuckling, oddly enough despite her homicidal feelings towards the man Lily found the sound reassuring.

"I know my dears, it is a terrible burden dealing with the press. Yet we must keep up pretenses, remember your training, remember what you are in comparison to the rabble, and you will do just fine. Now go, mingle with the commoners and nobles alike and gleam what you can from their honeyed words and false well wishes."

Damnit...he just had to become likable didn't he? Lily ignored this new thought as she hooked her arm through Mara's and threw the redhead a dazzling grin, "You look beautiful by the way, radient even." Mara rolled her eyes at this as she shook her head in return.

"You'd say that to any woman you wanted to sleep with," Lilith let an indignant huff out at that which Mara honestly felt sounded adorable.

"I do not tell every woman I want to sleep with such things thank you very much. I know I'm a flirt but I have standards that most do not even approach, much less meet. Out of all the ladies of the galaxy you and my best friend are the only ones who have drawn my honest interest." This was the first bit of personal information she, and really anyone outside of Darth Vader and the woman's homicidal droid had gathered on the teenager so Mara pushed a bit.

"Oh? Who is your friend?" Lillith grinned in turn as she leaned in to whisper into Mara's ear, the redhead shivered as the raven haired Sith's breath rolled across her skin.

"Jealous my dear?" Mara could give just as well as she received, thank you very much, returning the gesture she suppressed the urge to smirk in victory as Lilith blushed lightly.

"And what if I am?" Coughing and deflecting the question by grabbing a pair of wine glasses off a passing waiters tray she offered one to her companion as she nodded once conceding that she had been one upped.

"Yeah...ok my best mate is Draco Malfoy, he's my wingman and fellow prankster who I talk to about attractive women and what we both wish to do to them. My best friend is one Hermione Granger, unlike Little Dragon she's a commoner like my own mother was, so she doesn't have as much interest in the background dealings of upper society. Don't get me wrong, she understands them all too well, she just doesn't like them."

Mara noticed that Lily's eyes dilated a bit as a warm smile curled up her lips, oddly enough this emotional response caused her to feel a spike of jealousy, odd that. "'Mione's beautiful but...not at the galactic standard I suppose, wavy brown hair, warm brown eyes, and the cutest little nose. It's her mind though, her mind is brilliant, I'm smart, cunning, calculating, Hermione? She's a bloody genius, I'm lucky to have her in my life, if I didn't I'd likely be dead at this point."

Mara sipped her wine a moment before tilting her head slightly, "You love her." She stated this with no inflection in her voice, Lily just nodded in turn.

"More than the air that fills my lungs and gives me life," Mara stared at her new friend in curiosity before replying, her follow-up question filled with honest confusion.

"Then why flirt with me?" Lily stared at her a moment as their identical emerald eyes locked together before she smiled, leaning in she gently pressed her lips to Mara's. The kiss wasn't forceful, in fact it was tender, she could feel Lily's passion roil through the force yet she suppressed it and pulled back. This of course did nothing but cause the redhead to blush furiously as the surrounding crowd eyed the young beauties.

"I am incredibly selfish," with that simple statement Lily spun on her tip toe and sauntered off into the gathered crowd of generals, admirals, CEO's and reporters. Mara fought back the blush that had marred her face as she finished off her glass of wine and went to find more, after that little encounter she needed it.

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Lily was frustrated, while she'd managed to use her mental abilities to suppress her bodies outward signs of arousal she had no such ability to keep back her emotional reaction at the same time. She was falling for Mara Jade, and falling hard. Sighing she ran a hand down her face as she shook her head, not sure what to do.

Daddy and Auntie Bella would tell her to follow her heart, her Dogfather would tell her to follow her libido, Uncle Moony would tell her to follow the route that would most likely not get her shot, and Dumbledore well...actually...

"I get it, you old meddler..." She'd hated the man most of her life, it wasn't until after her third year at Hogwarts that she and the Headmaster had come to an understanding. They'd laid bare their life stories and realized in horror that they were quite similar, and he'd admitted that his own undying love for the man who betrayed him caused him to suppress his romantic inclinations so he'd never be hurt again.

Lilith thought he'd been barmy at the time, now? She was madly in love with her best friend, had flirted with the idea of pursuing a relationship with her teacher, and was falling head over heels for a woman she'd met the day before. She got it, Albus Dumbledore had understood the failings of the heart and simply chose to ignore it, the clever bastard that was.

She was drawn from her thoughts as a man in a stark white uniform approached her, she was bedazzled by his glowing red eyes and deep blue skin, his coal black hair was slicked back and his entire demeanor screamed of an aire of intelligence.

"You seem conflicted young lady, is something amiss?" This wasn't her overcharged sex drive reacting, this man demanded respect with his very presence, she felt the weirdest urge to salute him and nearly lost the ability to find words before she finally responded.

"I...I apologize, tonight has been a night of self revelations and it is not the information is not sitting well with myself," he smiled congenially at that as he nodded once. Offering his hand she gave hers to shake but to her surprise he gently took it into his grasp and brought it to his lips to kiss gently. Fuck...she was blushing again wasn't she...

"I am remiss for not properly introducing myself my dear. I am Grand Admiral Thrawn, a pleasure to meet you," Lily gritted her teeth and inwardly seethed at her own reactions. She was a bloody Dark Lady in training, a titled Sith, and a witch of the highest caliber, she should not be behaving like a bloody schoolgirl!

"Charmed," she managed to grate out, "I am Countess Lilith Potter, a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He nodded once and offered his arm to her, despite her inner feminist screaming at her in rage she hooked her arm through his and allowed him to lead her to one of the wide open windows overlooking the Imperial capital.

"Repulsive, isn't it?" He stated breaking the awkward silence, throwing all pretenses aside she nodded once in full agreement.

"I have no idea what moron decided building a city wide planet with no ability to supply food to its populace was a good idea, but they really need to be shot."

Her blunt answer caused the man to loose his aloof demeanor a moment before letting out a quiet laugh, "Oh I do so enjoy your sharp tongue Countess, I would refer to you as your user name but it is rather unfit for a public gathering." Lily froze at this a moment before a wry smirk curled up her crimson painted lips, she giggled lightly and leaned against the man gently.

"Art Aficionado?"

He nodded once in return, "Charmed my dear, I must ask where did you learn such reckless, and albeit, effective strategies?" She hummed to herself a moment as she watched the passing speeders and smog wreathed skies, eventually she had a response.

"I...have been at war since I was born, both my parents were constables, my mother was also a member of my governments secret R&D program. They were murdered by the leader of the terrorist organization that they'd been fighting since before I had been born, bastard even took a shot at me," she pointed to the very faint scar on her forehead at this before continuing.

"My mothers best friend rescued me from the horrible family I was placed with when I was six, he and all my surviving family members raised me with love, training, and understanding. My Aunt Bellatrix is a half insane scientist, my Uncle Remus is a master at the arts of defense, my Uncle Sirius is a prankster and a genius at subterfuge, and the man who I call dad well..."

She grinned at this thinking of Severus Snape as she shook her head, "Well he is the consummate triple agent, those are only a few of my family members, all of them have skills that I have absorbed and that have effected the way I look at the galaxy, I had a rough hand dealt to me, but I wouldn't trade it for anything."

She really had no idea why she opened up to Thrawn, but he seemed more intrigued then anything, "How interesting, so rather then breaking under the stress you let it forge you?" She nodded at this and he smiled lightly in turn, "Quite interesting indeed, so I must ask young lady, what is your position in the Empire? Despite my resources I cannot find any information on you at all which is rather vexing considering my position."

Lily snickered openly at that but decided to be truthful, she really did appreciate the upfront approach, "I am Lord Vader's apprentice, the Emperor finds me...amusing? Yes, we'll go with that, he finds my way of viewing things amusing yet my skill set also makes me useful." Thrawn hummed at that a moment before taking a sip from the glass in his off hand, tilting his head slightly he eventually nodded.

"Quite interesting, you know you never did answer one of my first questions," she frowned at that going over their conversation before snorting lightly realizing what he was getting at.

"I don't have a favorite sculptor or painter that you could be aware of, but I'll let you in on my interests in the off chance you ever find the planet Earth. Picasso, my favorite artist is Picasso." Thrawn seemed quite pleased with this as he removed his arm from hers and offered a short bow as he turned to leave.

"Well this has been an honest pleasure Countess, I hope to meet you on the field of digital battle once again, as it stands I have other duties to attend to." With that she noticed the skin around his eyes tighten as his head twitched to a group of rather fat and boisterous men dressed in identical uniforms to his own.

Curtsying lightly she nodded in turn, "I assure you Grand Admiral, the pleasure was all mine." At that she turned back to the Coruscant skyline, she really had no idea how long she stood there before she was drawn out of her thoughts by a cultured voice.

"You look like a woman of deep thoughts, and deeper vision," brow furrowing at that absolutely horrid pickup line Lily spun to meet a the gaze of a green skinned man in fine silk robes. He sported a black topknot hair style and had a refined almost reptilian look about him, his dark gaze was almost disquieting but she felt herself oddly comfortable in his presence.

"Perhaps, perhaps not, you are?" He threw her a charming smile that held all the warmth of an ice elemental but oddly enough it caused her heart to flutter slightly.

"I am Prince Xizor, the rumor around this rather...auspicious gathering is that you are Darth Vader's personal apprentice, is that true?" The words 'Fuck off?' 'What does it bloody matter to you?' and 'Meet mister lightsaber, he dislikes personal questions' rolled through her mind before she threw him what even she would call a rather 'dopey' smile.

"Oh I am, Papa V and I get along rather well you see, he's taught me so many interesting things and is rather fond of having me around, I honestly think I'm his only friend." Xizor smiled coldly once again as he offered his arm to her, despite the voices in her head screaming 'What in the literal shit are you thinking Lillith Dorea Potter!?' she happily accepted his offered hospitality.

"How quint, would you like to come with me back to my palace?" Smiling as her eyes took on a glassy look she nodded as the Falleen Prince led her towards the exit, as she was being drawn into his waiting speeder she caught sight of Mara Jade.

Her new friend looked panicked as she was rushing towards the speeder, Lily didn't know why she seemed so concerned, she was just going with the handsome alien back to his palace, what could go wrong?

As the speeder shot into the sky Mara gaped in open horror, it wasn't a deep secret that Prince Xizor despised Darth Vader and was doing his level best to curry favor with the Emperor by competing with the man. What also wasn't a deep secret was that the alien was actually the leader of the Black Sun crime syndicate and had absolutely no compunctions about using his species pheromones to subject beautiful women to his desires.

She was quite sure Lilith could have fended this off if she'd been aware of the chemical mind control but no one seemed to have bothered informing her, Mara felt a pang of guilt at that. This was immediately overwritten by the horrified realization of what was about to happen to her new friend. Prince Xizor, a man known for his absolutely ruthless behavior had just kidnapped his greatest rivals apprentice. An apprentice who happened to be a beautiful young woman under his thrall.

Panicking she pulled out her comlink and quickly cycled through all the frequencies she copied of Lilith's unit while she'd been in the shower, finding the one she needed she dialed it and prayed silently.

"Irritated Query: Who are you and what do you want?"

Sighing in relief Mara quickly responded, "Lilith was just kidnapped by the leader of the Black Sun most likely in an attempt to date rape and murder her to hurt Darth Vader, I need your help to rescue her."

Dead silence was all she was met with before she got a response that made her shiver, "Where is she, and what forces are we looking at?" The psychopathically violent droid had completely bypassed his own verbal tick in the fires of its rage

.

"Meet me in docking bay four, you should have access to all the palace corridors, hurry, please."

Rushing to the speeder she had prepared 'just in case' she began pulling her hair out of its intricate weave as she skidded to a halt before the yellow vehicle. Popping the boot she began pulling out gear and was in the midst of sealing her boots to her catsuit when she heard the dull thunks of a running droid behind her.

HK-47 stopped only a moment to asses her before approaching the speeder, "Enraged Query: What is your plan in rescuing my Mistress?" Pointing to the missile launcher and rotary cannon sitting in the boot Mara's reply was ice cold and to the point.

"Blow open the front door, kill everyone who gets in our way, and burn the building to the ground," despite it's obvious rage the droid seemed to calm down a moment before tilting its head to the side.

"Fond Clarification: I now understand why my Mistress wishes to copulate with you meatbag," Mara decided not to respond to that, she'd save the awkward revelations for after they saved her friend.

Just for those not in the know, Xizor tried this shit on Leia in Shadows of the Empire, Luke and Lando were not amused. A thermal detonator was involved in the end result, Leia lit it when she threw it down the trash shoot.

Darth Anachain is not amused.