[2 BBY]
[Catered Conference Room, Festivities Deck, House Stormcrow Capital-class Warship Stormcrow, Taskforce Thunderclap, Fifth Fleet, Imperial Navy, in orbit Eriadu, Eriadu System, Seswenna Sector, Outer Rim Territories, United Federal Empire]
"You look perfect! Now, stop fretting! We are making our arrival"
Ahsoka Tano wanted to give Bariss a glare despite the genuine care and sincerity in her friend's tone, walking just behind her and a smirking Ventress as their group entered the elaborately decorated ballroom inside the warship-turned-praexis-ship. Giant warship/luxury-line-cruiser really as Ahsoka plastered a smile upon her face, gloved hands going to her dress covered belly, head down a fraction, to act as Bariss's, 'Lady-in-Waiting' as her fake name was called out. The dress was a little revealing, a slit black and red dress at the sides from above the hips and showing off her bosom while silver with ruby gems chains were about her montrals with a near transparent veil.
Not that Ahsoka minded such, having worn far less on several mission over her life, but didn't want to admit to Bariss (and especially to Ventress) that she did, in fact, quite like the effect. She would have preferred it in the white and green matching dress with golden chains and green gems of the Devaronian female, Sanya, as it felt more…Jedi-like maybe?
Silly, perhaps, but Bariss was in a white dress, while Asajj was in black, so part of Ahsoka would have preferred to have been in not the same as her old foe/friend, instead of this opposites statement they'd gone for. Yet…it was also very pleasant, and the smile was truly fake, not like her name, as this was both a chance to gain information, and to act as a Jedi should, rather than…ah, being a glorified babysitter at times. Her disguise was threadbare perhaps, but this whole 'conference' was a tightly controlled affair to Ahsoka's understanding, with recording equipment, and reporters, strictly banned after searches. It was a warship after all, and why such an event was being held here, rather than on the planet where others were taking place.
'This is all a statement….ugh, politics. Can't even have time with my friend without it happening' went through her mind as she sashayed alongside her fellow Force-User, behind said friend and co-wife of Stormy. Lord of Stormy World and Ventress's Dark Planet of Dark Doom. There was even an elaborate carpet to walk upon, and it felt like she was showing off…just a little, as she moved, heels clicking in unison with the other three as they moved. It was…nice to show off, as her presence here, as a Togruta, not a known Jedi, was also somewhat of a show, just like the other Jedi, one of Daron's trained ones named Sanya, was here to show off her Devaronian nature rather than as a Jedi as well. Not that their Jedi-ness didn't matter, as Ahsoka's lightsaber, just the other's, were concealed as part of their dresses, as they were also bodyguards to…a Jedi and would-be Sith.
'Bariss does not need a bodyguard' was Ahsoka's opinion having trained with Bariss regularly of late, but she was still that as well as they moved amidst the swirl of dignitaries. There was a large number of humans present of course, just as on Corellia, and before that on Coruscant, but there was a significant number of non-humans and those more 'colourful' seeming near-humans such as the blue-skinned Pantorans for instance. Some were elaborately dressed, or other opting for formal military wear of either the 'Federal' Imperial Fleet, or of the various Sector Defence, or System Self Defence, Forces of the United Federal Empire. That was very much strange compared to what Ahsoka was used to as they came to a stop as Bariss and Ventress came up to Daron, each taking a hand, moving to stand on either side of him after a kiss. Then gave Ahsoka a smile and wink as Ahsoka gave him a mild glare, before giving an awkward bow. Before offering her a drink, the same to Sanya beside her as dignitaries bustled about as some new arrival was called out.
"…and this is Senator Such-and-Such of Pantora" she heard Stormy introduce a blue-skinned young female Pantoran, the recently elected niece of the now sitting 'Lady' of that world on the House of Lords. Bariss nodding, them motioning at Ahsoka after replying to the inexperience seeming Senator.
"My dear friend here, Shala Ys'li, would have some words over the suffering of her homeworld with you husband mine" Bariss was saying, allowing Ahsoka shift over to Daron for a few minutes it seemed after the back and forth of introductions and political talk over. Though perhaps…it seemed to be a tactic to allow Daron slip away from the hungry maw seeking the attention of the green-skinned Jedi dressed in the Admiral's formalwear of the Imperial Fleet. Ahsoka gave a 'curtsy' and offering simpering, shy-sounding, thanks before following behind Stormy to a table with active quasi-transparent privacy screens to prevent lip-reading or listening in, though leaving bodies clearly visible. Really, this whole ballroom was security conscious and cost a small fortune to achieve that level of security and privacy most likely.
"So…" Ahsoka asked with a faint smirk as Stormy refilled the transparent, but gold trimmed, crystal goblet in his hand after pressing a thumb to a secured decanter "…have I rescued the damsel, hmm?"
"Yes, quite the Jedi saviour you are today Lady Ys'li" he answered after a bemused snort, turning his head to her and shrugging "I have had to endure this for two hours already, and that was after constant meetings these last few days. So, thank you for a respite"
"You are welcome Stormy….and Lady Ys'li, hmm?"
"Well, we are building you a legend" he answered after taking a sip from his goblet, then emitting a sigh "Since, ah, Jedi Knight, really should be Master by the way, but Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano of Corellia really should not be at such events as these of course"
Bariss was intent upon giving Ahsoka a cover identity for her stay…along with both of them, Bariss and Asajj, attempting to tempt her into staying on a more permanent basis. That news from what had been Ahsoka's home most of her life was…bad, and the news from what once had been her birth home, at the hands of adopted home, was even worse. Togruta were persona non grata within much of the Core seemingly, not having been a 'Core Species' as identified by the New Republic, with even Skyguy warning her away in the latest round of secret, and rare, communiques. Corellia was safe, he said, but getting back to Corellia from the Empire would be difficult, and with all the attention on Padme…
"I know" she admitted with an unhappy headshake "Though not a fan of…propaganda uses"
"You are not being put into any official stuff, that would be hard in hiding you after all" he answered with a shake of his head as she drank down her drink, then allowed him to refill her fancy looking goblet "Just a reason for how you ah…gained the favour of our House. Or…you could be Asajj's Mistress perhaps? Apprentice? Hmm?"
"Hnnnn" she gave him a mock glare, then smiled letting out a sigh and looking about the colourful, but not as overly gaudy as she'd expected meeting of 'nobility'. It was a riot of species-colour compared to the Old Senate in some ways, at least the committees the Jedi had had to attend "You like your military uniforms"
"That we do. Common ground supposedly" he answered with a shrug "Though…well, this little event is rather focused on the Frontier and Veterans, as well as Active Service Personnel, so it isn't strange to see that uniting feature I suppose. And, yes, your presence may have a beneficial effect"
Ahsoka nodded "Bariss mentioned. You are trying to create a Togruta colony world"
"More than one actually, but a voting one. There are plenty of togruta around the galaxy, but refugees are fleeing and need somewhere to go" he paused, gave a sad sigh "And I need to settle, and stabilise, the frontier as Admiral of the Fifth. Win-win some would say, but sadly few of those fleeing are from Shilli proper, but those moving the wake of the New Republic advance"
She bit her lip "The situation worsens?"
"They've worked around Ord Mantell somewhat, attacks on Wynkathu and Genessa…also, the remnants of the Shili Defence Fleet are refusing to quit the field" he sighed, shaking his head before taking a sip "I can understand why, but we'd rather they not be destroyed in a lost battle, or whittled down to nothing by victorious ones. We need to retain some of leadership of…"
"Before it and our history is destroyed" Ahsoka murmured unhappily, glancing away. It was painful, even for a Jedi who had barely visited Shilli, but to think it was being repeated across hundreds of worlds…it was painful to think upon "They are fight for what they believe in. I just…hope they have not given into hate"
"The difference between Justice and Vengeance can be very small, or simply in one's mind" Stormy answered with a shrug "I do not blame them, but I'd rather they did not do so, both for reasons moral and pragmatic"
She nodded….then glanced at him "You are looking for me to do something, aren't you?"
Paused, gave him the side-eye "Other than babysit I mean?"
He chuckled, gave a wan smile "Ah, learning from Bariss to clarify questions are we now? Aye, perhaps, or, rather, for Lady Ys'li to perhaps help with the refugee troubles and seeking out a world, with adequate settlement support and rights to go with it"
Ahsoka looked into the shimmering crimson liquid in her drink. She had been bored outside training and time with Ky and Soka…in the end she wasn't truly setup to be sitting in the Temple, or Temple Ship as here, meditating and doing nothing as the galaxy caught aflame again…
"What was Sanya's bribe for being here?"
He gave a chuckle "Less a bribe and more a responsibility, serving as a new Agri-Officer on Stormhaven at her request. While having training droids to keep up her training. Something other minor requests"
"You are corrupting me, aren't you?"
"No, I leave that up to my lovely wives" he answered back with a smile, patting her bare shoulder, her montral-wear clinking faintly "I just seek to reward my friends…and make use of talent individuals like yourself!"
Ahsoka let out a soft grunt, shaking her head as they prepared to re-enter the sea filled with political predators and Imperial fanatics after taking up this task as a fake noble lady…