Theatre

Turning her head when she feels a hand rest gently on her shoulder, Elikapeka smiles at Ali warmly and says, "Ali! It's nice to see you again. Congratulations on your engagement, Elika tells her before lifting a hand to wave to Ali's mum and cousin while she says, It's nice to meet you all! Nodding to agree with Jena when she suggests that it would be nice if everyone were able to meet IC, Elika says, That would be definitely be great! Our writers should see if they can't think of a way for it to happen."

Arching an eyebrow with a playful scowl when Raan asks when he became Senator Jade, Elika says, "Hmmm, let's see. Probably sometime after you disappeared for so long that it felt more like you were a distant and remote senator than anything else maybe, hmmm? Smiling to make it clear that she is teasing more than trying to reproach him, Elika tilts her head to the side with a less than certain expression when he asks her if she can be sure that she is dreaming, something about his expression or the question itself engendering a sense of déjà vu that leaves her more than a little unsettled. Despite his efforts to make light of his comment, Elika cannot shake the feeling that she has had a similar dream before, especially after a few fragile, errant whisps of tattered memories of that other dream drift up from the depths of her consciousness briefly before disappearing like smoke scattered by the wind. Even though Raan's gesture seems to convey that he will be back, Elika cannot shake the sense that things are repeating themselves, and that he's actually hoping that she will go after him rather than wait for his return. Turning to Delaana, Elika rests a hand on the side of her face and tells her quietly, I'll be right back, my Ceesi," and then kisses her gently before pushing her chair back to stand.

"It's nice to meet you too, Miss Wareno, Elika tells the woman when she comes over to join them just after Raan has left and before she has gone after him. Smiling when Emi-Lee has finished describing her predicament, or that of her writer, Elika says, Well, at this table alone you have a smuggler, quite a few Jedi, some doctors, a lawyer, a soldier, a financial officer, and, she purses her lips in thought, probably a few other things I'm not able to recall at the moment. Maybe you, or your writer, might be closer to finding out where to go, or to put you, than you think? If nothing else, I'm sure any of us would welcome you to join us back in uni while you find out where to go or what to do. I'll be back in just a moment, Elika tells everyone with a smile, and then, after telling Helaine, Thank you by the way," for having told her and Delaana that she finds them cute, turns to see if she cannot find where Raan has gone off to.

Finding Raan on a balcony feels familiar, and Elika frowns slightly as she steps out onto it to stand beside him by the railing. After looking out at the skyline of Nystao for a moment while remaining silent, Elika turns to face Raan and attempts a smile as she asks in a concerned tone, "Was I wrong in thinking you were hoping that I'd follow you out onto a balcony in this dream too? If you really just needed a moment alone, Elika says in a lighter tone to try and make up for her previously concerned one in case she is mistaken about things repeating themselves to some degree in this dream, or were hoping someone else would come out here to haul you back in to join your friends maybe, I can, she lifts her arm to gesture with a thumb over her shoulder towards the doors leading back inside the theatre, go back and leave you alone or maybe get that other someone you might have wanted to come after you."

Reaching the balcony, Raan rubbed his hands together as he exhaled deeply. Closing his eyes, he replayed the events that had taken place in the last few minutes while he was in the theater. Was he imagining things, or had he detect a mischievous glint in Serrin's eyes as she thanked him? That wasn't possible, right? It wasn't as if she was trying to hint that she was onto him. Wow, how is it that I've survived the world of politics when I can't even read one person? Wait, Twi'lek. Then again, nothing about Serrin Roma was ordinary. He shook his head. No, he was just imagining things — an obvious sign that he was out of practice.

Then there was the man who had addressed Raan as he was taking his leave for the balcony. He didn't know the man, but he had appreciated the welcome, and even though Raan hadn't said anything to the man in return, he had clenched a fist and wrapped his palm around it, a gesture to show gratitude before taking his leave. He made note to find out more about the man when he got the chance.

He opened his eyes and looked at the night sky, grinning as he realized how much he'd missed being around the people at that table, their interactions, comical relief (he wasn't even going to touch the subject of Atlantis'doppelganger or the wardrobe malfunction. No. Certain things were best left forgotten) and their overall dynamics. Then there was all those new faces . . . Had he been gone that long?

It was especially amazing to see Elikapeka interacting with people so . . .freely. It pained him to have missed such an important phase in Elika's life, but any progress she made in her battle against agoraphobia were grounds for celebration. However, to dwell in the past would do him no good at the moment. He had closed his eyes yet again, taking in the air this time when, Elikapeka . . .



Whilst Elika had been looking at the skyline, Raan had turned his gaze towards her and as he did so, he experienced a sense of . . . well, pride perhaps? It wasn't easy to explain how or what he was feeling, but a single thought crossed his mind during this time. Are you seeing this, Noey? The person your Peka has become? He must have been silent for too long, since it seemed like she was beginning to have second thoughts about joining him on the balcony.

"No." He touched her arm, smiling as his eyes found hers, "You weren't . . .wrong." Letting go of her arm and his smile turning into more of a grin he said, "When have you ever been wrong about these matters? You were always quick to pick up on these things for as long as I've known you," He had a distant look about him as he said this, his eyes returning to the night sky for just a moment, recalling all the times she had followed him either to a balcony or some other place whenever he exited in that manner. Coruscant, Naboo . . ."Yes, that sounds about right. From the time you joined us on Umgul." He added, in the event she started searching for meaning in his words. "Besides, given the toned muscles I just felt on that arm, I believe you are best qualified to 'haul' me inside if needs be." That brought an end to whatever straight face he might have been trying to maintain.

While Raan had not expected her to come after him, he was glad that she did. "I do owe you an apology, Peka." Said he, eyes meeting hers again. "You were right, I have been rather distant — even for a Senator. I think we were supposed to have coffee sometime back too, weren't we?" Somehow that felt like years and years ago. "Anyway, just so I don't bore you with too many deja vu experiences, I must warn you that if you start getting cold then I won't be of much help since I don't really have a coat," He pointed to his semi-formal attire, said, "But I'll give you this sweatshirt, deal? Assuming that's what this is?" He knew that not only was it impossible for Elika to feel cold in this Honoghr climate but this time around they had temperature regulators. Still, it didn't hurt to be prepared.

"The truth is, Peka," Said Raan, his expression turning slightly serious, "I feel out of place tonight. You have all these people who have worked hard or somehow earned the right to be here, and then you have . . .me." He sighed and turned around so he had his back and elbows pressed against the railing. "So I thought I'd come out here, take a little breather — my daughter keeps reminding me to breathe, kind of makes you wonder who the parent is — catch up a little and then head back in there." Raan suspected that this was only due to the fact that he was gone too long and it would take some getting used to, but he still couldn't help how felt.

"Now then," He unconsciously reached out to brush a lock of hair from Elika's face — a habit he had developed during their University days — before returning his elbow on the railing. "There is no better breather than hearing all about you and that lovely lady I saw you with just now." He looked at the ceiling for a moment before looking at her again, a curious look about him as he added, "Oh, and perhaps what you might have said to the gentleman who asked how long we've known each other?" When Elika seemed surprised that Raan had heard the question Lyov had directed at her, he quickly said, "I wasn't eavesdropping. My ears, umm, and the wind . . umm. Yes." He laughed. "His curiosity was a lot less ridiculous than the person who thought we were married during the previous Sithies, right?"

"Yeah, see. . . I am not good at those things." Began to say Forcias when he was told to accept the award. He despised the attention, but he supposed that he would try.

. . . And try he did, since he did get on stage and delivered a lame speech.

He returned to his table and shrugged before sitting down some place else since Lyra was on his seat.

"Well that way interesting. . ." Said Mace with an amused grin after she had spent greeting the others she might not have greeted before and she smiled at them but since her attention had momentarily been diverted by Lyra until she went off, Mace just sat down right there with an amused grin on the corner of her lips.

"Ah, Serrin, apparently the Elitist club is the current inside joke, and since you are apparently now part of Umgul, you are henceforth branded as Elitist too, just adopt the badge and go with it, no use in comprehending. . ." Chuckling at the thought before looking at Jerkthro over there, she rolled her eyes playfully until noticing that Andros had come over to join them also.

"Everyone might as well join us, apparently this is the fun area. . ." Said Mace to Emi-Lee with a nonchalant shrug, she soon waved her hand to the Honoghr doctors and that cousin, looking at Ice in particular. "So your cousin gets engaged, and you just got your divorced pronounced. Congratulations?" Said Mace very bluntly with a knowing grin. "Yeah. . . Some of us do the stalking in return,"

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Wareno, Lyov tells the Jedi, singer, and holovid star. Smiling warmly, he says, As Miss Hekekia and Mr. Vyridian have said, mingle and you are bound to get some ideas as to where it is you would like to be and what you would like to be doing."

"Oh absolutely, Helaine agrees. And, like Elikapeka also said, I'm sure you'd be welcome to write with any of us to get your feet wet, so to speak, and see where that might lead you. Smiling when Andros abracadarbras up a dress for her, complete with one of those images her author is too lazy to search for, Helaine claps her hands and says, Oh thank you, I'd make you my official Sithies fashion consultant if I thought I'd be around for another Sithies. Looking over at Lyov, she snaps her fingers and wiggles her nose to summon up a tuxedo for him, and then says, See? Not really that hard, is it?"

"Why are you telling me? Lyov asks. I'm not the author any more than you are."

Shrugging, Helaine says, "I guess not. I was telling him through you. Smiling when Forcias rejoins them after making his speech, Helaine says, I think you did just fine. Looking over at Lucine, she jokes, You should be a bit nicer to him after that I think."

Laughing when Zion suggests that Soap Opera needs its own badge, Lyov says, "Maybe someone needs to make an Elitist Soap Opera badge?"

"That can happen, Connie tells Emi-Lee cheerfully when she says she has been in a mini-coma for a while, and then heads over to the Umgulians table with her. Oh wow! There's Raan! Connie exclaims excitedly when she spots Raan, waving chipperly to the dude that she hasn't seen in, like, forfreakin'ever, and then exclaims just as cheerfully, Oh wow! There goes Raan! when he heads off, soon followed by Elly. Nodding to agree with 'dros n' Elly n' Lyov when they all tell Emi-Lee that they're sure she'll find a place 'ventually, Connie says, What they all said! Buck up lil' camper, you'll find a place'a be sooner or later! Sitting down next ta Delaana, Connie rests her chin in her hands and smiles cheerfully at the Hapan hottie and says, Soooo, Miss Planted by 'dros, it's only fair ta warn ya that if ya do anythin' ta hurt our Elly 'dros'll go all protective big bro', an' then Raan'll prob'ly hunt ya down if ya survive that, n' then I may jus' hafta find ya an', she smacks a tiny fist into her palm with a grin, and smiles cheerfully as she says, Jus' so ya know! Nice ta meet'cha by the way! Clapping her hands together, Connie says, Now, I think it's, like, time for some namana shots! Hailing a handily passing serving droid, Connie circles a finger around the table and says, Namanana shots all around! As the droid heads off ta get the shots, Connie asks 'dros, So, like, I can has an elitist badge too? They look all cool n' stuff with 'em all together! So, like, is it sorta like an all ironical team motto or somethin', or what?"

Ironical team motto. Now there was an idea. Why hadn't we ever thought of one of those for the Fel Crew? Or maybe we did have one. The Post of the Month Club. The Procrastinators Anonymous. There were many options, now that my writer thought about it. Many, many, many options. I'd have to pick one out later, when I had some time to get around to it. Ignoring the philosophical dilemma that my inner monologue had just exposed, I turned my attention to the so-called elitists.

"If they were actually elitists, everyone would know it, and they wouldn't need to wear badges announcing their elitist status." An amused voice behind (and above) Connie said, as I walked over to the Umgulian table. "Hello again, Connie, or Anzhelina, or Tehia, or whatever your current name is." I grinned impishly. "Want to introduce me to your friends? I get them all confused." As I glanced around the table, I realized that it was an even bigger group than I realized, even if I didn't count Ice or the Red Dawn doctors, or the actress/singer (what was her name? I was never good with celebrities). In fact, it seemed that everyone in the galaxy was slowly co-mingling around one every-larger table.

Lips pursed in thought after Emi-Lee asks how one chooses where ta go when they have a lotta options and no idea where ta go, Connie ponders the matter for a mo' and then raises a finger as she chipperly tosses out a few suggestions, "Put alla names inna hat an' pick one out without peekin'? Put a mappa the universe onna table and close your eyes and spin aroun' five times and then point somewhere onna map, then go where your finger is pointin'? Ask a random stranger for their opinion? Dip a Kowakian monkey-lizards'tail in paint an' have 'em run across a map, an' go where the most paint blobs land? Nodding as though having presented the most helpful suggestions ever presented, Connie says, Yep, one'a those is bound'a work for ya! Or, ya know, be all borin' and research stuff on Wookie, an' go ta the, like, most interestin' place? Or, like, stalk the boards like everyone else an' go ta where ya like the writin' best?"

Looking around when Liya comes over an' 'splains the elitist thing, Connie says, "Ooohhhh, so kinda like calling a really tall guy Tiny? I get it! Thanks! Oh, an' congratumalations onna Sithie! Go you with your awesome smugglerific self! As the namana shots arrive and are passed around, Connie tells 'lantis cheerfully, Too late! when he starts whinin', then offers one ta Liya as she takes on the challenge'a introducing her ta everyone, I'll give it a shot! Connie says chipperly, laughing at her own clever pun, 'cause, like, the namana shots an' all. Pointing out the people she is introducin', Connie stands up on her chair to give her self a better view'a everyone and starts by introducing Liya ta everyone, Everyone, the Liya Tawaza of the famous, or infamous, Fel crew. Liya, the scowlin' metrosexual dude there is 'dros, Vice Governor'a Umgul an' not as bigga meanie as he pretends'a be. His much abused twin bro' is there, 'lantis, head'a the Mist Order an' human punching bag to many, both onna boards an' in real life or so he likes ta say. The mysterious lookin' red head with the seen-it-all an' been-there-done-that-bought-the-t-shirt look is Macey Wacey, another Mist Order Jedi. The goofy lookin' blonde dude inna back there is Franz, another Jedi o' the Mist. The cute lil' holovid star an' singer you may recognize from her vids or posters or action figures or fashion dolls is Emi-Lee Wareno. The dude you heard win best NPC is Forcias, an' the chickie there with 'im is Lucy, they're military pilots I think? Or she is, an' he's a Kiffar that was or is an' is also a Forcie. The blonde Hapan hottie beside me is Delaana Wan, Crystal over there by 'lantis' personal assistant who is really some kinda Jane Bond secret agent chickie from Hapes that . . . yeah, that'll take too long ta 'splain. Lessee, oh yeah! Over there by Cryssal is Lijala . . . Ljigg . . . Lily, her bestie from when they were, like, in diapers, an' also the big lawyer attorney thing for Umgul City. Oh yeah, I forgot, Cryssal is a money officer or somethin'. The doc with the tatts by Lily is one'a Cryssal's brothers, Ryan I think? She has another one too, but he's not here. Oh! I don't mean Lily has another boyfriend, I mean Cryssal has another brother, an' he's the one engaged ta the pretty doc with her mom over there, Ali. Her mom is the hot one with the dark hair there, Jena. An' the hottie with 'em that looks all ready ta raid some tombs is Ice. Tapping the side of her cheek as she tries to think of anyone she's missed, Connie spots Raan's daughter by Lucy, an' so says, The cute little girl with Lucy is Lyra, Raan's daughter. Raan is the red headed guy that left with the red headed cutie a minute ago, Elikamekapeka, or jus' Elly. Smacking her forehead when she sees the other Jedi present, Connie says, An' the dark haired hottie by the green Twi'lek is Ael, an' the Twi'lek is Serrin, but you probably knew that on accounta her being on stage earlier. An' the other dude there is Zion. Stang! Connie says, noticing the Calmcacil fam, and so waves in their direction an' says, The big happy family there is the Calmingcoolcills or something like that. Oh yeah, you prob'ly knew them too, 'cause some of 'em were on stage too. Oh, an' the tall bald dude there, he's an Epicannix too, is Lyov, an' the Zeltron hottie with him is Helaine. An', lessee, oh!  the tall hottie in the back with the cool hair is Maddie, a Sector Ranger.  I think I got everyone, but, she holds her hands up an' says, If I missed ya, feel free ta introduce yourself!"

Sitting back down, Connie, expertly switching conversational gears without warning or unnecessary pauses, tells the Hapan hottie, "Yeah, I guess I'd hafta agree that 'dros'd, like, be the one ta blame. Smiling she says, But enough'a that, then hands the Hapan a shot'a namana and says, have a namanama!"