[EVENT | TAVIMBI] HAPOYELA'S BLESSINGS

[ironwood]

Characters: Come one, come all!
Date: March 5th
Location: The Sabonile Temple, in Hatal
Situation: The Foreigners, as well as many prominent kedan, have been invited to the great Temple of Hapoyela in Hatal, where the Sabonile priest class wishes them to participate in a celebration!
Warnings/Rating: Character nudity in the after-feast comment. Indicate content warnings in subject headers as applicable.

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According to the Sabonile priests, Hapoyela wishes to properly welcome the Foreigners and the kedan to the full scope of Tavimbi's hospitality, and has instructed the clergy to organize a suitably impressive celebration for the citizens of the oldest living Great Turtle. All Foreigners, as well as many notable kedan including the Family heads, are invited to attend a grand feast and celebration at the Sabonile Temple, one of the largest buildings in all of Hatal.

The clergy has promised an evening of good food, lively entertainment, and the magnificent blessings of Hapoyela. At the same time, the Sabonile will be hosting a soup kitchen in the Temple's courtyard, feeding the hungry and the poor, as dictated by their religious tenets and beliefs.

While those who receive an invitation to the event, which the Sabonile consider a sacred charge from Hapoyela, are not required to attend... it could be seen as a disrespect to their deity.

MOD NOTE: For the naked after party section, soul gems are still allowed to be worn. If your character isn't up for stripping down, they can excuse themselves from that segment of the evening, which will have no negative repercussions with the Sabonile. In this case, they will simply do a wave-over blessing from Hapoyela around the person, and bid them a pleasant evening before they go.

Comments

OTA (Insert some Anakin screeches somewhere)

[angelofnaboo]

Being a diplomat and politician nearly her entire life, Padmé only lifts a eye at the mention of a clothes-free zone. She's still getting her bearings around this strange world, and what better way than to embrace the local traditions. She's already given up the bracelet she wore to the feast as an offering to the god and helped to feed those in need of aid. This is just another step in the night's proceedings as far as she's concerned.

With a bit of a laugh, she starts to remove her clothes, thinking back to the time when she'd go swimming across the lakes on her home planet as a teen with her friends. It's the first time in years, she's done something quite so...unexpected. She turns to the person on her right and shrugs as she pulls the pins holding her hair up down. It falls in soft ringlets down to bottom of her breastbone, giving her some modest covering, but still allowing her to be naked.

"I hope they're not offended that I took my hair down."

[hadthehighground]

"I do not think that will be a problem," says one voice that Padme will recognize. Because nearby there's a certain Jedi Master that's stripping down as well.

This is a little awkward, but Obi-Wan will be sure to keep his line of sight politely no further than her face as he looks over at Padme. To be honest though, he's certainly not surprised to see her participating in this. Though he can only imagine how Anakin will feel about it.

[angelofnaboo]

She's a little startled to hear that voice actually, mostly because she wasn't really expecting to run into anyone she knew while doing something so very impulsive such as this. Although, it's probably for the best that it's Obi-Wan and not Anakin. Less chance of someone getting too angry over her being stared at for too long.

"Perhaps not for you, Master Kenobi," she says glibly. "Not all of us are as lucky as you to escape trouble so easily."

[hadthehighground]

There's a wry little smile at that.

"If the Senator is so concerned then perhaps she would like a Jedi escort?"

[angelofnaboo]

"Perhaps an escort would be a little much, but the company of an old friend would be most welcome."

She can feel the stares starting, and while that normally wouldn't bother her, she's normally more dressed for it as well.

"Maybe now you can tell me what you and the others have been avoiding telling me, like I'm some sort of delicate child."

[hadthehighground]

"Of course," he says with a broader smile and motions for her to go ahead. He would then walk along beside her, making his presence known should anyone think to stare too long.

Though the topic that Padme brings up does cause that smile to falter a little bit.

"I suppose now would be as good a time as any." What with the openness of the situation, and the lack of Anakin's presence is good too. Though there is a bit of hesitation from Obi-Wan before he starts.

"I'm sure you know by now that those brought here are not only from different worlds, but different times as well. I was brought here from your future, as well as Anakin's."

[angelofnaboo]

She finds his presence reassuring and some of the stares to back off. And since she's used to staring up at his face, she can ignore the fact that they're both in the buff. It's not as hard as she thinks it should be, as long as she figures that she has the right to do as she pleases. At least so long as it doesn't hurt anyone else.

"Considering how unpleasant you made it sound in our first chat when I arrived, I figured now would be as good a time as any to corner you." And the fact that they are alone helps. She's sure that she can process bad news better if she has time to think it through. And she's not sure that she'd have that with anyone else.

"Yes, I've had the pleasure of speaking to Jedi Knight Marek and Bail Organa's grandson, who both claim to be from the far future. I was unaware that Bail and Breha had a child, let alone a daughter that could give them a grandson."

[hadthehighground]

Obi-Wan can't help but chuckle lightly as they walk along, his hands clasped in front of him as is his habit. There is just a lack of long robe sleeves.

"Well, then I am at your mercy."

His tone changes though at the mention of Bail Organa's grandsone, which is accompanied by a look of surprise. "His grandson?" There is a pause as he thinks on this. "You don't mean, Kylo Ren?" That's the only other person he could think of that was from their galaxy that he didn't know the lineage of, aside from the aforementioned Galen Marek.

[angelofnaboo]

Even without his normal robes, she finds the movement of his arms very him. And she finds a little comfort in that fact.

"I promise to be gentle. Unless the situation requires a more... aggressive tactic." Teasing though she might be, she's also completely serious.

"Yes, he introduced himself as such. I was a little surprised, but happy nonetheless. I've known Breha for almost as long as I've been a senator. She and Bail have tried for years to have their own child. I thought they'd given up trying and were considering adoption."

[hadthehighground]

Again he chuckled, but knew that she was also being serious. Padme could be quite insistent when she wanted to be. He knew better than to keep things from her unless it was absolutely necessary.

"They did adopt a little girl," Obi-Wan replied. "Her name is Leia."

And he can only assume that Leia is Kylo Ren's mother. This is certainly an interesting turn of events.

[angelofnaboo]

What he means is that Padmé has been known to be as insistent as a rabid Rancor when she's hunting down information. Keeping things from her at this point would be silly.

"That makes sense. Although, it still makes me sad for Breha. She's far too good and kind to have to suffer that." She lets herself think about her friends for a moment before shaking her head and turning her full attention back to Obi-Wan. "Alright, that explains to me exactly how Kylo Ren is the grandson of Bail, but it doesn't really explain what it is that you've avoided telling me."

[phoenixstrut]

When she spots another woman who is clearly not a native, she can't help but be relieved, and laughs a little at her comment. "Well, if they've got an issue with our hair being down, they're going to have to get over it or speak up fairly quickly..." she grins, setting aside the last of her own clothing. "That and... well. I almost feel like I'm cheating anyway..."

Because not only is her hair down and long enough to cover her breasts fairly well, but she's also got a large pair of wings to cover her from behind. It's not exactly cheating... they were a natural part of her, and given the nature of the situation, it would be wrong for the Angel to have her wings hidden away. At least, that's how she feels about it.

[angelofnaboo]

The fact that her new companion is another female is definitely comforting, considering she knows that the cleansing areas aren't separated by gender. "It's almost like following the letter of their rules, but not the full spirit."

She takes a good look at the other woman to see the wings and her eyes grow large. "Oh! I don't think that they could really blame you for those. I mean, I suppose they could, but it would be futile."

[phoenixstrut]

She gives a considerate shrug. "Almost, but really, wouldn't styling it make it less natural in a way?"

She giggles at the rush when the woman notices her wings. It really never gets old. "It really would be. They're honestly the purest part of who I am."

Pause. "I'm Dove," she offers, extending a hand.

[angelofnaboo]

"I suppose so. I don't think I have much to worry about. After a while in the steam, I think my curls will become tighter."

Padmé tries to be tactful and look at the other woman's face and not the beautiful wings at her back. Considering the variety of alien lifeforms she's acquainted with, wing shouldn't really surprise her, but they do a bit. But, she has manners and staring is rude. "I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that about an appendage before."

She takes the hand offered to her and shakes it firmly. "Padmé Amidala, it's nice to meet you, Dove."

[ruinsprofessor]

"I doubt it. If anything, it should say something more of honesty." The woman in question offers a small smile in return. She's already placed her clothes aside, though there's an oddity-- what looks like translucent shadows settle around her body, moving when she does. They don't hide her build, nor the faintly luminous gem apparently set into her flesh just below her collarbone, nor the small circular scar over her heart; in short, those shadows are more distraction than substance.

There's still some faint pinkness high along her cheekbones.

"I don't believe we've met-- you're relatively new to Keeliai, aren't you?"

[angelofnaboo]

"Honesty? I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."

Padmé's eyes are instantly drawn to the shadows surrounding the other woman. She sees the gem and it reminds her to remove the brooch from her dress and to connect it to the string that hangs between her breasts with the japor snippet. She's not sure why her soul gem has taken this shame but she also knows she should abandon it, even for a little bit.

But she notices the blush as well and that makes her feel a bit better about her own nervousness.

"Yes, I am new. My name is Padmé Amidala."

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine tilts her head a little. "I was inquiring about the reasons behind the traditions," she explains. "It appears to be something to do with purity, of course, but there's an element of demonstrating that one has nothing to hide. In that case, I don't imagine taking your hair down will hurt your case."

She's wearing a bracelet, too -- her own soul gem, in contrast to the exsphere at her throat -- but that's it. Raine smiles a little wryly, tracking Padmé's gaze, and gestures to herself. "My fiancé's work," she says, by way of explanation for the shadows. "A technicality. Not clothing, and it functionally hides nothing; but it is pretty, and it provides some tactile feedback." And indeed, the relative translucence means she's still effectively in the same boat as everyone else. Only a bit more magically.

"Raine Sage," she says, and extends a hand. "I run the Healers' Guild."

[angelofnaboo]

"I suppose you're right. If anything, it proves that I'm not trying to secret a weapon in my hair, despite my elaborate designs."

Padmé laughs self-consciously at being found out about staring at the strange, diaphanous fabric. "It's gorgeous. It reminds me of a gown I own back home. But your fiancé is extremely talented if he's crafted that for you."

She takes the other woman's hand and shakes it firmly. "I wasn't aware that there was a Healer's Guild here, but I'm also not surprised. It's taking me a while to find my footing since my arrival."

[ruinsprofessor]

"Precisely." Raine gives her a tiny, firm nod of agreement. Padmé does have impressively long hair-- there's quite a bit that could be done with it, by someone knowledgeable and inventive enough.

There's the obligatory moment to wonder if Padmé's world has magic, or something equivalent; Raine runs into it almost every time she meets someone new. "Is crafting," she says, still a bit wry, and she pauses to glance around the courtyard. Before long she points out one of the corners to Padmé, where there's a man telling stories with shadow-puppets that aren't precisely coming from the shapes of his hands. "He's a necromancer; he has magic with shadows, among other things. Is there such a thing, in your world?"

Overall, despite the possible awkwardness of the encounter, Raine's finding her first impression of Padmé a positive one. Not everyone can maintain so much aplomb in such a situation. "It's situated in the Water sector," she says. "If you'd ever like to volunteer, I can always use the help, whether it's healing or administrative. Have you had much of a chance to explore the city?"

[angelofnaboo]

"I've never thought of doing that before, actually." And she's not at all sure why that's the case. Maybe because it's so much easier to just grab a blaster and use that. "I suppose that if I fail at being a politician, I can't fall back on being an assassin."

Padmé follows the line of Raine's arm as she points out the man she'd noticed briefly. "There is something, yes, but I'm afraid that I'm not very closely associated with it. You'd be better off asking my...friends from home about it."

She's not sure why, but she doesn't feel comfortable disclosing her relationship with Anakin to a stranger without actually talking to him first. A part of her is sure that he'd be happy to scream it to everyone he's ever met, but she...needs to talk to discuss it with him first. Hence her hesitation.

"I'm afraid that I'm not very good with healing. There isn't much chance of it when I spend most of my time in committee meetings back home." Besides, most of the best healers were medic droids. "But to answer your question, no, I haven't yet. I've been remiss in that aspect because of the suddenness of my arrival. And the fact that I've had to barter with Anton for room and board at the hotel."

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine laughs quietly, mostly because she is thinking of an assassin who was not exactly competent at her job. She's not entirely surprised by politician, though if she had to judge by Padmé's bearing alone she would likely have said noble; then again, her world doesn't have many who make politics their entire career.

The hesitation over friends is noted, but for the moment not commented on. "You're fortunate," Raine says, a little wistfully. "To have others from your home with you." She moves on from any of her own emotions relatively quickly, though, to more interesting matters. "Who would be the best to talk to? I've been making some study of the differences in magical conventions-- it's fascinating, the commonalities you'll find between completely disparate worlds."

To the rest Raine nods, understanding. "It will likely be best to explore with someone," she says, "but in general, Keeliai is a beautiful place. And you're in good hands at the Hotel."

[angelofnaboo]

Well, then Raine wouldn't be surprised to know that Padmé started her varied career as a queen. However, before then she was just the younger daughter of a normal bureaucrat on one of the Core planets.

And she's grateful for not bringing up the hesitation. It's a sensitive subject for her and she might not talk about it, even if she's asked. "I feel that I am, yes. They've made my arrival here fairly easy." However, she can't help but smile at the other woman's enthusiasm regarding the 'magical' situation. "If you're looking for someone who would be willing to give you concessions, I think you'd be better off talking to Master Obi-Wan Kenobi."

However, she can't help but smile at a private thought. "Yes, I'm sure that I'll be able to find someone who would be willing to escort me around to explore. If you're ever interested in some delicacies from Naboo, I'm sure that I can whip something up."

[ruinsprofessor]

"Kenobi," Raine murmured. She had heard the name, she was sure of it. Most likely on the network. "That sounds familiar. I'll have to find him later."

Perhaps not right now, though. As fascinating a cultural phenomenon as this was, it did not rank among her favorites.

"One of your friends, I take it?" Raine inquired with some quiet amusement. It seemed that sort of a smile. "I don't cook much, myself -- for some reason, my friends don't like to let me." Just because she likes to experiment a little--! Honestly. She isn't over the sign in the Hotel kitchen. "I'd certainly be interested, yes."

[angelofnaboo]

"He lives at the Midnight Hotel, if you need to find him. As do I."

And Padmé loves discussing all the differences and similarities between cultures. It is part of finding a way to negotiate with others, part of what she lives for.

"Yes, Master Kenobi and I have known each other for a very long time. He has been a great help whenever I have needed him." She is extremely lucky to be able to call him a friend and she knows it.

Padmé blinks in surprise. Oh, she's that Raine. "Well, any time you're interested, please come by and I will make my mother's recipe of four-flour bread."