𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑽𝑶𝑰𝑪𝑬 ~Kix~

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓷

"Do you really think a party like this is an appropriate place for reading?" Courtney looked up to see the familiar face of ARC trooper Fives as he sat down across from her. She raised a brow at him, clearly unamused by his interruption. "Is that so?" She questioned him. "Yes ma'am. A lady like yourself ought to be out dancing or engaging in conversation. No sticking her nose in a book." "And why's that?" She asked, her words were sharp like daggers. She closed her book, making sure to place a marker in her spot before setting it down on her table. "Because I'm beautiful? Because I'm pleasing to your eyes? Because having a woman like me on your arm would heighten your status with your brothers?" "What?" Fives replied, "no." He assured her. "Because I know you would have a better time tonight if you were out socializing rather then being by yourself." Something short of a smile tugged at her lips. For once she thought there might be more to this clone then she had labeled him as. "Then let me ask you something," she purposed as she folded her hands together and rested them on the table before her. "Why are you here talking with the antisocial book-worm princess rather then enjoying your time with your brothers and making the most of your chance to enjoy such a high society event?" A genuine smile formed on Fives' lips. Not a cocky one or a flirtatious one but one of genuine kindness. "Because I would much rather spend my time with a beautiful good hearted girl who has courage to be different but is also pure hearted."

Courtney could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. Never in her life had she heard a compliment aimed at her quite like that. It was always about her beauty or how lovely she was. Always on appearance and never the rest. This touched the princess. She managed a smile back at him. "Fives I-" she didn't know what to say. "Thank you." She finally replied. "No one has ever- I've never-" Fives chuckled at just how flustered he made her and he placed a gloved hand on hers. "You're welcome, your highness." "Please, just call me Courtney." She replied and his smile softened. "And if it's any constellation, I do think you're the most stunning woman I've ever seen." He stated. "But you're stunning both inside and out."

"Cosette?" The brunette woman with her ever so curly hair, evergreen colored eyes, and emerald colored gown decorated with the embroidery of tiny tulips, each a different color. Upon hearing her name she turned to see a clone trooper. His helmet was adorned with blue stripes, unlike any of the other clones. "Do I know you?" She asked, all formality was always lost with Cosette. She gave her sisters and her father a headache trying to make her behave. The clone removed his helmet and Cosette's eyes widened. "Hardcase?" She was a little stunned to see him here. "You're a princess?" Hardcase asked, his tone was full of disbelief as if he didn't think it possible for Cosette to have the slightest drop of royalty in her. "Well, yes." She replied with matter of fact tone of voice. Hardcase blinked, his eyes still wide in awe. "Well I-I think you look lovely tonight." He stammered, a small hint color dusted his cheeks and Cosette grinned. "Thank you. However I would prefer being caked in dirt and outside seeing what kind of trouble I can get myself into." "Me too." Hardcase replied and Cosette raised a brow at him. "I mean n-not you! I-I mean I would uh also like to be outside causing trouble rather then being at a party like this." Cosette's smile at him softened. "Well then you and I are rather similar then aren't we?" Hardcase managed a grin back at her. "I would assume so, Miss Cosette." "It's a shame these next few days are the last I will see of you for a while." "What?" Hardcase asked, his attention suddenly much more in tune to what she was saying. "Well with you lot returning to Coruscant after your work here is over me and all my sisters will be completely secured In arranged marriages each to men that our father has arranged for us to meet tonight." Hardcase couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had just met this girl and he had already lost her. "Arranged marraige?" He repeated the words and Cosette nodded. "It's something royals often have to do for alliances. It's never the most agreeable solution but it is common and efficient." Hardcase couldn't believe what he was hearing. "But what if you don't like the person you're arranged to?" Cosette couldn't help but chuckle. "Then that's too bad." She replied. "My affections and sentiments don't matter when it comes to the politics of the kingdom. My future husband could be the most boring or terrible person I have ever known, but it's just too bad. I have to marry him." There was a tinge of sorrow, of pain, in Cosette's eyes. Hardcase would have missed it if he wasn't so focused on her and curious about her every word. He could tell it was something she didn't want to part take in at all. "But my voice doesn't matter about these things. My opinion is to a singular grain of sand on the shore, small and insignificant."