Chapter 46: The Corellian Conference Episode IV

(3rd Person: POV)

Tugging at the collar of his robes Marcellus resisted the urge to grumble and complain.

Namely because at the moment he was doing his duty as a Jedi, and representing the Jedi Order.

In one of the many halls of the CEC headquarters Marcellus stood surrounded by a huge crowd of people.

Many of of them the people he, his master, Van, and their Green Jedi counterparts from here on Corellia had been assigned to protect.

It is the end of the first week of the conference, and to mark it a huge party was thrown.

And while nothing extreme had happened so far the Jedi did not want to take any chances. Thus two of them were assigned to the party floor to watch the delegates and representatives up close and personal.

One of them who was selected for the job was Marcellus.

Thus he had to break out the formal attire he wore at such parties when he returned home to Aldeeran for nobility training from his household.

Which for Marcellus was one of the most boring things in the entire galaxy to do.

Still, as a member of the House of Antilles he didn't complain and did his duty.

For it was at least an excuse to get out of the Jedi temple and see his mother.

Since his mother was never allowed to come to the Jedi temple.

Part of the Jedi orders rules.

A rule Marcellus thought was incredibly stupid. Just like his best friend Van.

He was attached to his mother. Marcellus loved his mother. He was in touch with his emotions. He loved, laughed, had cried, gets scared, etc. Yet in his entire life he hadn't even once touched upon the dark side of the force. Even though Marcellus expressed his emotions he had never once come close to walking the path of a dark Jedi or a Sith.

Hence why Marcellus did not agree with the Jedi Orders rules on emotional suppression and non-attachment.

Which is probably why he and Van got along so well.

It is also why Marcellus could feel in the future Van might do something that could cause a rift to form in the current Jedi Order.

And when that day came Marcellus had already decided to stand by his best friend.

On a different note Marcellus didn't know how close to the truth about Van he actually was. Though he would find out in the near future.

But that is a story for later.

Moving through the partygoer's Marcellus put his nobility training to the test and plastered a perfect fake smile on his face.

Otherwise he would've had a disgusting frown instead, when talking to some of the individuals he came into contact with.

Now Marcellus isn't opposed to people having money, nor making it.

He comes from one of the richest Core world families after all, and his mother has made quite a bit of credits doing her own thing.

But the greediness, envy, and lust for power Marcellus is sensing from some of these beings through the Force is enough to make him vomit.

The only reason he hasn't is thanks to all the training he has received.

Both on Aldeeran and in the Jedi temple on Coruscant.

'This can't end soon enough.' Marcellus thought.

Then just after he did so he felt someone tap him on his left shoulder.

Turning in that individuals direction Marcellus was prepared to use wordplay and escape the conversation that was about to happen as soon as he could.

Only for that thought to go completely out the window he got a good look at the person who had tapped him on the shoulder.

It was Nova.

In a stunning purple dress.

[Image Here]

She was the other Jedi assigned to work the party floor with him.

A suggestion Van made.

For he had told Marcellus he was his wingman, or whatever that meant.

Marcellus didn't truly understand.

All he knew was that ever since the mission began Van had been trying to get him and Nova alone together.

Which Marcellus did not appreciate in the slightest.

I mean just because he thought Nova was pretty, and soon learned she was smart, tough, and fearless, through working with her this past week, did not mean Marcellus wanted to try and get to know her any better.

But he did.

When he told all this to Van his friend just smiled and called him a tsundere.

Yet another thing Marcellus didn't understand.

Though for some reason being called a tsundere made him want to deny the title even more.

Moving on.

After taking a moment to collect himself after laying eyes on Nova, and taking a snapshot of her in the dress and saving it in his mind for later, Marcellus cleared his throat before finally speaking. Instead of just standing there tongue-tied.

"Hey Nova." Marcellus said. "Do you need something?" He asked.

"No, just wanted to see how you were doing." Nova replied.

Completely calm, unlike Marcellus.

Who is making sure he doesn't' do or saying anything to embarrass himself.

"Oh, I'm doing fine." Marcellus replied. "Am, that dress. It looks good on you." He managed to say.

"Thanks." Nova replied. "You don't look so bad either. Even if you do look uncomfortable in those robes." She said.

"Thank you. And it's fine. I've been wearing robes like this since I was little and have gotten comfortable in being uncomfortable wearing them." Marcellus spoke.

Nova chuckling a bit after he did.

'I made her laugh. Yes!' Marcellus thought.

But on the outside his face was basically neutral.

"Good one." Nova mused. "So, I take it from your accent you're from Aldeeran? And based on your robes and mannerisms from one of their noble houses?"

"Yes to everything." Marcellus replied. "I'm a member of the House of Antilles. Though just a branch family, not the main house." He explained.

"I see. So I'm dealing with royalty then." Nova spoke.

"Hardly." Marcellus immediately replied. "I'm basically just royal in name only. In fact Van is more of a akin to a noble than I am." He mused.

"Ah yes, your friend. He's from the famous Sunrider family correct?" Nova spoke.

"Yep." Marcellus replied. "Just like you he comes from a long line of force-sensitives. And has the powers and talent in the Force to prove it. I can honestly say he is the most skilled Jedi of our generation."

"Wow." Nova said. "You really admire him don't you?" She asked.

"I do." Marcellus easily admitted. "But I also see him as a goal to strive for and even try and surpass." He spoke.

Which were Marcellus's true feelings about Van.

He was both his best friend and a rival.

Van seeing Marcellus the same way.

"Interesting. You are quite interesting Marcellus Antilles." Nova said.

"Thanks." Marcellus replied. Unable to stop a small smile from forming on his face at Nova's words. He then made a decision. "Say, if you wouldn't mind, and I'm not saying you have to, but seeing as we're not busy, and seeing as how I don't think it will interfere with the mission I was wondering, if you would like to dance?" He asked Nova.

Since there was a dance space in the hall.

A few seconds after Marcellus asked Nova the question, a smiled formed on her face. "Well, finally. I thought you would never ask." Nova revealed.

"Huh?" Marcellus mused.

Ignoring him Nova took his left hand with her own. "Well don't just stand there, let's go handsome." She said. Nova then started taking Marcellus towards the dance space.

"You think I'm handsome?" Marcellus asked.

When he did so Nova gave him a charming smile. "A bit slow in the uptake aren't you handsome? But don't worry, just follow me and I promise, you'll have a great time." She said.

Nova licking her lips in a hungry manner after she did.

For Marcellus was just the type of guy that checked all her preference boxes.

Smart, able to hold a conversation, and most of all handsome with a bit of meek charm where it counted.

To put is simply Nova was a predator and Marcellus was her prey.

Seeing Nova's actions Marcellus got a shiver down his spine. But this time it felt good.

So shutting his mouth he followed the Corellian beauty leading him to dance.

Neither Marcellus or Nova having any idea this would be the first dance of many they would share.