Open RP Post

[candor1]

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[shiningstardust]

"Give me time", she answered, a little breathless, a little flushed, perhaps exactly what was expected of newlyweds. "I'm sure I'll find a way."

She nodded slightly, her grip on his arm tightening just a bit more. The party awaited.

[candor1]

He was always captured when she looked at him like that. The idea that it was something he'd said that had done it…

He pushed it down, as usual. But felt hyperaware of their points of contact—her fingers, his arm—as they joined the party.


Before starting this assignment, Cassian had been given a lot of new training. A lot of it just to fit in on Coruscant to a degree he'd never had to before. One lesson had been given by Mon Mothma herself: how to do Core ballroom dancing. He'd been to a number of events already, danced with quite a few people. He didn't imagine he'd be expected to that anymore; he'd only have to dance with Jyn. It only occurred to him now that he should have asked how she even felt about dancing.

It also occurred to him that they might be expected to kiss at some point in the night. And maybe they would have preferred to have their first kiss be one they actually chose, for themselves and one another, not for an audience. But don't worry about that now, unless/until it comes up.

To start, they stuck together working their way through the room. Cassian brought them over to where he'd spotted Admiral and Mrs. Grendreef, presented Jyn to them (as if they didn't know her). Had Grendreef make the jaw-clenching suggestion that, later in the night, they'd have to share a dance, only with Grendreef dancing with Jyn and Cassian dancing with Aune. There didn't seem to be a way not to agree. Again, though, one thing at a time. And first there were more people to meet and greet.

[shiningstardust]

Sometimes, when Jyn was observing Joreth particularly closely, she caught sight of a surprise in his expression that made her feel ... a comfortable warmth slowly beginning to grow in the pit of her belly.

She hardly knew what it meant, but she knew one thing - for as much as she had wanted to hate him on principle alone, she didn't.

She was grateful for his steadfast presence as they made their way through the room, exchanging pleasantries as they did, Jyn's smile plastered on her face, clearly not reaching her eyes - not that anyone really noticed, not that anyone really cared.

All this was about was posturing and preening and lauding each other's accomplishments.

Jyn knew that she and Joreth would probably be expected to take to the dance floor at least once during the course of the night. Dancing had never been her favorite pastime, but somehow, the prospect of doing it with him didn't seem quite so daunting.

(The expected public display of affection ... less so. Jyn knew that she would rather their first kiss to be one that was real and wanted by both of them, shared in private where they didn't have to act in front of an audience. But no need to worry about that now, she would just have to wait to see if or when it happened to come up.)

They made their way through the crowd quickly enough, taking a detour to greet and Admiral and his wife, who she was indeed acquainted with. The conversation was pleasant enough, and although Jyn wasn't exactly pleased with the idea of sharing a dance later, there really was no delicate way of declining the offer.

But more than that, her stomach turned to see the covetous glance the Admiral's wife was directing Joreth's way - and Jyn was keen enough to consider what that might have meant in terms of his duties with the family.

"I'm sorry", she offered, smiling apologetically. "We have yet to greet my Uncle, and I'm sure he wants to speak with us. We'll catch up again later for those dances."

[candor1]

Grendreef let them go amiably enough; his wife, a bit frigidly, but no more than could be misconstrued as elitist boredom. Cassian didn't show what he was thinking or feeling. But Jyn, so close to him, might be able to feel the slightest loosening of tension in him.

"After you," he murmured to her.

[shiningstardust]

And Jyn was left wondering - although she was so accustomed to these sorts of events that no one that glanced at her would be able to tell what she was thinking, a pleasant enough smile on her face was enough to fool most anyone. It's not like they were paying much attention, after all.

Krennic, of course, was located in the center of the crowd, always a point of attention. Jyn gently led Joreth nearer and nearer to the man that called himself her uncle.

"Do you enjoy working for the Admiral? Or are you hoping for another posting at some point?"

[candor1]

"Both," he answered. "I'm proud to be the Admiral's aide, and he treats me well. But I hope to progress beyond being an aide."

[shiningstardust]

Jyn hummed thoughtfully, nodding. "I'm sure he'll be - " (she'll be) "Hard-pressed to let you go when the time comes. Besides, I'm sure this is little more than an excuse to introduce you to people who can help you advance in your career."

[candor1]

It could hardly be anything else. Other than— "And to check on our condition," he said to her under his breath.

[shiningstardust]

He was exactly right, and as they continued walking, Jyn nodded her agreement, the smile still on her lips. "Whatever he asks, do not falter. If he smells blood, he'll never let up."

Not that her being married now - his own machination - would cease his advances.

But that was not a facet of their relationship Jyn had shared, not one that she would even know how to begin speaking about even if she wanted to.

[candor1]

They were drawing too close to Krennic for Cassian to respond out loud. Instead, he again put his hand over hers where she held his arm, and gently squeezed her fingers.

[shiningstardust]

Jyn was appreciative of the reassurance, no matter which way it arrived. She took a deep breath as they neared the Director, who smiled widely - insincerely - in greeting, reaching for her free hand. "Ah, speak of the devil", he practically crooned, all the while Jyn forced herself to keep from cringing away. "And how is the married life treating you two?"

She looked to Joreth, and smiled in response, far more genuinely than she had yet during the course of the evening so far.

"Better than expected", she replied, and their small audience responded with approving sentiments.

[candor1]

He returned the smile—also simultaneously acting and genuine—then extended one hand to Krennic. His other went around Jyn's shoulders; a subtle move of 'claiming' her back from Krennic. "We haven't properly met, sir. Lieutenant Joreth Sward."

[shiningstardust]

Jyn would have rankled if she would have believed for one moment that this was exactly what it looked like - a pissing contest between two men and the woman they thought couldn't take care of herself.

But she felt as though with Joreth, at least, it was an attempt to keep her shielded from the older man's attention. For once, it felt good that she didn't have to try to do it herself - or, rather, put up with them just by virtue of who he was.

Krennic's expression might have seemed pleasant, but Jyn knew him well enough to know that the gesture had perturbed him profusely. Still, he genially returned the shake and a nod. "Lieutenant. Admiral Grendreef speaks very highly of you. He would have to - we want only the best for our Jyn, you know."

[candor1]

(She felt right. He was trying to make good on the promise, I can be your alibi.)

"The Admiral's too kind," Cassian answered. "And you, sir? I hear fascinating things about your current projects."

[shiningstardust]

"Do you?", he asked, looking over Joreth with a critical eye. "We're not here to talk about work, we're here to celebrate. However, if you can steal away from the Admiral for a bit, another day, we can get together and speak."

He glanced to Jyn momentarily, and away again. "Do you mind if I steal your lovely wife away for a moment? I won't keep her away for long."

[candor1]

Cassian glanced subtly, sidelong, at Jyn, for a cue. Then said easily to Krennic, "Of course." And to Jyn: "Can I get you a drink, love?"

[shiningstardust]

Jyn nodded - just a minute tilting of her head before she stood up straight again, but she was certain that he'd noticed nonetheless. To appease the eyes on them, however, she gently squeezed his arm before releasing her grip, turning her smile to Joreth. "Yes, darling, if you wouldn't mind."

She could feel Krennic's gaze burning into her, but she couldn't find anything to care about other than the satisfaction she felt to know that he was seething with jealousy to see just how well they were getting along.

"Uncle?", she asked, finally shifting her attention to the older man. "Shall we?"

He simply nodded and offered her arm, which, after a momentary hesitation, she took, following as he led her a little bit away from prying ears.

[candor1]

Cassian released Jyn and turned away, making his way toward the refreshments table. He was accosted by several officers along the way—some of whom hadn't given him the time of day, before. He still didn't understand how or why the act of getting married would make him suddenly on their radar. Perhaps Jyn or Krennic had been, and that attention extended now to himself. Whatever it was, he hoped it opened more doors for his real purpose, not prove a liability.

[shiningstardust]

Well, Erso was a highly lauded name, after all. And the fact that there had been no rumors - as of yet - of strife in their still very-new marriage probably meant that some of them just wanted to know how he'd managed to tame her. Others just wanted to be seen with him since more eyes were sure to be on him. And none of it was genuine.

She smiled pleasantly enough once they'd reached where they were going, as private as private could be in a crowded room. "I trust that all is well?", Krennic asked, his insincerity dripping from every word. "I've been informed that your tests were stellar."

"I'm glad", Jyn replied, nodding appreciatively. "I've been doing due diligence to my studies, but I do so enjoy spending time with my husband, as well."

Her expression brightened a touch, and the hand still clutching Krennic's arm tightened just so. "Speaking of, I was wondering if I put in a holiday request it might be granted. I do believe we're allowed a proper honeymoon?"

"Of course, my dear", he practically gritted out. "I'm sure we can find the time for that."

[candor1]

Cassian would be waiting for her near the refreshments when she was done. After a few fraught conversations of his own with, among others, Aune Grendreef. I want to really make this work, he'd told her. And she'd sighed and let him go.

[shiningstardust]

The rest of the conversation was nothing that Jyn hadn't been expecting - the suggestion that she make nice with some of what Krennic pointed out as generous donors, and the slyly leering offer to come to him if she needed anything, which left her skin crawling in the aftermath. She knew what that meant, and no, she would not go to him seeking any of his aid.

Her mask slipped a little as she made her way to the refreshments - to the safety of Joreth's side - but she felt she managed to slip it back into place quickly enough. "The Director requests your presence for a quick talk once we've finished our drinks."

[candor1]

Cassian handed Jyn her drink, and his now-empty hand went seamlessly to the small of her back. He used the other to raise his own drink to his mouth, to hide his expression at that; just kept it to a nod. Not unexpected, from either of them. Also not really looking forward to it.

But might as well get it over with. Cassian drained his glass, set it down empty on the table, pressed a quick, light kiss to Jyn's temple—somewhere between for show and for strength, for both of them. And crossed the room to face Krennic himself.

[shiningstardust]

It didn't feel like a performative gesture, the reassuring weight of his hand against her back, and Jyn was grateful for it, even if the only way she could show it was with a soft, fleeting smile. For as much as she wasn't looking forward to parting - to going and charming the donors in order to get them to donate more, once he pressed the kiss to her temple and quickly stepped away, she took a breath and did the same.

The Director smiled benevolently - although with a sharp edge - once Joreth joined him. "I've got a bit of a job for you to do, my boy."

[candor1]

"I'll have to clear it with Admiral Grendreef, sir," said Cassian dutifully.

[shiningstardust]

"It's for the best if you don't", Krennic countered. "This is between us, of the highest importance. "I fear that our lovely Jyn is beginning to show signs of sympathy with some rather unsavory people - the kind that continually keep trying to rise up against us when, as you know, all we're trying to do is help. Since you're now the one who spends the most time with her ... I would just appreciate you keeping an eye on her, informing me of anything ... suspicious. I trust you can do that, yes?"