Log:Artisans Guild: The Welcome Banquet

Artisans Guild: The Welcome Banquet

OOC Date: January 26, 2022
Location: Empress Teta
Participants: Noemie Lenoir, Splifivanovich, Ulani Kalgaav, Dyna Selenis

[ Noemie Lenoir (NL) ] Within the business district of Cinnagar upon Empress Teta, one of the most commerical-centric worlds in the Core, the newly constructed headquarters of the Artisans Guild rises between adjacent skyscrapers. It's not the tallest building around but it is perhaps the most exquisite. Marble floors and aurodium trim give any space a regal look to it and that's no exception here as the founding members of the Artisans Guild meet as a group for the first time.

A receptionist at the front desk greets the members as they enter, handing them a welcome package and signing them in as she recognizes them from their Guild profiles. Each welcome package includes a handwritten thank-you note signed by Noemie and Dyna, and has a few documents and certifications for portfolios and shop wall displays. Beyond reception, the enormous round-shaped rotunda of the headquarters is decorated subtly with celebratory designs and small signs leading the members to the reception hall.

The reception hall isn't entirely un-like the rotunda in design, marble floors and pillars continuing here as in before, though it's furnished entirely differently. A long banquent table extends the length of one of the walls, hosting dishes and snacks including meats from Ryloth, fruits from Naboo, wines from Alderaan and veggie dishes from Ithor, among a number of other snacks and entrees. There's plenty of standing room but also some rounded tables for guests to sit and talk if they would prefer.

At the entrance to the reception hall stands Noemie Lenoir, a very short Naboo girl, currently standing an extra three inches over her usual five feet thanks to the heels hidden beneath the long skirts of her gown. A blue, velvet gown with a wide, brown sash and a dainty hood pooled about her shoulders covers her body in a self-designed style that she'd saved for just this very occasion. Her face is made up in dark tones to accentuate the dark features of her pale face, those being her eyes and hair and a subtle fruity fragrance teases the air around her. As the guests arrive she curtseys to each of them, smiling and thanking them all for their attenance. "Thank you so much for being here, we're really excited to have you! Please, grab a plate - we have just about anything you could think of here!"

[ Splifivanovich (Splif) ] ~ Splif makes his way in, followed closely by his trusty B1-series battle droid. The diminuitive furry alien is looking about the place as he wanders through, letting Sarge carry his gift bag. "It all made for giants," Splif says to his droid. At just under a meter in height, Splifivanovich was definitely not built for a world designed by humans, or most other humanoid species.

As he enters the hall, dressed in his usual coveralls (though he did at least have them cleaned before he departed Nar Shaddaa), Splif smiles to Noemie. "Splif like what done with place. Place is pretty. Long flight though, so Splif definitely ready to eat." He looks back to Sarge, "Put bag down, help Splif carry plate of food," he says to the battle droid, who does exactly that. "Roger roger, Master Splif," Sarge says. And the two go off to fix a plate. ~

[ Ulani Kalgaav (Ula) ]

Ulani is a sheltered girl. Well, was a sheltered girl. The first twenty-one years of her life was spent exclusively on Kuat and only recently has she ventured out to see more of the galaxy. Such endeavours have taken her to Corellia, Chandrila, New Alderaan, and Naboo. Even a brief stint on Tatooine where she kinda dipped her foot in but not really. This is her first trip, though, on Empress Teta and she is more than a little awestruck.

She had to stop herself from going into the library and forgetting the reason she came here at all, but when she does eventually find the elaborate headquarters of the fledgling Artisan's Guild, the young woman is awestruck all over again.

The welcome package is received with a blink; almost as if she was wondering if she was supposed to bring something in return like a gift exchange. After being assured -- three times -- that it was hers to keep without payment, she finds herself to the banquet hall where she is greeted by a face she's only met once in one of the most exquisite gowns she has seen in a while.

"Oh! Miss Noemie. You look amazing! I..." Ulani looks down at her grey coveralls and green button-up shirt knotted at her midsection. Long story short, she looks like she just came off from work rather to a fancy get together. "... I think I misunderstood the invitation."

[ Dyna Selenis (Dyna) ] Dyna was dressed in her usual business attire - a black blazer over a purple, sleeveless v-neck blouse and matching slacks. She had already helped herself to a glass of Alderaanian wine and was swirling the glass lightly in her hand as she stood near the entrance to greet the arriving guild members. As Splif and Ulani arrive she smiles lightly and moves toward the two. "Hello there, haven't had the chance to meet either of you yet. I'm Dyna Selenis, pleasure to meet you two."

[ Noemie Lenoir (NL) ] "Splif!" Noemie sees the Squib first, largely due to the echoing clanks of his droid on the marble flooring of the facility. While Noemie is short, even in her heels, Squib is a great deal shorter than she is. The Naboo knows better than to patronize by kneeling down to his height so she offers him a formal curtsey as she would someone even of her own size. "I'm glad you made it! And so did Sarge!" She grins, motioning with an arm to the long banquet table. "Of course! There's sure to be something here you'll like."

Ulani comes up next and Noemie giggles, shaking her head to help dissuade some of the other's worries. "You're fine! You're dressed like a droidsmith, which means you're being yourself!" A proud smile over pink-glossed lips as she gestures to Dyna beside her. "This is the lovely Dyna Selenis, a very close friend, and the Guild's co-leader. We're glad you made it! Please, have some snacks." With that, she herself walks toward the snack table, her heels echoing very loudly on the marble flooring, and sticking close to Dyna's side as she does so.

[ Splifivanovich (Splif) ] ~ Splif piles a plate high with pastries and fruits, mostly sweeter items. When Dyna introduces herself, the Squib smiles. "Splifivanovich-Ovichsplifer, though just say Splif. Not big on formal stuff." He gestures towards the droid carrying his plate of food. "This Sarge. Sarge help Splif reach things and keep Splif safe." ~

[ Ulani Kalgaav (Ula) ]

"Snacks?" Ulani's regard is directly towards the long, long banquet table filled with the splendor of several different planets. Plates of anything one could be looking for with the spaces in between filled with lovely decorations and floral arrangements. Ulani has seen quite a few Alderaanian noble dinners. Quite, quite a few. This would rank up there. Hardly what she would call 'snacks.'

She looks back towards Noemie in time for introductions, having to stop herself from a curtsey -- a kneejerk reaction these days in such a setting. Instead, she extends a hand in offering. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Dyna. You've both truly outdone yourselves already, I'd wager. You've clearly put a lot of yourselves into this."

Not wishing to look rude, Ulani does make her way over to the table; nabbing a plate on the way and spying almost immediately the large and in charge Sarge and-- "Oh, my!" Her eyes widen to see Splif and it's very clear she's never seen a Squib before. "Hello!"

[ Dyna Selenis (Dyna) ] "That is... quite the mouthful," Dyna notes with a small chuckle as Splif introduces himself. Noticing all the food on his plate she quickly adds, "The name that is. And it's good to keep some personal protection around." She gives a curt nod to the droid in question. Turning to Ulani, she reaches out with her free hand to shake her's. "Noemie's been doing most of the work really, she's been very passionate about setting up this guild. I've been mostly aiding with some business deals and financial backing." As Ulani and Splif move to get some snacks from the banquet, Dyna turns to Noemie. "Be sure to get something for yourself now, Noemie. Don't spend the whole evening greeting at the door," she says with a light chuckle.

[ Noemie Lenoir (NL) ] Noemie giggles at Dyna's reminder, giving her a soft look of adoration with her hazel eyes and a quick smile. "That's the plan! C'mon, they have some beebleberry here that I've been DYING to try." Noemie keeps her freezer stocked with beebleberry ice cream but she's never had the real thing. Despite her fancy hand-sewn dress and her expensive shoes, she looks very much like a kid in the candy store as she loads a small dish with berries and other assorted fruits and selecting one of the white wine glasses from an adjacent setup. With a polite smile, she makes for a table near to the banquet setup. "You're all free to sit if you'd like!" She says to both Splif and Ulani as she makes her way there. "I want to hear how business is going! It's been a bit since I've met with either of you. I finally got that boutique!"

[ Splifivanovich (Splif) ] ~ "Glorious. Long name mean high station, not like cousin Greeles. Not brightest of Squib, but good with wrench, just not bartering."

Splif looks to Ulani, smiling broadly with a toothy grin, his large eyes and ears pointed in her direction. "Good meet droid programmer. Splif got lots of droids. Got clanmate who good with droids too. Blink keep Splif droids working."

He then looks back to Noemie. "Business good for Splif. Do lot of weapon modifications, sell lot of scrap metal." ~

[ Ulani Kalgaav (Ula) ]

Ulani passes a glance up at Sarge and chuckles. "I see that, yes," she muses then looks back to Splif. "I am Ulani Kalgaav. I'll admit that droid programming and design is only one of my fields, so I'm likely not as good as your clanmate. But if you're ever on Chandrila or New Alderaan, you can certainly give me a ping." Taking her plate of mostly fruits and vegetables -- and a few sweet treats for fun -- Ulani joins the others at the table. "Business has been going well. I used to do weapon modifications, but that's kind of fallen to the wayside. Now I focous just on droids including repair and the like."

[ Dyna Selenis (Dyna) ] Dyna finds a table to set her glass of wine down on - she still hasn't taken a drink from it - as Noemie heads toward the banquet table herself. Dyna then heads over toward the banquet table and grabs a plate, which she mostly loads up with a few small sandwiches and pastries. "So you're into the salvaging business from the sound of things, Splif?" Dyna notes casually as she listens to the two. "Probably not a bad business to be involved in these days." She makes her way back to her table once she's picked out everything she wanted from the banquet table, setting her plate down and taking a seat. Hearing Ulani's mention of weapon modifications she looks up toward her. "Used to? What made you decide to give that up?" she asks curiously. "Weapons are an... interest of mine as well you could say. At the moment I work as a trader but I'm working more toward being involved in weapon manufacturing of a sort myself."

[ Noemie Lenoir (NL) ] Noemie's eyes light up as she has her first beebleberry ever and it's clear that the berry delights her. 'Mmm' comes out behind chewing teeth as she goes for another one. A pair, actually. She's getting eager. "Tan makes art out of her scrap," she adds. "She couldn't make it tonight but you'll all meet her soon! She's a mechanic out of Nar Shaddaa." The Naboo's eyes raise from the table and those gathered, looking to one of the walls of the reception hall. "Our hopes in the future are to have a garage and landing pad added here to our HQ so that she and others can do their work here in the Guild's name, as well as provide us with a private landing facility." A smile is offered to Dyna for no reason in particular and Noemie's attention returns to her guests. "Yes! I'd love to see Dyna make her dream a reality. I think she could learn from both of you."

[ Splifivanovich (Splif) ] ~ "Splif support clan and give clan jobs salvage. Own huge factory on Nar Shaddaa, once made construction and factory droids, now clan haul in salvage and break down for scrap metal. Sell scrap, support clan." The little Squib climbs up into a chair, and Sarge places the plate in front of him. "Splif armorer, best in sector. Not leave Nar Shaddaa much, not have much need. Splif get good business on Smuggler's Moon, no need to go to core usually. This special occassion."

He looks back to Ulani, smiling. "Splif happy to meet Ulani. Splif always happy to make new friends." ~

[ Ulani Kalgaav (Ula) ]

Ulani pops a bit of the Naboo fruit into her mouth and grins to herself; savouring a memory of something personal but outwardly clearly just enjoying the sweet -- and almost savoury -- taste. She'll have to remember to get some more of that one or at least ask what it is. "Mmm?" Ah, yes. They were conversing and not just doing their best not to drool over the spread. "Oh, I guess it was a few reasons, really. I was trained from a young age to designing and building weaponry. Heavy turrets and cannons. Also computer guiding systems and the like. Demolitions. But..." Her blue eyes dim a little and she masks that behind a forkfull of yellow-and-white striped vegetables. "Well, I'm not quite cut out in my spirit for that kind of work anymore. Besides, I wanted to improve with droids and that's difficult to do when trying to excel in so many fields at once. So I figure, you know, there are plenty of amazing weaponsmiths out there already, but I feel I could do great things with droids."

Towards Splif, Ulani grins warmly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, as well. I'll admit I've never been to Nar Shaddaa. I was always told it is a dangerous place, so consider me thankful for the Guild in that regard, too. Getting to meet people I would have otherwise never have gotten the chance to."

[ Dyna Selenis (Dyna) ] "She sounds interesting. I look forward to meeting her sometime then," Dyna notes to Noemie with a small smile in regards to Tan. "And being able to do some work out of the guildhall itself would be good for getting our name out there more to be sure, so hopefully we'll be able to make that happen sooner rather than later. But these things take time and credits." When Splif mentions his own business on Nar Shaddaa, Dyna lets out a small chuckle. "Yes, Nar Shaddaa does seem to be an important business hub these days, doesn't it?" Furrowing her brow she adds, "not the most pleasant of worlds unfortunately." Picking up a small sandwich from her plate of food, she takes a bite from it as she listens to Ulani speak, nodding occasionally in understanding. "Well, that kind of business is not for everyone, to be sure," she eventually notes. "But there's certainly a wide and varied market for droids."

[ Noemie Lenoir (NL) ] Noemie smiles fondly as the guild members discuss things amongst themselves. She's a very young woman, but the proud look on her face is something of a matronly look to it as she observes the fruits of her recent work gathered around in the reception hall. The primary members gathered here at this table, as well as the secondary and support staff seated at other tables and chatting amongst themselves. The Naboo goes for her wine glass and has a small and careful sip. It's not a liquid she's entirely accomodated to but she drinks it well and doesn't seem repulsed by it for any reason. She starts on a crispy fruit she'd selected from the fruit tray, using a fork to cut it in to a small piece before nibbling on it. It's one local to Theed, and probably her favorite treat in the galaxy. Hazel eyes steal a glance at one of Ulani's pastries and take on a look of curiosity, likely considering getting one for herself shortly. "I'll need to invite you all to the boutique some time! It's in Theed, not far from the palace! Business is picking up and I'm getting some work sporadically, but my designs are starting to sell! Not amazingly. Not yet, but, I have to start somewhere! I want to get a trade deal with a shoe company. Something fancy. Not sure who, yet, but I'd love to sell someone's shoes in my boutique." As she says this, she crosses one leg over the other under the table and though the long skirts of her dress conceal the silver shoes worn beneath, the stiletto heel of the dangling foot hovers just above the floor as she converses with her new friends. A soft hand reaches out to squeeze one of Dyna's, giving her a look that signifies some kind of accomplishment, likely alluding to this very gathering.

[ Ulani Kalgaav (Ula) ]

"I certainly hope so," Ulani confides to Dyna. "Never in a million cycles did I think I'd ever even leave Kuat let alone open up a shop on Chandrila and meet so many interesting people. The least I can do is to repay my good fortune by contributing something to the greater good. I'm hoping get some newer models of droids in soon, too. LEP service droids who " Realizing she is rambling juuust a tad, Ulani shuts herself up with a sweet and doesn't dare talk again until she's chewed it thoroughly and swallows. To allow other people a chance to talk.

"I don't think I've been to Theed!" It'd be a much shorter list to note the planets she has been to rather than the ones she hasn't. "We should go see it sometime, yes."

[ Dyna Selenis (Dyna) ] Dyna lifts her wine glass to her mouth, taking a small sip from it as the others speak. She swirls the liquid around in her glass a bit before setting it back down again. "You don't do shoes yourself?" she asks Noemie curiously. "I suppose it isn't quite the same as designing new outfits, but I would have assumed you'd have designed shoes to go with the clothing you design." She gives a small shrug. "Well, I'm sure you'll find a suitable company to work for." She smiles lightly at the Naboo woman as her hand is squeezed, then looks back toward Ulani, letting out a small chuckle as she cuts her own speech short. "I can tell you're passionate about your work. So long as you maintain that passion I'm sure you'll do well." She nods in agreement to the suggestion of visiting Theed.

[ Splifivanovich (Splif) ] ~ Splif feeds his mouth full of pastries and fruit, chasing it with just water, as the diminuitive armorer didn't usually imbibe of anything like wine or spirits. "Splif been to Theed. It strange. Lots of colors and big hair on giants. Pretty ships though. Splif would like to get Naboo ship, but Splif not allowed. Naboo stingy with Naboo goods."

~

[ Noemie Lenoir (NL) ] Noemie frowns a bit about Splif's issues on Naboo. "Well then! Write to me about what you're having an issue getting and I'll be happy to look in to it. As both a business owner and a member of this guild, and of course being from Theed, they'll take my request seriously at the very least." She offers the Squib a polite smile and then looks to Dyna. "Oh I've designed plenty of shoes! You've seen me sketching out a bunch of them no doubt! But that kind of thing is a different sort of craft," she agrees with the other's theory with a polite nod. After another sip of the white wine, "I would LOVE to get in to shoe manufacturing myself, but I need to get my clothing line established first. Accessories next for sure though!" As a host comes around to check on everybody, Noemie asks for some more beebleberries. She'd eaten a little of each fruit on her plate but it was the beebleberries she'd eaten in full. "This is a lot of fun! We're going to get together soon for some work, though I'm not quite sure what yet! It'll be more hands on than this, but I thought our first meeting would be better spent introducing ourselves to each other, and to the guild hall. You're all welcome to use this place for your work and your business. Each member has their own private office here, so you're free to take meetings and such, and do your crafts here as well! The place is open to all of you at all times, day or night."

[ Ulani Kalgaav (Ula) ]

Ulani nods in agreement, finishing the last bit that is on her place and glancing over to the long, long table in contemplation for more. "I am looking forward to this Guild. See how things go. I've heard there is an Explorer's Guild on Nar Shaddaa, correct?" She did some research into 'Guilds.' It goes without saying she bypassed the Bounty Hunters. "I bet you could talk to them sometime if you find out about some precious art that's been stolen or... or mosaic ruins that need to be discovered and preserved. The Guild doesn't just have to be able business. Maybe in time it can include the promotion and preservation of the arts." Though maybe she just doesn't understand the idea wholly yet.

[ Splifivanovich (Splif) ] ~ Splif looks to Noemie, "Splif want J-type starship. Very pretty chrome vessel," he says. Of course, he'd want something that is reserved for diplomats and royalty. "Splif have clan to care for, can't fit many Squib in starfighter. Even Splif's scout ship very crowded." ~

[ Dyna Selenis (Dyna) ] "I look forward to working with everyone when that time comes then," Dyna notes with a smile and a nod of agreement to Noemie. She thinks for a moment when Ulani asks about an Explorer's Guild. "I vaguely recall seeing an outlet on Nar Shaddaa for something of that sort. Wouldn't hurt to get to know another guild I suppose, perhaps we'll find some common ground." Taking hold of her wine glass again, she lifts it up and says, "Here's to a prosperous future for all members of our newly founded guild." She downs the rest of the contents of the glass before setting it back down.