Zannah: "The outfit I had described in a scene from a recent story nagged at me until I gave in and drew it out. I'm including the scene itself for posterity."

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Zannah checked her reflection in the full length mirror one last time, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles in the Akajian silk of her cerulean gown. The bodice clung tightly to her upper body, leaving arms and midriff mostly bare, a stylized drape of the same fabric falling over her left shoulder. The skirt was cut low and close at the hips, but draped in softer lines around her legs, letting her move without hampering her steps too badly. It wasn’t ideal if she had to fight, but it was rich enough and scandalous enough to emphasize her position as ambassador of the League of Sovereigns to the Republic. Most of her wardrobe was halfway between dancing girl and formal court robes, leaning heavily toward the former thanks to Mat’s influence. The official byline was that the designs were an homage to the origins of the League, as well as a concession to Zannah’s thicker fur in the often warm and humid atmosphere of Coruscant.

Whatever the official story, the practical purpose behind her clothing was that she could move freely and still conceal her lightsaber even as she made her official rounds as ambassador. The same could not have been said of many of the senators and diplomats Zannah met with, whose garb was often more complicated than even Perdia’s Bajoran robes. The vixen ran a hand lightly over the artful drape of fabric that hid her saber and smiled when she felt her mate’s familiar presence at her back.

The wolf leaned close to fasten the necklet of latinum and corusca gems that matched her earrings and the trim on the gown at her throat. She had left it for last, still disliking the feel of anything close on her neck even after all these years. “Stop fussing,” he murmured, giving her ear a nuzzle. “You look beautiful.”

She turned, taking in his dress uniform with its crisp seams, flashy trim and medals setting off the formal sword on his belt. Though it looked decorative, the grip was well worn with use, and she herself could testify to her mate’s skill with the antiquated blade. “You’re not looking half bad yourself, Karn,” Zannah commented with a sly half-smile. “Careful, we’re sitting with the Falleen senator tonight. She might just decide to take an interest in you, and then I’d have to make a formal objection, and we’d have a whole new mess on our hands.”

He chuckled. “Let’s both try to keep the diplomatic incidents to a minimum tonight,” he said.

“I’m for that,” she agreed. “At least it’s just the opera tonight, which means no speeches that aren’t part of the performance, and a minimum of platitudes and making nice.”

“Whatever shall we do?” her mate moaned in mock distress. The act was thoroughly ruined by his large grin.

“Smile and nod, and hope Arkana and her friends are having a better time than we are,” she chuckled. “We have to prove we’re not the uncultured barbarians most of the Republic views the League as. We’re a bare step above the Mandalorians when it comes to being civilized, so far as some of these Core world senators are concerned.” Zannah snorted softly.

“Right, so wanton raping and pillaging is off the agenda,” he said lightly. He gave her chin a quick stroke. “I’m sure the Mandalorian idea of entertainment will make it’s way here. It’s far better than anything the Ithorians do.”

“Maybe we could introduce it and see if it catches on,” Zannah said, going to check the holo-program for tonight’s show. “This evening’s performance is actually a Mon Calamari water ballet. It should be lovely to watch, at least.” She clicked off the holo and tucked it into her clutch. They exited their bedroom to find their daughter happily building a castle of brightly colored foam blocks using her dozing vornskyr as part of the foundation. Analeys watched from a low couch, keeping a careful eye on their exuberant offspring.

Jenna gave a happy squeal when she spotted them, climbing to her feet and racing for her parents with uncanny toddler speed. Her mate scooped the small child up into his arms, deftly preventing her from crashing into Zannah. “Hi munchkin,” he said happily, rubbing noses with the young girl, “You be good for Analeys?”

She giggled. “M’kay, Da. Wuv you.” Jenna flung her arms around his neck in a childish hug, and then let herself be set back on her feet.

“We’ll be just fine,” Analeys promised with a smile. Stinker underscored her words by giving a toothy yawn and stretching his lanky body full length, dislodging most of Jenna’s blocks in the process. The vornskry snuffled unrepentantly at the toddler’s immediate rebuke, but settled in tolerantly when the little girl returned to piling things against his back.

Zannah grinned. “Comm if you need us,” she said.

“I will. Enjoy your evening, Ambassador,” she nodded to both of them, “sir.”

“Thank you, Analeys.”

Taking Mat’s offered arm, she let her mate escort her from their ambassadorial suite. Uniformed security stood guard outside. Their customary honor guard peeled off to join them, forcing Zannah to stifle a sigh. The guard was necessary, whether she liked it or not. At least they were discrete most of the time. She schooled her features pleasantly blank and prepared to endure the evening as best she could. At least with Mat beside her, they could pretend the night was about the two of them rather than yet another political appearance. She let him help her into the armored repulsorcar that served as their transport, and off they went to enjoy an evening of ballet at the grandest opera house on Coruscant. Zannah really did hope Arkana’s own experience went better. She and Mat only had to put up with a single senator for the evening. Poor Arkana had been beset with suitors and the children of other aristocrats almost since she set foot on the planet.

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Ink, watercolors, gouache, and metallic watercolor on mixed media paper. Artwork by  zannah, who owns Zannah, and shares Jenna with  colblackwolf, who owns Mat. Analeys belongs to  perdikitti. Star Wars belongs to George Lucas.

Original image can be found here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7073764