Ask Learn Me Right

[Shaw Amaris]

That surprised Shaw, that Prani had never seen the ocean before. Prani loved nature so much—he had kinda just assumed that she had seen everything it had to offer. "If it makes you feel any better I really didn't get to see much of it," he chuckled, thinking back to that padawan adventure on Ellora. "It was kinda dark and this ape guy was spinning me around on his back, so it really wasn't the beach getaway you might imagine." 'Ape guy' was probably not a very nice term for another sentient being, but after kidnapping and attempted murder Shaw didn't really have any qualms calling the guy 'ape guy.' Luckily Roanoke had saved his butt right in the nick of time, and Caul had saved Zessel's.

Shaw grinned over at her. "If you don't make it to the beach, let me know. Maybe we could go together sometime." It was just an idea. Odds were that she would cross paths with the ocean on some assignment or another before then, but the offer was there if she didn't. Shaw was just gonna have to make some more credits before then. "I've always wanted to learn how to surf!" Knowing him he would probably spend most of the time falling off the board, but even that sounded like fun.

Midbite with a sandwich held in both hands, Shaw just froze and stared when Prani said that she was a vegetarian. He blinked a few times before he pried the sandwich from his jaws and repeated, "A vegetarian? You're a vegetarian?" How had he never realized that until now? Realizing that baked beans and vegetables wasn't much of a dinner, it took the wind right out of his sails. "Sorry, Prani—I didn't know. I just thought you really loved your veggies!" He could really be clueless sometimes.

Neither of them probably realized it, but most girls would have balked at the idea of dipping their vegetables in baked beans. But Prani wasn't like most girls. Truth be told, Shaw hadn't been planning on eating any of the vegetables, but fair was fair. He picked up a cucumber slice (more of a chunk really) and dunked it in the baked beans, making a face as he swallowed. "You're either really nice or you got really weird taste," he teased, laughing as he stared over at her, and he didn't care which it was.

The admission that no one else had ever done anything like this for her before brought a smile to Shaw's lips. It was a relief to hear, after he had forgotten half the picnic supplies and cut their trip to the petting zoo short. Maybe he hadn't made a disaster of everything after all. "I wanna spoil you," he said simply, grinning from ear to ear as he leaned over and nudged her shoulder. "That's my job now. I'm your boyfriend, remember?" But he would remember that, that she liked hanging out with him for just him.

"Let's not think about that right now," he said, not sure if that was really the best way to handle it or not, but he was seventeen and pushing the unpleasant parts off until they were absolutely necessary to face seemed like the best option. "I still got a couple months left before Master Valtiere picks me up." Or he met up with Master Valtiere. He wasn't sure yet. All he knew was that the sephi had said they would be going into enemy territory this time. That... that definitely seemed like the wrong thing to tell Prani, so Shaw kept that to himself. Shaw picked up some cauliflower this time to see if it tasted any better paired with the baked beans. "Besides I bet you'll be doing a lot of your own traveling," he smiled, "Galaxy really needs healers like you." @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani stared with fascination as Shaw told her about his adventures on Ellora. People may have called her weird, but Shaw had a series of outright bizarre incidents on virtually every mission he went on. As he suggested a beach trip, Prani smiled, “I’d love to go together,” She said, “Besides, it’s a summer activity ain’t it?” She said, recalling his strong preference for the season. Learning to surf sounded like the last thing she wanted to try, but she should cheer him on.

She began to chuckle when she realized he didn’t know about her vegetarian habits, though she stopped when she caught the mortified look on his face, “I didn’t exactly announce it, so don’t worry all right?” Prani enjoyed a few more veggies dipped in baked beans, gasping at his quip, "Bless your shorn-pickin' heart, you're off your rocker not findin' this tasty! But listen my pa always says - when life gives ya hubba gourds, ya may as well make hubba juice!” She said fondly, trying a few more veggies.

Shaw calling himself her boyfriend made her heart flutter all over again. What was it about the term or the reminder that they were a thing now that made her completely melt? Her face heated up and turned red again, “Well I guess I’ll have to spoil you right back,” She said with a smile. Prani watched him reaching for a cauliflower and leaving his sandwich untouched. She rolled her eyes and sighed, “Oh eat your sammiches, gosh darnit,” Prani said, “Just ‘cause I don’t eat meat don’t mean I’m gonna get on anyone’s case about it,” She wasn’t one of those overly aggressive vegan types, after all.

Prani was both thrilled and afraid of where her missions would take her. She thoughtfully ate some more of the food before she glanced at Shaw again, “All right, we both know I’m weird, but what’s somethin’ about you that other folks would find strange?” She asked him curiously with a smile. He was incredibly popular and well-liked, so what was his weirdo habit? “Besides datin’ me of course,” She added with a chuckle. It was clear she was only teasing and not actually down on herself.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

"It is," Shaw grinned. It didn't get more summer than the beach, did it? "It's a date then." Soon as I can get a job anyway... he added to himself.

Shorn-pickin? Hubba gourds? Where was Prani pulling all these words from? Shaw liked to think that he was pretty up to date on jargon growing up on Coruscant and all, one of the biggest melting pots in the galaxy, but he had never heard this stuff before. He had no idea what it meant. At least he was off the hook for not realizing that Prani was a vegetarian. Although... He glanced over at Prani and sucked in a lip in thought. "Just so you know, just cause we're dating doesn't mean you can't call me out." He thought back to that moment on Listehol, when he had tried to talk her into hiding in the trunk of Chaz's speeder and his total mishandling of Elyna's roommate. "I need someone to keep me in line when Master Valtiere isn't around," he teased.

Come to think of it, Master Valtiere was a vegetarian. Weird that the most important people in Shaw's, a meat guy, life would turn out to be vegetarians. But maybe Master Valtiere would have some good recipes he could share with Shaw.

"You already spoil me," Shaw laughed, thinking back to that day she had brought him a container filled with baked goodies and a beanie she had made herself. Then there was the friendship bracelet. She had given him all that stuff before they were even dating. "You go spoiling me anymore than you already do and you'll undo all my mom's hard work." He grinned at her, letting her know he was just giving her a hard time.

"Oooh secret time, huh?" Shaw asked, casting Prani a silly conspiratorial glance. He considered her question for a moment or two and then he got real serious and scooted closer, almost knocking over the bowl of baked beans. "You can't tell anyone this, alright? Not even Caul or Macote or any of those guys." Maybe those guys in particular because he would never hear the end of it. "Sometimes—sometimes when I get stuck on a hard part in a game and I just can't get past it I..." He slouched a little before continuing. "I turn the difficulty setting down. Sometimes real down. Like all the way down." To anyone else it might appear that he was joking around, but Shaw was dead serious. If this got out it could kill his gamer reputation around the temple just like that. "Don't tell anyone, okay? I don't wanna get accused of cheesing."

Shaw looked at Prani with an expectant look. Now it was her turn. @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani smirked at Shaw, “Please, I bet we’re datin’ because I keep ya in line,” She said as she playfully shoved his shoulder, “You don’t have to worry about that,” She laughed. Shaw was constantly surrounded by teens idolizing him for one reason or another. While Prani certainly cared about him, she wasn’t afraid to openly disagree with him sometimes. She just knew how to do it very politely.

When he shared his ‘secret’, she stared in confusion, “I don’t get it..why wouldn’t ya wanna lower the difficulty so ya can get through? All that matters is gettin’ through it right?” She shrugged, “Fair’s fair I won’t tell nobody. However,, I wanna play one of these games you got,” Prani said with a smile, “And I’ll always have it low difficulty so no one’s gotta stress,” She didn’t know what she was signing up for, but since it was a favorite hobby of his, she would try it.

“I heard they even got some farmin’ games,” Prani said, suddenly excited, “Autumn Moon? I’d love to try that. And some game called the Sims..” She trailed off, thinking about all the model families she would make based on her favorite books.

Prani blinked back at him as he stared at her, clearly expecting an answer. Her whole personality could be considered odd so she found it amusing he was turning the question on her. She thought for a moment before her face burned hot, “Okay so.. I write um.. Whatcha call it…fanfiction,” She blurted out, “You can’t laugh! I like writin’ cross-universe romances with characters from my favorite books,” It was a huge deal for her to even admit this, something she would never admit to her family. And there was no way she would ever let him read any of it even if it was all PG-rated stuff, “I can never get enough of them forbidden romance books,” She giggled to herself.

Prani was mostly finished eating, grabbing a bottle of water, and taking a swig. She gazed out towards the lake, the sky lined with wispy clouds and the warm sun bathing them both. Despite the petting zoo mishap, it really was turning out to be a perfect day. And Shaw stopped smelling like eopie farts, which was also a plus.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

"That's one reason," Shaw grinned from ear to ear, stealing a glance at Prani and watching the breeze tug at one of the long curls she had pulled up off her neck. And there were so, so many more. Some that he probably didn't even know about yet but couldn't wait to discover.

The teenager shook his head when he heard her next question. "Nuh-uh. It's about getting good, Prani. Having to tell your buddies that you bailed at the water temple or switched to pyromancer class or something like that is just humiliating. Next thing you know they're calling you a noob!" Truly a shuddering thought as far as Shaw was concerned.

"Wait, for real?" he perked up when she mentioned that she wanted to play video games with him. Shaw didn't have Autumn Moon or the Sims, admittedly, but if it meant he would get to play with Prani then he would pick them both up. Shaw hadn't expected Prani to know the names of any video games much less agree to play some of them. Shaw's excitement was very clearly evident by the look on his face, and he was already thinking of all the different games they could play together. "That'd be sick!"

Prani had mentioned that star-crossed lovers was her favorite trope once before, back at the museum when she had been all doe eyed watching that Kylo Ren impersonator up on stage sweep Rey off her feet. Never in a million years would Shaw have guessed that she actually wrote some herself. What other talents did she have hidden away from the rest of the world? "Really?" he asked, eyes wide and impressed. It was hard not to miss the way her face burned hot with the admission, so he nudged her shoulder again to let her know it was okay and to tease her a little bit. "Do I get to read any of it?" That was actually a serious question because he didn't realize just how vehement Prani felt about letting someone else read it.

Then to take some of the heat off her, jumping up and striking the goofiest and sexiest pose he could muster with a straight face, "Think I'll ever inspire any characters?" @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani listened intently as he passionately talked about the world-shattering fate of being labeled a noob. She nodded along, her expression completely serious, “That does sound real bad,” She said, “Well maybe watchin’ me be terrible at it will remind you that you’re good,” She said with a giggle. She found herself laughing a lot around him. Prani was optimistic by nature, but no one else quite drew out so much smiling and laughter from her.

“NO!” She said way too fast when he asked if he could read. Prani blushed furiously, clearing her throat, “I-uh.. I mean, I ain’t very good..and I still gotta get the profile of a badboy archetype just right, ya see? The guys are too nice still. And it ain’t a real spicy story if both characters are the same, ya know?” She said. After all, all the readers on the fanfiction site obsessed over the bad boy and good girl trope and it was also Prani’s favorite, “I gotta.. Introduce more conflict,” She said with a nod.

Prani watched as he sprang to his feet, strutting away before doing a pose. She stared vacantly for a moment before she bit her lip from trying not to laugh. Prani brought up her palms to form the shape of a square, shifting it at different angles and peering at him through it, “Hmmmm,” She mused, “All right. You’d be the brave and valiant knight from the realms of stone and steel, thrust out on a quest to bring justice to a land threatened by..by..” She glanced over at Mustache, “GIANT BEASTS FROM THE RIFT!” Prani said dramatically.

She jumped to her feet as well, “In your way is an overconfident ranger that is convinced she don’t need your help and she can solve the problem herself,” Prani said as she crossed her arms over her chest to get into character. She gave him a displeased look, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

“Ack, just look at you,” She said, changing her voice and dropping her usual accent, “Coming here with your shiny armor and sword. We have been surviving out here just fine without a knight meddling! Go back to your castle and walls! I don’t have reasons to trust you! My arrow will shoot that beast right down!”

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Shaw was startled by how fast and how vehemently Prani said 'NO' when he asked if he could read some of her writing. Not a writer himself, he didn't realize how personal and private that could be, but even if he didn't totally understand he wasn't the kind to push either. Prani only had to shared the parts of her that she wanted to share with him.

"The bad boy you say?" he repeated raising an eyebrow. Now that did surprise him, but it lined up with that little performance they had watched back at the museum. He thought about making a joke about slicked back hair and black biker jackets but thought better of it when he noticed that she was still blushing furiously. They all had their little preferences, and Shaw didn't want her to think he was making fun of her or something so he dropped it.

Even more surprising was the moment that Prani also jumped to her feet, explaining the setting and background of the scene they were about to act out. This might not have been even remotely what Shaw had had in mind when Master Valtiere had advised him to adapt and adjust to scenarios he couldn't have predicted, but adapt he would. Were they really about to act out a scene from a high fantasy world that Prani had just come up with in her head right on the spot? You bet they were. And Shaw was excited.

Shaw threw himself into the role with all of his usual enthusiasm, even if he had no idea what he was doing or how to act. He tried to ignore the fluttering in his stomach or the sudden and overwhelming urge to reach out and pull Prani into an embrace because that wasn't in character. Brown eyes looked around for something he could use as a sword, landing on a nice long stick that would do the trick. Pretending it was his trusty steel blade, he held it as waist length and took a confident step toward Prani— or should he say the stubborn ranger intent on doing everything her way.

"Out of my way!" he ordered the ranger, trying to make his voice deeper as he towered over her with a stern expression. But the ranger had her own presence, one that was smaller than the knight's in stature only. "You rangers have meddled long enough. I will not rest until every beast has been vanquished by my sword and the great rift that threatens this kingdom has been mended! I have ridden long and hard by the order of my king and have no patience for you! Now step aside. You're in my way." His voice wasn't nearly as convincing as Prani's but it was the best he could do. @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

The most immediate thing Shaw would notice was that Prani was confident when playing this character. She wasn’t her usual meek and shy self or fussed about being polite. This ranger had self-assurance in droves. Prani took a moment to gather her makeshift bow - a slightly curved stick she held up. When he said his lines, the ranger only scoffed, “How typical,” She hissed, “Your selfish machinations make the rift and you’d blame the free people of-”

She suddenly turned to look to the side in a panic, “Bandits!!” She called out. She jumped to the side and out of the way, a ranged warrior that would shoot arrows from a distance. The ranger conveniently didn't help at all during the battle. Regardless of how the fight went, the knight would suddenly feel a stick abruptly launch like a projectile at his leg to make him collapse while he was distracted and the fight just ended.

It came from the ranger.

The ranger stepped out into the open, bow still drawn and a smirk on her lips, “Good work getting rid of the bandits. You fought nice and bravely, sir knight,” She said with a laugh. Prani pretended to use a lasso and launch it at the knight’s legs. She used the Force to drag Shaw/the injured knight towards herself while pretending to pull using the rope.

“You will fetch a fine price from the king and your armor will fund our efforts!” She grinned an evil grin, “I will be taking that,” She said as she snatched his sword from him, “Let’s take a look at you,” The ranger said gruffly, using the point of the stick under Shaw’s chin to toss his imaginary helmet back. There was a dramatic pause as the ranger stared at the knight, smitten by how handsome he was. She had expected a crass, old man! A grotesque face! Why, this was a young and attractive knight! Her heart was aflutter - both for Prani and her character - and it gave the knight plenty of time to react as a result.

Who was the real bad boy here?

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

"Stand back!" the knight called out knowing good and well that the ranger wouldn't listen, but he was a brave and valiant knight so he had to tell any lady present to step aside and let him defend her even if the ladies present never did listen. It was practically in the job description. This lady—this ranger in particular was unwilling to take orders from anyone but especially him. She was confident and assertive and self-assured and not afraid to push you around to get exactly what she wanted—all things that Shaw didn't see much from Prani.

The knight waded right into the thick of the battle, drawing his sword and fighting just as a brave and valiant knight ought to fight. His sword spared no one save those that fled from it, and he struck down the bandits one by one in a drawn out battle that looked a lot cooler in his head than it did in real life. Once the imaginary bandits saw that there was no use fighting against two main characters, they fled. "AHA! Nothing can match the edge of my sword!" the knight proudly proclaimed, thrusting the blade toward the sky. "I have proved king and country and—" The glory of his post battle speech was interrupted by an arrow to the knee.

With a very dramatic and convincing wail the knight collapsed, lassoed by the cunning ranger that drug him over to her. The ranger's voice was gruff and unrepentant as she laughed at the knight's misfortune and removed his helmet. There was something oddly bewitching about the confident ranger that loomed over him, and Shaw broke character for a few seconds as he stared up at her. Wait. Was... was he attracted to Prani and to this bad-to-the-bone ranger that threw him around like he was a sack of potatoes? He swallowed hard at the thought, but the warmth that suddenly flooded his whole body answered that question.

"This sword belonged to my father and his father before him!" he said, still trying to stay in character. "I will not allow it to fall into the undeserving hands of a rebel and a traitor!" Undeserving they might have been, but they sure did make his nerve endings tingle when she tore the sword from his hand. Not even the knight could ignore or deny that.

"Hand it over!" he ordered, seizing his opportunity as soon as she was distracted. He used his uninjured leg (so the one that didn't have an imaginary arrow sticking out of it) to sweep one of the ranger's legs out from under her, but the force would cushion her fall to the grass. Then the knight rolled over and pinned one arm down while he attempted to wrestle his sword from the other. That was when Shaw and the knight actually looked down at her and his eyes glossed over. "Hand it over, you... you..." But the lines didn't come so readily anymore, and they were delivered in a tone far too soft for a self respecting knight. "Or I'll... I'll put you under arrest." Did knights even put people under arrest? @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani was impressed by that agonized wail from the arrow to the knee. She almost broke character smiling from how easily Shaw slipped into the role to try this goofy little scene with her.

The Ranger scoffed at the Knight’s words, “Spare me your sentiments, you privileged brat!” She quipped, starting to recover from how smitten she was earlier. But what was this?! The Knight pulled a fast one on her! The Ranger gave a dramatic gasp as she toppled on her back on the ground, the Knight acting swiftly to pin one of her hands down. She had to ignore the way her heart pounded against her chest as the Knight briefly loomed over her to wrestle the sword out of her grasp.

“You are far from home! You will do no such thing!” The Ranger answered as she gazed up at the Knight, trying hard to stay in character. As a trick, she released her hold on the sword, using the moment he went to reach for it to push him off and roll onto him instead. Prani had to use the Force to cheat since there was no way her tiny frame was moving Shaw that easily.

However, she was in a dressy outfit which got caught under their collective weight. Prani gently fell against his chest, catching her hands on it as she looked down at him in surprise. Her hair spilled around their heads like a cascade of ombre silk, shrouding them both. Time stood still, the world around them faded away, and she lingered in a silent exchange of glances. She forgot her lines, her persona, the Ranger and Prani molding into one. There was the tenderness of Prani but also the dying embers of the fire that sparked from the Ranger. She wanted to shyly look away, but she couldn’t. Not with his face so close and his vibrant umber gaze peering back at her.

“I.. oh gosh..” Prani’s face was bright red as she finally broke eye contact, the Ranger gone entirely now, “I might be stuck..” She said with a sheepish giggle, glancing down to where part of her skirt was trapped under Shaw’s legs. Her mind was racing and heat rushed through her entire body as she tried to awkwardly untangle herself from him.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Even as blood dripped from the entrance wound on his knee, the knight had gained the advantage and would soon have his trusty sword back in hand. Until the ranger tricked him, dropping the sword and knowing that he would scramble for it. Ever the oh so predictable knight he did exactly that, hand outstretched and clutching right as she used the distraction to flip him and roll on top of him. Now the advantage was hers.

"You cheated," Shaw started to laugh, before adding in character, "But I would expect nothing less from the likes of a ranger like—" but that didn't last either. He stared at Prani straight on, unable to tear his eyes away as he realized just how close they were to each other now. His heart pounded within his chest.

The stubborn ranger and the self-righteous knight were no more. It was just Prani and Shaw lying there in the little grove overlooking the lake. The world had never felt so still or so silent before, Prani's curly tresses a wall that fell from its arrangement and hid the rest of the world from view. It smelled sweet and enticing, some combination of the flower stuck behind her left ear and whatever shampoo or conditioner she used. He couldn't place the scent because he was a guy and the shampoo he used had generic manly names like Instinct or Dimension that didn't actually tell you anything about the different scents, but he knew that whatever it was—he liked it a lot.

One hand clutched the stick while the other laid limp as his side, aching to reach out and touch her, to erase that little bit of distance that remained between them. The hair on the nape of his neck stood straight up, and he felt warm all over. "I don't mind," he muttered in response before he could stop himself, completely lost in her eyes and those little fleks of gold that he had first noticed back on the canoe that day. He could stay like this forever. He could... Then he realized what he had said. "I mean—sorry! Hold up... let me just..." He shifted his weight to the opposite side and repositioned and pulled until her skirt came out from underneath his weight. "There. Hope it didn't get wrinkled." He cleared his throat. Now she could get up. @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani had read a million scenes like this in her novels, but not a single one of them prepared her for facing it herself. She expected to be suave, and slick, and bat her lashes just like the characters in those movies did. Instead, she was awkwardly mumbling apologies, hoping she didn’t poke him in the eye with one of her strands of hair or accidentally knee him in the crotch while trying to get up.

“I..” She trailed off. Why was she so flustered? They were on a date. This was supposed to be romantic, and yet she was as coordinated as a drunk hobo doing acrobatics, “Ope, lemme just..” She began to say.

When he blurted out that he didn’t mind, Prani coughed to herself, blinking as she paused to look at him. Could her face get redder? She was sure she needed to run off the edge and dive into that icy lake to cool off. Prani opened and closed her mouth then, frantically searching for something flirty to say.

“Your heart’s beatin’ real fast,” She blurted out as she looked at him. Wow. That was her suave and sexy line to him? Pointing out to him how she felt his chest on the verge of exploding under her palm? “I mean uh.. it’s …not a bad thing!” Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. She remembered how she told Shaw to stop talking in that tower. Why didn’t Shaw ever tell her to shut up when she talked stupidly? He always politely let her jettison into a speeder crash of a finish, and it was the worst. She needed him to cut her off sometimes and this was one of those times.

Shaw managed to free her skirt and she finally rolled off him with some reluctance. Prani tucked her hair behind her ear and sat down next to him, “No wrinkles!” She said cheerfully, her mind still reeling. She thought the awkwardness would magically melt away on a date, but it was back in full form.

“Um..” She muttered, “That..that was fun,” Prani said as she looked at him, the furious blush still on her face, “Y-You played a great knight,” She smiled.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Prani wasn't telling Shaw anything that he wasn't already aware of, but hearing Prani say it just made it all the more obvious. His heart was beating so hard and so fast that he could hear it in his ears. That was the only perceptible symptom of the fever Prani had put him in. There was an all controlling fluttering sensation in his stomach that he was having a really hard time ignoring.

Shaw swallowed, trying to work up the nerve to reach out and touch her arm as his mouth parted to say, "Prani... uhhh..." but she had already rolled off of him and was sitting upright now, straightening out her skirt. It was impossible not to notice the empty pang that she left behind her, but Shaw wouldn't say anything about it. He sat up next to her and instead remarked with some difficulty stringing two coherent words together, "I don't know if I mentioned it before but I really like your dress—uh skirt. Really suits you."

When she said that that had been fun, Shaw smiled a little bit. It was a relief to hear it. He had been worried that she might not have such a good time after... well after everything that had happened at the padawan cookout. It had been nothing short of a disaster, and Shaw still lied awake at night thinking about it. It was going to take a lot of effort and a lot of time to make it up to Prani, but luckily for Shaw she was the kind of girl that gave second chances. Otherwise they wouldn't have been sitting there now. "It was fun... Just so you know, that valiant knight—he'll always be around if that stubborn ranger of yours get the itch to shoot somebody in the knee again." Or throw them around, he added to himself, looking away at the thought.

This had been way more fun than the LARPing some of the other padawans were always trying to pull Shaw into, although that didn't look half bad actually. He had considered it once or twice but now that he had a master and was actually taking this Jedi stuff seriously he didn't have as much time on his hands. But this? This was way better. Nothing had ever gotten him quite this weak in the knees before, and he knew it had nothing to do with the imaginary arrow in the knee and everything to do with the girl that had shot it. Thoughts for later he supposed, when Prani wasn't within reach. He had been about to reach out and touch her before, but he didn't want to mess this up. This was just the first date he kept telling himself, and his mom had always told him never to kiss a girl on the first date. So why did he want to do it anyway? The only thing holding him back was that he didn't want to rush her. That he didn't want to hurt her. Again.

Sun setting, the teenagers would look across the lake to see some other padwans gathered on the other side. A good distraction. "Hey, look!" he pointed just in case Prani hadn't noticed. It was the LARPing group, training lightsabers in hand. "My credit's on red team," he grinned over at Prani. They always kept it simple, blue team was the good guys, red team the bad guys. Shaw happened to know that red team had been getting in a lot of practice recently because he had passed them several times when out for his morning run. "What says you, Prani Shalrazi?" @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani smiled when he complimented the skirt, glancing down at it, “Thanks! It took me a bit to make it but I wanted to have somethin’ nice for our date,” She said, “So hard to get materials ‘round here and my supplies keep goin’ missin’...” She trailed off, stopping the dialogue there. Prani didn’t want this to become a pity party about people stealing her things because sewing or crocheting was for ‘old people’.

“And I like your look,” Prani said, “I can actually see ya,” She added with a giggle. He always wore oversized hoodies or baggy clothes to where she actually didn’t know what he looked like. Seeing this state of attire threw her for a spin because she didn’t expect him to be so…athletic. Prani quickly changed her line of thought. She pondered on what he said about the Ranger, smiling faintly to herself.

“Sometimes I wish I could be someone like that instead..” Prani mumbled out loud before she could stop herself. But instead, she was nice girl Prani. Always left holding the bag for someone else, always there to help the person that knocked her down, always there to be the rock for everyone else. Prani cast a sideways glance at Shaw. The rumors about him and Theia were spreading like wildfire and she found it hard to ignore it. Despite what he said earlier, she knew ‘dating’ was a try-before-you-buy sort of deal and he was just ‘trying’.

Stop that! She chastised herself for having such a negative spiral of thoughts. Shaw wouldn’t be here if he didn’t want to be. She didn’t sense anything less than his genuine self and the same guy she always enjoyed spending time with. The same guy in every regard except for the fact that he made her heart beat quicker than ever before. The same guy except she craved his touch and to curl up into his arms. The same guy except now he was often in her thoughts. He frequented her mind when she read about those heroes and male protagonists in her stories. The same guy except she wanted him to be hers and only hers.

‘Everyone’s gonna hurt ya, Nini,’ Her mother had said, ‘You just gotta decide whose worth stayin’ for.’

Prani chewed on her lip. She had to trust Shaw. She couldn’t go into this believing rumors or suspecting him. She had to have faith.

She was distracted by Shaw pointing out the LARPing teams. Prani smirked, “Ya know I love a good underdog story. My vote’s on Blue!” She said as she watched.

Team Red even had ridiculous black and edgy costumes. They drew out their training sabers and uttered some lines menacingly that Prani couldn’t hear. Team Blue had a single guy run out and try to talk the ‘bad guys’ down. Prani scrunched up her face, “But why is that person goin’ out alone? That’s silly..” She was entirely oblivious to the fact that in a real situation, she was likely to be the obnoxious good guy who tried to go ‘talk’ to the enemies.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

"You made it special for tonight?" Shaw's heart warmed. Prani really was always out here doing the most, just like he had had told her once when she had swung by his dorm room to see him off. He kept a look out for her belongings and brought it back to her whenever he could, but he had yet to spot... materials. He would add that to the list of things to keep an eye out for, but he would have to know what materials looked like first. Shaw didn't know the first thing about sewing or crocheting or any of that stuff. "What kinda materials?"

The teenager stretched his legs out and rested against the palms of his hands. "Thanks," he smiled, looking down at the fresh fit. It was a little more put together than normal. He was glad she liked it. Tugging at the button up he said, "Can't take all the credit for it though. This belongs to Caul." Caul. Shaw's friend and the guy Prani had left the party with. He blew out a breath through his lips. Shaw knew he had no right to be sore about it. Caul had... the truth? He had been being a real solid guy by walking Prani home. So why did it still gnaw at him? Shaw fiddled with one of the buttons, mind elsewhere. He supposed the shirt would have to be washed before it could be returned to Caul now that it had gotten sprayed by eopie. The thought hadn't occurred to him until now.

It didn't take long for blue team's liaison to be overwhelmed. Red team was apparently in no mood for negotiations tonight. They took the liaison captive by the sword and were ordering blue team to throw down their weapons or 'he gets it.' But blue team wasn't out of the game yet. It looked like they were hatching a plan. "Maybe he's just selfless. Or a real loner. Reminds me of someone else I know," Shaw hummed, looking over at her with a playful expression on his face so that she would know that he was teasing her. Maybe a little too selfless as one of the 'bad guys' jabbed him a little too hard in the gut with the end of a training lightsaber.

That was when Shaw looked over at Prani. Really looked at her. "What do you mean?" he asked when she said that she wished she could be more like the ranger. More like what? More confident? Shaw chewed on the inside of his mouth for a moment or two, brown eyes never straying from the girl beside him. "You know how I told you that one day you would realize just how incredible you are? Well I think you should stop waiting around for that day. Stop waiting for it to hit you. Stop waiting around to realize what everyone else can already see. Decide today that you're incredible. Quit letting people walk all over you." He wanted to take the easy way out and avert his gaze but he forced himself to maintain eye contact as he said, "And that includes me."

Shaw shifted toward Prani, taking her hand to raise it up by her head like she was being sworn in to testify in court. "A friend of mine back on Coruscant. She was really into affirmations. This makes it real official." He gestured to her hand with a smile. "Means you're telling nothing but the truth. You..." That was when he realized that she might think that this was totally silly, but he was going to push through anyway. "You ready to try some?" He raised his hand too so she wouldn't be the only one doing it. @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

“Oh…yarn, sewing needles, buttons..it’s silly, it’s nothing. I’m..you know..forgetful,” Prani mumbled unconvincingly. When Shaw mentioned the shirt belonged to Caul, she glanced at him and started to giggle, “Remember to wash it first after that eopie left you a present,” She teased, though her smile faded slightly when she saw the look on his face. For some reason the thought of Caul made him drift off, but she didn’t prod.

Fortunately, the focus returned to the LARPing and she winced when the ‘good guy’ took an inevitable jab to the gut. Prani gave a dramatic gasp when Shaw drew parallels between her and the guy, “I’m not that bad!” She quipped back, playfully smacking him on the leg, “I would at least have tried playin’ 'em a song first,” Prani added, unable to keep a straight face as she started to laugh.

As much as Prani wished he hadn’t heard her muttering about the Ranger, he latched onto it right away. She averted her gaze as he told her to simply become The Ranger and shed the way she had been all along. Prani sighed, already having given herself such a pep talk many times. Nevertheless, it meant a lot coming from Shaw, especially when he included himself among those she shouldn’t tolerate any nonsense from.

Prani blinked in surprise when he held her hand up in a truth-telling pose. She looked at her hand then back to him, slightly puzzled, “I’d be lyin’ if I said I’m ready to be that new person today, Shaw,” She said with a sad smile, “I been me my whole life and I been okay with it. But being away from home..bein’ out here is what’s makin’ me think I gotta change a little. But I gotta get there on my own time.."

Prani sighed, “But if we’re gonna be layin’ out truths, then that’s something I can start with,” She chewed her lip nervously, almost dropping the topic or focusing back on the LARPing. However, she caught the determined look in his eye and she decided to push through, “Okay, truth is..I feel real insecure around girls like Regina or Theia. I know I ain’t as pretty as them and I don’t dress like ‘em. And they all like you and you askin’ me out makes me wonder if it’s the attention ya like..like at the party. And if that’s all it is..” She looked away. Her face burned hot and she felt nauseous from admitting any of this. These were words that made her weak and vulnerable. Unlike when people stole her shoes or clothes, this was baring herself open. This actually got to her. This peeled back the layers. However, it felt good to get it off her chest.

She looked at him again, “Now you gotta tell me a truth.”

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Forgetful. Right. Shaw ground his teeth but didn't say anything. He would let it slide for now. It seemed to embarrass her. He tried to focus on something else, which wasn't hard when Prani slapped his leg playfully. "And just what song would you have played for them?" he asked, unable to stop himself from laughing right along with her. Her laughter was infectious, and he would just stare at her waiting for her answer. He basked in her features as he laughed—the way her eyes lit up and crinkled at the corners, the way little lines formed around her mouth. It felt good to know that he could still make her laugh after everything that had happened that week.

Shaw shook his head aggressively. Had he worded it so poorly? He always did. "Prani... I don't want you to be a new person. I'm not trying to change you, you know that right? I happen to like you the way you are. I happen to like who you are a lot. I just want you to see how incredible you are." Guilt settled in the pit of his stomach when he saw the sad smile that tugged at her soft features. "I want you to see how special Prani is—the Prani you are right now and whatever Prani you might be ten years from now. To have confidence in yourself, just as you are now. It doesn't have to happen overnight. I'm sure it won't. Nothing worth having comes to you overnight. But please don't think for even a second that I want any other Prani than the one that's sitting by me right now."

Now it was Shaw's turn to listen, and listen he did. Listened as she laid one of her insecurities, one of her doubts bare in front of him. He knew it was hard for her. He could tell by the way her face flushed crimson and she averted her gaze, but Shaw never took his eyes off of her. Master Valtiere had said to listen to learn. Not listen to reply. When Prani looked at him again, it was expectantly. It was his turn now, and she was waiting. It took the teenager a few moments to gather his thoughts.

"I know that you hate it when I hype you up, but I'm gonna tell you the truth. So don't go looking at it like I'm hyping you up, alright? I mean every word." He didn't get to pick her truth, and she didn't get to pick his. "Prani," he began, leaning forward with the conviction of his words, "Your differences—the way you dress, the way you talk—all of that is part of what makes you so special. It's not something to be ashamed of. It's not something to feel self conscious about. You're the kindest, gentlest person I know. And you're beautiful, Prani. You really are. You don't need to go comparing yourself to other girls."

He took a deep breath, anchoring himself so that he didn't get caught up in the moment and do something rash like reach out and touch her. "I won't sit here and tell you I don't like having your attention because I do. I ache for it. Maybe that's selfish, I don't know, but I asked you out because I care about you. Because I want to be with you. I like your attention because I like you so much. If that's selfish then call me selfish because I want to be a part of your life, Prani. I wanna be a part of your life so bad." It didn't mean he necessarily deserved to be a part of her life, but he wanted to be.

Realizing he had rambled on for way too long, all of the pent up emotions from the last week pouring out, he leaned back and cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uhhh your turn." @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani was stunned as he elaborated on what he meant. It was true, she had misunderstood, but it was because she only heard her own insecurities loudly speak over what he was trying to say. She told herself many times she needed to change, but he was talking about seeing aspects of herself that were already there. Prani could hardly comprehend that, could hardly see the girl he was describing, but he described it in every detail. Just as he always had.

The more he spoke, especially when he began to describe her kindness and beauty, emotions began to well up inside her. Prani bit her lip, tears starting to brim her eyes as she heard Shaw speak with conviction. She didn’t dare look away, not when he was pouring everything out. He had his hand up the whole time, under his own rule that he couldn’t lie.

Prani squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt to keep the tears from falling, but one escaped anyway. She quickly reached up to wipe her face, sniffling. No one had ever said something so beautiful and powerful to her before. Prani didn’t need the Force to tell he was being genuine, painfully genuine. It took a lot of effort for him to unravel the layers and lay this all out. His own insecurities shined through as he all but pleaded with how much he wanted to be in her life. That alone caused more tears to slide down her face that she quickly had to wipe away.

By the time he was done speaking, Prani sniffled and wiped her face, knowing she couldn’t hide from him. She forgot all about the LARPing or any ambient noise, her heart pounding and emotions overwhelming her. Prani had let her own insecurities blind her to how he felt and where he came from. Time and time again he had to remind her of the girl he saw and every single time she doubted it and let her own poor image of herself eclipse and invalidate him. Prani took a shuddered breath, wiping her face again. She tried not to be self-conscious about how terrible she must have looked. That eyeliner she carefully put on was probably running now… though Alina did say it was waterproof.

Prani remembered it was her turn and she gingerly brought her hand up in the truth pose, “I…I don’t know how this dating business works..but I know I don’t wanna date anyone else and I don’t..I don’t want you goin’ out with other girls,” Her face burned hot. She had never told someone what she wanted from them like this before, “I-I know I’m bein’ selfish. You said nothin’ worth havin’ can be had overnight or quick…but you are worth havin’. And.. ugh, darn it, Shaw Amaris, I want you to be mine…only mine,” She looked away, her voice faltering, “W-Whatever that even means….” Prani trailed off, panicking inside. She knew she was talking crazy. This was not how dating worked. It was supposed to be some sort of trial run. However, this was the truth game and a safe space to share them, and so she would. Prani was clueless to the fact that they were more or less saying the same thing.

“Y-Your turn..”

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

It was difficult to watch Prani rub at her eyes and wipe away the tears she was so desperately attempting to hold back. Harder to know that he was the reason she was crying. Shaw was too inexperienced to know if they were tears of sadness or tears of happiness or relief or some combination of the three. He thought back to that day by the lake, after he had drug her down into the catacombs against her better judgement and gotten her into trouble. That was the first time he had ever seen her cry. It wasn't any easier to watch now. He just hoped that this time there was more opacity to the tears, that they didn't roll down her cheeks solely because he had ruined everything.

Shaw waited for Prani's truth with baited breath. He was racked with apprehension, a tightening sensation in his chest restricting every breath he took. But as she spoke and as he listened, as she sat there and told him exactly what she wanted for once—that she didn't want to go out with anyone else, that she didn't want him going out with anyone else, and that she thought he was worth having even after he'd hurt her—apprehension turned to exhilaration. That tightening sensation in his chest expanded and eased up, and sunbursts appeared in his vision. He wasn't sure if it was the sunset playing tricks on him or if it was his imagination or if Prani just glowed too brightly for this world.

"I don't—I don't wanna date anyone else either!" he said once it was his turn, stumbling over his own words in his excitement. In that moment Shaw felt weightless. Like the smallest gust of wind might blow him away. "I thought you knew that, but I guess I haven't been saying it loud enough." He threw his head back and shouted to the sky, "I DON'T WANNA DATE ANYONE BUT YOU, PRANI SHALRAZI!" A startled bird in a tree overhead flew away. Okay, maybe that was a little too loud, but Shaw was an excited teenager and it showed. He cleared his throat, hoping he hadn't looked too goofy and continued. "I don't want you dating other guys either. Watching you walk away with Caul the other night—that killed me." He wasn't saying it was their fault. He understood that the blame was on him. He was just being honest. He wasn't sure what felt better, hearing her say she wanted Shaw to be hers or finally feeling free enough to say it himself. "I want you all to myself."

There it was. His truth laid bare too. Shaw swallowed hard. "You got any more truths you wanna lay on me or can I—" he almost said kiss you, but he amended it to, "—can I hold you now? I've been wanting to all night."

So long as she said yes, Shaw would lean forward and pull her to his chest with more enthusiasm than he knew what to do with. One arm wrapped around her back while the other tangled into the hair at the back of her head, burying his face in those curly strands that had fallen round her face and sucking in a deep breath. "You don't know how badly I wanted to hear you say that," he smiled uncontrollably, voice muffled. He was practically giddy. This felt unreal. Too good to be true. So he held her a little tighter, her warm body pressed against his and the smell of her hair reminding him that it was real. That it wasn't a dream. That he felt like the luckiest guy in the galaxy.

"Thanks for giving me a second chance, Prani," he breathed. "I'll try my hardest to be worth having." @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani winced in surprise when he shouted at the top of his lungs that he only wanted to date her. She blushed furiously, burying her face in her hands, “Golly, Shaw..” She mumbled, glancing nervously from between her fingers. Yup, the LARPers were definitely looking over. A few of them were pointing, recognizing the famous padawan. Shaw was in celebrity status at this point, so no doubt there was some gossip about to start. Several of them excitedly waved at him. Hopefully, no one would start walking this way...

Despite hiding her face, she couldn’t keep the smile off her face. Pran thought she was going to melt right into the grass, his big declaration making her feel as if she was the only person in the galaxy. Her elation was briefly interrupted when he spoke about Caul, her face scrunched up as she looked at Shaw, “Caul?” She asked, “But he doesn’t even like me like that,” Prani said, confused. Why did Shaw think Prani would date Caul? They were just friends!

Her face flushed again when Shaw flatly said he wanted her to himself. Prani could only manage an excited nod at his question, giggling when he pulled her into a tight embrace. She felt small in his arms as she wrapped her own around his torso to hug him tight. Prani buried her face into his shoulder, breathing him in. She was even excited about that terrible Hatchet spray as she nuzzled against him. Were his arms always this bulky and powerful? Prani’s face was burning hot, a rush of elation and nervousness about what this all meant hitting her all at once.

After a moment, she drew back to look up at him, “So um…does this mean you’re my…boyfriend? Uh..are we…booed up?” Prani asked awkwardly as she stared at him. Was she even allowed to have a boyfriend? Whatever, she would cross that bridge with papa when it came time.

Why was it so difficult to look at him up close without wanting to lean in closer? She couldn’t help but gaze into his eyes, the dying rays of the sun turning them into pools of liquid amber. It was like peering into the heart of a sunlit forest, each and every complex pattern of the chestnut hues admixing with gold. The sunset shined across his bronze skin, the shadows tracing the defined contours of his face. Before she could stop herself, her hand came up to very lightly - timidly - brush along the side of his jawline. Was it okay for her to touch his face? Was this too much? What even possessed her to do this? She had to strongly resist the urge to look at his lips.

Prani quickly drew her hand back, mind racing and heart beating fast again. She managed a smile as she looked at him, “I don’t want you to stop holdin’ me,” She said barely above a whisper. Man, what a cheesy line. But Prani didn’t worry about that for now - Shaw didn’t mind her terrible and awkward dialogue thus far.

She turned around towards the sunset, ensuring that Shaw’s arms were snugly wrapped around her from behind. Prani leaned into him, her back against his chest. There was nowhere else she wanted to be. There was no one else she wanted to be with. She hardly noticed the figures of the LARPers down in the distance or the noises they made. It was just Prani and Shaw.

@throwitintothefire