A Proper Adventure in the Night

[Kalladrrl]

He extricated himself from her again as they rode the lift, but solely out of utility and reluctantly at that. Kalladrrl took the now ruined garment off and employed it for its last use before it was no doubt incinerated far away from the high class, luxury penthouses of Lothal. He scrubbed it on the back of its head, trying to soak all the excess punch from the formerly well maintained hair of his head. He set the bottles of liquor down and went to town on himself, using the unadulterated bits of his vest to get himself back to some sort of acceptable coiffage, offering the ruined garment to the delightful creature beside him after unpinning his rank insignia and service medal.

“Need this?” he asked in his native language with a low rumble, shooting her a small half smile with the corner of his mouth, exposing just the barest hint of tooth as his eyes almost shined down at her. “Damn lizard got me good, and after I'd made a special trip to buy the good shampoo and everything.” He harrumphed dramatically but spoke sardonically as the elevator doors opened. In his free hand, he took the two pins, the two bottles of liquor and a small bag, leather and drawstrung at the top that held his spending money; his prodigious hands and grip strength kept them secure as he offered his right arm to Vex in whatever capacity she wished.

Before he took them out to the street, he directed them to the residential concierge, who raised an eyebrow at the mismatched pair.

“May I help you this evening?”

Kalladrrl nodded and dropped the two pins on the counter before him, the concierge’s eyes widening a hair as comprehension filled him.

“I need those sent by courier to my hotel room, if you please.” He gave the address and number of his hotel room and was assured his pins would be delivered without delay. Kalladrrl shot the man a broad smile that had nothing to do with his polite service, tipping him generously and getting back to the task at hand.

“I hear there's a botanical garden near here,” he murmured to her secretly, his voice only for her. “It's closed, but I really don't give a damn about that right now. Place to recharge before we burn the city down.” Kalladrrl gave her another ironic grin, finding his charm coming to him easily and glad for it. He thought his suggestion would be a change from the stuffy Sith party where they needed to be on their guard, but his tone implied that it was a suggestion and he would be open to whatever she wished.

@Dread

Spoiler: OOC

I ain't using /abbr in this thread. I figure Vex knows what he's saying.

 

[The Eternal (Vex)]

"I'm sorry about that, but thank you for taking the brunt of it," Vex said with a soft smile playing on her lips, pushing aside some stray locks of crimson hair to look up at him again. She wore a look of gratefulness and contentedness, and really that's all she felt at the moment with him. Tipping her head somewhat after, her expression wavered momentarily, changing to something darker as she added, "I'd of done much worse to him if he ruined my hair. It took me hours to get ready for this party." Hours she usually wouldn't've allocated to such a frivolous thing.

But she wanted to try new things, allow herself to indulge in the frivolous, in passion and in more. Of course work would remain her main focus in life—she couldn't help that part of her—but she wouldn't allow it to be the only focus anymore. Not as Vex.

She declined his vest with the shake of her head. Thanks to him she wasn't soaked so she didn't really need it. Instead she happily walked by his side as he passed off the vest, speaking with a servant for a handful of peaceful moments.

Her mind had drifted off because she was so relaxed by his side and possibly because of her lack of soberness, but his voice brought her back to reality. His voice hovered scarcely above a whisper, catching her full attention. She blinked a few times as their gazes met again, but her eyes began to glimmer when he made his suggestion. Maybe it was the lights that dotted the inky night streets finally reflecting in her eyes, maybe it was something else. Either way she nodded, walking ahead of him now that she was sober enough. Something she'd change once they reached the park.

"Nothings closed when you're a Sith," she half joked in reply. "Well come on then." The young Sith waved at him, biting her bottom lip before giggling and shifting on her feet to make her way the garden. She almost ran, excited to escape the prying eyes of her peers. Not only did she enjoy the idea of spending time with Kalladrrl, but she'd never stopped to enjoy a garden before.

When they made it to the gate Vex reached up but didn't touch the lock, instead clenching her hand as she wrapped the Force around it. The lock whined under the pressure of her Force before snapping in two. The gate opened slowly after, and she looked back at Kalladrrl once more, reaching out her hand to him. "Do you think they have a water fountain? Maybe I can clean up there a bit." She wasn't soaked but still a little sticky.

 

[Kalladrrl]

He took great joy in seeing her fired up like that -- she was vivacious and deadly, like a jungle flower that looked innocuous and wholesome until the observer was thoroughly poisoned from projectile spines.

“I believe it!” he remarked earnestly. “Might surprise you to learn I happen to know a few things about haircare.” His tone was breezy and playful and he couldn't help but smile slyly down at her as he said it. He was known to crack a quick joke, but the full brunt of his sarcasm, which needled at people like sharp Wookiee claws, was left behind him, only a quietly boisterous demeanor in its place, secret from all but her like a glade in the overgrown wood.

His deadly companion’s eyes seemed to sparkle up at him at his suggestion and he felt buoyed and fierce at her approval and eagerness. She rushed ahead of him, his own eyes lingering on the way her curls fell deliciously. His eyes traced over her shoulder, down her arms that he could still almost feel wrapped around one of his, to the exquisite hand at the end, through which he watched her wreak havoc on unsuspecting infrastructure. And he said the same thing he said to her on Saleucami when he first appreciated her talent in the arts of the Sith.

“Nice.”

The Wookiee spoke with a nodding of his head and a half-smile.

Her hand stretched out for his and Kall felt like the only person who yet lived upon Lothal; he laced his fingers in hers and felt something roar triumphantly inside him as she asked after a fountain. Come to think of it, even over the pounding of his heart at his own fantastic luck, he could hear trickling water. His hearing strained for a moment and a corner of his mouth grinned further, his voice a bass rumble.

“They did you one better!” He was back to leading, the rushing of water growing in volume seeming to excite him more as the surroundings and circumstance almost overwhelmed him with their perfection. The lights of Lothal fell away as they moved further in, the stars and moons provided light to them that only made the tones of Vex’s hair shine under different light. He had to stop himself from audibly catching his breath as they stepped into a wide clearing with a waterfall, easily twice his height splashing into an expansive lagoon that acted as the garden's beating heart, the edges of which were barely disturbed by the falls. It was all almost too much with her there; he'd been overwhelmed at the party but not with delight. He looked over the lagoon and the foliage around them, his eyes treated to night blossoms even as Kalladrrl squeezed Vex’s hand in his own in excitement and joy. So taken aback by the beauty of the moment was he that, for once in a long life full of back talk, he had absolutely nothing to say. He didn't need to say anything. His happiness was writ large on his expressive face and he felt that sublime sense of timeless wonder return to him that he had felt before that uncouth lizard had broken the spell.

Garden Theme

​

@Dread

 

[The Eternal (Vex)]

It was breathtaking. There was simply no better way to put it. Vex allowed her eyes to wander over the serene scene for a time. Filling her lungs with the crisp nights air. She felt Kalladrrl's hand tighten around hers as he took in the sight with her, and she returned the same, leaning on him again and wrapping her other arm around his. It was a perfect moment. A moment she wasn't a Sith or an assassin. She was Vex by the side of a man who by the Force found her.

It took some time to decide, but once she did she was hell-bound determined to do it. Letting go of Kalladrrl, she grabbed one sleeve of her dress and slipped it off. It fell down her shoulder and the breeze kissed her exposed skin. She closed her eyes for a time, breathing in deeply. Then she grabbed the other sleeve and slowly slipped it off. The dress fell off her curves, balling at her feet. It felt amazing... freeing and she couldn't help but enjoy the idea that perhaps Kalladrrl's eyes might be on her. She looked back at him with a tip of her head, "Join me?"

The water tickled her toes and they curled at it but she kept going. And going till she was at least hip deep in the water that reflected the stars above so beautifully. Then turning... slowly she scooped her hand through the water, trying not to let Kalladrrl see her do it. Biting her lip to hold back the giggle that threatened to burst from her at any second. Suddenly she flung the water at Kalladrrl, unable to hold back her giggle as she did it. Whether he was still at the shore or by her side, she'd try to get him.

 

[Kalladrrl]

Her other arm wrapped around his, and Kalladrrl was unaware of how much time passed after that as they both seemed content to exist by each other. Everything fell away again except Vex next to him and he was happy for it. Let it all fall by the wayside; the wars of conquest, the motivation of his own pride and ambition, his hatred of the stunted and weak Republic that couldn't keep would-be assassins out of the halls of its legislature. It was all meaningless with her hand in his and her arm around him. He'd let it all drift away if he could have this moment forever.

Vex moved away from him, to the water’s edge, where she drew her arm over one of the sleeves of her dress.

Was she about to...?

She was.

Kalladrrl looked away demurely and quickly, but he couldn't help what his eyes had seen already and when she looked back she’d see his eyes glued firmly to a rock, until she asked him to join her. He allowed himself a little boldness and his eyes swept up her body; he took care not to linger too long on any one spot even as he drank in the sight of her.

And then the vexatious Vex had the gall to splash at him when he stepped into the lagoon, the water rising up to his legs. Kalladrrl couldn't help but laugh heartily as he stooped to threaten the water with a colossal arm.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Vex!” He drew his arm back as if to splash, grinning at her challengingly as if he invited another splash...which he did. Seeing her like this, he wanted her to feel this way every day; every hour and every minute of time spent in joy. And after a moment of threatening the water he let loose a blow that would send a spray back at her, taking care not to undo the work she'd put into that fiery shock of curls.

 

[The Eternal (Vex)]

"You wouldn't!" She locked eyes with him and couldn't stop another giggle. Of course, she knew he would so she scooped more water and splashed it at him without hesitation. At the same time turning her face away and shielding herself somewhat with her free hand from his wave of water, squeaking a little bit. Even though she could've used to Force to stop the wave midair, she didn't want to. The moment was so innocent, so pure and made her feel like a regular person her age.

Some of the water got in her hair. She didn't actually mind, but still... she shook her head at Kalladrrl and warned, "You'll regret that." Her lips curled into a playful smirk that complemented the spark in her eyes, but she turned back the water to actually clean herself off right after. The coldness was refreshing against her milky white skin, and every time she dipped her hand into the water it was almost like dipping it into the starry sky it reflected.

She made her way out of the water after to grab one of the whiskey bottles, turning the cap off it easily. It fell to the ground. The liquid went down with ease, though she'd never get totally use to the taste the warmness it left in her belly was her favorite part.

With a happy sigh, Vex tipped her head to one side towards Kalladrrl, "So...what do you want to do next?" She smiled at him contently as she waited for his answer, running a hand gingerly through her hair to place it over one shoulder out of habit. There was the option of swimming out further and exploring which excited her, but she wasn't certain she wanted to get her bra wet. And really, she didn't know if Kalladrrl had other ideas, even if it was kind of a spur of the moment thing.

 

[Kalladrrl]

“That’s where you’re wrong,” he hooted gleefully even as his hand impacted the surface of the water, sending a bubbly spray to her, “I certainly would!” Kalladrrl didn't mind himself being sprayed -- evolution had made sure to equip him with a speedy drying solution and the water was already beading off him and falling from him in large drops as he chuckled heartily, mostly at her own youthful laughter. It made his heart ache how much that inner roar and fire flared when she smiled his way; most people who looked at him saw the Commander, an awe-inspiring mountain of battle prowess that had spread the reach of the Empire on half a dozen worlds. Nobody looked at him like she did, even when she teased him playfully.

“I’d expect nothing less,” he replied appreciatively as she bent to clean herself and he reluctantly looked away from the alabaster display in front of him. Vex was so dazzlingly beautiful it sent a shudder through him, and he took careful steps to join her at the lagoon’s shore, picking up his own, larger bottle that was filled with potent liquor for a sapient of his alcohol tolerance. The whiskey he’d had at the party was for smaller beings and its toxicity barely touched his fortitude. The brown liquid within burned his mouth and throat even as its woody taste filled him, and he drank deep of it, the heat of the liquor blending with the fiery feeling of being with Vex and amplifying it further.

“Gotta catch up to a certain someone I know,” he said to her with a sly wink. What did he want to do next? He wanted to wrap his arms about her and never let go. He wanted her to point at an enemy she wished dead and he wanted to bring their ruin upon them. He wanted to see her smile at him every day. Those were probably not what she meant. Kall looked about the lagoon at the center of the garden, which stretched out in all directions around them. He let out a deep, unfocused hum.

“Could swim, but you’d definitely get your hair wet then and we wouldn’t want that.” His remark was tongue-in-cheek and a playful half-smile stretched across his face to drive that point home. “Could amble around the garden and see what sights there are to treat ourselves to.” His eyes roamed around for a moment before they settled on hers again, and he couldn’t fight the feeling to be bold, even as it scared him. And not much put fear into Kalladrrl’s heart, but the words leaving him did as he spoke them, even though they felt right. He was not used to being open and honest with anyone.

“Truth be told, it doesn’t matter to me what we do so long as I’m with you.” He bit his lip and smiled at her shyly and secretly.

 

[The Eternal (Vex)]

Her lips curled in amusement as he winked at her and joked. It was true though, he hadn't been drunk so far. Which made her curious about what he was like drunk, since he was already this fun sober. Her smile faded though when he joked about her hair, mostly to act dramatic. She pouted, "That's right! I didn't spend all that time on my hair just to muck it up a few hours later."

Shaking her head she took another long sip of the whiskey. It burned her throat and warmed her belly the perfect amount while she listened to him list off some ideas. They all sounded good if she was being honest with herself. Then she paused to look at him again when the last sentence left his lips.

Her heart fluttered and her mind took an extra few seconds to process his words. A shyness she didn't know was capable of fell over her, forcing her to turn away from him. "I..." she started, trailing off for a handful of quickened heartbeats, a pink hue kissing her cheeks against her will. "I feel the same way." It took a lot for her but she faced him again, allowing him to see the color of her cheeks. The fact he could do this to her made her feel weak, yet she wouldn't trade the feeling for anything.

Closing the distance between them, the young Sith followed where her feelings lead her, delicately grabbing for his hand with both of hers. Placing it on her chest near her heart, pressing against it, she finally spoke up again, "Can you... can you sense it too?" Her body then pressed against his, his warmth penetrated her, surround and consumed her, chasing away the coldness. A cold that felt good for a time, but this was better. Part of her wanted him to lift her up so she could be even closer, but she didn't mention it. Instead after a few seconds she closed her eyes, adding, "I... I don't understand it but I sense a connection between us, Kalladrrl, and right now I want nothing more than to be by you."

 

[Kalladrrl]

He drank when she did, another long pull that left the bottle about three-quarters full. Kalladrrl could feel the burn within him, and he wasn't sure whether it was the alcohol and her. But when she turned away, he was afraid. Like his feelings had led him astray, like he had been too forward with his feelings and he had messed this up already…whatever this was. But he saw the touch of blush on her face as she turned back to him and it was like he was seeing her for the first time again, under starlight and moonlight. And he knew he had chosen correctly and he felt lionized, like they had crossed a threshold together and they could be honest. Kalladrrl’s hand shook as she took it in both of hers and laid it on her chest. He could feel the pounding of her heart in his hand as she asked if she could sense it and he merely nodded wordlessly as he felt it, like a tenable connection in the space between the two of them, until there was no space and she was against him, melding into his space as red hair and fair skin muddled with solid black.

As she pressed herself against him, he pushed the stopper into the bottle and tossed it gently into the lagoon for later retrieval, his one hand returning to gently brush his fingertips over the small of his back as his right hand tipped her chin up so he could see her face, tracing lightly over the blushing cheek, then down her jawline. Part of him wanted to lift her up so he could be even closer to her but there was something perfect in this moment that he didn’t want to disturb. He spoke, a deep rumble like a faraway rockslide as he stepped closer to her, her head in his chest and able hear his own heart beating fiercely like hers had been.

“Then that makes me the luckiest man alive.” It was as if every moment before had led here: the sabotages on Saleucami and Hoth, the hell that was the tombs of Korriban, the job in the deep desert with the Guild, even a century of slavery. Every choice he'd made and situation he'd faced had led him here, in a garden on Lothal, with the formidable and stunning Vex eager to be close to him.

It made it all worth it, and it was the first time he'd ever felt that way.

 

[The Eternal (Vex)]

A shiver ran throughout her body as his finger traced her jawline. She pressed her face into his touch almost instinctively, wanting more of it. The deep rumble of his voice provided a similar sensation but... the luckiest man? She wasn't sure about that. Though she felt lucky. Lucky to enjoy his affection, the sound of his heartbeat, the rhythm of his breaths, the sounds of nature and night. Time slipped away while they embraced each other, enough that soon they both ended up at Kall's hotel out of necessity.

Even though they had stayed up late, she woke up as the sun washed through the curtains onto her skin. She was use to waking up early, having experienced very little parties like this one. So while she wanted to sleep in, her body rebelled against the idea, forcing her eyes open.

Scanning the room, she remembered that Kall had given her his bed, which made him even more of a gentlemen than she first thought. Thankfully she hadn't had to sleep in her dress either; the hotel provided complementary night gowns. A pink one that made her feel girly. Something she enjoyed more than she ever suspected she would. In a way Kall had made her feel that way too.

Slowly, she slid out of bed. Stretching, allowing some of the balled up silk to fall down, over her breasts and curves. Of course she was hungry, so she left the room expecting to find a kitchenette or something though her eyes first fell on Kall laying on the couch. The sight made her bite her bottom lip to hold back a giggle. She wasn't sure if he was sleeping, but a smirk crept over her lips and she couldn't help but sneak up to him. Poking his face, without warning, she shouted loudly, "Good morning Kalladrrl!" Her voice carried a happy tune to it, even though she wasn't sure if he'd freak out or not. That was part of the fun, really.

 

[Kalladrrl]

Kalladrrl did not sleep much at all, both as a rule and that night specifically. The blackness of sleep made him think of asteroids careening through dark space and the ever-present threat of electrical shock looming over him, and most nights he woke up sweating and panting from another dream of being back there, locked away for a century of toil. This past night, he had not slept overmuch because he could not quiet his thoughts enough to even approach sleep. He was fixated on the morning and what might happen and questions tumbled through his mind like a vanadium asteroid.

Would she try to sneak out in the night? He'd have to pretend to be asleep if that was the case.

Was she going to be back to business-as-usual Vex, no nonsense and little time for anything else? Possible. She worked harder than even he did, almost fanatically devoted to whatever tasks were at hand.

Would she even feel the same way without the liquor? This question worried him the most and filled his veins with ice, like his heart had been hollowed out and replaced by something numb and of the void. He'd get over it, but in doing so he'd probably lose the deposit on the hotel room and possibly receive some sort of censure from the local authorities for disorderly behavior unbecoming of an Imperial officer.

His eyes were closed when he heard her stir from the next room, but he'd been completely awake for hours at that point. Kalladrrl heard her try to sneak up on him, but you needed to wake up pretty damn early to get the jump on him, and when she poked him, two eyes full of awareness opened and looked up at her, and his heart felt close to bursting at the sight of her.

“Hey, you,” he murmured, a half-smile playing across his lips that didn't touch the worry in his eyes as he tried to keep his tone even. "You sleep well?”

 

[The Eternal (Vex)]

A bit of surprise took over her face when he opened his eyes without so much as a twitch. He must've been awake. Did he get up even earlier than her? She shook the thought away, answering his question, "I did." Her smile crooked. "I suppose the whiskey helped me sleep." That and she also felt safe with Kall nearby. Who wouldn't feel safe with a wookiee on their side?

She couldn't help but sense something was off though. It gave her pause, but like the night before she followed where her feelings lead her. She was a Sith after all, why shouldn't she? A thought that kept filing her mind as she bent down, crawling up beside him happily. Making herself comfy. There wasn't much room left on the furniture of course, so she found herself partly on him, partly on the couch, partly falling off it. For some reason, the precarious seating amused her. A little giggle fell from her lips as she boldly put both hands on the side of Kall's jaw, hoping he wouldn't pull away like he hadn't the night before.

For a handful of heartbeats she only stared into his caramel eyes. As if she was trying to stare into his soul, his mind, to see what was inside. Though she did have the power to do that in reality... something inside her never wanted to hurt him—unless he wanted it, of course. What she was really doing was enjoying their closeness again, debating on how she should put her thoughts into words. She wasn't exactly use to what she wanted to tell him.

Maybe the words wouldn't be perfect, maybe they couldn't be perfect, maybe she simply wasn't capable of making them that way. So she instead just spoke what was on her mind, "Kalladrrl I..." she paused, feeling a bit of that infamous shyness surface, but like many thing she pushed past it. "Last night I had more fun than I have ever had before." Her eyes somehow sparkled and softened at the same time, still staring deeply into his. "I'm hoping we can spend more nights together like that. Have more fun together." Her grip tightened. "And I think... I think I have feelings for you and...and I don't want to let them fade away." Feelings she hoped that he returned, feelings she wanted to allow herself to enjoy and explore further with him.

 

[Kalladrrl]

His anxiety melted away as she started to crawl up beside him and he felt foolish and fantastic as he shifted to his side to allow her more space. His left hand wrapped around her, gently, politely even, resting on the small of her back to keep her close to him as his other hand brushed up her arm to her left hand on his face, and his eyes lidded over as he turned into her embrace, humming contentedly at her words. His feelings boiled over and he gave into them and he felt more alive than he had ever felt, but on a different scale than anything in his experience. He was conscious of everything around him and of him: every bit of Vex that pressed against him, the way her heat and her touch electrified him with emotion, the sound of her breaths and even her heartbeat clear to his sense like it was his own, which beat ferociously within him. Kall let her words sink in as he couldn't believe his luck yet again before he spoke quietly, but not shyly.

“Thank you.” He opened his eyes and looked up at her and his troubled expression had vanished, replaced with zealous tenderness and fierce adoration; he felt like he could almost touch her with his devotion. “I needed to hear that.” He took her hand and in a mirror of what she had done for him, he placed her hand on his chest to feel the thunder of his heartbeat as his face pressed against her touch. “I feel like every step I've ever taken has lead me right here, to you. Nearly a century spent breaking my body under threat of pain, justified, by you. Everything...finally worth it. Like it had a purpose all along."

 

[The Eternal (Vex)]

"Kalladrrl..." Vex trailed off, unknowingly holding her breath for a handful of quickened heartbeats. Heartbeats that threatened to beat out of her chest.

His hand gripped hers, pressing her hand against his chest. Mirroring what she had done before. She could feel the cadence of his heart in the palm of her hand. Hear it. And without thinking her fingers curled into his fur, wanting to feel more. Wanting to know... was it beating as fast as her heart?

Why did he make her feel so emotional, so weak yet so amazing at the same time? How was it possible that a Sith Master could be so... shy around a man? Was it...could it be? She couldn't. She couldn't allow her heart to be so exposed.

Vex looked away, tightening her grip, biting her bottom lip. There was so many emotions, so many thoughts that whirled in her mind. Yet through it all she managed to center herself enough to speak, "I want to say... I want to say that I don't understand. That none of this makes sense. That I don't know how it's possible that you feel so strongly about me." She breathed. "Yet, Kalladrrl...I do. I do. I do. I do."

"I do understand."

Vex curled into him. Burying her face into his chest. Giving herself up to him completely. Then she felt it. No, she sensed it. His signature. Somehow... the Force had awakened in him. "Kalladrrl... Kalladrrl? Do you feel that? Do you sense me?" She looked up to him, surprise coloring her face. "Do you? Because I can sense you. The Force is with you. Inside you."

 

[Kalladrrl]

His entire awareness seemed expanded beyond what was normal, each sense sharpening the more he focused on Vex. What he felt for her seemed to breach more barriers than he had even thought existed. He knew he kept everyone at the length of his prodigious arm, and for good reason. Few people could be trusted to be as close to you as Vex and Kalladrrl were to each other, physically and otherwise. He felt connected to everything around him and every part of himself more than he had ever…and he felt connected to her. No, a connection could be broken. He felt entangled, woven together with her. And he could feel her in his arms, like a wildfire that walked and gave itself to him. Kalladrrl had known she was powerful; it would take a truly dense idiot to be able to look at Vex and miss just how dangerous she was. Of course, the galaxy was packed to the brim with truly dense idiots.

However, even the foreboding presence she could cast to those who die not possess her gifts did not compare to this new awareness of her power. And yet he felt no fear as she spoke pulling herself into him as his free hand trailed to her shoulder to run his fingers over as much of her skin as she would allow. And she spoke again…of the Force. Of him. Of her. He could feel her. He could sense her. She was a blazing beacon of potential, like a lynchpin of the universe waiting to unleash destruction at her whim. And Kalladrrl clutched at her and rested his head against hers, nestling his face amongst adorable, tousled scarlet curls. He did not argue with Vex’s assessment: Kalladrrl knew to trust whatever Vex told him from here on out. He was done running from her and her words. If she said the Force was with him, then it must be so. It could not be any other way. He spoke and his tone was warm and throaty.

“It had to be you, Vex. Only you...saw what so many did not.” He clutched at her, pulling her into him as his eyes closed and he focused on her and the power she had unlocked within him, like she had granted a fraction of her own might to kindle what lay within him. Tentatively and experimentally, he reached out with his perceptions, careful not to overstep any boundaries, still feeling like he was in new territory among new territory. “I can almost sense…how you feel.” He felt the intensity of his own feelings redouble, almost as if being able to perceive her on a deeper level caused an upsurge in that fire that filled him and had frightened him, but did no longer.

 

[The Eternal (Vex)]

Vex allowed herself to connect with Kal on a new level; allowed herself to sense and experience his spiritual awakening with him. Closing her eyes as he rested his head on hers. She felt like a blanket of safety fell over her. Comfortable in his embrace. No, it was beyond that. It made it so she could remain open to him. Allowing him to feel her emotions—her thoughts. She was an open book to him. It was a dangerous thing for a Sith to allow yet... it felt right.

They belong together like this. The Force willed it.

He would be able to sense how safe she felt in his embrace, but beneath that a whirl of intense emotions. Love. Fear. Desire. Need. But even further beyond that her secrets. Who she truly was. The man who owned her very being. The father who taught her, beat her, tortured her into submission. It was all laid out. He only had to find them if he wanted to or dared to dive so deep into her darkness.

"You can," she answered back after a brief pause to enjoy the moment, speaking in a soft and calm voice that she didn't know was in her. "But don't over think it. Follow your instincts, Kalladrrl. Do not fear them. Trust them. Allow them to guide you." Those instincts were key to survival, key at any situation; something she wanted to teach him, but she knew he'd receive training one way or another now that he was aware of his power.

 

[Kalladrrl]

It was the ultimate expression of will and ego to maintain oneself amidst what Kalladrrl felt -- like he had lived his whole life without color, without sound or sight or taste, a creature of scent and balance with a higher world revealed to him. He didn't know whether it was Vex or the Force. Perhaps it was both. But both feeling Vex in his arms and with the esoteric senses he now embraced, feeling how she felt. No, feeling how she was. How she existed every day. How she had come here. He saw with his mind's eye a man -- Vex’s father, he recalled like he had always know -- screaming in her face for one of an endless number of times, and he felt that pain and that moment as if it was his own. And he saw a mask emerging from a hood and a wellspring of power that made the fire of Vex seem like a candle beside it, like Kalladrrl felt next to her even as he clutched her in his arms. The mask he knew by reputation -- who didn't know of the Eternal? The Imperial spymaster was renowned in all civilized corners of the galaxy, and for good reason. And Kalladrrl felt the level of devotion Vex felt for this creature of Force and flesh. And it frightened him, more than he'd be frightened by anything in nearly a century.

Kalladrrl knew that even as he connected with Vex, his own secrets would be laid bare and he followed her words. He followed his instincts where they took him, through ninety years of darkness. Electrical shocks the memory of which to this day woke him up in a panic, like he could feel the device implanted in his flesh eager to electrocute him into compliance. He saw again resentment in the eyes of his people as he worked to save them from the monster that held them like disposable tools to scratch a rich but ultimately, cosmically insignificant portion of vanadium from the depths of a far-flung rogue asteroid.

And he saw her, the woman who had scorned him long ago as the blood of nearly a hundred Trandoshans dripped idly from his claws. He saw the horror in her eyes, the anguish and distress that Lofarra had gone where she could follow him no longer.

But Lofarra was gone and Kalladrrl did not need Nwarrgalla. He needed Vex.

And instead he focused on how sure of herself she was on Saleucami, refusing to be goaded by him even as he toyed with her like he did so many others. It was respectable then and it was now as well. Damn, but she did speak Xaczik! And he thought of how she'd relaxed more when they'd been wrapped in the cloak of deception, sabotaging a Deucalian frigate, and how she'd actually laughed at his over-the-top griping about the warriors’ musical stylings.

And he gripped at her tightly, fiercely even, fingers digging for but a moment into both shoulder and back, feeling the shape of her and the smoothness of her skin. Reaching out, her could feel the heat of her heart, rapid and unsure. And he felt safe with her there, knowing that she felt as he did. The knowledge put away every doubt he had as they were subsumed by loyalty and admiration. Maybe even more than that. Probably more than that.

Kalladrrl spoke, his tone rich and warm.

"Instinct has always been a good guide. It lead me to you.” And he laughed, at himself and how delighted and delightful he felt, and how Vex made him feel. His hand trailed to her waist as the other danced its way up through her hair and brushed through it, bringing his fingers back through even as he laughed at where his journey had taken him. Close to someone, but even closer to someone than he had ever been before. The mighty Vex had given him something more precious even than the cognizance of his own potential in the arts of the Sith and he would fight to protect her even should it mean his life would be forfeit. And he couldn't say that about anybody else, not a single one.

 

[The Eternal (Vex)]

Just like she had told Kal to do, Vex allowed herself to follow her instincts. Reliving her fathers wrath; the helplessness, the anger and the desire to do everything—anything—to make him stop hurting her.

Then it happened. Suddenly, almost too quickly as if someone pulled a rug from under her feet. Kal found the Eternal in her mind. The Eternal and the depths of Vex's devotion to him. She frowned when fear was Kal's reaction to it. Yet...she understood it and for the first time feared where her devotion to him might lead.

Kal's mind drifted again into a new wave of thoughts and feelings. Suddenly she found herself grabbing hold of his ebony hair as electrical shocks filled her body with soul crushing pain and fear and panic. Immediately after a pang of sadness struck her—deep inside the pit of her stomach. Knowing that Kal had went through this hurt her more than anything had in her life. It was an overwhelming, all consuming sadness.

It took everything. All of her will power not to curl up and bury her face into him... to choke on the stream of tears that began to fall down her cheeks. It was a moment of total weakness and caring for another soul.

The sadness continued as he fought and clawed his way to freedom, because after a female face stared at her.. no, at Kal in disgust. Turning from him in an act that Vex would consider betrayal. That pain was great but it comforted her that Kal somehow found peace with her now instead.

She enjoyed his next thoughts too. They calmed her enough to stop the flow of tears. It amused her that they'd experienced their missions so vastly differently; she was so laser focused that she honestly hadn't thought of anything but the goal. Kal on the other hand took in so much more little things, and it was quite frankly sweet.

His hands trailed the sensitive curves of her body as their spiritual journey came to an end. The sound of his voice mixed with his touch soothed her, allowing the tenseness to leave her muscles so she could relax. It was a lot... all those intense emotions. A smile found itself on her lips again, and she reached up to put a hand on his cheek. Placing a kiss on his lips, enjoying it before pulling back. "Kal," she began simply, smiling sweetly. "Want some breakfast?" It was probably an odd thing to ask so nonchalantly but she was hungry after all of that. She needed food and time to process it all.

 

[Kalladrrl]

Together they tumbled through darkness, and to her credit Vex held up well as she learned what made Kalladrrl into the menacing, brash man he was today. He held her tight to him even as tears streamed from her face. He could feel her sadness as if it was her own; she mourned for his youth, stolen from him and locked away in the darkest region of the galaxy, where starlight barely touched the craggy, twisted innards of the vanadium asteroid. And even as she fell through his memories, drowning in the shadows of his life, the moments that had defined him, he followed his instincts and he projected how he felt in the now, his heart beating only to please the one to whom he had given all of himself.

Only one person knew the story of Kalladrrl and his escape from the galactic southwest, and when Kall had finished telling Alask about how he and he alone had lead over one thousand of his brothers and sisters out of bondage, the kid had drawn his blaster and threatened to kill him before Kalladrrl broke several of his ribs with a savage strike. But he could sense no judgement in Vex. Only sadness, only a sympathetic pain no doubt caused by their shockingly close connection, and he felt unburdened. Free. More free than he had since he had been taken to that place even after having left it as a gruesome reminder to whoever discovered it next.

She looked up at him, tears still tracking down her shapely face even as she smiled, and he felt a mixture of regret that she now had to bear his memories like they were hers and...gratitude for it as well. It was a blessing, to know he wasn’t alone anymore, and that she had seen what that place had made him and did not turn away from him. The understanding alone would have been enough, but when placed in conjunction with how they both felt it was priceless. And then her lips found his and he thought of nothing, not a damn thing as he surrendered himself completely to another perfect moment. As she pulled away, Kall’s faculties returned to him and a dreamy, almost drunk grin spread across his face, eyelids not wanting to open and lose the moment.

She spoke again, and he couldn’t help but laugh again, this time at himself as a thought crossed his mind unbidden.

If she continued to be perfect, he’d never be able to stop loving her.

It shocked him with the strength of the crystalline truth, and he nodded before he replied in a low voice, just for her.

“‘Course I do! You want to order something in or go downstairs or go out to find a place to eat?” He paused to smirk. “I’m buying for both of us, though -- as you can imagine, I’m not exactly a cheap date when it comes to food or liquor.” Kall smiled slyly, but didn’t move from where he was and how he held her, fingers still brushing through her hair as he watched the way it fell and shifted under his ministrations. He would not move until he was bidden, both from where he held her in his arms and where he held her in his heart.

 

[The Eternal (Vex)]

She giggled when he joked about not being a cheap date. She'd almost forgotten that he was a wookiee, to be honest. To her he was just Kall; a man who'd shown her the kind of love only a gentlemen could. A man who'd connected to her on a level she'd never experienced before.

"I wont complain if you want to pay," she smiled playfully, stealing another quick kiss and running her hand down his jaw before wiggling out of his grip. "But next time it'll be on me." The Eternal was a being of power and darkness that the struck fear into the galaxy at large, but he was also a good master in many ways. Not only had he trained her, honing her skills, but he made sure that she had an endless amount of funds for whatever she wanted. Of course, having grown up with almost nothing she'd never had the desire to splurge with it. Even knowing that he would never bother checking on what she spent, when she was buying her dress for the party she was careful about the price.

Standing up she stretched, breathing in and out deeply in a content way before turning back to him and tipping her head somewhat. "How about we stay in?" Both her hands came to her hips. "It's something I rarely do and this place has a kitchenette, so I could make myself some coffee." It'd save Kall some credits too.

Walking to the kitchen her eyes scanned the room, finding a small coffee pot and the free coffee bags beside it. "Perfect." Grabbing the pot she twisted the tap with the Force, holding it under and allowing it to fill up. Turning and putting together everything afterward, tearing open the bag of grinds and filling up the strainer. "Oh and I'll eat whatever you order, I'm not picky." She'd eaten insects before in order to survive, so she truly wasn't picky. Anything that was cooked or actually meant to be eaten was amazing in her books.