Dance Like No One's Watching

[Tagal Saxon]

There was something about Tagal Saxon that almost no one actually knew because it was something he hid away from everyone. It was something that he didn't like people knowing (like, 95% of the time at least) and he disliked the very idea of someone being able to figure it out for themselves.

But Tagal Saxon... loved to dance.

Worse, Tagal Saxon loved karaoke.

But only when he was drunk.

With both the new ship and the purchase of the space station being processed, Tagal was in a damned good mood so he was dragging Skuld out to a club he knew that offered both dancing and karaoke and he wasn't even drunk!

Though he did plan on getting absolutely shite-faced.

"Alright Skuld!" he declared loudly over the music as they reached the bar, "Pick your poison - drinks are on me all night on ONE condition, alright?"

He pointed to the karaoke stage where two drunken twi'lek women were mostly just dancing half-naked next to the microphones rather than actually singing. The crowd didn't mind and Tagal himself took a few seconds to admire the sight before speaking again.

"You. Me. Karaoke battle."

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Rarely did Skuld allow herself to have the luxury of time off. She hated dancing and singing... being around people in general was enough to get her hackles raised. But, it seemed Tagal was absolutely bound and determined to drag her along regardless, so she acquiesced.

She ignored the crew's pointed glances when they did actually leave.

She needed to get absolutely plastered if she was even remotely approaching any stage of any kind... but that didn't mean she wasn't dressing for an occasion that meant going to a club. Perhaps it wouldn't be so terrible...

And in some cases, he was literally dragging her. The moment she heard the music and racuous cheers, she had tried to dig her feet in, but... she couldn't say no when he pulled a particular expression on him.

Long black hair had been braided up in a thick cable that draped over her shoulder; she wore her typical relaxed top(though, perhaps she should have reconsidered, it was barely more than a swimming top, she thought with some bemusement), and a sarong-type skirt over tight shorts. But boots. Always boots.

She placed her hands on her hips, openly admiring the two women that swayed on the small stage, and gave him a side eye. Her lips slowly split into a smirk... and she perked one black brow.

"You're on... but only if you get a few drinks in me first. I'll drink you under anytime."

She turned to the bartender; why did crowds always part when she was around? Was there something on her face?

They might not have suitable mead, but perhaps... something heavy will do. "What did you have in mind, Tagal?"

@Nefieslab

 

[Tagal Saxon]

The fact that Skuld even had 'going out' clothes was something of a shock - right up until she revealed that said clothes was mostly the absense of clothing and armor. Which was kind of par for the course with her. The Deucalian often complained that most places were too hot for her because she was used to the ice and snow so she felt comfortable.

Bit weird in his opinion but no weirder than half of the other stuff he dealt with.

He made blaster pistols in a forge for Gods' sake.

Still.

"Boots?" he couldn't help but ask with a downward glance, "Well whatever - I guess you won't complain when someone steps on your toes on the dance floor."

Because it was going to happen - it always happened.

He grinned a little bit as he signaled to the bartender before ordering a bottle of whiskey and two small glasses. He paid the bartender with some credits before pouring her glass.

"Alright let's get ourselves in the mood - and by that I mean let's play a game. Let's play Never Have I Ever." he joked before downing his first drink just to get himself started, "Simple one first... Never Have I Ever been to Hoth."

The ball was rolling - he expected the game to get real soon.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She smirked at Tag, brows climbing higher. "Depends on the person," she commented back, shrugging. "Others best stay out of my way."

The grin widened until it was downright mischievous, downing the shot after he did. It was a delicious warmth all the way down... it had been ages since she had dared drink anything stronger than a light ale, and for good reason. She coughed when he stated never being to Hoth, disbelief now warring with amusement. "I might have to change that soon," she chuckled, pouring out the next two shots carefully and pausing.

"Never have I ever... been anywhere near the Deep Core," she smirked, downing her second shot quickly.

If they kept going at this rate, who knew what one would say to the other. But she had perhaps another two to three shots before things would get serious. In the meantime, though, she waited for his next admittance, typically cold blue eyes glinting with not-so-hidden amusement.

@Nefieslab

 

[Tagal Saxon]

The idea of visiting Hoth did not appeal to him in the slightest. From what she had told him of the planet it was a frozen tundra with literally no good points - it was probably why she liked it so much really. Deucs had a fascination with ice and snow that Tagal just couldn't even begin to understand.

"Yeah well maybe when there's something there other than ice and snow we'll take a trip." he joked before humming a little bit and not raising his glass, "Nope - Deep Core isn't a place I've been. Core and Inner rim, sure, but not the Deep stuff. Too many blackholes for my money."

Leaning in closer, Tagal made sure that they both had full glasses.

"Ready?"

He smirked.

"Never Have I Ever gone skinny dipping."

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Just looking at his face, she realized he didn't savor the idea, which amused her even more so. The Deucalian was beginning to lose traces of her discomfort, but she still did not relax. She just didn't properly trust anyone here, apart from her companion. And it seemed like tonight he was trying to get them both absolutely smashed.

Well... not so much trying anymore.

The glint of mischief returned. "Too bad... you might have sampled the wonders of the heated springs several cold planets have. I've been told it's very invigorating after being in a blizzard... and I have." She downed hers, then refilled, giving an eye to her drink. "Let's see... Never Have I Ever been to a nude beach," she teased, waiting to see if he raised the glass to his lips. The shot she took about skinny dipping no longer held as much of heat, but warmth licked at her hands and feet.

But it was still a while yet before she was properly drunk... this buzz was pleasant enough to be on. She just needed to keep her thoughts together, and perhaps they would avoid any personal confessions. She didn't want to be weighted down by the past tonight, or embittered about having a future.

So he wanted her to have fun with him tonight?

Fine, she was going to have fun.

@Nefieslab

 

[Tagal Saxon]

Huh.

Hot springs huh?

Tagal's eyes drifted to look her up and down lazily and he decided, in the privacy of his own mind, that that was something he wouldn't mind seeing in person but he could understand that he wasn't able to see that. Humming a little bit, he lit up a cigara and offered her one, getting the sudden urge to smoke.

Thankfully there weren't any laws against smoking indoors because that would have been a very strange law to pass indeed - wasn't like cigara smoke was going to be the death of him or most of the people in this room right now. He refilled her glass after she had taken the shot.

"I knew you would have done it." he joked lightly before humming and taking a drink for himself, "I actually have been to a nude beach - you wouldn't believe it but I really enjoyed myself."

He shrugged.

"Ord Cantrell has like 50% nudist beaches."

Now THAT was a holiday.

"Alright alright... Never Have I Ever..." he smirked a little bit and waggled his eyebrows jokingly, "Wanted to kiss a Mandalorian man!"

He was beginning to get into the mood and enjoy drinking for it's own sake now.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She was now more relaxed, leaning against the edge of the bar as she watched him peruse her head to heels. She couldn't deny it was... pretty nice being looked at, but... it had been a long time since anyone looked at her quite in that same gaze.

Too long, if she was going to be brutally honest. She arched a brow with a playful smirk, taking the cigara and accepting the light, deliberately leaning forward slightly. She wasn't against smoking, but it was a rare luxury, and when you worked with things that tended to burn or cut you on the regular, you couldn't focus on that and a burning cigara.

She chuckled, giving him a good-natured wink. "Oh really? That a good or bad thing?" came the amused tones. "Maybe I might visit Ord Cantrell sometime.. sheer curiosity of course."

Her laugh suddenly burst out of her throat with shocked warmth, tossing her hair back as she did. The braid swung lazily as she lifted her glass, the smirk still perched on her lips as she pulled the cigara out of her mouth. She seemed to contemplate the answer when she leaned back, exhaling... then bit her lip, the smirk still in place.

She then downed the shot, and chuckled.

"A few times, maybe," came the slight drawl of her accent. Her Basic was starting to slip, slightly, but icy blue eyes were not cold. They glinted with humor and... something else. "Especially when they were being maddening."

She refilled hers carefully. It was still a while yet for drinking... but she was enjoying this. "Never have I Ever.. hm... wanted to kiss a Deucalian woman," she retaliated, her gaze an amused challenge. Would he back down, or admit it? She wasn't going to... and if she was going out on a night, then why not be simple about it?

Hmm... Var augun hans alltaf svo blár?

 

[Tagal Saxon]

The idea of her visiting Ord Cantrell to try out a nudist beach was appealing to say the least. Tagal made a mental note to fly the ship that way in the future so that they would have a chance to go together. He might not like her like a man liked a wife but he was man enough to admit that he was very much okay with a bit of looking.

She was a stunning woman in her way.

Smirking a little bit, he winked at her before refilling her glass. It seemed that they were reaching the part of the evening where the alcohol was getting them to a stage where they were feeling flirty. That had to be it because she was flirting and he was feeling the urge to flirt back hard.

So he did.

He looked her right in eyes as they got a bit closer to each other before drinking the shot. Setting his glass down on the bar, he leaned in closer until his face was mere inched from hers. He then moved to the side and whispered into her ear huskily in his native language.

"Shi solus."

If she understood his language or not it worked on two levels. If she didn't they it would likely be a bit of a tease and if she understood what he had said? Well that was just more flirting and he was in the mood for that now. He poured out another shot and lifted it and gestured for the two of them to entwine their arms so that he would drink her's and she would drink his.

"Come! One last shot before we dance!"

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Just one, huh?

When he leaned forward, she raised her brows slightly. It was a pleasant surprise to see him being bent to flirt right back; in fact she would have not minded in the least if he were the one to press for such a thought. Or perhaps that was just the drink talking. But all she knew was that for once, the Mando seemed downright charming... her mind flicked briefly to the mad idea of pursuing that thought further, before she shut it down.

No, there were going to be no plans tonight.

"Just one, hm?" She winked, then linked her arm with his, and putting out her cigara on the tray next to them with the other hand. She bit her lip playfully, and then chuckled softly, her voice low. "Good to know, I'll keep that in mind," before tipping his drink into her mouth, then licking her lips.

When both shots were taken, she stood, offering her hand with that grin still in place. "Well come on then, Tagal, let's dance."

@Nefieslab

 

[Tagal Saxon]

Oh.

Right.

She could speak his language... he might have actually forgotten about that for a moment he wouldn't lie. Still, he was drunk enough that he honestly did not actually care that she had understood him. Instead he would roll with it because, hell, why the hell wouldn't he roll with it?

"Just the one." he agreed with a smirk as they linked arms before taking their drinks, "And don't you forget it."

Setting his glass down on the bar now that it was empty, Tagal grinned wide as he accepted the hand that she had offered him. Chuckling a little bit, he raised an eyebrow as the two of them moved out onto the dancefloor.

"I'm curious to see how Deucalians dance!"

Honestly, he never expected to even see a Deucalian dance but here he was with one who seemed more than happy to dance with him. Wasn't life funny eh?

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Theme
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She smirked at him over her shoulder, chin tilted back to give him a sly side eye. "We dance... you can be sure of that," came the teasing response. She was not drunk enough to lose her grace; rather it seemed to give a limberness to her limbs that the Deucalian did not often carry. The beat rose up through the soles of her feet, tingled in the base of her spine and ran with her pulse. For a moment, she simply stood listening, head tilted back, eyes closed.

And then when the beat grew louder, she began to move. Her arms lifted, her hips shifted, she swayed side to side. And when she tilted her head to meet his gaze, there was a smile on her lips, the same half-smirk that showed her response. She knew it wasn't the fanciest of dances, but it was the music that moved her, the rhythm, and she offered him to join her, their hands still conjoined. She wished she could shed her boots, but it was too late.

The music snared her, and held her tight. Now it was up to him to adapt to her rhythm... or pull her into one of his own.

@Nefieslab

 

[Tagal Saxon]

Dancing was not something that most Mandalorians did.

Most of his people danced because it was an extension of courting - most Mandalorians in private danced like they were engaging in foreplay, plain and simple. He wasn't sure that Skuld was quite ready for that style of dancing, even if Tagal had an inclination that she was absolutely okay with that kind of dancing. It wasn't the kind of thing you did without some clear invitation to do so however so he decided that he would tone it down.

So he did his best to just move to the beat of the heavy song and try not to naturally gravitate towards Skuld... which he failed at almost immediately.

Instead of dancing further away from her, Tagal found himself closing the distance between them and dancing close to her. His face was close to her's and he knew that she would know that he was enjoying dancing this close to her far more than he was enjoying the dance itself.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Deucalians did not dance for leisure; very frequently it was much the same, simple movements. Some liked to make it fancy to impress the opposite sex, but she didn't do it. Not even for Baldr, did she dance in this fashion. Maybe it was the drinking. Maybe the flirting was getting to her head. Maybe it was just that the music held itself in her skull and didn't want to let her go.

Maybe it was because there were no barriers. But she could read it in his face, in his body language; they began to close the unspoken distance that was always a line between them, close enough she could feel the heat off his skin, smell the whiskey on his breath. Her braid was beginning to unravel down her back.

The invitation was clear in ice blue eyes. Whether or not he would accept would be a different matter.

She turned her back to him, continually moving, letting their conjoined hands drift over her hip. She wasn't afraid of him touching her; she was at the point now where it hardly mattered what happened next, there was just this moment and the next one. As the beat of that song transcended to one similar, she would turn back around, her low voice teasing as a husky murmur above the din.

"Not bad for a Mandolorian."

@Nefieslab

 

[Tagal Saxon]

The dancing was almost hypnotizing in some manners and he loved how it felt to be able to just let go of any and all issues he had with the world and just dance and sway with Skuld in this club. He would have enjoyed dancing with just about anyone so long as he could relax but he wouldn't lie and say he didn't enjoy dancing with Skuld. She was dressed in a manner that meant his hands were touching her soft skin even with them in 'safe' territory.

It looked to him as though Skuld had picked the right kind of outfit for all this dancing because her skin was warm to the touch, as though it was used to having to warm itself to fight against the ambient cold. When she turned her back to him he had to resist the urge to groan.

And it wasn't because he didn't like what was happening...

His hands were on her waist, his thumbs touching her bare skin on her back and his own body close to her's. They continued to dance and he felt a certain reluctance when Skuld turned around in his grasp but he didn't resist her turn. Instead he stayed where he was, now almost right up against her because of her turn.

"Not bad for a Deucalian." he retorted with a smirk, "You dance like you're looking for something beyond just dancing Skuld..."

If he wasn't mistaken of course.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

His hands were warm and rough, skimming over her skin, and internally she fought the urge to pull him closer. But she was not going to be the one to initiate anything this time around; she had done it in the past, had to because of... what?

Her height. Her strength. Her fighting prowess. All of that seemed to drive everyone away. But what was the point of conceding who she was, what she was to make someone happy? Maybe to him, dancing with just anyone would do, but it seemed like very few would get the Deucalian to move out from her comfortable shell, release the armor she usually wore. It was nice to let go of everything that had her weighed down, to feel the warmth of someone else next to her and not be alone.

They had barely an inch between each other. They were nearly the same height, she didn't have to tilt her head up much to stare him squarely in the eye. Her lips were still in that half-smile. Close enough, she supposed, to close the distance. "Good to know I'm not bad," she grinned, still swaying against him.

It was nice to let go for once... so why not?

"I might be," she admitted, the smile still in place. It was an uncommonly warm reaction from her, as she wrapped her arm around his neck. "But it also depends... are you looking for more?" This was whispered, as she came closer, eyes half-lidded. A breath away, really, and it could have sparked to something.

It was like playing chicken with a loaded gun. Russian roulette. Would they regret the next morning? Maybe. But she wasn't going to push that thought any further than it was going. She was tired of the past chaining her and holding her back. Just once, she wanted to live, and be free. Odd that it took a Mandolorian to do just that.

She paused as if about to close the distance... then stepped back, pulling him with her, giving a grin over her shoulder. Her hair had come free of its' braid, flowing to the lower portion of her back. Her lips curved into a sly, knowing smile. "One last dance, ja?" she teased, tugging him along with her closer. The night was young yet, and they were both at leisure now.

@Nefieslab

 

[Tagal Saxon]

The proximity to his Deucalian... partner was getting to him he would have to admit. Their faces were close enough now that Tagal was beginning to think about how soft her lips would feel against his and that was... was that bad? He wasn't sure if it was bad but it felt like something he probably wouldn't have been thinking about only a few weeks ago. It seemed like half a lifetime ago when he met Skuld for the first time and he had disliked her intensely.

Now there was a mutual respect there and, unless he was very much mistaken, there was something else between them that was just as mutual and perhaps more than a little bit more potent.

"Well you ain't sunshine and rainbows and innocence."

Was he looking for more?

It wasn't that hard a question. She wasn't asking him to start a relationship with her and she wasn't asking him to be her boyfriend or anything. All they were currently looking for was some physical release to the unspoken tension that had been building up between them for some time now.

Absolutely nothing wrong with releasing that tension.

"Abso-karking-lutely."

He probably came on a bit strong there but Tagal wasn't in the business of messing around - when he wanted something he stated that he wanted it and he went and got it. When she turned away he almost cursed her for teasing him but instead he agreed, grinning a little bit as she tugged him along for another dance.

"One thing first."

Pulling her in by their joined hand, Tagal placed his other hand against her cheek, cupping her face. He would pause for a second, giving her a couple of seconds to see his intent and stop him if she wished. Before he leaned in to kiss her hungrily, his fingers entwining in her hair.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Time flew fast, but when the vast majority of your time with someone was spent in adrenaline-laced environments, facing down death and trying to establish their new lives. It was also rough because she had finally faced down something she had been holding off for three years; a life that continued beyond the next battle, the next night even. She had more to live for than regaining her honor, and the pride for her family; she now had a family of sorts, and she realized something.

She wanted her family with her.

But now wasn't the time; she saw the flicker of a thought, an idea, and she pulled away, giving him the chance to give them some space, and he didn't take it. Probably hadn't even occurred to him that she was making an offer for distance, for the old space they had. But the tension that was always a quiet backdrop was now humming in her mind, and suddenly she needed to get it out of her system.

Now.

A laugh rolled from her throat when he commented about how she wasn't an innocent; icy eyes glinted with humor, and knowledge. One brow perked in wry amusement, as she turned back to him. "What gave that away, I wonder?" She murmured, the grin widening when he gave an oathed assent to that question. "Good, málmhaus," came the husky response. "Ég hefði verið fyrir vonbrigðum annars staðar," came the murmur.

She was about to tug him along again, when he pulled her back. Surprise warred with pleasure when his hand cupped her cheek. Icy eyes glinted still, but there was something there. A spark. She knew that look.. she gave a smile, once again there was that smirk of knowing.

When he leaned towards her, she met him halfway, with a growl. She released his hand to bring it to the back of his head, the other slipping under his arm, and around his waist. Her left leg wrapped around his waist, and when they finally parted ways, she teasingly nipped at his bottom lip. A different challenge glinted in ice blue eyes.

How far would he take things before he backed off?

@Nefieslab

 

[Tagal Saxon]

All that came before we something that he would think about another time because all he cared for now was what was happening right this second and what was happening was the kiss. Their attraction and their tension already beginning to boil over and now reaching the point where they could do nothing but give into their urges on the matter. He didn't have to kiss her and she didn't have to escalate but it was part of who they were.

He would kiss her.

She would escalate.

And he would raise the stakes further.

Unwilling to let her dominate the embrace, Tagal growled low in his throat into the kiss as he dropped the hand from her face to grab her arse with one hand and his other supporting the leg she had raised to wrap around him. He pulled his bottom lip free from her teeth and sucked her own bottom lip into his mouth as he lifted.

She had muscle on her but Tagal barely noticed as he lifted her up, forcing her to wrap her other leg around his waist as he held her up by his grip on both her arse and her upper leg. With her in his grip, he stumbled forwards, pressing her back hard up against a wall and ducking his head down to suck at the side of her neck, pulling at her soft skin to leave his red mark on her pale skin, almost marking her as his own.

There were no words because right now words weren't exactly required.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

They were both warrior born and bred; if there was a challenge, it was hard-pressed to be retreated from. In fact, the thought of backing down never even crossed her mind; all there was was him, and the beat of the music thumping in her bones like a second heartbeat. She even forgot why they were here in the first place. The taste was on her lips, the rhythm taking a savage one. People scattered out of the way when she wrapped both legs around his waist. A chuckle vibrated low in her throat at the growl he uttered, and in a beastly way she approved of his response.

She growled back when he returned the gesture by sucking on her bottom lip, nails raked across his back when she was nearly slammed against a wall. She was dimly aware when there were oaths and startled laughs by the other patrons in the bar, mixed drunken approvals and lewd comments scattering about.

Her ankles dug into his backside when he marked her throat. When he would back away again, her voice was low in his ear, husky and nearly a growl.

"Not here. The ship. Now," before giving his waist a squeeze, then slipping out of his embrace with a sly, knowing grin.

The crowd was either parting or being shoved aside, and she was taking him with her by the hand whether he replied or not. It was quite a distance from the ship, after all, and Skuld was never a woman that wasted time with pretty words or declarations.

@Nefieslab