Ask Ice Cold Moves

[Oren Zapan]

Oren felt a rush of emotions rush through his gut as the Cathar pulled close to him, he had every intention on pulling away, but at that moment he didn't. Instead he would lean into her dance, his feet slowly following her guidance as his body shifted with the beat. The way the curves of her body moved through the twinkling lights was like watching a waterfall on Ajan Kloss, each step was free and flowing--maybe there is no difference between this and the force. He could feel himself slowly getting lost in the middle of the dance floor.

"Eight of you?" He'd chuckle as he thought of his own YT-1300. "If you can survive that, then you'll fit in with us Jedi in no time." His brown eyes would lock with her own, as he bobbed his head to the beat. She mentioned her past and the xenophobia she faced from others, it was a harsh reality, especially within old bastions of the ancient Empire of past.

"I was born a slave," he'd say as he'd pulls his hands to rest on the side of her waist, "I mined on asteroids like this, I grew up alone for the most part--we were always be shifted around and sent to other places. I didn't find a home until I got to the Jedi," he'd say with a soft whisper. The two of them would hover around the same height, so it was nigh impossible to pull your attention away from the other.

"I'm not nervous..well" He'd pause, "I'm a little nervous," he'd huff as the markings on his face took a soft pink glow, "It's just been a while since I could have a bit of fun, take my mind away from teaching and all of this drama..just you know..feel normal for once?"

tag: @Killa Ree

 

[Nashyr Ris]

He seemed to be picking up on basic motions; she opened her eyes to smile, the smile faltered a little. He could look so serious sometimes... part of her wondered if he ever allowed himself to relax, or ease into something. But then he seemed to smile, and she allowed her own lips to quirk up once more. At least he was starting to.

"I survived... barely," she chuckled, giving him a slightly raised brow. "Much as I loved them all, having my own ship is a luxury I'll never tire of enjoying." She could feel the undercurrent drifting through them, the warm pool of emotions and the Force running between joined hands and slow, easy movement. Her smile faded once more when he mentioned being a slave, watching and letting him talk it out for himself.

She found herself unconsciously leaning closer to hear him whisper, almost without realizing. "I'm sorry..." she spoke quietly, but gave him a small, understanding smile. "You're free. That freedom to breathe, to speak and to live... I had many women I worked with in a similar situation, I still can't imagine."

A chuckle slipped free when he admitted nervousness, giving him a sly wink, as his hands settled on her waist her arms wrapped around his neck by training. "I know exactly what you mean," she grinned, nodding. "It's all well and good to be serious, and live life to serve others... but if you don't serve yourself once in a while, you fall apart. Nobody's perfect, Oren."

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren welcomed her advancement into his personal space, wrapping his hands full around her as she leaned in to hear his story. "It's alright," he'd chuckle as he turned away to peer towards the other dancing couples. All of them seemed to be so engrossed in their dance and their partner, it was a sea of duos, though to all of them here it would be as if they were the only two there.

His brown eyes would shift back towards Nash, "I didn't expect or know there could be anything else." He felt safe with her, he was unsure why, maybe some people were just destined to have that connection from the start. "I'll admit," he sighed, "I've made my life the Jedi, I wasn't always the best person..the things I missed growing up, I took it out on a student and my master.." His words would drift away, unsure of why he was telling her all this.

"I nearly got myself kicked from this order, I've been trying ever since to make things up for the asshole I was back then." His hand would gently rub up her back, as he leaned his neck against one of the arms that wrapped around his neck. "I guess you're right though, I am a bit too serious..at least around most people, I don't want to fail them."

He would lean his head a bit closer to the Cathar, "But, I'm starting to think things like this might be worth taking a break for." He'd say as he rested his forehead against her own, unsure of why he did so, it just felt right.

tag: @Killa Ree

 

[Nashyr Ris]

Surprise glimmered in her eyes when she remembered there were others here; they weren't the only ones slow-dancing, apparently. She had to grin seeing each person wrapped in their little bubble... but the smile was tinged with a faint hint of regret. If life had been different...

When he turned back, she leaned her head back slightly to give some space. Suddenly, she was aware of just how close they really were, and she wasn't too certain if that was a good thing or not. He was a Knight, after all, and serious for his devotion to their order. And yet, part of her wanted to stay. She was a big softy for people who seemed hurt, or needed protecting... but yet, she doubted he did.

All this from a cup of caf and a shared moment. Maybe he was just lonely? she wondered to herself, giving him a fresh stare from what she could see. Another frisson of surprise glinted when he mentioned nearly being kicked out; wasn't acceptance and forgiveness their thing? But then he rubbed her lower back...

And it took all the stiff spine in the world not to melt into that touch.

Something he said made her pause, though. He voiced exactly the same fears that kept her up at night... and she swallowed, wincing. "Yeah... I know exactly what you mean..." she muttered, biting on her lower lip. When he leaned his head forward, however, her ears flicked slightly in surprise, and again, the want for space warred with the want to just linger a moment longer. No, the need for connection had died off nearly a decade ago; this was just a blip, an interlude before the heaviness of reality set in around them once more.

"I..."

When he leaned his forehead against hers, she sighed... then gave a small, sad smile. "I'm just an old cat, missing too many ships for any real opportunity to change. But I want to make a difference what small ways I can. A Juhani can't change her stripes, after all..." her grin turned wry, but her eyes closed. "...But this is nice. And a good beginning to a first lesson, my student."

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren would close his eyes as he listened to her speak, they both were old souls lost within a sea of mostly youthful spirits. Each one of them harbored so many stories to tell, and he looked forward to the day of sharing them with her. The Jedi of old said to avoid attachment, and now he was starting to see why that was so wrong.

Sure, there was that fear of loss, of betrayal, but that urge to connect to progress through life with another was something that pressed into his mind. His mechanical hand would slide away from her waist and towards her face, gently the robotic fingers would trace against the black markings, as he opened his eyes.

"I thought that only pertained to dogs," he would say in a soft teasing manner, as his hand would rest firmly against her cheek. Everything about this night was magical, and he wanted to carry this on, he knew that things were about to change, maybe they'd never get the chance to see each other again. "I hope..this won't be the last class..."

tag: @Killa Ree

 

[Nashyr Ris]

For a fleeting moment, she wanted to break away.

They'd only been on one mission together, after all, she hardly knew the man. She knew the Jedi, who seemed fair-minded, diplomatic... and resilient. But this was way too close, and she felt like if she didn't now, she wouldn't have her freedom anymore. But then she felt the touch on her cheek, and opened her eyes.

Nope.

Couldn't do it.

She huffed out a laugh, and lowered one arm to lightly thump him on the chest. "I don't mind dogs..." she teased, giving him a playful smile. "But I have some level of pride, thank you. There's no comparison, dogs are definitely better learners." She grinned playfully up at him, then sighed.

"Hmm... not unless you decide to renege on our deal, which is a bad choice, in my humble opinion." She winked at him, then placed her hand over his own. "But I..."

And then, the music changed to something more lively. The lights that once danced overhead flared brighter, and cheers outside the ice castle rang out. It sounded like festivities were picking up the pace in these later hours... and she could hardly help it. The music was such an alluring thing, the beat insistent on her bones, wrapping around her mind.

She grinned at him, slipping back slightly, keeping the lightest contact. "Don't be afraid to ask. And I'll ask you for your lesson... when it's inconvenient, of course," she teased, waggling her brows dramatically.

"I look forward to the next time we teach, Oren Zapan. When did you want to get started?"

@TWD26