Invictus

[Kori Buor]

Mandalorian Cruiser
High Orbit
Mandalore
​

Silence filled the empty room where Ral Vizsla stood staring out into the void of jet, its uniformity broken only by the twinkling pinpricks of stars. It was a calming, peaceful silence; one that was hard to find aboard a Mandalorian vessel. But in here Ral had found a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the warship. The observation deck where the Mandalorian stood was rarely visited by others, and it was a perfect place to hide, think, and meet a friend or two. And that's exactly what he was doing there today.

It had been a long time since he had seen Talia or held a conversation with the woman who was his Mand'alor, and who had happened to be his childhood friend, and one-time lover. This would be a good reunion, even if it was meant to be more for business. The message she had sent made it clear she wanted to meet about something important, though the details were sparse. Whatever it was she wanted to talk about, the observation room would be the perfect place for it; quiet, out of the way, and rarely traveled. No one would be bothering them in here.

Hearing the doors behind him open, Ral turned around and saw Talia enter the otherwise empty room. Offering up a polite smile, he took a few steps towards her, not sure what was accepted behavior. Did he hug her? Salute? Shake her hand? Keep grinning? He'd let her lead, after all, she was Mand'alor. "It's good to see you, Talia. How have you been? I hear ruling the Dominion can be hard work, having to act proper and deal with upstarts and all that. So, what was it you wanted to see me about?"

@Sreeya

 

[Sreeya]

Talia was always uncomfortable when it came to Ral. This had been the case for as long as she could remember since he first left Mandalore. It seemed like centuries had passed since, and today she couldn’t exactly put into words how she felt about the whole thing. The original purpose of the meeting was to go on a mission deep in Sith space. But could she trust herself to really bring her A game when he was concerned?

As the doors hissed open, a familiar sight would greet Ral. Talia strolled in, cigarra hanging from the corner of her lips. Her hair was longer than before, tied in a ponytail and its familiar blond color returning. She glanced at him and paused like she often did, a plethora of thoughts buzzing in her mind. He was the only one that could make her fidget uncomfortably and feel awkward in a situation.

Talia managed a faint smile at his comments, “I don’t enjoy this at all. This was always supposed to be your gig. I’ve been very tired honestly,” She sighed, surprised at her own honesty blurting out before she could add a filter. Talia walked over to plop down on a nearby seat, “I wanted to see you about a mission we’re going to do, but the truth is you distract me quite a bit if we’re on the job.”

She turned to him and gave him a long, hard look, “What do you remember so far? From your past. Do you remember your life before the island?”

 

[Kori Buor]

There she was. The woman that has probably caused him to have more sleepless nights than bad dreams and stomach pains. And she looked gorgeous as usual, even with the cigarra perched in her mouth she managed to strike an impressive sight. Her hair, which had been short and cropped black was becoming long again, and those gorgeous blonde locks of Moira Kryze were finally starting to show. There was a light flutter in Ral's heart as he looked at her and remembered the girl he first fell for.

As she made for a nearby chair, he watched her passively, doing his best not to betray any emotion, though in truth, Talia Kryze was the only woman in the galaxy that could make him lose control of his very disciplined composure. As she responded to his initial comments and questions, complaining about doing his job, he chuckled quietly. Meeting her gaze as she admitted that he distracted her and as she asked him what he remembered, he frowned. Stepping closer to her, he sat on the edge of a nearby seat, looking at the face he fell in love with. So much of him had to resist reaching out and touching her cheek in that moment. He honestly didn't know if that would upset her more after the comment about him being distracting.

"I do remember things before the island, Talia. I remember... Well maybe not everything yet, but enough. I remember growing up and the lessons my father taught me about being a good man, a leader, and a warrior. I remember my tutors. I remember the trouble I'd get into with Caed. I remember meeting you and that quirky piece of jewelry you found on Felucia... I remember the day my father died and the day I left Mandalore. I remember the following ten years and what happened when I came back... I remember thinking about you a lot, to be perfectly honest, and all the time we spent together after my return. So, I would say I remember enough now. I saw a recording of my dad when I returned home... It helped me remember who I was and who I am supposed to be."

Ral offered the woman a small smile before turning away and looking out the nearby window as he thought to himself. After a few seconds he'd turn back, blue eyes shining bright as he beheld her fair face and asked, "Does that please you to know that? Or is this going to be a problem, my friend?"