Reflections

[Sreeya]

The hour was late and many guests had begun to disperse. She had been politely asked several times not to smoke inside, and after enough drinks, she decided to finally follow the rules. The echo of the music from inside blared behind her as she stepped out to a balcony from the interiors of the palace. There were no skies in the domed city, though being on a balcony still gave her a breath of fresh air.

Talia was leaning over a railing, quietly smoking a cigarra and watching the speeders and ships whiz by below. At times she missed Coruscant greatly, as her penthouse had offered a magnificent view of the skyline. The effects of alcohol were still heavy, and she half wondered how she would get home at this hour.

Seeing her friends had brought great joy to her, and she had to make a point to retrieve Prudii’s helmet before she left. The cheers and friendly chit-chat resounded from behind her, and she knew she would head back in soon. Her mind was far away from her present circumstances, drawing back to when she had been a simple farm girl in Keldabe.

Seeing Bardan return had especially taken her back to the days of when her life was simple. For her entire life she had been on the move and constantly in the fray. These moments of quiet reflection made her wonder whether it had been worth it. Had she missed out on various avenues of happiness as a result?

Smoke plumed from her nostrils as she sighed, her mind wandering back to the strange encounter with Ral earlier. Talia had always prided herself in avoiding drama of all kinds, but tonight she had been in the thick of it. The thought made her uncomfortable, and she had escaped the party for a moment just to gather her thoughts and cool her mind.

 

[Kori Buor]

The night was getting old, and Ral's head was still swimming from all the alcohol he had been drinking; he was pretty sure that hit from Prudii's helmet wasn't doing him any good. As he stood in the throne room enjoying the festivities he noticed Talia making her way out, and raising an eyebrow at her discrete exit. A breath of fresh air would be nice. After the drama with his cousin and his date Ral was eager to clear his head a little. Plus, he had been wanting to talk to her privately. Excusing himself from the friends and dignitaries, he quietly moved for the side passage Talia had taken. As he stepped outside onto one of the balconies he saw Talia leaning on the marble railing, smoking coming from her mouth and nose.

"It's beautiful, huh?" He spoke from the portal as he took a step forward, looking out over the city of Sundari. The Mandalorian grew up with these sights, but he always enjoyed the way it made him feel. "In its own way at least. Though, I'm sure you've seen much better."

As he stepped up next to Talia, he leaned on the railing, a large globe depicting Mandalore in gold and black posted on top of one of the railing supports flanked his right side. Looking down at Talia, he smiled softly, "Enjoying yourself tonight, I hope, Tali? Seeing Bardan was a surprise, and it was nice to see everyone else, drama notwithstanding... It was -is- good to see you here tonight."

 

[Sreeya]

Talia heard someone approach from behind and she turned her head to look. Surprise was clear in her features as she spotted Ral of all people out on the balcony. She released a plume of smoke, managing a grin at his words, “Mandalore has always had its charms for me no matter where I go,” She turned to face in front of her again, seeing him approach the railing in her peripheral.

It was strange to be out here with him, and truthfully she didn’t know how comfortable she was with it. However, the benefits of drinking included fears and internal barriers being broken down. Talia leaned against the railing and gave him a sideways glance, “Bardan always knows when to make a grand entrance. But…I suppose it runs in the family,” She couldn’t help but grin again, recalling how she had strolled in rather late into the events.

“I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders since I’m not Mand’alor anymore,” Talia finished the cigarra and turned to fully face him, leaning sideways against the railing, “And speaking of that drama…. Shouldn’t you be elsewhere right now?”

 

[Kori Buor]

The Mand'alor gave a chuckle, smirking as she replied how their home always had its charm for her. He studied her as she finished off her smoke. While he wasn't a fan of her habit, he still found the woman oddly attractive as she took a drag of her cigarra; she had a tendency to make things much more refined just by doing them. As she mentioned her cousin, he laughed and replied, "That's not the only thing that runs in the family, you both know how to be massive pains in the rear." He'd turn to look at her fully and shoot her a playful wink to indicate he was teasing.

With a nod, he acknowledged her remark about how things were easier nownshe wasn't Mand'alor. Then as she asked him if he shouldn't be somewhere else he looked away for a moment. "You did a good job, Talia, and you were what our people needed you to be. Though, I'm sure you are enjoying having the freedom to do what you want without responsibility again." A laugh as he looked back at her. "Maybe I should be somewhere else, but that's not where I want to be. I am where I want to be with who I want to be with right now."

Mirroring her, Ral leaned on the railing, letting his armored back rest against the globe behind him. Looking down into her ice blue eyes, he stared for a second before responding, "I... I've missed you. Of all the things I've wanted over the last five years, seeing you was the one I wanted the most. Funny how the most powerful man on Mandalore sometimes doesn't have everything he wants, huh?"

 

[Sreeya]

There he went again, saying things that threw her head for a spin. In the past, she had always lashed out or distanced herself from him whenever he said these things. However, tonight, after so many years of him consistently being with their people, she didn’t have the heart to rebuke it. In truth, Talia felt a pang of guilt for how the other woman was faring now. She had seen the girl around a few times, and she had always been quite enamored with Ral.

“Maybe not having what you want is what has kept you wanting after it for so long,” The words escaped her before she could stop herself. Was there a ring of truth to them? She stood up to her full height. They had danced around this topic many times over the entire time they had known each other, and each time it ended with them being apart for long periods of time.

“It has been….so many years,” She looked at him fully, gazing into those same eyes she had hated and loved for so long. Unlike before, they had the familiar gaze he had before, suggesting that his memories had fully returned. He wasn’t lost or confused, and this was that same determined look she had seen before, “I suppose things are a bit different since we’re finally on the same team,” She chuckled, thinking back to how she had always been a Republic war hero while he was busy gathering up Mandalorian followers.

“What exactly do you want, Ral? After all these years? How can you want at all when....you might do another disappearing act soon.”

 

[Kori Buor]

As Talia began to speak, his eyebrows shot up in surprise; those weren't the words he had expected to hear from her. He thought about what she said, biting his lip as he looked down at the ground. Maybe that's what it was, but then again, it wasn't simply that he wanted her. He realised this over the last five years. Talia was more than just a friend, more than just a woman he had shared so much with, and more than someone whose company he desired. But how did he tell her that? Tell her that her words to him on Telos those many moons ago are what spurred him to do all of this.

Looking back up, he smiled at her when she commented how long it had been. "Seventeen years since Felucia. It has been too long, Talia." Far too long. He chuckled with her and nodded as she said they were finally on the same team. It was a good feeling to know he would have her by his side in the coming battles, not be fighting against her. When she asked him what he wanted he frowned.

For a moment he looks down at his hands and then, suddenly, he pulls the glove off of his left hand. "I'm not going to be disappearing anytime soon, Tali. I've been back for five years now... more than that now. I'm not leaving anyone. I'm not leaving you." Bringing his bare hand to her face, he gently touched her cheek. It had been an age since he looked at her like this, his blue eyes taking in the soft tan lines of her face in the dim evening light. "Are you really going to make me say what I want? The one thing I don't have and can't take? Fine. I want you, Tali. It's always been you."

 

[Sreeya]

Seventeen years. Had it truly been that long? Had it been that long ago that she had said goodbye to him on Mandalore and had tears in her eyes? Had it been that long ago that he promised to return but she didn’t see him again till a decade later? The reality hit her like a ton of bricks, and for a long moment she said nothing. Talia sighed and looked away, thinking about how their lives had always gone separate ways, how they had always walked different paths, yet somehow they always ended up interwoven.

He had made promises of not leaving before, and he had always insisted he wasn’t. However, this time he had proven himself by being consistent. Ral hadn’t pressured her the entire time he was around her, and he had allowed her plenty of space to gather her thoughts and decide for herself. As she stood there thinking about all this, she felt his hand brush against her face. The familiar touch sent waves of nostalgia through her, and her tough exterior began to fall away. He had always been skilled at taking away her barriers, and she had found it both infuriating and fascinating at once.

Talia didn’t move away from his touch, leaning into it and closer to him, “You know how badly I wanted to hurt you when you seemingly came back from the dead and conveniently didn’t have your memories?” She had to smile, gazing into his eyes when they were inches apart, “In a way I envied you for forgetting everything, because it hurt less that way. In a way….I hated you for forgetting everything because it left me to relive everything alone,” Talia thought about his words, playing them over and over again in her mind, “I’m tired of running….tired of keeping up the walls…tired of being angry at you.”

 

[Kori Buor]

As she leaned into him, he brought his other hand up to her side, a finger running up the fabric of her suit. Ral stared into her eyes, his heart burned with a fire as he beheld her. Her eyes, which normally were so hard and distant and cold were unusually warm, soft, and near. As she spoke he smiled, leaning his head towards her until their foreheads touched. "I know..." He whispered so that only she could hear. It pained him now to think of everything he had done to her, but she was his lifeline, his cause to remember and his reason to become something. Laughing lightly, he said, "It would have been easier for you, I'm sure."

Moving his hand to cup the side of her head, burying it in her silky strands of golden hair, he saw the familiar face of Moira Kryze, the girl he fell for all those years ago. Bringing his other hand from her side to the small of her back he pulled her close so their armored fronts were touching. "You don't have to keep running anymore, Talia. You don't have to be alone anymore. Don't have to be angry. You've kept those walls up long enough. I'm here now, here to stay, here for you... if you'd have me."

Pulling his head back from her, he gazed into her fair features which made him feel both warm and sick at the same time, like she had kneed him in the groin and dumped napalm in his chest, except, this wasn't a bad feeling. It made him feel giddy, like he was seventeen again. Then, just like when they were kids, he leaned in and kissed her, pulling her close against him and hoping the moment would last. Part of him wishing this night would never end.

 

[Sreeya]

She hated him for this, hated every fiber of his being. Talia remembered the many nights she had spent sobbing as she completely and truly believed Ral was dead. She had imagined him dead somewhere, his body riddled with blaster bolt wounds, his eyes vacantly gazing up at the skies. There was no one around him, no one to retrieve him. There was never a body, only the rumors that he was dead and then a long span of time where he never emerged.

To see him here now, years later and in the flesh, it was still surreal. She had buried her feelings for him for a long time, and she had let everything get in the way of this. Talia began to formulate words to respond to him as he spoke, but nothing came to mind. She stopped there, feeling an odd sense of anxiety hitting her as he leaned in close. There was that familiar flutter of feelings, a rush she hadn’t felt in a long time and the final quench of a thirst that had parched her throat for years.

As he leaned in, she didn’t stop him and didn’t push him away like she often did. This was rapidly becoming a reality, and she could do nothing to stop it. She saw his face lean in, saw those blue eyes close, felt the warmth from their bodies close together. Next thing she knew, his lips met with hers and still she didn’t stop him. Talia tilted her head and captured his lips with her own, her hands resting on his chest.

She wanted to fight against this, but she didn’t have the strength. Talia was lost in the kiss, letting it fill her with passions she had denied herself for so long. She tasted his lips and the alcohol in his breath, and she craved for more, hungrily drawing from the kiss. Talia’s hand circled around his head, fingers curling into his air as she pulled him into her. There were no words shared, no explanations, no fumbling over past apologies. It was passion, euphoria, pain and heartache all at once, all poured into that kiss. It was finding an oasis after clawing through the dunes of unsatisfied desire. She wasn’t going to pull back from it, not this time.

 

[Kori Buor]

Time seemed to freeze as the two stood on that side balcony, embracing each other, their lips locked together. Ral could barely believe himself, everything seemed so surreal. He had imagined this moment a million times, the moment he got to hold Talia again and relive the passion of their younger days. He could smell her, her sweat mixed with her sweet perfume, the smell and taste of alcohol and smoke lingered on her along with a taste smell that was distinctly Talia; one he had grown up with. His heart fluttered and soared, euphoria filling him as they held each other. He was so glad she wasn't fighting him any more. It was almost as if nothing mattered anymore, he finally had the thing he wanted the most; he finally had her. His hand ran through her hair pushing her closer to him as she pulled him closer to her, their lips parting for a split second before connecting again in bursts of tender passion and unrestrained intimacy.

Time passed uncounted. Whether they stood there lips locked together for a minute or an hour was anyone's guess. Finally, when they pulled their lips apart, Ral looked into her ice blue eyes and saw in them the passion he yearned and missed for so long. His hand brushed her cheek, following its soft curve for a moment before it began playing with her hair. "I've missed that." He chuckled as he leaned in and touched his nose to hers, a warm smile on his face, "Stay with me tonight."

Pulling his hand from behind her back, he reached up and grabbed her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. Placing another kiss on her lips, he moved back and pulled her hand with him. Looking out over the city, Ral nodded to it. "I did all of this for you, ya know? If I am going to leave a legacy, I am going to do it for you. Not for me, not for my father. For you, and only you." He didn't know where he was walking, whether it was to the streets or his bed, he didn't care, he only her to be by his side that night.

 

[Sreeya]

Talia didn’t want to admit how much she missed and craved this. It was painful as much as it was euphoric. Every bit of her ached for him, though she would never admit this verbally. It felt like hours that they kissed, and she finally pulled back, her face still close to his. They had been here before, but it had always been without a sense of finality or closure. She was always fleeting, and she was already thinking of being somewhere else the next day. She didn’t feel that now, and it was an alien feeling.

She forgot about the incident earlier that evening and everything she had known about him for the past five years. He was back to the man she had known in the past, and he had finally become who he was meant to be. Talia was finally here to stay, and it was a reality that took them so long to come to. She felt the weight of it right there, and along with it the relief of exhaling a breath she had been holding for so long.

“Stay where?” The words were breathless, and she didn’t care about where the answer was. The drunken cheers and shouts from the other Mandalorians echoed all around, and it all blurred into the backdrop. He took her hand, and she didn’t protest, letting him lead her wherever he wanted. For once, she didn’t fight it, she didn’t call the shots, she didn’t let skepticism dictate and govern her actions.

Smiling faces and cheers greeted them as they kept walking, people clapping their hands on Ral’s shoulder, some looking confused. Through it all, she didn’t care, her gaze set ahead, her heart pounding against her chest. She knew he was going through the same thing, and she suddenly felt like she had when she kissed him for the first time. There was a sense of nausea and excitement all at once, and a million scenarios of uncertainty that were juxtaposed over her reality.

 

[Kori Buor]

Leaning in, Ral whispered in her ear, "Wherever our legs take us, my dearest." And so the two walked, his hand intertwined with hers, her shoulder touching his. They walked for a while, enjoying the night air. Fellow Mandalorians saw them and they cheered, after all, he was their Mand'alor, the conquering hero, and she was their former Mand'alor, the one who freed them from the Sith. The two wanted nothing of it, though, even as their fellows clapped them on the shoulders and back, Ral smiled and nodded his head, Talia seemed too swept up in the moment to even notice. It only took a few minutes before people began to notice how close they walked to each other, how their hands were wrapped so much more intimately than of friends. It didn't take a genius or a sage to understand what was happening, and as the word spread, the Mandalorians stopped clapping, but now gave respectful nods and kept their distance.

Ral led Talia into the palace again, feeling like he was about to burst out of his boots with each step. His left hand trembled, though whether it was from nerves, excitement, or his naturally produced high he was uncertain, and frankly didn't care. All he cared about was on his side in that instant. Inside the palace, the few remaining Mandalorians stopped and stared at the sight, even catching sight of a few friends who barely managed to get over their shock or excitement before the two had moved on.

Before they knew it, Ral had led her to his private sanctum where they could be alone, the cool night air blew in through the open balcony doors. Standing before her, Ral held both of her hands in his, head bowed so that they were touching. "I will never leave you again, Talia. And I promise tonight not to take anyone before you ever again. Tonight, I make the decision I should have made seventeen years ago... tonight I choose you." And with that Ral kisses the woman he had loved since he was a teenager. It was a kiss like no other; it was pure, passionate, tender, caring. No other kiss could compare to the one they shared in that moment, for it was as though the weight of years of waiting was finally realized into a single act. Everything they had wanted and desired, waited and wept over, was now fulfilled. Their dreams were reality. They had freed Mandalore, and they had each other. No matter what grim darkness the future held for them, Ral knew they could face it together. And after their kiss, Ral looked at Talia, a burning fire in his eyes and a wry smile on his face as his hands began to work to remove her armor. Tonight was their night, and he'd be damned if he was going to wait one moment longer.

 

[Sreeya]

Everything was a blur, and Talia hadn’t bothered to parse it all. In truth, if she paused to think about it, she most likely would have backed out of it. Her pride and ego were set aside, and for now she let her illogical heart guide her. She was no different than him, and she marveled at how liberating it felt. She didn’t have the weight of being Mand’alor on her, and she didn’t have the expectations of a Republic war hero. For now, she was simply Talia. Or better yet…she was Moira Kryze.

She allowed him to take her to his private quarters, past the people that were completely shocked at the display. Most were too drunk, but enough had spotted them for whispers and talks to begin. At that moment, she didn’t care, and she was fixated on Ral. She didn’t want to think about the impacts of their actions, and she didn’t think about what would come from this. Talia cast caution to the side, and she punched through her inhibitions and safeguards and took a leap of faith.

As they were alone, she gazed into his eyes when he spoke. The room was lit only by the hints of city lights from the outside, the wind brushing against her skin as nothing but silence surrounded them. Talia didn’t let him finish, pulling him close and meeting him with the kiss he wanted to place on her just moments later. She was breathless, anxious and lost in the moment. His every touch was jolting, and the kiss threw her into a frenzy. She was too lost in it to let logic intervene, and for once, she was able to keep it shut.

“Ral,” She murmured softly against his lips, a low, pleading voice that no one else would hear from her. Her tough exterior cracked and fell to a million shards, and her barriers were flooded and broken down with raw emotions. Her hands worked to remove his armor as he did hers, layers dropping heavily to the floor as she began to feel the cool air against her bare arms. Throughout it all, her gaze never left his, and it was just as impassioned as his and there was not a hint of doubt in it.

 

[Kori Buor]

As Ral heard her voice, heard her mutter his name so softly and so vulnerable, he realized he wasn't hearing Talia Al'Saif speak, the cold, heartless killer, but his old friend, Moira Kryze. His heart, already half melted in his chest, did a somersault at the realization. She wanted him as much as he wanted her, and he was not going to disappoint her even if the Galaxy was burning around them. Seventeen years was far too long a time to wait; Ral had already done her the grievous misdeed by waiting this long, he would not waste a moment more, nor would he let anything stop him tonight.

Their eyes never left each other as their hands started working, moving around each other as more of them became revealed. Each moment he stared into those gleaming beautiful orbs, the more he wanted her in his arms, to feel her skin against his, her warmth around him. Soon, they were laid bare before the other, nothing new besides new tattoos and new scars to see. Taking her into his arms, Ral took her into his bed, and made up for the last seventeen years.

 

[Sreeya]

---​

It was well into mid day by the time Talia stirred and came to. The city lights from the night prior were replaced with daylight streaking in through the still open windows. She awoke still in his arms, nestled against his chest. She had been here before, but back then her fleeting personality had taken over. Talia had promptly left that morning, returning to her duties to the Republic and hadn’t looked back since.

This morning was different, and she had no desire to leave where she was. Talia curled up against Ral, relishing the warmth of his skin against hers. She closed her eyes again, wanting to savor the moment, “I didn’t think I’d find myself back here again,” She grinned against his chest, thinking back to the last time they had spent a night together. It had been years ago, and she had tried hard to force the moment from memory. Learning of his death had made it painful to bear. Last night she had the chance to rekindle that memory, but in a much more positive and loving light.

She remembered the words they exchanged, and she knew she had confessed her feelings. Though the words terrified her most of the time, she felt sure in them. There was no pang of regret, no turning back from it. Talia enjoyed his warmth for a long while before sitting up in the bed, taking in sight of the large chambers they were in, “When I was Mand’alor, I never took the time to hang around here too often. I guess I missed out.”

Talia turned and leaned down to kiss him, her gestures gentle and laced with tenderness. She had let her walls down the night before, and she didn’t intend to put them up again anytime soon, “I think….we might have some explaining to do after last night…” She knew a few people had caught them on their way up here. She also knew there was another woman that had arrived to the gathering and was his date. It was the first time Talia felt a pang of guilt, and she sighed at the thought.

 

[Kori Buor]

As the body next to him began to stir, the Mand'alor's eyes slowly opened to take in the midday sun. He wasn't sure at what hour he finally fell asleep, staring at the woman's face that lied next to him and playing with her hair had taken up much of the time before he finally fell asleep. It was a different feeling to wake up with someone in his bed, well, not just someone, but with her. The last time they had fallen asleep in each other's arms and awoken together, they had been teenagers and Ral was leaving that morning. Feeling her head against his chest was a new pleasurable experience. Running a hand through her hair as she spoke he smiled. "Well, can't say I'm upset about it."

They laid in bed for who knows how long, not speaking, but just enjoying their company. Finally, Talia sat up and looked around the large room, musing about missing out. Ral watched her, his eyes gazing up at her bare form. As she leaned in to kiss him, he returned the act of affection, his hand still playing with her hair. His eyebrows cocked when she said they might have some explaining to do. "What, do our parents? We're grown adults, Tali, why would we need to explain things to our friends. Caedryn, Kalan, and Bardan are probably having a toast right now after seeing us holding hands. As for having missed out on this room... I don't know... would it be too much to assume you'll be spending more nights here with me? Because I'm not sure you're going to have time to regret the decision!"

There was a laugh as Ral sat up and kissed the blonde woman's neck and shoulders. "Though, we probably do need to get up. Have to keep up appearances... I'd hate for some Protectors to try and break down the door thinking I'm dead." Pulling she sheets off, he stood up, looking for some casual clothes. Their armor was still scattered about the floor where they had left it, and with the dull ache of a hangover at the edges of his mind, he didn't really feel like putting it on. The growl in his stomach made him want food though. "Well, I'm going to get food, first. Did you have plans for today, Tali?"

 

[Sreeya]

Talia rose from the bed as he spoke, challenging her on who they would have to explain themselves to. She quirked an eyebrow, putting her underarmor on, “Oh I don’t know, maybe explain things to the woman that is apparently a ‘girlfriend’ of five years?” Rumors traveled quick, and the drama from the night before wasn’t exactly a distant memory. Nevertheless, it was clear Talia wasn’t upset, but it was something they would have to tackle. The rest of his words brought a grin, “Well now that we live on the same planet, I suppose I can afford to make a few trips here and there.”

She picked up her bits of armor, entirely comfortable in them. She had made these herself, and it had all the custom builds for wearing at any time. Talia yawned and stretched, “Yes, I suppose I should act like I’m a Protector. Let’s see what bullshit you get into next where I’d have to do something about it,” She grinned at the thought. For a brief moment, she was reminded of when they had been teenagers and they always bickered about who protected who in dangerous situations.

“I could go for some food,” She was surprised at her own words. It wasn’t her nature to do the whole breakfast and hang out the next morning routine. Ral knew this about her as well, so he would catch the difference in her behavior. Talia said nothing further on it, letting her actions do the talking instead.

 

[Kori Buor]

Ral winced as Talia spoke of Evelyn, his date to the party. He had nearly forgotten all about her during the excitement of the previous night. Confronting her about Talia was not something Ral was looking forward to; Evelyn had grown a little more attached to Ral than he had intended over the years. Glancing at Talia, he reached out and goosed her. "That is a rather generous term for what it was, Tali. But you're right, anyways. She should know there is someone else and that it's over." He was glad she didn't seem mad about the situation, though, more like she was simply stating a matter of fact. As she followed things up with a comment about her being able to make a few more trips to his room, he chuckled. "Just a few, huh? Guess I'm going to need to do to better next time, see if we can up that a little." Truth was, he was hoping for a little more permanent, though he didn't want to rush her into anything after last night.

As Talia gathered up some of her armor, Ral managed to get something together that resembled a coordinated outfit. A snigger escaped his lips as she made a comment on having to be his Protector. With that, he reached over to her, a hand cupping the side of her head. "Doesn't sound so bad to me... I'd rather have you be the one to do something about it. After all we've been through, I know you're the one person I could count on to bail my ass out." He pulled her in for a kiss. The truth was, despite how much they used to argue about who saved whose ass, and even in recent years they'd find each other saving the other, Ral found himself content with her protection and having his was pulled out of the fire by her; there was no one else he'd prefer more. Pulling away, he smirked deviously. "Of course, I may have to save your ass sometime too knowing how you can be."

With that they finished getting ready, Talia's agreement about getting food raised an eyebrow from Ral, but he was almost too worried that if he questioned it he'd jinx himself and she'd change her mind. But it seemed she was being honest, for as soon as she had strapped the last little bit of armor to herself, she looked at him expectantly and he could only smile happily back at her. "We're going to have to get you some clothes over here, I think. That way we can eat breakfast like normal people... now shall we?" He extended a hand for her to take and he'd lead her out of his room. Now, on the way out, people continued to stare at the couple. Who knew the reasoning. Perhaps they were merely surprised at seeing them still together the next morning, expecting the rumors from the last night to be either lies or a simple fling, but it certainly seemed like the two were more serious than either of those.

Ral was honestly lost about what to do; he had never expected this to actually happen as much as he had dreamed about it, and now with his Talia on his side, he finally had everything he could ever want. "So, uh, you wanna eat in or get out of here and try one of the places outside? I'm sure either way we're going to run into a few faces who are going to want an explanation, and if they should expect a happy announcement soon." Ral laughed at the thought of getting married, though he was sure that even after last night the notion terrified Talia. Still, whatever they were, he was more than happy to be that with her. Pulling her in closer to him, he wrapped his arm around her waist and held her as they walked, he was so happy to have her after all these years, he couldn't help but have a spring in his step and act like a giddy schoolboy.

 

[Sreeya]

Talia quirked an eyebrow as he mentioned getting real clothes, “Are you new to Mandalore? Armor is casual clothing,” She grinned as she finished putting on her armor. Being in Republic space meant she went to many parties with senators and other figures of wealth. She couldn’t very well stroll up in in armor, and she had developed a penchant for wearing fancy dresses. However, ever since she returned to Mandalore, she grew very comfortable in wearing her armor everywhere. Talia freshened up in the bathroom before finally being ready to go, marveling at how even this was elaborately crafted.

She took his hand as he offered it, once again going against her usual protocols when it came to relationships or flings. Talia had fought this for many years, and for once she wasn’t going to push back against it. She allowed him to lead her out, walking all the way down and out of the palace. Being out on the streets like this was different for her, but she didn’t mind so far, “Somewhere outside. And if anyone comes up to ask for an explanation, I’ve got a very useful resting bitch face that stops the questions before they begin,” Talia grinned at the words, reaching for a cigarra. She knew it always bothered Ral that she smoked so much, and this time, she pulled the hand back and left it alone. She probably needed to cut down on it anyway..

Talia felt his arm snake around her waist, both eyebrows raising, “Getting comfortable I see,” She said in a teasing voice, though she didn’t protest against it. Up ahead, she could spot a cute café with outside seating. Talia jutted her chin towards it, “What about there? Looks cheesy enough for a place you’d want to take me to,” Out of the two of them, it was no doubt that Ral was the more romantic one. Talia had never been the mushy or romantic type, and that wasn’t about to change anytime soon. She was especially guarded with feelings and emotions, where Ral wore his on his sleeve.

“I’ve been pretty awful about keeping in touch with you,” Talia admitted out loud, “I’d like to have you come see my new house sometime. It’s not like my penthouse, but it’s definitely got its own charm. You also need to say hello to Buir,” She chuckled at the thought, “He’s been asking about you and griping about how you haven’t come by to have one of his homemade ales in a long time.”

 

[Kori Buor]

The Mandalorian only laughed at his friend's comment back. Shrugging his shoulders in reply as he continued on. He had to admit that it was nice seeing her in her beskar'gam again, though. For so long while she was with the Republic, all the years he had seen her after he left Mandalore, she only wore some customized light armor. Now, she was finally embracing her heritage and culture, and it filled him with pride to see her so casually take the armor on now. For his part, he enjoyed the few moments he could get out of his armor, if only to let his skin breathe.

As the two walked along the city streets, Ral smiled and nodded, leading Talia out of the palace and down into Sundari. Glancing at her as he placed his arm around her waist, she made a teasing comment back to him and he grinned. "You're comfortable to get around," he replied modestly, then playfully he rubbed her side. "Plus, your waist has this nice spot for my hand! It fits perfectly!" He laughed, looking at the small little corner cafe that Talia pointed out. She called it cheesy, but he had a feeling she still liked it. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with cheesy and cute, ya know? Though the tabloids are going to go crazy when people see us."

It was true he was the more open and romantic one, at least with Talia. Ral managed to keep himself fairly well-balanced around others with only a few of the other Protectors and friends who spent a lot of time with him seeing his more emotional side. With Talia, everything was different. He was open and giddy and expressive, and he noticed she was too, at least for Talia. Ral had no issues with her being guarded so long as he knew how she felt about him.

Helping her get seated, having chosen a table that was outside where they could enjoy both the fresh breeze and the warm morning sun, Ral then sat across from her. Looking up in surprise when she confessed to not having kept in contact with him very well, he shrugged. "You were angry at me... I hurt you, and you didn't know how to feel. I understand why you didn't want to be around me... I'm just glad you are choosing to start now. It's not too late." Pausing for a moment, he looked into her light blue eyes and smiled, "I'd love to see your new place... I don't mind if it isn't as fancy as your old penthouse, which I never saw. Still, I want to see where you're living, say hi to your Buir. I miss him, though to be fair, I didn't want to overstep my bounds and visit without your permission! I guess now would be an appropriate time to see him, let him know... about us."

Looking at his menu, Ral knew what he wanted. Despite the slight hangover which tended to kill his appetite, the other activities left him famished, and his stomach growled for food. The da'nishes looked good, though he'd need protein, too. Eggs, bacon, and sausage. He'd take it all along with some juice. "What are you getting, dear? And anyways, when do you wanna go see your pa?"