Ask [Vashka] Kept you Waiting?

[Oren Zapan]

A gentle wind blew through the air, casting a scent of pine through the city of Vashka, it felt strange being back in the open air, free to move with little restrictions, and little care for where he went. It had been two years, but it felt like an eternity, his life had been forced on pause, while the galaxy moved around him. Truth be told he was still processing everything, his new life changes and his eventual return back to the Order.

He was still a Jedi, and the light breathed through him with intensity, but things felt different. He hadn't felt the same, something felt wrong, maybe it was all that time away from everyone, but he felt like a loner, one who spent so much time with criminals that he had blended his identity as one. You are a criminal...don't forget that.. He no longer felt comfortable in the soft earthy tunics of the Jedi, but instead opted for a more urban approach.

He wore a short sleeve navy blue jacket, with a soft silk shirt which was half unbuttoned, which flowed into a pair of matching pants and black jack boots. His left arm, bore a half sleeve set of ink, which bore the affiliations of his detainment center and gang affiliations, the words Outsiders Club, was inked on the top of a rancor's forehead.

His once wavy medium length hair had been shaved on the sides, and now sported a spiked top. His once slender body had beefed up, and his muscles on his arms slightly flexed as they moved. Of all these changes, he still wasn't prepared to see them all again, and today would be that first step. His lone eye shifted towards the signage, spotting the cafe. He stepped towards the outside, catching the glance of the purple skinned twi'lek, whose back was turned to him. "Mila?" His voice would crack.

tag: @Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

There was the smallest shift in the air. She could feel it. It was like hearing the call of the ocean from miles away from the coast. It sounded familair, felt familiar, yet she could not place where it originated from. Mila wasn't certain of the cause, nor the starting point for it, but the force was at work one way or another. She took another sip of her tea, pondering where she was going with herself. Her duties had taken up more and more of her time as of late, and where she once had time to tinker on her ship and enjoy tea with Vayla, she was having to lecture padawans and worry about her pupils. It was stressful indeed, but this too was but a trial she was to undertake as a jedi.

She had drained half of her cup as she felt that shift once more, it was closer now, more clear. She had given up on wearing her jedi attire anywhere in public now, but it seemed with her growing age the clothing was becoming less and less appealing to wear; what was she thinking with some of her clothing choices when she was younger? She had taken to keeping her identity as a spacer as secure as possible, no lightsaber, no robes; for such things did not a jedi make. This change was now the main focus of her thoughts now, as she scanned the cafe, brow furrowing in confusion, before she finally cast a look over her shoulder, and had trouble believing what she was seeing. Oren? She looked dumbstruck for a solid second, as though his features had changed since their last encounter, focusing on his presence in the force was unmistakable; it was him. A smile broke out across her face, as she gestured for her friend to come closer. She hadn't expected to see him here, and not so soon. A small bit of nervousness bubbled up within her chest, but she put it aside. She was rather exuberant to see her good friend once again. It had been far too long.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren hesitated for a moment, it had been two years and here she was sitting right in front of him. He bit down on the bottom of his lip, as he saw her green eyes peering towards his face, most likely to the craters and pits that covered the right side of his face, and his milky white eye. He would take a heavy breath as he stepped forward towards her table, sliding in to look directly across from her.

He seemed more rigid, a bit more rough around the edges compared to his older traditions, his robotic right hand would hang on the table, as well as his left arm with the gang tattoos on full display. He would peer down towards the table for a moment, unsure of what to say, what can you say after two years? He would peer up, his voice a bit rough, "You look good," he'd say with a faint smile that showed hints of his old self.

tag: @Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

What does one say to a friend they had been so far detached from? Two years was a long time, and yet that connection they held was still firm. But his wounds, why hadn't he healed them? Perhaps he couldn't? As he drew closer, she could see that the years had been rather cruel to her dear friend. The tattoos were a nice touch, though she didn't take him for the type; strange what prison could do to someone. He was still Oren, just weather, hardened. The one thing she couldn't shake was his walk, it looked heavy, as if he wore a weight that cause him to struggle. That was what truly saddened her.

As he sat down, her eyes studied his face rather intently. Each of the scars and marks told a story, and when paired with his face, it would form a picture. His posture showed he was uncomfortable, and given the situation, that was understandable. There would be a softness to her eyes, the sort a mother might have as she looked upon her sick child. She didn't need to read his mind to know he wasn't comfortable. She noted several patrons turn to gaze upon his disfigurement, and for her friends sake they wouldn't linger here for too long. She chuckled at his comment, about looking good, as she extended a hand and placed it over his left hand. "It's incredible what some tea and meditation can do to combat aging. Is it not?" She spoke softly, as she gave his left hand a gentle squeeze. He had certainly been working out, rather intensely it seemed. "It's good to see you Oren."

She had felt a bit of loneliness with his loss. They had a special connection, or at least Mila felt they had, given how many times they had linked themselves together to overcome the odds. With his disappearance, that connection had been missing. Perhaps now that could be mended. Taking her free hand, Mila finished off her drink, setting it to the side. Oren was still in there, but this little cafe wouldn't be the place to extract that out of him. "How have you been?" I've missed you. She decided not to say that last bit aloud, it wasn't right, nor was it proper. He would need time to reconnect, get used to this change. "Would you like to go somewhere else?" She offered if her question had managed to garner some information from the man.



@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren could feel her peering towards the craters, divots, and pits that marked the rights side of cheek and face, his milky white eye peering towards her though he could see little from it. His brown eye would narrow slightly out of sadness, watching as she peered towards the gang affiliation that sprawled across his arm. He felt her lavender hand cup his own burnt one, wrapping her fingers around them--connecting them together.

He could feel her own sadness radiating from her body, there was a lot he could say, about his sorrow or sadness for the situation, his embarrassment even. But, the words couldn't come out, not here. "I'm still..processing everything," he'd say with a slight nod, "It feels like I died and I've come back as a ghost." He didn't like the feeling, he wanted to put it past him, but understood the complications he had forced on himself with his actions. He had missed Mila dearly, and had thought about her often.

He would stand up with her, not removing his hand as they left the little cafe. A gentle breeze swept through the city, as the leaves had slowly changed to varying shades of red and orange. His own hand was still latched to her own as they walked close together. They would walk for a bit in silence, before he would peer down towards the Twi'lek, "I'm sorry, for everything."

tag: @Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

His hand felt warm, soft, and marred by his past deeds. He looked like he was carrying the weight of the galaxy on his shoulders, like everything that had gone wrong was all on him. She couldn't have disagreed any stronger. "There's alot to process. I understand completely." She spoke, though she did spare a small smile. "If you are a ghost, you're the best looking one I've encountered." Which was true. Those spectors on Mustafar were dreadful. She soon realized what she had said, as a bit of pink flared across her face. Oren would sense her embarrassment, and a bit of shame as well. "I'm sorry, that's...that's not what I meant to say." She sputtered, her attempt to humor her friend bad devolved into something else. She had thought about him often as well. Outside of Kraud and Vayla, who else could she turn to in a time of crisis? It would be good to have him back. Assuming he was coming back.

He seemed to want to leave this place behind, and she didn't blame him; this place was starting to get on her nerves as well. She didn't try and pull her hand free, nor feel uncomfortable with the fact he held on. He was lost in this new world, and it was up to her to lead him back to normality; and what a long and twisted path that would be. As they walked hand in hand, she decided not to try and pry. She could feel something at the tip of his tongue, and when he was ready, she knew he would speak it. Until then, she would just enjoy his company, feeling that familiar presence close at hand. She couldn't describe how it felt, other than...nice. Finally, he spoke, and his words surprised the Twi'lek. Mila glanced towards him, her expression that of confusion. "Apologize? What for Oren? You have nothing to be sorry for." Was this about the crime he had committed? Or was this some other deeper failure she didn't know about. Only Oren could shed more light, as Mila awaited his explanation.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

The markings on his face would slightly tingle a warm red sensation as he felt the woman compliment him. He'd pause along the trail, which over looked a crisp looking pond. A soft sigh escaping his lips in the form of a small cloud. His mechanical hand held onto her own tightly as he looked towards her with a solemn eye, a soft smile forming around his lips at her compliment. "Don't be sorry," he'd say with a gentle tone.

He knew he felt something for the woman, everything they had been through, his burnt hand would move up to rest against her lavender cheek, "I feel the same way," he'd say with a heavy voice. As his eye shifted away, "I'm sorry that you, Nara and everyone were left in the dark. I went out there to try and find the truth, I felt like I had to put the Jedi on my back and carry everything for them. I made a mistake that put you all at danger and I don't know if I did the right thing."

He could feel the burns on his face slightly tingle, "I met them, the darksiders...all I felt was pain and I couldn't bring myself to kill this girl..the same girl that left me with these marks," he wasn't sure why he was telling her this. "It's just so much and I don't really know where I stand in the order right now. I am a Jedi and I always will be, I just need time."

His hand that rested on her cheek would cup it tightly, "And I'm sorry I never really took the time to explain myself to you, and how much you mean to me as a friend.." He would feel an urge through the force as he looked into her green eyes. "I missed you so much."

tag: @Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

This hadn't unfolded at all like Mila had planned. He was touching her, and not like the friendly pat on the shoulder. This was rather intimate, and Mila was....probably one of the worst people when it came to handling this sort of thing. She gazed at him, unable to pull away as he opened up to her, though her cheeks were a rather nice shade of pink the entire time. Her brain was trying to figure out what to say to the words that were coming out of his mouth, but all she could think was how close he had gotten to her. This just all felt...unusual, she wasn't used to any of this. That nervous sensation from earlier was tunneling up through her core, and she couldn't muster the will to fight it down just yet. He spoke of the dark ones, how he failed, and how he felt lost within the order. How silly, she knew exactly where he was to stand. How could he not see it?

As he tightened his hand around her cheek, she placed her own hand on top of his. She could feel his words go from uncertain to certainty as the topic shifted from the jedi order and more towards herself. This was all rather...sudden, or perhaps not. She had alot she wanted to say suddenly, as if the damn that had stopped up all her words was finally busted, but all she could manage to must initially was a faint, "Oren." She took in a shaky breath, feeling a bit of hesitation building up; probably due to the nervousness. He valued him, most definitely. They had been through rather ridiculous situations time and time again, and managed to not die every single time. Why now was it so hard to get a word out. She had insulted a Hutt in flawless Huttese once, now in the presence of a close friend, she could only matter a single word? It was madness. "I've missed you too." She bit into the lower part of her lip, finding herself unable to pull away from his gaze. No...more like she didn't want to look away. "You have a place in the order Oren, it's with...with all of us. You're still respected, your pretense was greatly missed. Don't apologize for things you can't change. Just work to mend what can be mended." Her eyes trailed off, but found him not long after. There was more she wished to say, but she didn't have the courage to say it. "You're still the Oren I know....different, perhaps, but the core is still there. Don't forsake it. Take your mistakes, and learn from them, don't languish in them." She wasn't even sure if she was making sense right now. She was just saying everything other than what she felt. Not like it was the time or place for that, especially here of all times.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

The connection and bond that the two of them had built through the force had slowly begun to rekindle, he could feel the loneliness and nervousness radiating from both of their cores. Why did they feel so afraid when they had been through so much. He felt her lavender hand rest up against the craters and pits of his face, his lone good eye staring into her own emerald beads. "Mila.." He'd say with a soft whisper.

He caught her biting against her lip, and a whole wave of emotion ran over him, he felt her words rush out like a waterfall, taking him back a bit. "I'm not leaving the order" he'd say softly, "I am a Jedi, I am a master of the light..it's just weird being free, but that will go away." He would lean in to rest his forehead against her own, "I'm not leaving." He wasn't sure why, but this felt right, he felt safe and everything else mattered little.

tag: @Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

She wished he didn't say her name that way. It made her feel things, things she didn't understand. She felt herself trembling, and she didn't know why. She wasn't scarred, well, not that sort of scared. There was a difference between stage fright and starting death right in the face, this was maybe closer towards stage freight. Maybe.

He pressed his forehead against hers, and almost instantly she felt a chill dart down her spine. It felt so foreign, yet welcome. She couldn't describe it, she probably never could.she heard him say he wasn't leaving, that he would have to just accept what his life was now. Mila understood that all too well. "Good." She whispered, her breath still shakey as something subconsciously told her to draw closer. That sense of being perceptive, of being aware of all around you faltered in this moment, as it felt for the time being it was only Oren and herself. Perhaps the scars and deformations would compromise ones character or appeal. It was not so for Mila. Perhaps it was the force, perhaps it was their connection, or maybe she had just seen who he really was beneath it all. Her free hand grabbed at his robotic wrist, why she didn't know something just told her to. This was ridiculous. "I...um..." She let out a sigh, not sure what to say, let alone what to do now.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

A tingling sensation was felt through the force, as his hand slightly trembled. He could feel his body slowly melting into her own, his mechanical hand wrapping gently behind her back to pull her in close. A soft smile would form on his lips as his two eyes peered into her own. He felt more connected now than he had at any time prior.

His left hand would gently stroke her lavender cheek as his lips hovered inches away from her own. He felt her hesitate, but her body and signature through the force didn't budge. He would lean in, pressing his lips against her own for a few moments as his eyes closed. He'd sigh with a heavy breath as he smiled, "I should have done that years ago."

tag: @Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

There were many sensations she was feeling at this moment, and she didn't understand many of them. It was a mix of fright with thrill, and she didn't know to process it at all. Her felt his cybernetic hand wrap around her, and found her arm doing the same to him. Nothing made sense anymore. It was nonsense, pure and simple.

Her eyes were clenched shut, perhaps terrified of what they were doing, perhaps she was concerned that looking at him might ruin it all. She didn't know. The force told her one thing, her heart felt another, and her mind told her something else entirely. She felt his lips pressing against her own, and her mind went blank for a split second, unsure how to process this. They were slightly chapped, but it didn't bother her. In a way she had waited and dreaded this for a long time. The moment felt like an eternity, though in truth it had only been a few seconds. Her head-tails had moved on their own, caressing the sides of his face before wrapping around behind his neck, no something had planned; but then again, it felt like her own body had played a coup on her. As he pulled back, she wasn't sure what to say, he face bright pink with all manner of feelings ablaze within her. The discipline she had so strongly upheld had given way, and now all these emotions were getting in the way of thinking straight. "Perhaps...." She mumbled, still having trouble connecting the dots to this new world she was living in. Desiring the closeness of one and actually having it were wildly different things, and truth be told Mila wasn't sure how to handle this. "I...um...what do we do now?" She seemed a bit out of it, perhaps confused. This was certainly alot to take in, especially for herself.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren would feel her head tails run up against his face, as they gently wrapped around his neck, pulling him into their kiss. His hands would hold tightly against her, as his head pulled back to catch her lavender skin had fallen to a shade of pink. She was one of his closest friends, and he didn't regret the kiss. He had always had the nagging urge, the feeling to do so, but he wasn't sure if he should have.

A soft sigh would escape his lips, "I'm sorry," he'd say as his voice cracked, "It just felt natural, I shouldn't have..you're one of the people I trust the most, and..it's not fair of me to do this," he'd shake his head, "I vanished from your life for two years and then come back and do this...I'm sorry."

tag: @Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

It was wrong, and right, yet also confusing. Mila wasn't sure what was up or down anymore truth be told, nothing seemed to make sense. The tips of her headtails crossed, as she found herself held captive by his gaze. She pressed the tip of her fingers into his back, the nervousness within her chest was bubbling over, as she felt rather strange. She'd never done this thing before, never felt these sensations. It was bother terrifying and exciting, and she wasn't sure what to make of it.

She raised her hand, softly stroking his cheek, as she could feel the sincerity to his words. She wasn't sure what to make of all this. She had missed him dearly, and yet this was all so sudden, so...strange. There was so much to process in so little time, but...she didn't dislike this; whatever 'this' was. "If you say sorry one more time...." She started, before shaking her head a light sigh escaping her lips. "It wasn't your fault for leaving. And...." Her eyes faltered, as she looked away for a moment before looking back to her. Despite herself, a rather silly smile nearly formed across her features before she managed to suppress it; once again, her body was in rebellion against her. "I'd felt a draw to you for sometime, but I had always thought it was just our bond playing tricks on me. Clearly I was wrong." Her voice softened, as she brushed her thumb against several of his healed over scars. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I wasn't able to do anything to help you." She did feel guilty, though she couldn't find any way to release him without drawing the order into more controversy.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren would sigh as he felt her hand wrap around the pits and damage, he felt safe at that moment, his emotions stripped and barren for her to see. He was just a mortal man, one that held the weight of the galaxy on his shoulders, always doing right, and trying his best. He had faced a lot of turmoil and had nearly destroyed his body in attempt of helping everyone he ever could--this was the Jedi way he felt.

"Mila..I cut a man in half," he'd sigh as he kept their closeness. "I could have used the force to stop them, but I didn't. I wouldn't have wanted you or anyone to help me..I needed to learn, to see the galaxy and the force in ways that I couldn't." He'd sigh as he looked out towards the small lake, his breath heavy.

He wasn't really sure how he felt about it all, he thought back to Nash and then to Mila, "You're not the only person I feel a connection to," he'd say with some honesty, "You and Nashyr..I," he hoped he didn't take it wrong, he and the Cathar hadn't dated or anything. "I just figured you should know. I care about you, and feel the same way...I just don't know where my head is at."

tag: @Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

He was too hard on himself, he always seemed to be putting the galaxy on his shoulders as some sort of testament. He messed up, they all had in some way or another, and while he had a lapse in judgement that didn't make him any lesser of the mantle he was to wear. "Oren, my own padawan nearly fell to the darkness because I was too blinded by my own fears to speak with him. We both have much to learn, and we can do that with one another." He looked away from her, as she felt something cause him a moment of turmoil, was there yet another revelation that was to be shared? Why did he look so troubled then? Then he spoke, and all those warm and happy feelings Mila had felt slowly began to cool.

How else was there to take it? It was obvious, his mind wasn't made up, he was confused, and this was all a fluke. So quickly she had felt her hopes be lifted, and now he had almost just as swiftly dashed them. She'd rather have not know he felt this way at all truth be told. The headtails that had been cradling the back of his neck dropped, then withdrew. Her shoulders sunk, and she felt as if she had been smashed in the chest with a hammer. Mila's face tightened. "I care about you too." In Twi'lek culture, this sort of thing was actually normal, and honor would demand that Mila fight Nashyr over the right for her man; least that's how Mila's mom explained it, though Mila thought that practice ridiculous. It seemed they both had alot more to learn, about themselves, and each other. Her hand moved away from his face, the arm that was wrapped around his back withdrew, as Mila sought to widen the gap that was shifting between them. Some internal part of her wanted to cry, but she wasn't exactly sure why. "I'm sorry. I lapsed in my judgement, acting so hastily." She shook her head, brushing a hand over her face she wasn't sure what to say. Let alone what to do. "You have other priorities, and it was foolish of me to be so selfish with my thoughts. I apologize." A sigh escaped her lips, as the world suddenly felt heavier, if her shoulders could have sunk any lower they would have.

@TWD26

 

[Oren Zapan]

He could feel the tension deflate at that moment as the older Knight slowly descended into seclusion, pulling away from him. He wanted to reach out towards her, and so he did, pulling her into a gentle embrace. "Look," he'd whisper into the cone of her ear, hoping that she would listen. "I will always care about you, and your students, your troubles, everything." He'd pull away with a serious look.

"The things we went through, the feelings that we had, were real..they are real," he'd say with a soft tone, "I wanted to be truthful to you, the same way I had been to her. I don't think a Jedi form attachments like this." His teeth clenched as he debated over it. There code hadn't forbade relationships or physical intimacy, but it seemed to him that it left thins open for a messy falling out. "It's so raw to me, but that kiss..that feeling of your hand against me, even..if it's just the one time, I wouldn't change it for the world." He meant the words, "You mean the galaxy to me Mila..and I'm sorry for doing this.." He'd huff, realizing that this was his fault. "I shouldn't have..and I'm sorry."The Jedi Master would watch her with a reluctant sigh, his hand trembling slightly as he turned. He needed to give her space, and he would. I'm so sorry, this was never my intention Mila.

/END THREAD
tag: @Algarus