Ask Where It Has Led Us

[Altair Din]

Altair was humming to himself as he cooked, making a reduction and applying spices entirely by memory. There was no recipe book, no measuring, he did it all just by eyeing it. He felt her close the distance, tilting his head to look when she gently kissed his shoulder. The gesture was so subtle and tender, it sent his tail swishing eagerly from side to side.

He smiled at her words, but spun halfway to pop a piece of sauce coated veggie into her mouth, “Try it,” Altair said simply, offering her a taste test. It was a mix of spicy and tangy, definitely offworld. The food needed a bit of time to simmer and he used the moment to spin around to fully face her. He effortlessly lifted up her small frame, setting her down on the edge of the kitchen island. Altair planted his hands on either side of her on the counter, a grin on his face.

“So how long do I get to keep ya here all to myself, Miss Dark Lord?” He asked as he leaned in close.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri had no intention to move from where she was - lingering against the comfort and warmth of that embrace. It was all-too-easy to forget the Galaxy, if only for that moment. On Bandomeer, it was only the two of them. No Sith or Empire. No responsibilities or burdens that weighted them against them. He had always been the one she returned to. The paradise and bliss she yearned for. And it was only after years that she seemed to have found it.

The half-Annfyn allowed her fingers to graze up his torso, hugging against his back. She only had a few moments to kiss along his shoulder before Altair spun around - presenting a sample of whatever he was cooking. Vahliri had eaten his cooking enough to accept the spoon eagerly. As the sauce hit her tongue, the half-Annfyn could only exhale happily through her nostrils - savoring the spice and exotic flavors for the first time in a long time. There was a heat to the dish that Altair already knew she loved.

“Amazing,” She said quietly, humming softly. “You have no idea how much I’ve also missed your cooking..”

Her fluted ears swiveled and twitched once again - the smile on her lips widening - as Altair effortlessly picked her up off the ground. He was perhaps the only person alive that could get away with moving her about, in a Galaxy where Vahliri consistently dwarfed those around her in spite of her size. She immediately leaned in towards him, her head tilting a bit as Altair planted both hands at her side.

She didn’t hesitate to reach forward, grasping the front of his tanktop abruptly and using it to pull him close. The half-Annfyn captured his lips as a direct response to the question he posed, kissing him passionately albeit briefly. When her lips finally parted from his own, her head tilted toward him, just enough to touch her forehead to his own.

“For however long I tell the rest of the Galaxy they can wait until I say otherwise.” She said softly, that familiar glint burning behind her amber eyes. “For however long we wish to be here.”

 

[Altair Din]

He watched the way her ears swiveled and turned - a trait he had fallen in love with years ago. It betrayed her just as his tail often betrayed him. He didn’t protest when she grasped him by the tanktop and tugged him in for a kiss. He kissed her deeply, savoring every moment. These didn’t have to be sparse or fleeting anymore, he could do it whenever he wanted. The possessive way she yanked him close sent fire through him. He was immune to flames, but she ignited them inside him all the same.

“Then I don’t think you’ll be needin’ these the entire time you’re here,” Altair said with a grin as his fingers hooked into the waistband of her pants, easily sliding them off and tossing them aside. The tiefling glanced down at his chrono, setting a timer for the food, “I got time to have myself a snack ‘fore we eat,” He said with a swish of his tail as he nudged Vahliri further back on the counter. He tossed one of her feet up on his shoulder, tracing kisses along an ankle and further down, moving towards the inside of her knee and thigh.

There was something exceedingly spicy about doing this right on the kitchen counter of his family’s house. Something entirely forbidden and off limits, but it made it all the more exhilarating. His kisses trailed along her leg and towards where he sought before he eased into exactly what he knew would reduce the Dark Lord of the Sith to a purring kitten. All she could do was grasp at the horns as he worked his magic.

He knew exactly what to do and how to please, and it would leave her breathless and flustered even before that timer went off. Altair drew back eventually, giving her a sultry wink. He ran his studded tongue over his lips before he stepped back, twirled a spatula in his hand and resumed cooking. She was left to come down from her high on the counter.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri made no attempt to hide the anticipation that burned behind her amber gaze - manifesting as the hints of crimson that spread across her cheeks. The half-Annfyn bit down against her lower lip, watching as the Tiefling eased off her pants and began to dip lower along her legs. “Altair..” She whispered, her hand almost instinctively running through his dark hair, grasping at the polished length of his curled horns.

There was something about their compromising position - right out in the open - that made her blood run like fire within her veins. She could feel her own heart pounding against the confines of her chest, her breath escaping as a faint whimper when Altair finally reached his destination. Years together meant the Tiefling knew exactly what he was doing, and the half-Annfyn made no attempt to keep herself quiet all the while. Her head tilted back, each and every a shallow gasp more than intake of air. Altair would feel her own grip tighten against his horns, moving and writhing purely on instinct in response to what he was doing until the very end.

Even after Altair rose back to his feet, Vahliri made no immediate attempt to follow him - laying back against the counter where the Tiefling had so easily maneuvered her. Her chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, an entirely dazed expression settling across her expression.

Moments passed before Vahliri eased herself from the counter - allowing her gaze to fixate onto Altair. Though she said nothing, the Tiefling would feel as the Force abruptly coiled around his body - allowing the half-Annfyn to slip into the space between him and the simmering pan on the stove. A mere flick of her wrist was enough to yank down whatever the Tiefling wore, her hands roaming as she pleased. Altair took great pleasure in tormenting her, and Vahliri had every intention of doing the same.

She merely glanced back at the food being cooked, knowing full-well that the Tiefling would be focused on the last preparations and seasoning for the meal. “Don’t let me interrupt you,” Vahliri said quietly, though the words echoed as more of a command that statement in passing. Without another word, she began to ease her way down the Tiefling’s torso - planting kisses along his collar down and stomach until she reached her destination.

Despite what she was doing, it was clear that Vahliri meant what she said. She had every intention of keeping Altair busied over the stove - fussing over his beloved cuisine to the best of his ability, as she pleasured and tormented him to her hearts content.

 

[Altair Din]

Altair was having a struggle as she slithered down like a serpent to torment him as he attempted to cook. He had a vague idea of what she was about to do, but it still caught him completely off guard. The tiefling caught his breath, trying to focus on stirring the dish and check on the sauce, “Damn..” He muttered, exhilarated by what she was doing and frustrated by his ability to focus, “Gotta just…add some o’ these herbs..” He trailed off, one of his hands planted on the counter next to the stove as he exhaled.

“Baby..” He half gasped, half spoke, his tail eagerly swishing back and forth from what she was doing to him. It took desperate measures like thinking of great aunt Gertrude to keep his mind focused enough to finish cooking. Altair, of course, didn’t stop her, letting her finish doing her thing. The tiefling was hunched over and in a satisfied daze afterwards. He finally peeled himself up, putting his pants back on and gathering up the food. She certainly knew exactly how to make him weak and she demonstrated just that.

In a great mood from their earlier exchanges, he set the table, neatly putting everything together. He took great care in setting down all the cutlery, napkins, down to every little arrangement. A lot of his habits from military school were bleeding in. He was ultimately also still royalty and those habits didn’t go easy.

“M’lady,” Altair gestured almost dramatically with a smile as he pulled out a chair for her. Once she sat down, he set down a perfected plated dish in front of her. He also uncorked and poured her wine before finally walking over to sit across from her.

The tiefling raised his glass in a toast, giving her a warm, half smile, “Fuck Zakuul,” He called out before taking a sip.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri couldn’t deny how much she enjoyed tormenting Altair - picking the most crucial moment of his cooking to do so. Every little noise and involuntary movement encouraged what the half-Annfyn was doing, driving her further down every-so-often. Her fingers raked down across the Tiefling’s lower back, amber eyes flicking up to meet his own. She made no effort to be any quieter than he was, all the while.

By the time she rose back to her feet, Altair was hunched over the table - left with that satisfied, dazed expression across his face. Vahliri smirked up at him, wiping her lips before leaning in once more. She planted a few kisses to his neck, her teeth grazing his pierced ear before pulling back completely.

Vahliri flashed him a smirk and roll of her eyes when Altair dropped the ‘M’lady’ - slipping into the chair that he pulled out for her. “I suppose ‘Your Grace’ is the proper title these days,” She said playfully. Her gaze promptly flicked back to the dish he prepared, her smile immediately tugging wider as the spicy aroma of the sauce hit her nostrils. “This looks amazing,” She said quietly.

Lifting her glass from the table, Vahliri clinked its edge against Altair’s own - toasting with a smile. “Fuck Zakuul,” She said. It was the phrase that had followed them since their days as Acolytes, when AcoSquad was still united and closer than ever. But now? It was something only the two of them would understand. And it spoke to just how many years had been shared between them.

As she dove into her meal, Vahliri couldn’t help but take a moment to appreciate everything around her. Sitting in that house, with only Altair beside her.. There was an undeniable sense of serenity and peace that came with it all. A sense of home from simply being by his side, with not a single care in the world. It was easy to ignore the weight of leadership they both carried and all the ways it threatened to destroy them.

“I could stay here forever, you know,” She mused aloud with a smile, her fingers brushing against Altair’s.

“Think I saw something about a harvest festival taking place at the edge of the village.” She said between bites, flashing him a smirk as she ate. “Maybe something we can check out at some point while we’re here.” It was clear that the half-Annfyn wasn’t in any rush to leave, though, her fingers still coiled around the Tiefling’s own.

 

[Altair Din]

Nothing brought Altair more joy than when people enjoyed his meals. Especially meals cooked from ingredients on the Din farm. Everything was fresh and even the herbs were homegrown. The tiefling savored every bite, having missed the taste of home. Everything here still reminded him of the Din clan. He could practically hear the thundering footsteps of his siblings running around, Mama Din screaming about something in another room, Pa ‘resting his eyes’ on the recliner and insisting that he wasn’t sleeping. A part of him wanted them to return to this house one day, though that sounded more difficult by the day.

The tiefling grinned at Vahl’s words as she grasped his hand, “Look at you,” He said teasingly, “You still remember how to be cute,” She had a tough image to project now with the kind of Order she led, but seeing her warm and tender like this took him right back to when they first met. Altair briefly wondered why he wasted all that time with heartaches and failed relationships when she had been there all along.

“Damn I ain’t been to a harvest festival in ages,” He mused, looking off to the side. If she followed his gaze, she would see a picture on the wall of Altair standing there with a pie and the happiest look on his face. There was a blue ribbon on his chest to show he won the competition during one of the festivals.

“Okay but…” He paused as he turned to look at her, “These things sometimes have very prejudiced people,” He reminded her, “I love ya, but promise me you won’t snap someone’s neck if they call me a goat..”

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri was entirely in bliss - happily eating the food that Altair prepared. It was perfectly balanced with spices and just the right amount of heat, coupled with a wine that cut through it all. It hit just the right spot, and immediately took the half-Annfyn to a nostalgic place when eating his food was a regular occurance. She could recount almost every instance where Altair had brought homemade goodies for AcoSquad or turned their combat rations into something actually edible. She could still remember the apology-samosas he brought to her dorm, and the eons it felt like had passed since that day.

It was a reminder of how much they’d been through. How much they’d endured. How happy she was to be right there.

“You never stopped being cute,” She said smoothly in response, her grin tugging sideways as it so-often did. It was a polar opposite to the person she’d become as Dark Lord. A part of her couldn’t wonder how Tiefling would react if he ever saw it from her.

Her gaze gradually followed his own towards the portrait, immediately lighting up at the picture. “I still have that portrait of us. Just after coming back from Zakuul.” It had remained in the private quarters of her yacht through it all. At the end of it, Vahliri turned back to look at it. “Well then we definitely need to go, then.”

She took a few more bites - humming ever-so-slightly to herself - before Altair warned of what to expect, followed by the request to keep her response toned down. There was a moment of silence from Vahliri before she tilted her head a bit. “I promise I won’t hurt anyone,” She said genuinely, giving Altair little reason to believe she was lying. “But I won’t promise to do or say nothing.” Vahliri continued. She reached a hand across the table, brushing against the sharp edge of his jaw. “I’m not sitting back while someone talks down to my man.”

Vahliri had always been the furthest thing from timid - and that certainly hadn’t changed. She may have evolved from her ankle-breaking days, but Altair knew that Vahliri wasn’t going to tolerate any prejudice.

As she polished off the rest of her plate, Vahliri rose up from the table - snatching her glass and plate from the spread. She rounded to where Altair was sitting, leaning down to plant a kiss against the side of his neck, before grabbing his own dishes. “Thanks baby,” She said quietly. After taking both of their dishes and rinsing them, Vahliri walked over to finally grab the pants that Altair had left haphazardly strewn in the kitchen.

“Shall we?” She smirked, before turning to venture deeper into the house. The half-Annfyn deliberately made a show of walking out of the kitchen before getting dressed, knowing they both had somewhere to be now.

 

[Altair Din]

Altair was about to protest when she grabbed all the dishes, but he kept his mouth shut. There was something cozy and homely about this, even if it was just a moment shared before they had to return to their respective sides of the war. For a moment, he simply watched her from the table, affection betrayed in his amethyst gaze. He didn’t have to deny himself anymore, he didn’t have to battle with himself whether this was wrong or right, he simply gave into it. It was the first time he felt happy in a long time.

He was taken out of his daze when she reminded them that they had to get going. Altair rose to stand, giving her a grin, “Hold on, I gotta get dressed,” He announced before disappearing for a while. He emerged a bit later with a getup he hadn’t worn in years. He put on a straw hat and grabbed his acoustic guitar, slinging it over his shoulder. He smiled and tipped his hat.

“Now I’m ready,” Altair gave her a grin, looking the part of a local farmer. He couldn’t remember the last time he embraced this side of himself, and as goofy as he looked, it brought back fond memories. Altair opened the door for her and he walked out with her.

“Vahl,” He called out after her, “Will you come fishin' with me?” He asked almost timidly. It was considered by most city dwellers to be a boring activity, but he had cherished it growing up.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Despite making the suggestion to explore the festival, there was a part of Vahliri that didn’t want to leave whatsoever. For the first time in ages, the half-Annfyn felt at home. She relished being able to lower her guard - to relinquish the control and preparedness that came with her station. It was the feeling of truly belonging to someone, giving into every desire and yearn for Altair that had developed over the years.

Just as she stepped out of the kitchen, Vahliri spotted a mirror that hung from one of the walls - immediately beginning to preen and fix up her hair, pulling the flyaways and loose strands back into place. The dark locks extended down to the middle of her back, with only a few braids woven around to crown the top of her head. She couldn’t help but arch a brow when Altair mentioned going to get dressed - but proceeded to use that time to further fix herself up.

It was that bit of fussing over her appearance that Vahliri had done for years - and consistently became more common when Altair was around, even if she’d never admit it.

As Altair re-emerged, Vahliri immediately smiled - her amber eyes going ever-so-slightly wide. It had been years since she’d seen the Tiefling embrace his roots, and there was no missing the warmth that seemed to radiate from his expression the moment he appeared. She could tell that he was happy - being here, being with her there, and it only left the half-Annfyn to stare up at her man with a dazed smile.

“Who’d have thought the Grand Marshall could make for a convincing farmer?” She teased, leaning over to snatch hold of his hand. Her perfectly manicured digits intertwined with his own, following as Altair let them through the door and out towards the festival. The scent of fresh herb and baked goods could be detected the moment the breeze shifted, likely immediately bringing back memories for Altair.

The question was one that caught Vahliri briefly off guard - but there was only a moment before she glanced back at him. “Of course I will,” She paused for a moment, considering something before glancing back to him. “On one condition. I pick the destination.” Vahliri added. There was no further context of what she had in mind, but he wouldn’t miss the small smile that traced her lips.

Within only a few minutes, they could both reach the village center - surrounded by festival that consumed the area. Practically everyone in the village had arrived for the festivities, most of them dressed in their usual farmers attire, shades of autumnal orange and browns all around.

Fresh baked food was being sold stalls lining every corner, vegetables and fruit haggled for and sold with shouts in the native language. Altair would almost immediately spot Ol’ Meriahm hunched over her booth, glancing back at the giant squash that was placed on display. The Tiefling would recognize her as one of the oldest farmers in the community, having staved off multiple attempts by outsiders to buy her land. Her presence at the vegetable shows easily predated the Tiefling, having been participating decades prior.

“Might be a touch overdressed,” Vahliri said with a smirk, glancing up at him.” Her attention promptly flicked over to the games and street goodies being sold. “Any ideas where to start?”

 

[Altair Din]

He was surprised at how giddy he was attending this festival again. It was surreal to think that he was the Grand Marshal of the Empire, King of Eiattu and many other titles. And yet, he was just another farmer. The galaxy went on and the people here stayed in their bubbles, away from it all. It was as if this place was suspended in an older time, untouched by wars and current events, where old family feuds raged on and everyone fussed about marriage or raising their families.

Altair passed by Ol’ Meriahm, giving her a grin which she returned with a scowl. She hadn’t forgiven the Din family for beating her on having the biggest melon one year. The tiefling kept walking through the crowds, his tail eager swishing side to side. He saw several faces he recognized, a few of them looking at him in surprise.

“Well well well, look what the lothcat dragged back in from the pits of hell,” A voice called out. Unsurprisingly, it was Leonard Katz of the prominent Katz family that had a neighboring farm. They had a massive dairy farm and looked down on other types of farming, “Where are yer 80 other siblings?” He asked with a snicker before his gaze flicked over to Vahliri. His eyes widened as he caught the way they held hands.

“Fuck off, Lenny,” Altair said with a sigh, walking past him and tugging Vahliri with him.

Lenny chuckled and called out, “We’re gonna play touch the bantha on Ol’ Skeez’s farm tonight. You should come if you ain’t porgshit…maybe bring your cute lass too.”

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Keeping her fingers intertwined with Altair’s own, Vahliri walked through the bustling harvest festival - allowing her gaze to wander from stall to stall - taking in all the different sights and smells there were to behold. The half-Annfyn had grown up wandering across the many different festivals and open-air markets that frequented her homeworld, and it was during one such event that she had met Altair all those years ago. They would always evoke a feeling of glee from her.

She didn’t miss the scowl of Ol’ Meriahm, proceeding to stare back at the old woman Age wasn’t an excuse for the type of prejudice that Vahliri assumed was being harbored. Never on a trillion years would she have guessed that oversized melons were the source of the rivalry and feuding that lasted easily over a decade.

The half-Annfyn paid little attention to the others - her gaze immediately flicking from Altair to some of the fresh, sliced fruit being sold just up the road. It was only the voice of Lenny that momentarily distracted her.

Vahliri turned back to stare at the farmer - amber eyes narrowing ever-so-slightly at the words that came spilling out of his mouth. Years ago, it would have been more than enough for the half-Annfyn to fly off the handle - breaking ankles or starting a brawl right then and there - just as Altair had been a dozen times before. But she wasn’t the same, volatile Acolyte that she once had been.

As Altair tugged away, Vahliri pulled against him - briefly turning back to stare at the farmer. Before the words ‘cute’ could be uttered, the half-Annfyn cut him off abruptly. “Not a single one of you is worth my time,” She said flatly, her gaze briefly flicking back to whoever was huddled close to Lenny. The half-Annfyn wasn’t about to let someone else derail their evening - especially when she had a sickly feeling what their ‘game’ would likely turn into. “Let alone his,”

Assuming Lenny didn’t say anything else, Vahliri would turn back to follow Altair, tugging him along and towards a carnival game in the distance. A stun rifle was placed at the very end of a long range, old dummy droids idly hovering in the air several meters away.

 

[Altair Din]

Altair half expected Vahliri to break some necks, but she kept her cool. However, she was still that feisty girl he had fallen in love with over time. He simply shook his head and grinned, walking away from the altercation, “You know I can’t let Lenny get away callin’ me porgshit,” He mused aloud, “Have you ever played touch the bantha?” He asked before realizing it was an absurd question. Of course she had never even heard of it, let alone played it. He cleared his throat, “It’s pretty fun. You sneak up on bantha. If you can make it to them, touch them, and run away without spooking the herd, you win. Normally people fail badly and ol’ Skeez comes out shootin’ at us,” He chuckled at the memory. He saw the look on Vahliri’s face and shrugged, “Look, sometimes it’s borin’ bein’ on a farm.”

They arrived at the carnival game and there was a giant, stuffed Lothcat everyone had their eye on. Altair was normally terrible with ranged weapons, but he decided to try his hand. He leaned towards Vahliri with a grin, “A kiss for good luck?” He asked playfully before drawing back and aiming.

To the surprise of virtually everyone, he effortlessly popped every target. In fact, he even breezed through a special challenge round, hitting every single one with a head shot and setting a new record. Altair stared at Vahliri with surprise as the man behind the counter handed over the giant stuffed Lothcat to her.

“Damn, I ain’t ever seen shootin’ like that, you related to Preef Callo or somethin’?” He chortled. Altair beamed, proudly grasping Vahliri by the hand to take her towards some of the food stalls.

“Think you’re brave enough to try one of Mama Lulu’s peppers?” She would see an assortment of homegrown peppers ranging in various levels of spice. There was a spicy pepper challenge with a prize for the winner.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri paused for just a moment - squinting at what Altair had to say about Lenny. She just knew the Tiefling had every intention of joining in on the folk tradition and entertaining some random irrelevant like Lenny. She had every intention of pummeling anyone who had the bright idea to refer to Altair as the Bantha as had happened multiple times before, but otherwise had no intention of arguing the point.

Of course, she couldn’t exactly mask the look on her face when Altair defended the game. The half-Annfyn shook her head. “I’m up for it if you are, babe.” She said with a smirk, nudging him in the arm playfully.

Vahliri leaned in to plant a kiss against Altair’s lips - standing back as the Tiefling took aim. She knew that neither of them were particularly skilled with firearms, Altair due to his Matukai upbringing and Vahliri because of her saber-oriented fighting.

And proceeded to let her jaw drop to the floor as Altair cleared the entire range at record speed. The half-Annfyn blinked vacantly, up until the giant lothcat was placed into her arms. She smirked down at the stuffed animal, tugging it under her arm before turning back to Altair.

“See?” She said, leaning in to follow up the kiss from earlier on the cheek. “I am good luck.” She said with no lack of amusement, fully planning on milking the fortune that she clearly imparted on the Tiefling.

Walking close beside him, Vahliri arched a brow at the assortment of spicy peppers that were set out on one of the food stalls - a smirk immediately spreading across her expression. “You forget where I’m from,” She said at her only answer. Indupar was renowned for its intensely spicy cuisine and intense flavor, and it left the half-Annfyn overly confident as she accepted the pepper - popping the entire thing into her mouth.

The first few seconds went by without a hitch - as the half-Annfyn happily chewed along. But her calm expression only lasted that long - her jaw gradually slowing as the heat became more intense. It didn’t take long for bright red to spread across every corner of her face, fluted ears flattening harshly against the sides of her skull.

The half-Annfyn couldn’t suppress the small coughs that began to overcome her, turning away from the stall as she struggled to get it down - followed by the inferno that was blazing through her mouth. “Holy fuck..” She barely managed to get the words out, already starting to sweat.