The Holocall, Part 2
Timeframe: Life Day, in the weeks following the Winter Gala
Ivalyn stepped out and around the partition in a beautiful emerald gown, and Cecil brought forward a high stool for her to sit on. The Imperial protocol droid carefully moved the partition away as Ivalyn continued to speak. “I have been wondering, however, if you would be ever so inclined to meet back on Naboo?”
Rik blinked, but kept himself from gawking. She really knew how to put on a look, and hell, if how that gown hung on her didn't make him nearly reconsider his response, “Wouldn't be my first choice,” he admitted; going back to Naboo so soon? He didn't see the appeal, even if the world in question was a beautiful one. All the beauty he was truly interested in right now was on the other end of this call. And his preferences favoured smaller gatherings.
Ivalyn sat in front of the mirror working on her hair; her astromech droid, Tav, brought her bag of makeup. She pressed further: “I hear there is to be something of a New Year’s celebration, my family can watch my nephew so that the two of us are able to have a little more time together.” Ivalyn set the bag on the sink’s counter.
Rik found the idea hard to say no to when she put it like that, when watching her get ready was a kind of light intimacy he hadn't even thought he’d encounter so soon. It was as damn sexy as the end result was bound to be, and mildly frustrating that it was all behind a screen, worlds away. He had to see her, whatever form that took. The start of a light smirk pulled at a corner of Rik's mouth, his own expression betraying the shift in his thoughts, “You drive a hard bargain, Miss Yvarro,” he said, “I would have you to myself for the entire evening, if I could.”
“Most excellent,” Ivalyn remarked in the most agreeable manner. Her attention turned to him finally, and she admitted he looked rather dashing even if he had only just stepped out before desserts were served. She studied him a moment or two, perhaps envisioning things she could do. “As for daddy dearest, that conversation can be had later on.” She was sure he’d learn more about Rik before she had an opportunity to have someone bring her his file.
Rik was glad she saw it the same way he did; that was a point in their mutual favour, common ground. There was a time for everything, and the subject of family in this case was… delicate, on both sides. He had to wonder how many more times he would ask himself what he was getting into, despite now knowing full well just what.
Ivalyn didn’t attempt to hide the smile on her face as she rummaged through her bag for lipstick and eyeliner. “I don’t want to keep you from what I assume is to be a delicious dessert, but I’ll send you details on where we can meet?” She squinted in the mirror making sure not to make a single mistake. “I’m still a little unsure as to who all will be there, but if this is to be one of the bigger parties… Well, while I trust you to keep my safety as your priority,” never let it be said that an Imperial went anywhere without backup, “whether it is my calling, or my mother’s, I can assure you security will be provided.” It would most certainly be her mother’s doing. “So do not be alarmed if some rather interestingly armoured men showed up.”
[ Interestingly armoured men? ] The thought made Rik’s brows raise just a smidge; the extra security shouldn't be surprising, given just who she was, but his being subject to it, rather than, well, less interestingly armoured persons trying to gun him down as had been par for the course for most of the past decade? That was new. The thought made him bristle, within… but he’d cope. "You have my contact, now." He was bound to be just as alert if the invitation was more open on this upcoming event than the last one, at any rate. "Keep me updated."
[ Or get ahold of me for any other reason. ] He thought. He wouldn't mind that at. all.
Popping her lips after applying lipstick, Ivalyn gave her face a once over and then stepped off the stool. “It has been a pleasure, as mentioned, but I’m sure your rather mouth-watering desserts are awaiting you, and I must go and endure my family’s interrogations. Until we see each other again, be well and stay safe, Rik.”
“Happy Life Day, Ivalyn,” he replied, taking one last good look at her, “Until then.” He had to will himself to end the call, but even after the connection was severed, he still found himself staring at the screen where her face had been. Feeling just a little more out of his depth, and as maddeningly drawn to her.
He could already tell this was going to be a long, hard wait.
Ivalyn stepped out and around the partition in a beautiful emerald gown, and Cecil brought forward a high stool for her to sit on. The Imperial protocol droid carefully moved the partition away as Ivalyn continued to speak. “I have been wondering, however, if you would be ever so inclined to meet back on Naboo?”
Rik blinked, but kept himself from gawking. She really knew how to put on a look, and hell, if how that gown hung on her didn't make him nearly reconsider his response, “Wouldn't be my first choice,” he admitted; going back to Naboo so soon? He didn't see the appeal, even if the world in question was a beautiful one. All the beauty he was truly interested in right now was on the other end of this call. And his preferences favoured smaller gatherings.
Ivalyn sat in front of the mirror working on her hair; her astromech droid, Tav, brought her bag of makeup. She pressed further: “I hear there is to be something of a New Year’s celebration, my family can watch my nephew so that the two of us are able to have a little more time together.” Ivalyn set the bag on the sink’s counter.
Rik found the idea hard to say no to when she put it like that, when watching her get ready was a kind of light intimacy he hadn't even thought he’d encounter so soon. It was as damn sexy as the end result was bound to be, and mildly frustrating that it was all behind a screen, worlds away. He had to see her, whatever form that took. The start of a light smirk pulled at a corner of Rik's mouth, his own expression betraying the shift in his thoughts, “You drive a hard bargain, Miss Yvarro,” he said, “I would have you to myself for the entire evening, if I could.”
“Most excellent,” Ivalyn remarked in the most agreeable manner. Her attention turned to him finally, and she admitted he looked rather dashing even if he had only just stepped out before desserts were served. She studied him a moment or two, perhaps envisioning things she could do. “As for daddy dearest, that conversation can be had later on.” She was sure he’d learn more about Rik before she had an opportunity to have someone bring her his file.
Rik was glad she saw it the same way he did; that was a point in their mutual favour, common ground. There was a time for everything, and the subject of family in this case was… delicate, on both sides. He had to wonder how many more times he would ask himself what he was getting into, despite now knowing full well just what.
Ivalyn didn’t attempt to hide the smile on her face as she rummaged through her bag for lipstick and eyeliner. “I don’t want to keep you from what I assume is to be a delicious dessert, but I’ll send you details on where we can meet?” She squinted in the mirror making sure not to make a single mistake. “I’m still a little unsure as to who all will be there, but if this is to be one of the bigger parties… Well, while I trust you to keep my safety as your priority,” never let it be said that an Imperial went anywhere without backup, “whether it is my calling, or my mother’s, I can assure you security will be provided.” It would most certainly be her mother’s doing. “So do not be alarmed if some rather interestingly armoured men showed up.”
[ Interestingly armoured men? ] The thought made Rik’s brows raise just a smidge; the extra security shouldn't be surprising, given just who she was, but his being subject to it, rather than, well, less interestingly armoured persons trying to gun him down as had been par for the course for most of the past decade? That was new. The thought made him bristle, within… but he’d cope. "You have my contact, now." He was bound to be just as alert if the invitation was more open on this upcoming event than the last one, at any rate. "Keep me updated."
[ Or get ahold of me for any other reason. ] He thought. He wouldn't mind that at. all.
Popping her lips after applying lipstick, Ivalyn gave her face a once over and then stepped off the stool. “It has been a pleasure, as mentioned, but I’m sure your rather mouth-watering desserts are awaiting you, and I must go and endure my family’s interrogations. Until we see each other again, be well and stay safe, Rik.”
“Happy Life Day, Ivalyn,” he replied, taking one last good look at her, “Until then.” He had to will himself to end the call, but even after the connection was severed, he still found himself staring at the screen where her face had been. Feeling just a little more out of his depth, and as maddeningly drawn to her.
He could already tell this was going to be a long, hard wait.
