A Little Vacation

[Joza Perl]

Joza had been a part the Galactic Alliance for roughly six or seven weeks before finally giving in and contacting [member="Haytham Kaze"] via comlink. Though she had begun to settle in slowly, the Zeltron was still fresh out of her element and felt unsure about everything. She’d left Zeltros shortly after meeting the dark haired young man, and occasionally found her thoughts drifting back to him. It didn’t take long for her to realize that the last time she’d felt truly relaxed was the night she’d spent with him.

Throwing herself into her studies worked to distract her from her own loneliness and anxiety, but it would only last for so long. Her homesickness would creep up on her at night, making it difficult to sleep. She also found the amount of training she had to undergo daunting—at times she was content with it, but the next minute she found herself frustrated. Without the constant thick cloud of pheromones she’d grown up in, it was difficult for her to calm down.

Joza stood nervously at the transport hub on Bakura, trying to appear as relaxed as possible. She was failing pretty badly, switching between pacing awkwardly and twisting her fingers in her hair. It had been a while since she’d worn it down, usually keeping it up during her training. She was aware of the stereotype behind Zeltrons that was unfortunately true, so she tried hard to appear the opposite. A proper Padawan with her hair pulled back, robes worn not too loose and not too tight, secured in the proper fashion as to not reveal any inappropriate skin.

Today though, she wore a simple sundress. Nothing skimpy, conservative by Zeltron standards even. Still, she was nervous. Would he show up? Was it just a fling? It should have been, but she had definitely felt some sort of spark.

 

[Haytham Kaze]

Was Haytham waiting for [member="Joza Perl"] to contact him? Most likely. He had told her to do so whenever she had found the time, and he was certain he had been pretty good with all the other things they did that night to warrant a call. Right? Whilst he sat in the relatively full room of passengers. The transport ship was descending to the planet, and Haytham allowed his presence in the Force to be washed out by the minor signatures of life that belonged to those around him.

He felt something in his chest the closer the shuttle got to it's destination, but he knew there was nothing to be worried about. Right? They hadn't really spoken in depth between those times, other than to check in on each other, if that.

Remaining seated as the other people on the shuttle bustled out of the space, Haytham slowly rose to his feet, straightened out his black coat, made sure the edges of it were mere inches above his knees and covered the two lightsabres on his waist. In the small of his back as usual was the disruptor pistol, an extremely violent weapon by the standards of warfare. So far to be outlawed in the Galactic Republic long before he was born.

Once he stepped out into the sun, his grey eyes immediately tracked the one person he had traveled all that way for.

Joza Perl.

Walking forwards, he maintains that fairly bland look on his face for a brief moment as he registered her and what she was wearing, fairly surprised she wasn't in the typical attire of a Jedi, but who knew how the Galactic Alliance did things? And then he smiled brightly, the genuine nature of it evident in how it reached his eyes.

 

[Joza Perl]

As her eyes landed on [member="Haytham Kaze"], the young Zeltron broke into a nervous smile. He was…just as she had remembered. Which was a good thing. With all of the confusion and uncertainty that went into making the choice to leave home, it was comforting to have something familiar. Even if that something was a someone, and even if she hadn’t known that someone for that long.

When he was close enough, Joza was quick to envelop him into a hug. Perhaps a little too quick, underscored by how she almost tripped over her own feet while rushing forward. She would definitely seem out of place and awkward, especially compared to how she’d been on home planet. On Zeltros she knew how things worked, but as a Jedi in training she still had a lot to learn.

Pulling away slightly, she couldn’t even hide the red that dusted her cheeks. “Uhm…sorry. It’s just. I’m really glad to see you.” She tilted her head up to look at him, unable to keep the grin off of her face. Tucking a stray lock of red behind her ear, she prompted him. “How’ve you been? It’s been almost two months since Zeltros…”

 

[Haytham Kaze]

He kept walking towards her, and although he expected her to hug him, he had imagined she would've remained calm doing it. It was as if she were a different person, in some way. Well, he supposed she was a Jedi now, and he wasn't complaining about the hug either. A firm hand was placed in the small of her back and held her there as his face momentarily buried itself in her hair.

Breathing it in, a pout came to his face for a fraction of a second as she pulled away ever so slightly to apologize. Almost as soon as she stopped talking, he reassured her by saying, "No, it was a nice." His arms remained around her waist as he looked down upon her, those grey eyes of his searching hers.

"Yeah, you're right." He admitted. It had almost been two months but he wasn't sure how to approach the thing that was Joza Perl. At the time, he hadn't known what to say to contact her. He didn't want to be bland and boring. If meeting her for the first time was to go off of anything, it was saying that neither of them were bland and boring. Right?

"You're a Jedi now. I knew you would be busy, I didn't want to be a distraction."

He didn't know whether or not he was telling the truth or lying.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

A smile of genuine relief stretched across her face when he accepted her gesture, her emerald eyes gazing up at him for a few moments. Maybe it was her Zeltron nature, but being in his arms allowed her to relax for the first time in two months.

When he mentioned that she was a Jedi now, her smile fell into a thoughtful look. True that she was an apprentice, but she was still stumbling her way through and trying to make sense of this new world. She hardly felt like a Jedi at all.

“I’m still only a Padawan.” A soft smile slipped onto her face. “I haven’t done much other than study.” Did it bother her that she was inept? Of course it did, but she figured that it would pass as she learned more. Studying holocrons and learning the Jedi Code was beginning to get old, but it was necessary.

“How about you?” One of her hands moved to caress the side of his face for a moment before slipping up into his dark hair. “What have you been up to?”

[member="Haytham Kaze"]

 

[Haytham Kaze]

Haytham held her firmly for a few moments as they stared into each other's eyes. What should he say, he hadn't thought of what she could possibly ask him. That usually wasn't like him, he liked to be prepared, to have answers right away. But not with Joza Perl.

"All I did was use my lightsabre," he said, suddenly feeling as if his left hand required that hilt in his hand again. There was no danger, but it had been a while since he had actually used it in a life or death situation. Specifically on an Underground Space Station near some nebula against his current... Mentor of sorts.

"I've been on a resort at Bespin. It's called Cloud Nine, my current... Mentor lives there."

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

“Bespin…” she repeated the name of the planet thoughtfully, letting her fingers weave through his hair and brush it away from his eyes in an affectionate gesture. She recalled that he’d mentioned it the last time they were together, how he was going to head there in search of a teacher. “You’ve found your master then? The one you mentioned.”

She smiled softly, though in the back of her mind she wondered what sort of training he was receiving. Her training with the force was limited at this point, but she could still establish a brief emotional connection thanks to her race. She didn’t sense anything negative, at least not at the surface. Right now, that was good enough for her.

Her hand dropped from his hair, running down the length of his arm. “I…missed you, Haytham.” She confessed with a sheepish smile. “The past two months have been a little difficult. I didn’t think I’d miss home this much…” For all her talk of wanting to leave, she never expected to experience homesickness like this.

[member="Haytham Kaze"]

 

[Haytham Kaze]

The grey eyes that belonged to Haytham looked into her emerald ones with curiosity. What was she going to ask him now? He looked into her eyes intently, as if he were going to find an answer in those orbs. When she spoke of his Master, he nodded his head and said, "Yes. My Master." He was surprised he had said it so smoothly, what with one of the first things they did was fight and then Orcus shooting him.

It was no matter, he had lived long enough to meet [member="Joza Perl"].

Haytham continued to look at her. "I... missed you too." He said, a slight tinge of sadness in his words as he searched those eyes of hers. He wrenched his gaze away from her reluctantly as he looked about the shuttle pad. It was already empty, people moved quickly on Bakura then. "I am glad you can tie me to pleasant thoughts." He said, that grey gaze of his seeming amused, along with the curve of his lips, hinting at a private secret between the both of them.

"Do you have somewhere for us to go?"

 

[Joza Perl]

She was glad to hear that he’d missed her as well, her smile reaching her eyes for the first time in weeks. Even after only a few minutes of being with him, she could feel the tension melt away from her body. Still, she could sense the hint of sadness in his words, tilting her head with curiosity when he tore his eyes from her. She followed his gaze only to find the same thing, a brief wave of embarrassment washing over her.

His words brought her focus back onto him, a soft smile coming to her lips. “Of course,” She responded, a brief laugh riding on her words. “We only have pleasant memories together, right?” And she wanted to make more of them, hence meeting him here. She’d actually done her research on the planet, choosing a meeting point further away from the capital and closer to the lush landscape of the countryside.

“We’re only a short walk away from Telaan Valley. I thought we could spend some time together there, catch up…” Her words hung in the air as she unwillingly pulled away from him. Her hand slid along his arm and down to grasp his wrist as she tilted her head toward the exit.

[member="Haytham Kaze"]

 

[Haytham Kaze]

Haytham's hand cupped her cheek, his thumb traced a line over her cheek as his middle and index finger pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. From there, he held her face in his hand and searched her eyes again. "Yeah, it warms me inside that we only have pleasant memories together," he said with another genuine smile.

He remains silent for a moment as he let Joza speak. Of course she had a plan right? You didn't invite someone somewhere and then have no clue as to what to do of course. At least, not a lover anyway. Haytham never did have lots of friends to boast being able to invite to his home before leaving and becoming a Jedi.

"Lead the way," he said, but he didn't seem to release her just yet as he pulled her face towards him and captured her lips in a deep kiss. Allowing it to last a few moments, he reluctantly pulled away and said, "Lead the way."

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza moved to pull away with the intention of dragging [member="Haytham Kaze"] towards the valley, but paused when she felt him pull her back toward him. His lips found her own in a sudden kiss, her heart fluttering with adrenaline before she closed her eyes and leaned in. Regrettably, the kiss broke after only a few moments. She pouted for a moment, but the smile soon returned to her face. There’d be more time for that later, she figured.

Twining her fingers in his, she eagerly led him off of the shuttle pad and out onto the planet’s open surface. As the fresh hair hit her face she inhaled deeply, reveling in breathing in clean air for the first time in several months. The surface of Sullust was harsh, so the purer air of Bakura was a welcome change.

She led him down a man-made path into the valley, lush with greenery and a small stream winding through it. “I’ve read about this place before. It’s supposedly good for meditation, but I figured it would be good for us, too.” She tilted her head back to smile at him, attempting to feel his emotions with her empathetic abilities. “Have you been well?” She ventured, the tinge of sadness in his voice not forgotten.

[member="Haytham Kaze"]

 

[Haytham Kaze]

When she started to lead the way off to the apparent valley, Haytham let her lead the way easily enough. He had no idea where they were going, he had never been to Bakura before. Of course he had heard the name before, he had even gone as far as to skim read the general description of the planet, but he didn't particularly read about any sights. He wanted to keep whatever [member="Joza Perl"] had in mind a surprise.

Smelling the fresh air of Bakura definitely lightened his mood. Being on a shuttle that was to the point of cramped with a bunch of strangers and the natural scent of numerous different species certainly made you appreciate things as simple as fresh air.

"For us too?" He questions with an innocent look on his face. "Why's that?" His features hinted at nothing and truly seemed ignorant.

"I've been... Content, though I believe my well being has become immeasurable when I'm with you."

 

[Joza Perl]

For now, Joza felt as if she were in a dream world. It didn’t matter if she hadn’t known [member="Haytham Kaze"] for that long, she was infatuated with him. Although she was slowly adjusting to her new confusing life on Sullust, he was like a light in the dark. And even if they could only meet like this for a short while at a time, she would try and make the most of it. Joza wouldn’t let the thought of something going wrong between them cross her mind. She needed this.

She led him deeper into the valley, finally coming to a halt at the edge of a grass hill near the stream. A cluster of mountains could be seen in the distance, jutting outwards with snow-capped peaks that sparkled in the sunlight. Brightly colored wildflowers flowers grew along the riverbanks and dotted the hills around them. “I…” She trailed, looking over to him with a smile. “I just was to be near you.” She admitted, rubbing her thumb along his hand gently.

“Tell me more about yourself, Haytham.” She turned toward him fully now with earnest eyes. “What’s your family like? Why’d you leave home?” She knew that he’d grown up on Dromund Kaas, but not much beyond that.

 

[Haytham Kaze]

She led him along the way. He remained silent for the most part, he didn't know what to say to her. All he could do was admire her in that sundress of hers. It was much different from the outfit she had had on when they had met on Zeltros. After following behind her for long enough, he was certain that he preferred the change of wardrobe.

When he felt the rubbing on his knuckle, his own thumb raised and caught her own, pulling her back to him just as they arrived to the place [member="Joza Perl"] had found for them. Placing a hand on the small of her back, he held her close as he looked about the area over her shoulder. "Is this near enough?" He whispered against her ear.

He contemplated the questions, how was he supposed to put it?

"They were like any other family I guess. Caring, proud. Sometimes they were strict, other times they were lax." He shrugs his shoulders as he thought back. He hadn't really thought of his parents after he had left Dromund Kaas. They were important yes, but that tied into why he had left home. The Galaxy was more important to him.

"I left home because I wanted to leave. It was boring there and the Galaxy was in a state of war. Years before the One Sith, it was the Sith Empire as I'm sure you remember fighting the Mandalorians and the Galactic Republic." He smiles as he looks her in the eyes. "I left because I wanted to put an end to these pointless wars. So that no one else would have to leave their families and homes behind because of different points of view."

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza leaned her head on Haytham’s shoulder, letting her eyes fall closed for a few moments before planting a soft kiss on his neck. It felt nice to be in his arms like this again, just the two of them. She shoved her negative thoughts aside, anxiety vanishing for the first time in months as she drank in everything about the current situation. Unbeknownst to her, she began to release more of her natural pheromones in her state of great relaxation.

She didn’t push, giving him time to think over her questions and not wanting to rush him in the least. She actually enjoyed the peaceful silence between them. She pulled her head up from his shoulder when he began to speak, fixing him with a curious gaze. His family life was fairly standard, no surprises there. But her brows slowly knit in a mix of confusion and contemplation at his reasons for leaving home. She could understand being bored with life and wanting excitement…she was sort of in the same boat.

“How…how do you plan to end all wars?” Her voice held notes of skepticism, but it was an innocent question.

[member="Haytham Kaze"]

 

[Haytham Kaze]

Haytham hums softly as he seemingly bathes in her presence. He felt relaxed with her. Were her pheromones being used on purpose? He didn't know, she didn't really seem the manipulative type by using her pheromones to get answers from people.

When she lifted her head from his shoulders, his grey eyes turned to look at her, the eye contact being made as soon as he was able to. He tilts his head to the side as she asked the question. How was he supposed to end all wars? For that to truly happen one would have to destroy both the Jedi and the Sith, to erase the existence of concepts of the light and dark side of the Force.

"It's an on going process. I'm still learning."

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza peered into his eyes, remaining silent for a few moments as she read both his body language and his emotions to the best of her ability. Finally she nodded slowly, unable to sense any animosity about him. Maybe it was the pheromones that were relaxing the both of them, something she had only now become vaguely aware of. If she was relaxed enough to release them without even giving it much thought, it was a good thing.

She still had questions, but this wasn’t a lecture. Now wasn’t the time to pick his brain about his motives, as much as she wondered about them. Hell, she still wondered about her own. She’d left Zeltros for selfish reasons, but the more she learned about the Jedi the more she realized that they dedicated their lives to the protection of the Galaxy. Inhaling the crisp Bakura air slowly, she pushed those thoughts to the corner of her mind for now. She would focus on their short time together.

“I’m still learning too. Why didn’t you tell me that being a Jedi would involve so much theory?” She joked, her tone light and airy as she reached up to brush some of the dark hair from his eyes. “I like it though. Even though I’m still a novice, it’s refreshing to do something different with my life.” Joza continued to run her hands through his hair, a slow smile coming onto her face as she did so. “I…wish you could be a bigger part of it though.”

[member="Haytham Kaze"]

 

[Haytham Kaze]

Haytham rolls his shoulders as they stand within each other's arms for a while in silence after his short answer. If you could even call it an answer, it was more or less him dodging the question. But he was thankful she didn't notice that. To his old Master, the one that had been decapitated on the space station by his new mentor Darth Orcus, he had voiced to her that the only way to end these wars was to destroy both the Jedi and the Sith.

The young ebony haired human felt as if the light side wasn't the place for him. At least, not at this point in his life. He sought to know more about the Force. Both sides of it, if it really did have more than one side.

The boy remained silent as he thought up an answer. "I usually just played with my lightsabre," he let her decide how she would take that. Rolling his shoulders back, he grasped a clump of her sundress in the small of her back when she spoke her last words.

"...So do I," he said softly. "But we both have different paths. Like today, they'll intersect with each other again and we'll grow that much closer." He whispers against her ear, the exhalation of his words on her neck heated. "I'm sure it makes for it to be much more... Interesting that way." He said. He saw the pros and cons of both sides of the situation. He wanted to be with her all the time, but he needed to be alone.

He just didn't want to sound cold in saying it.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

The more he spoke, the more Joza slowly began to harbor suspicions. She didn’t want to, hell she tried to push them to the corner of her mind, but her own natural anxiety and curiosity wouldn’t let those thoughts disappear completely.

She bit her lip, shifting her eyes over his shoulder and toward the beautiful mountain range in the distance for a few moments. Silence fell between them before she pulled away, moving back slightly. Her hands slid from his shoulders down to his arms, still intent on maintaining contact. “When our paths do intersect again…I wonder on what sort of terms they will.” There was a tinge of worry in her voice, small but detectable.

She seemed to hesitate before moving closer, back into his arms and tilting her head so that her lips were a hair’s breadth away from his ear. “I don’t like secrets.” She muttered, one of her hands moving away from his arm and down, reaching beneath his jacket and deliberately ghosting her fingers along the lightsaber hilt that hung at his waist. “Would you kill me if you had to?” Her voice was soft, earnest.

[member="Haytham Kaze"]

 

[Haytham Kaze]

When she looked over his shoulder to the mountain range in the distance, he was almost forced to look back up the path that they had taken to get to that small clearing that she had undoubtedly found earlier. Remaining silent after he spoke, he wasn't sure what she wanted him to say. What he wanted, was to make her happy in that instant. It didn't matter what he thought, it didn't matter what Vassara Raxis thought, if she was indeed watching like she had said months ago on Ilum.

All that mattered to him in that instant -- no, that entire day -- was [member="Joza Perl"].

"No." He said, blinking as he shook his head, their heads brushed together due to their proximity and he reached down to her hand and pulled it away from his lightsabre. "Don't ask me a question like that." His other hand tightened and clenched at an angle she wasn't able to see thankfully, though a feeling of uncertainty rolled off of his presence for the next few moments as he tried to think.

"Why are you asking me this?"