Above The Clouds

[Arekk]

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The Outlander Club, Uscru District, Coruscant​

"Love is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

​

Home.

The scent of cigarra inside of the establishment was suffocating enough and combined with the loud patronage enjoying way too many drinks made Ar'ekk feel like he had never left this planet at all. Little did he know that a job would take him once more back to his homeworld that he very swore to never return to but that's just how life strangely worked, you never got what you asked for.

If there's anything you can choose is how you feel and certainly the aliens spread through the sabacc table couldn't do that at all as they saw their life savings being taken away by one very smart human slicer such as yours truly. Green sylop here and a powerful deck of carrs over there had him amassing a big fortune of sorts, good enough to buy anything or anyone in this city. Playing was just a pleasure for him, not business.

Enjoying taking other people's money was his drive, nothing more, besides attracting a handful of people over to his table while continuing to win at impossible odds.

"Are you sure you wanna make that move, Kehl?" He mused with a big cocky smile, rocking back on his chair with a glass of Savareen brandy on his hand and a cigarette to accompany his poison. "We all know how this ends."

Cards revealed on the table and another win for Ar'ekk. Impressive to say the least.

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[Tava Del Nove]

The Outlander Club, Uscru District, Coruscant​

• [member="Arekk"] •​

Whispers in the ear, jewelry tinkling at the curl of warm breath. The hand at her back was steady, smooth as it had never done three days worth of work in a shift. His nails were as manicured as hers, save the lacquer and length. They were dirty in a different way though. A way that paid very well. As an aristocrat, Tava could bet her life's savings that those hands had been in as many pockets as her own.

"Rollen, could you?" A single, ring adorned finger pointed towards the bar to punctuate her request.

As if attempting to take a piece of her with him, Rollen's fingers lingered and pulled at the gauzy black fabric of her dress. It was to no avail and as luck would have it, the dark headed vixen disappeared among the patrons. Smoke plumed in her wake and in the air, hanging against the soft gold lighting in the rafters.

The atmosphere offered a cover and Tava took it, retrieving a small handheld device from unknown confines. Upon Rollen's order and payment, came a direct link to his account. A ghost, a flicker of a smile appeared and was no sooner gone when the man reappeared. So too, did the device. "Sabacc?" he whispered, snagging her by the elbow.

Music to a gambler's ears.

"Pick a table," Tava retorted huskily, seemingly uninterested, but those pretty eyes sparkled with mischief.

 

[Arekk]

The Outlander Club, Uscru District, Coruscant​

"Love is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

​

"Read them and weep, boys!" The slicer said loudly and arrogantly, amassing his fortune on his side of the table while drinking from his glass. "Thank you for playing. Who's next?"

A thick cloud of smoke blew from his nostrils while he scanned the several individuals scattered on the table, reading their body language and analyzing their every movement with a very peculiar precision. Having lived and brushed shoulders with many underworld figures you tend to pick up a few habits on the go, begin to learn everyone's small gestures and gimmicks that end up giving you an upperhand on any situation possible.

Tugging his leather jacket, Ar'ekk leaned forward and began to shuffle the deck of cards while waiting for the opponents to shuffle between seats. He was tonight's attraction sort of speak and many people came up to him to shake his hand personally, being recognized as "The Champion of the Kajidii" from Nar Shaddaa. Once a crime lord and kingpin of the Smugglers' Moon Entertainment District, the former-Jedi turned slicer still held a reputation worthy of respecting.

"Can I get a refill, sweetheart?" The man governed a very cute Twi'lek bartender's ear while handing her his glass of Savareen brandy, tucking the cigarette inbetween his dry lips.

Two seats were open for anyone to take and with that out of the way the game would start right away.

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[Tava Del Nove]

The Outlander Club | Uscru District | Coruscant​

• [member="Arekk"] •​

Glass clinked and the further one got to the Sabacc tables, the thicker the smell of cigarra smoke and various amounts of poisons. It was indicative to the dens, whether they were of the high rise sort or nestled in the hives of villainy. It was as if it followed the suits, the credits. Perhaps the make-up of gambling merely called for those ingredients. It certainly seemed so.

Multi-faceted dark hair gleamed under the brighter lighting surrounding that particular area, fashioned in large, winsome waves that framed her face. Savory dips and nods were given in passing, noting all the details in her innocent act of pleasantries, that tourists usually avoided. Scarcely, but beautifully adorned hands were wrapped up in the man's arm as he toted them to a table.

The obvious interest being the movement and attention gathered there. Tava supposed it drew the aristocrat in and a small part of her became curious as well. Her height, even in stiletto heels made the feat near impossible by her lonesome. Instead of detaching from Rollen, the slighter woman curled in as to avoid the oncoming traffic- which, in turn caused her company to move, clearing a path to the attraction.

"This will do just fine," the man paused, glancing down with a chagrin, "Lara?" It really had not been a question, but more a statement of his decision. That decision lead them to another man donning a leather coat with a small throng of people surrounding him. Large coal-line eyes widened, then narrowed in their pursuit to not the empty seat, but the attraction himself.

Tava swallowed, her heart nearly stopping.

"Perhaps we should sit, before the spot is unavailable," the lady said suddenly, attempting to coax Rollen in a different direction. He was having none of it and like a bee drawn to honey, he continued on the path to greet the celebrity. "Would you be a doll?" Shooting her a playful grin momentarily, he let go of her elbow to free the woman.

The request did not have to be repeated and the femme outlaw wove through the patrons to slide into one of the open seats around the table, near the same time Rollen's hand found that of Ar'ekk's.

 

[Arekk]

The Outlander Club, Uscru District, Coruscant​

"Love is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

​

"How was I supposed to know she was a Sith? I thought she loved me."

The crowd of aliens erupted in laughter after the slicer told one of his many intricate stories of the past, various jobs and locations he had traveled to and encountered who-knows-what that was worthy of conversation and storytelling such as this occasion. He had this enchanting charisma that just never seemed to fade and a way of speaking that just kept you captivated for hours.

Like many others during that evening, Rollen reached out politely to shake hands with Ar'ekk which he responded with the same respect that you would give to any new acquaintance. His grip was tight and straightforward, eyes making contact and bopping his head positively. Everyone you encounter has the possibility to make you money or destroy you, so always be polite was what he was told once in a time.

Tava had taken one of the seats at the table but the former Jedi turned slicer hadn't noticed her sitting there just yet given he was giving his full undivided attention to her companion that evening, plus the brandy didn't help at all at making him focus on too many things at once.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ar'ekk."

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[Tava Del Nove]

The Outlander Club | Uscru District | Coruscant​

• [member="Arekk"] •​

"Rollen Tarven," the CEO of Coruscant Bank nodded cordially after shaking hands. It was a few more minutes before he would make his way to the still empty seat.

The stories of his travels fascinated the slicer, but Tava's face held nothing notable acknowledging it. In fact, the lass made it a point to direct her gaze to the band, diminutive frame facing away from the table. She was glad for the years in the business and the ability to train her face, to focus. He is not the same person, Del Nove reminded herself, nearly chiding. Laughter still reigned around her.

"Lara..."

For a moment, the music had drew and whisked her to another place, another time. The name being called fell to deaf ears and simply did not register. When it was spoke again, the voice was closer and tickled the stray wisps of hair near the nape of her neck, snapping her back to the Sabacc table. "Lara."

After blinking a few times, Tava canted her head to where the sound came from. She met Rollen's sharp gaze immediately and offered her most apologetic smile. "The song," led on the dark haired woman, "it's my favorite." A lie never fell so smoothly. His pale eyes flickered to the rest of the players.


Apparently, it was not only Rollen that wanted her attention.

"Are you in?"

A short shake of her head was given and Tava rose from her seat and ran her palms down the length of her black dress to smooth the wrinkles, "Just observing." Another slipped in, stealing the warmth left upon the cushion while she flagged a passing waitress, "Chut chut, whiskey neat, double." The twil'lek nodded with a smile, dropping Ar'ekk's order before disappearing among the crowd.

 

[Arekk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFDPhYdbxc0​

​

The Outlander Club, Uscru District, Coruscant​

"Love is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

​

"Glad that you could join us for a game of Sabacc, Mr. Tarven."

The former Jedi's eyes fell on the CEO's companion for that evening, Lara, she seemed to call her and she did not seem to quite register that at first which made him giggle lightly. There was something about her that he couldn't quite pinpoint exactly what it was, a tingling sensation in his head that tried to scream at him it wasn't just anyone.

Crossed paths before, maybe? It was a possibility but Ar'ekk had lost count of how many people became acquainted with his persona over the years, she could be anyone. But she wasn't.

"Thank you." He thanked the gorgeous Twi'lek bartender after reaching for his glass of whiskey and sipping, leaving it on the table afterwards. "Are we ready to play?"

A shuffle of the deck later and with the cards already dealt out for the players, everyone began to ponder their next move carefully. The slicer himself had a card under his sleeve, literally, that would give him the upperhand in this game again. There was no way he could lose to the CEO of Coruscant Bank himself, sometimes one could be as smart as the big fish on the ocean.

"A Speeder Bike Built for Two by Master-Com. Good song."

His cheeky smile could warm the coldest of hearts and the one sent Tava's direction wasn't the exception that evening.

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[Tava Del Nove]

The Outlander Club | Uscru District | Coruscant​

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• [member="Arekk"] •​

Counting cards.

Bad habits die hard. This one never could help it though and her sienna pools moved from each hand as the cards were shuffled and dispersed. Counting. All from just behind the wide shoulders of the CEO. They followed each alien, but more often than not, they cast over the celebrity. She would appear a fan if caught and it was all just as well.

Tava was no stranger to Nar Shaddaa and his spotlight. It was...he was hard to ignore for a time. She near sighed at the thought. Silly girl. Crossing her arms about her waist, one hand was left palm up as if knowing the waitress would drop it there and just moments after. The glass twirled slowly until it was decided to take a pull of the amber poison. Which was about when Ar'ekk glanced her way with no real hint at recognition.

Liquid fire climbed down her throat until the tumbler was empty, taking with it any reaction the slicer-gambler may have had to being forgotten.

"Refill..?"- "A Speeder Bike Built for Two by Master-Com. Good song."

Dark eyes flashed over the lip of glass before she lowered it to the passing waitress with a nod, jewel colors reflecting off the lights from her hand. He smiled and Del Nov, ever in character mode, offered a bright one in return. "I would wager it their best," she responded, saccharine voice carrying over the bustle of the table.

 

[Arekk]

The Outlander Club, Uscru District, Coruscant​

"Love is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

​

"One-hit wonder, actually. But yes, their very best."

Dry lips puffed from the cigarette and a thick cloud of smoke emanated from his mouth to dissipate into thin air, creating a small mist on the sabacc table they were sitting. Juggling between his death stick and a fine glass of whiskey, Ar'ekk couldn't help but ooze the confidence of the smoothest man on the galaxy only comparable to ancient legends such as Lando Calrissian himself.

Three large chips were thrown into the big pot as part of his bet, confident that the next reveal of cards would signify another win for tonight's game and probably the last after hours spent sitting inside this no good establishment full of degenerate gamblers and drunkards.

"Moment of truth, my friends." Eyes gleaned down to his winning cards, feeling the itch to reveal the killer combination to his opponents. "You can go first."

Another smile found its way to Tava, this time even more notorious than before that sent all sorts of mixed signals. Not too bright to flirt with Coruscant Bank's CEO companion for the evening but he couldn't help it at all.

"Here you go, my friends. Thank you for coming." The enchanting slicer-gambler reveal his cards and with that a perfect winning combination of Sabacc, nothing could top that. "Let me buy you a drink before you go."

To him, it was just another win unless something went terribly wrong...

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[Tava Del Nove]

The Outlander Club | Uscru District | Coruscant​

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• [member="Arekk"] •​

"I knew some producers for a time..." she went on, voice trailing off with the clatter of credits. There were others and covers, but the slicer said nothing. It was simply not notable enough to do so. A single hand draped over her companion-for-the-night's, swiping a thumb under the likes of his chin. Tava's molten pools though, they were reserved for Ar'ekk.

A little bit'o heat, fervor.

It was all just as well that he didn't remember her. For now.

The smile that crept up on her painted crimson pout was a dark one, easy to be taken as mischievous. Even more so when a dark brow arched in the flavor of a challenge, rather than curiosity. Del Nove had the upper hand here, but like most things in the life of a criminal, it could all change in a bat of a lash. Still, she trained those intense eyes upon the night's attraction-- knowing the outcome of this game just as well as him. This one was confident too.

Groans filled the table, sighs, and Tava leaned during the commotion. Because the woman was sleeveless and without purse, not a soul realized when she swiped two from the place of play. At around the same time, Rollen stepped away and cued his absence with a single digit held up. The woman made a motion that made it appear as if she were tucking a strand of hair back.

Data received. Transaction complete.

Internally sighing relief and obtaining the second drink made for a pretty good night thus far. Could it get more interesting? Tava waited for the CEO to return and excuse his absence for the night. After all, the bank's system had been breached. She offered the man a persuasively sad smile before saying farewell. "Same time, next week then?"

"Always, Lara. I look forward to it. Also, nice to meet you, Ar'ekk," Rollen smiled tightly, sizing the gambler up before fluidly making his way to the exit.

Timing. Impeccable. Timing.

With soft clicks of stilettos across the Den floor, the Coruscanti was brought just a step or two shy from the man of the hour. Those chips she borrowed? They fell into his lap and Tava took the distraction to lean in dangerously close to his mouth in a whisper, "Cheeska."

She could have outted him before this and she didn't. Why?

"How about that drink?"

 

[Arekk]

The Outlander Club, Uscru District, Coruscant​

"Love is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

​

"Maybe."

Cheeska was Huttese for cheater and that described him from head to toes perfectly, that very same word resonated in his head after hearing it countless of times during his childhood from a very close friend. She couldn't be that person, right? It's been years and everyone he once knew was dead, there was no way anybody made it out of that gutter alive without knowing someone.

Ar'ekk continued to have doubts that would hopefully clear up with a strong glass of whiskey and a cigarette.

"What's your poison?" The former Jedi turned slicer and gambler offered Tava his arm, walking toward the bar where a Rodian bartender waited to take their order. "Pick anything. It's on me."

Patting down the red stool next to his, the man invited Tava to sit down with him and enjoy a delicious alcoholic beverage for a wonderful evening stealing people's life savings in sabacc. To him it was just another night of self enjoyment, gambling his money away was nothing, enjoying a drink with a beautiful girl such as her was more than enough to keep him from leaving.

"Clever girl, I must say. You've got a keen eye, Lara."

Foolish, open your eyes and see beyond to realize who's sitting before you. What else do you need to know?

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[Tava Del Nove]

The Outlander Club | Uscru District | Coruscant​

• @Arekk •​

​

​

Taken by...

...the sky.​

​

To his maybe, the femme gambler responded with a faint tug of her lips. Many things passed through her mind while at such a close...proximity. You initiated it, silly girl. Leather, liquor, and smoke filled her nostrils and Tava drew in the heady mixture as if the concoction was a drug on it's own. Once upon a time, it had been. Not much else mattered then, save survival.

Upon meeting his eyes at a better level, the woman dipped into her resolve.

"Whyren's Reserve," replied Tava as if there could even be another answer. Moving to the dark haired man's left instead of his right that he offered, a naked arm snaked about his. Cybernetics could be tricky things and the last thing the lass needed was interference of her com. Little time transpired from the Sabacc table to the bar and upon arriving she polished off the remainder of her previous drink. It came to the top in a soft clatter of glass and wood.

When freshly filled amber poison was set before her, Tava commented, "I've seen a fair few cheeska in my time." She smiled genuinely, but into the glass of Reserve before liquid heat spilled down her throat. With a satisfied sigh, "What brings you back around these parts...Ar'ekk?"

 

[Arekk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH1PxigLY7E​

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The Outlander Club, Uscru District, Coruscant​

"Love is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

​

"Back?" He countered while beaming half a smile, making his inquiry even more obvious. "How do you know?"

That was the confirmation, everything Ar'ekk needed to fully realize that it was the same girl he grew up with in the underbelly of this very same planet. Years had passed and the two of them lost contact, going in complete different paths to only meet up once again in the sample place that split them apart. Talk about destiny or maybe just a coincidence, who would've thought?

"Do we know each other?"

A sip from his Savareen brandy made his heart flutter with increased innuendo, almost failing to put his nerves and slight confusion to rest. The slicer had trouble keeping his thoughts collected and his memories flourished in the blink of an eye, making it harder to focus. How could he not realize that it was her all along but years into the future?

"Or maybe I'm just imagining things."

It had to be her. Please, be real.

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[Tava Del Nove]

The Outlander Club | Uscru District | Coruscant​

• [member="Arekk"] •​

Lie...you should lie. Tava wasn't sure if it were her thoughts or her com... she suddenly wasn't sure about anything. Big brown eyes stared at him over the glass rim, its contents shimmering under the gold glow of lights. It offered reprieve without being rude. Besides, her mouth could barely work at the moment, words not forming...never mind her voice.

The scene was very much caught in headlights.

Tava really thought she had more time to figure this out. It had been hopeful... A part of the Del Nove felt happy. Happy that he remembered and the other- the brunette sighed into the Reserve before pulling it away to speak- had wept a little for it. Do we know eachother? The slicer couldn't help but wince and this time she couldn't use the alcohol for cover.

Lie, Tava. Lie.

It was like being hurt all over again and she gave a nod to the Rodian. She wanted to speak, she did. Currently though, she would croak and sound a frog. So instead, the woman leaned and dipped a mere two fingers within the confines of his jacket, pilfering a cigarra and settling it between her lips. The small gesture should have been answer enough, but Tava spoke anyway, "It was a long time ago."

There you go. Feck.

 

[Arekk]

The Outlander Club, Uscru District, Coruscant​

"Love is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

​

"Tava."

She looked as beautiful as she did back then, the way the girl carried herself made him go through countless memories of both hustling the many Coruscant hustlers and walking away with so much money and jewelry that they began to believe there was a chance to leave the damned underworld together off in some adventure.

Different times, innocent ones.

Reaching inside his jacket, Ar'ekk retrieved a black lighter and ignited the tip of Tava's cigarra while doing the same with his own. He felt the urge to just hug her right there and then without care but to keep up appearances it was better not to, at least not yet. The dorky smile on his face would be good enough for the time being.

"I knew it was you. How could I forget you?"

Melting was an option for both. It was that good.

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[Tava Del Nove]

The Outlander Club | Uscru District | Coruscant​

• [member="Arekk"] •​

There were...so many times the girl (that no longer was) pictured this moment. Dreamed it. But here she was with him in the flesh. It didn't seem real and nothing at all like she pictured. The moment came and passed when Tava thought she was going to faint. However, her hand came up pressing to his lips just scant seconds after he said her name. A delayed reaction and it dropped almost as soon as it came.

Memories flickered past and Tava heaved a sigh she'd been holding.

Ar'ekk smiled and in that heartbeat, the criminal couldn't help but mirror it, letting it touch her eyes.

Yes, how could you, the slicer thought at the same time inhaling a cloud of smoke. But, she said something else instead, "I forget myself sometimes... habit." Del Nove wanted to be mad, truly and blissfully mad. The lady laughed instead and it felt good. Been a long time since it felt good and not forced.

Still, appearances sake.

 

[Arekk]

The Outlander Club, Uscru District, Coruscant​

"Love is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

​

"Sorry."

His hand stroked her own gently as her fingertips touched his dry lips, lingering on her brown pearls for a moment before looking away with another grin surfacing on his face. Tava had no idea of how many nights were spent remembering the good and bad times spent together, the what ifs both had left Coruscant together and how different life could be for the two of them.

Yet here they were. Back at "home" and enjoying the simple things in life, just like the old days. Deep inside remained the teenagers that once crossed paths and stuck together like glue.

"Is that so?" He inquired once more but this time with a much more neutral tone to his voice, almost feeling awful about not recognizing her at first. "But I see you now and I know who you are."

Their reunion was like everything he envisioned in his mind except it involved a much more energetic salute in a less awful place like this cantina. Even if it didn't go that way he felt complete elation to see her again after too long. Alive.

With him.

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[Tava Del Nove]

The Outlander Club | Uscru District | Coruscant​

​

• [member="Arekk"] •​

"No, it's... fine," she said and savored a taste of whiskey. Life was very different now and she took that time to study his face, "Really, Ar'ekk. We were...so young." Tava left off innocence, because even then they had seen things, done things. Oh, but it all paled in comparison to the last...near decade and a half. There was so much she wanted to tell him...

The native stared, sienna pools shifting to take all of him in. "You look good, darling." There it was, the natural playfulness he was able to pull out of her.

Fact was, he knew her. The old her and yet, it was better than any intel anyone else had on her. She had done things though, after he left Coruscant and her, to survive. A great many things Tava Del Nove was not proud of and that was one of the few things she had: pride. The woman before him survived, but at what cost? Ar'ekk had shielded her even in the slums, protected her. From herself mostly. Then...he was gone.

Tava was lost and for a long time.

Now...he was here and all she really wanted to do was cling to the man. To see if he was real, to make him stay.

 

[Arekk]

The Outlander Club, Uscru District, Coruscant​

"Love is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope."
——————————————————————​

[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

​

"Aren't we still?"

A lot of things were left off but the two of them were still alive and kicking, deep inside the kids that they once were remained even if that fake facade of being tough people with ill intentions surfaced most of the time. He could see it on Tava and viceversa, it wasn't late. But they had to catch up on an awful lot, go through countless of stories and revive much more happier times.

Taking a sip from his brandy and grimacing at its sour taste, Ar'ekk concealed that signature cheeky smile of his. "You still make my heart race when I see you."

Leaving her behind wasn't something that the slicer slash gambler had in his plans as he was offered a one in lifetime opportunity out of the gutter but that came to a greater cost. His foster family stayed and succumbed to the local crime lords and most of all couldn't not bring Tava with him even if he wanted. I will show you the ways of the Jedi.

The cost was too great and once he realized that years into the future it was already too late. He had the girl's back back then and she had it now as well, regardless of who she had become or did for a living.

One thing was certain. Ar'ekk would not leave her side by any means necessary, not now or ever but they could not stay in Coruscant. Painful memories layed here that he buried long ago. That was the only price.

"You're still staying in Coruscant?"

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[Tava Del Nove]

He left you, Tava. Might as well left you to die, came over the tiny com piece in her ear.

For a moment her lightly dusted lids covered her eyes. It could have been from the voice of her teammate or from the sudden reality of it hitting her at once. Tava took a handful more, only opening them after the next line of intel was fed to her, Security on your six. Bank security. If she were to sigh and stand to scram it would look bad. She casually lifted the drink, his drink and polished those contents. Though the classy lass said nothing, she was crossing her fingers. Del Nove never drank his brandy. Never. Except as a hint.

They needed to go and yesterday.

Get out of there, followed by a string of curses from Boon. They don't know your face yet, go.

"And you'll never believe where..." just by looking at her and listening, someone would be hard pressed at guessing Tava was stressed. A single digit circled the rim of his empty tumbler. Please remember, [member="Arekk"]

Just leave him.

Obviously she couldn't answer back, not yet. Lest she wanted everything to be for naught.