Above The Clouds

[Arekk]

Coruscant, Tava's Apartment, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"We could have dinner tonight, if you want. It'd be a nice thing for a change."

A mouthful bite found its way into the loaf of bread loaded with cheese that melted from all sides and his crystal clear sounds of delight were more than enough to tell that he was definitely enjoying breakfast as one should. He gave Tava another smile in return before eventually turning his gaze to inspect the apartment aimlessly, seeming lost in thought for a short period.

Could be, if that's what she wanted.

"Definitely. That guy's a food magician or something, really." Ar'ekk looked down at his plate for a second at the mention of Lithios, aware of the obvious by the time the slicer girl countered with her question. "I don't know, we will see. It's a lot more rainy than here."

Thankfully, their silence was more than comfortable to bear it and not feel awkward when something like that happened as they've been accustomed to each other for years now and nothing could faze them. "Hah! Luckily I have some stimcaf in the ship, I'll get you a mug too once we're there." A nervous chuckle escaped him too as soon as she did, smile concealed behind his delicious sandwich that was one bite away from being finished. "You definitely will get more..."

Rocking back in his chair, Ar'ekk held his full stomach and felt completely satisfied with breakfast. The only thing missing was the stimcaf but that would be amended really soon so all that remained was the empowering shower to start the day with the right foot.

"I won't take long, myu vupee. Where do you keep the towels?"

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[Tava Del Nove]

"Why, Mr. Daesharacor, are you asking me out on a date?" Tava leered first and cracked a smile after popping another slice of cheese in her mouth. A satisfied mmm followed. It had been a long time since they had been on a date. A very long time and the prospect had her giddy like a child. Even her eyes brightened at [member="Arekk"] .

With a snort, the slicer followed up with his next comment immediately, "All the more reason. You love rain!" Tava giggled, attempting to lighten the mood she may have created. She picked at her bread again, popping in one after the other and chewing. Stimcaf, yes. She was near shivering with her addiction anticipation. "Oh, you do...that's mmm nice..."

Before he could go, but just had rocked from his chair, Del Nove had grabbed his hand and held it between both of hers. It was just a moment, but she peered up and tugged, requesting without words for a kiss. Her lips pressed to his briefly before answering, "There's a white cabinet as you walk in. Everything is in there. But if you need anything else, just yell for me."

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, Tava's Apartment, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"I am indeed asking you out on a date, Ms. Del Nove. What do you think?"

So confident in his words that even he felt impressed with that, a child-like grin beamed on his face while leaning forward to kiss Tava's lips tenderly. His chest warmed up every time they shared their love freely either with a kiss, a simple glance or just a kiss and that made him giddy like a kid as much as she did.

"I really do even though we made a mess of it last night, huh?"

Quite the teaser too and it showed that he liked to play around with Tava at times, in the good way of those words, to make her smile and feel content with everything and anything.

But as the Coruscanti girl had instructed him the clock was ticking and there was nothing worse than arriving late to important matters which meant he'd move right away to the bathroom and take that shower.

"White cabinet, got it. What if I need you, though? Have you showered yet?"

Yeah. He just asked that.

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[Tava Del Nove]

"I think I am already starved..." she replied, cheese in hand and her dark brows wagging,"...looks like you're stuck with me and you have yourself a date."

Move your schedule around, it's going to be a long night. Another one. Tava thought back and drew in a breath through her nostrils. It would be different though. They had gotten a lot out of the way- the emotional bits, as it were- during their first bout of time in a long while. "Just a little mess..." her deep earthen pools found his, mischievous smile lurking just below the surface of her lips. "Worth it," she whispered.

Having [member="Arekk"] back in her life was just what she needed. She only hoped he needed the same. Life didn't seem so dreary...so...get up and repeat the same process day in and day out. It felt normal- like everyone else. At least, to a degree. Tava would look forward to the late nights and early mornings.

Were there time, it wouldn't have mattered to her whether it was the first shower or the fifth. Alas, time was of the essence. "I have already..." Silently, she cursed Boon, "...if you need me, just yell, myu vupee." If he needed her, they'd be late. Real late.

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, Tava's Apartment, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"It's a deal then. Date night it is."

Ar'ekk felt a huge weight relieving off his shoulders once Tava seemed to agree with the idea though it was really dumb to think she would say no. Maybe she liked playing hard to get, who knows? But the fact that she responded with a devious smile right away gave him the confidence of mentally preparing what would be a wonderful evening together, little did she know how much inner peace being with each other brought to his life.

"Okay. I will be out in less than fifteen minutes, don't think I should shave at all otherwise we'll be really late."

Everything was already planned out accordingly in his head, getting out of the shower and dress up to finally make their way to the Ebon Hawk and change into a proper attire for today's activities and get some energetic stimcaf while at it. The fallen Jedi rose from his chair and stopped mid-way to the bathroom to place a tender kiss on Tava's lips before eventually disappearing into the bathroom for that shower.

Some minutes later...

A cloud of steam shadowed him like the plague after stepping out of the washer with nothing but a towel covering his lower torso and making his way into their bedroom to change into the clothes that were so promptly discarded the previous night. He felt prepared for the day after a hot shower, gearing up in just a matter of seconds to eventually meet with Tava at the living room.

"Alright, I'm ready. Shall we go?" He asked while straightening his black leather jacket, smelling of the girl's shampoo still, hair dampened to no avail. "It should be a short trip."

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[Tava Del Nove]

Naturally, her head tipped back when [member="Arekk"] kissed her forehead. A soft sigh followed his disappearance.

While he was in the next room, Tava took the time to prepare a jump bag. She filled it with weapons and ammo, med kit, a fresh change of clothes...and a small bag of snacks for Rena. There were other things within. Things that always went no matter what because it didn't matter what op it was. The task didn't take long and the slicer moved to tidy the ravaged room, humming while straightening the pillows.

Tava smiled a ghost smile.

If it wasn't for the sudden warmth gathering in the room the slicer moved to, she would have been lost to her own whimsical entertainment. Del Nove turned and immediately spun back around to give him privacy. Privacy or time to steel her own nerves. The fact that he smelled like her though, brought a laugh forward. "Yes, we're ready." She slipped the duffle over her shoulder and gave a low whistle to her canine companion.

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, Tava's Apartment, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"What's so funny, you joker?"

A playful shove found its way to Tava and Ar'ekk laughed while bending on his knee to give Rena some attention by scratching behind her ear, hazel-blue eyes looking around the room for a moment while going through the plan in his head silently. He didn't mind that Tava watched change into his clothes and matter of fact felt much more comfortable if she didn't, it made him feel like he had the plague or something.

"Great! You want me to carry that?" The slicer naturally pointed at the duffle bag slinged on her shoulder with his cybernetic index. "Because we're walking. I wanna hit the streets up close and personal to remember what I've missed all these years.

Coruscant as the biggest ecumenopolis known in the galaxy never slept regardless of the time of the day and Ar'ekk loved just that, Lithios was just too cluttered for his own likeness but home was something else. One thing for sure was that nothing would've changed for the past decade but a couple of people dying here and there, old criminals falling victim to their scams or simply getting incarcerated to be replaced by the younger generation. Them.

The front door opened and he allowed the Coruscanti girl to go outside first as courtesy to eventually walk out and close the door behind them, breathing in the polluted air of the city. Finally home. The Ebon Hawk was docked a couple of blocks away from Tava's place for their luck so the walk over there should be a rather short one.

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[Tava Del Nove]

The woman offered him a playful look, nose wrinkling as she dipped her chin down and shook her head. "You smell like tropical flowers, darling." They smelled good, crisp, with a sweet aroma that came only from the islands that no port city could claim. Rishi to be exact. It had cost a hefty amount of creds, but totally worth it. Smelling it on [member="Arekk"] though, was a different experience all together. It made her think 'vacation'.

"Sure," without missing a step, Tava dropped the duffle bag's straps into his hand. For being of moderate size, it was heavy. Felt like it might have weights in it. The slicer offered an innocent smile while walking past him and out into the cool, damp morning. Galactic City was all smog and the lights appeared to have halos. Halos of various colors. She stopped just outside the stoop, waiting for his direction and Rena padded along side her.

"Which way, love?"

'Cause there were more than just one space port on Coruscant. And that wasn't counting private ones.

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, Tava's Apartment, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"Through here. Docking bay 74 right next to Daval's Restaurant."

Being a retired crime lord surely aided his life greatly in terms of wealth, being able to afford luxuries most people would never be able to enjoy in their lives at all. Penthouses, vehicles, clothes, you name it. "Champion of the Kajidii" as he was known in the Smuggler's Moon underworld, Ar'ekk built a reputation for being the toughest wiseguy in the Red Light District with a plethora of clubs under his belt yet... The ending was already known by Tava.

"The weather stays the same, by the way." He snickered while looking around the neighbourhood, spotting many things that were not there such as holographic advertisements and other stuff. "Foggy and ugly."

Strapping the dufflebag on his own shoulder to carry it along, Ar'ekk walked side by side with Tava and little Rena while soaking in all the details of Coruscant's street life by clashing glances with vendors, beggars and random pedestrians alike. They were in the "good" side of town at least so they wouldn't have to worry about getting held up at gunpoint by some lowlife.

Eventually, the trio would've stumbled against the docking bay's entrance with the fancy restaurant right in front just like he said. Setting the keycard into the reader the door promptly lowered down for them and offered a magnificent frontal look of the legendary vessel owned by Darth Revan a milennia ago...

"There she is. My pride and joy: The Ebon Hawk."

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[Tava Del Nove]

"Daval's..." Tava snorted, shaking her head in amusement. She should have known. They had money now, so why wouldn't [member="Arekk"] use that for better security? A small hand moved over the top of her head and ran down the length of the short ponytail. She glanced to a neon sign of an establishment like so many others like it. The slicer was most familiar with this one though and she gazed through the windows as they passed, knowing the names of a few regular patrons. It was no Daval's- mainly a breakfast stop. Cheap. Quick. They had the best beans in town though.

The smell of freshly brewed stimcaf hit her through the fog.

Nearly missing the turn, the woman rose her brows at Rena and giggled. "Oh, Ar'ekk...at least we can see more than a meter ahead of us. It's a good dreary day in the city." Which was true. There were times that one couldn't distinguish between their own hand and a lamp post. Both of hers were then shoved into the confines of her vest causing her stance to be a little straighter.

The sign to the high-end restaurant was faintly blue, different from the mostly red and pink. It had been a while since the slicer had been in there. Tava slowed, attempted to recall that time but her attention was soon drawn by the wet nose of Rena and Ar'ekk's voice. The slide of the door drew her eyes away from her companions...

"You've done well for yourself, myu vupee. C'mon let's go...I want to see inside!"

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, Tava's Apartment, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"After you, my love."

He showed Tava the way into the vessel as the metallic ramp lowered automatically until it touched the durasteel ground, inviting them all into the cozy confines of this marvelous ship that had seen more than your average person in the galaxy. Malachor V, the fall and rise of the Jedi, Mandalorian Wars and many others. Everyone from Darth Revan, Bastila and many other ancient individuals that marked the galaxy's history roamed these very same rooms much like they did.

"Make yourself at home, myo vupee." Ar'ekk began to undress and leave the dirty clothes by the crew's laundry room, roaming around in less clothes freely while moving to his personal quarters. "It won't take long. The stimcaf machine's by the room before you reach the cockpit."

Finally, some fresh clothes.

The wardrobe opened and offered the fallen Jedi turned slicer some different outfits to pick out from but he always went for one thing and one thing only: A fine leather jacket. Combined with this item came some black thin yet comfortable slacks and a v-neck shaped t-shirt with nothing else to give him warmth.

Having spent so much time out in space and different planets with varying weathers the man no longer felt either cold or hot so using a hat or a scarf was out of the question as of now.

"What do you think?" He inquired with a smile on his face while moving around the main hold. "She ain't so bad."

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[Tava Del Nove]

Not the type that had to be told twice, Tava moved up the ramp with light thuds of rubber soles. Her head moved from side to side in a slow sweeping motion to take in the details. The slicer was not one to know the particulars of well known Force Users, but ships... Notable ships, Tava knew and her eyes lit up in amazement. The Smuggler's Moon had been good to [member="Arekk"] in at least this. Thin fingers used to the workings of tiny parts, slid along some of the interior. She was silent for a handful of moments.

She came to an impasse, liquid browns lingering over the state of his undress. A slight smirk curled upon her mouth before he disappeared in to the innards of the Ebon Hawk. It was then that she did what he asked and made herself at home. Tava roamed freely, moving to where Ar'ekk said the stimcaf machine was and passed it to peek into the cockpit. "Hah... beautiful." A low chuckle erupted before she half turned into the room beside it.

Only a moment or so later and the sweet aroma of stimcaf brewing filled the confines of the front of the ship. "She's magnificent," Tava exclaimed, back against the counter waiting for a mug of that liquid heaven. "How did you you manage her?" Sabacc? Or was it his stint at a Crime lord?

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, The Ebon Hawk, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"Snagged it off The Exchange in Nar Shaddaa when I was a Jedi. Me n' my master got held up by a bunch of goons and our only escape route was inside this docking bay. Little did we know that were in the same room as the Ebon Hawk herself."

Those were some good times. A good memory of the past that'd never fade away from his mind as long as he kept that alive, hopeful of what the future held for him that being reuniting with old acquaintances or becoming a better person than he used to be. It was a long story for sure and the way he told the tale made it seem much more simple than it was but it really wasn't.

"We got stuck inside the Jekk'Jekk Tarr with all the toxic fumes sorrounding us." The slicer explained further while tugging his collar and resting against the entrance where Tava stood to prepare the stimcaf. "Fast forward two years and here we are still."

Betting this legendary ship in Sabacc was a big no-no since it was as important as his own life, putting it at stake on a gambling table would mean disrespecting what the Ebon Hawk had become and its previous owner. You don't want Revan's ghost haunting your dreams if he did that, definitely not.

"Pretty much... We escaped alive of course, it was difficult." A chuckle escaped him again as he retold the story in clear amusement. "Got chased and shot at by Sith ships but we managed to get away. The rest is history."

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[Tava Del Nove]

It was his stint as a Jedi. She had been wrong and the notion stilled her before Tava laughed at herself. Her hand came to swipe at her face, head shaking. "That is quite the story," offered the woman, a smile smeared over her face. She supposed she had a harder time seeing [member="Arekk"] as a crime lord than a Jedi though. Again, there was a lot of time she'd missed. It was a sobering thought. Hopefully the slicer wouldn't miss anymore.

"Where are the mugs, love?" She asked, not having gone through the cabinets.

When meeting his eyes, Tava moved, hands clasping behind her back when she moved so he could get them going. She idly wondered what she was doing when he was on these exploits. Perhaps, she'd ask him for a rough timeline later. While it could be a bit off putting, Tava supposed that she would rather know than not.

A light vibration went off inside her jacket. "Well, time to get movin'."

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, The Ebon Hawk, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"Right next to you, sweetheart. Top cabinet, left side."

There was a lot of stuff that they still needed to catch up on which is why their dinner night would come in handy, Ar'ekk not giving much details of his stories simply because he was reserving such for their night together. Both would have enough time to ask and laugh about things, to finally reconcile after a missed decade.

Once the stimcaf was prepared and ready to drink, the fallen Jedi turned slicer sipped from the mug quick enough and felt a refreshing sensation moving across his body magically. Nothing like some delicious caf to start the day energized as a Krayt Dragon on Tatooine waiting for its meal.

"Yeah... Let's not keep your man waiting, huh?"

Rena licked Ar'ekk's fingers and he responded with a friendly belly rub. It was time to go.

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[Tava Del Nove]

"Ahh...duh."

Once poured, the sip she drew in her mouth accompanied a refreshed sound. "Mmm...soooo good. I needed this." The caf warmed the slicer from her head to toes. Her lips lingered over the cup, wishing she had time to enjoy it more. Wishing she had time to enjoy other things more as well. One hand fell into Rena's deep gray fur, fingers combing while last bit of liquid energy slid down her throat. She rinsed the mug and set it upside down in the sink, brow perking at what he said next.

"Ohh... ohh, that's how it is, huh?" Tava's eyes rolled and she playfully shoved him out of the way, heading towards the ramp. "Don't tell him that though," she said with a laugh that she tossed over her shoulder. "C'mon, lover boy...." The canine trotted next to her and glanced back to [member="Arekk"] with what she could only conclude to be apologetic in nature.

"We're gonna need a lift."

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, The Ebon Hawk, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"Or what? I might tell him, you just don't know me. I might have changed."

Once again the jokester tone in his voice had overtaken Ar'ekk, clearly teasing Tava in jest about Boon and pretty much everything else. He meant no harm at all yet was having the fun of his lifetime, it'd be nice to see how the guy would react if he went as far as telling him such thing.

Setting the empty stimcaf mug aside and looking at his holowatch, the slicer pondered heavily if they should indeed take a lift or use his NX-249 Airspeeder. It was quick to maneuever through the cluttered streets and traffic but it was a two-seater, though it'd be much better to ride in this particular vehicle than taking one of Coruscant's cabs.

"I always keep bring an extra vehicle with me if I need it. The perks of hiring a mechanic service that delivers your rides anywhere at any given time."

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[Tava Del Nove]

Bright sienna pools widened and she turned to look at [member="Arekk"] incredulously, "I...I...please don't." Tava nearly squeaked and swallowed the rest of her thoughts. He was joking. Of course he was joking, right? She laughed then, in attempt to lighten the mood. But she wasn't sure if it was for herself or for him. Boon had a very dry, dark sense of humor. Not even Tava knew what his reaction would be and she didn't want to find out.

The undercover cop and the slicer's relationship had been mostly all business. Mostly. There was a very brief time when it was a mixture. A mixture, that even til this day, was awkward to look back on as the events followed their visit to Nar Shaddaa. It wasn't a thing she thought on at all really. But now? The memory surfaced and all she could do was internally sigh.

"Only if I can drive, myo vupee," her smile appeared again and her eyes shown.

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, The Ebon Hawk, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"Reeeeelax! I was only joking, myo vupee."

He released another laugh as he toyed around with the airspeeder keys, pressing a button before giving them a spin that would bring down the vehicle to their location in less than five minutes. Regardless if Boon had a dry sense of humour or not, Ar'ekk would be very wary of him and most of all try to show who's boss and who isn't because that was his nature.

"Sure, why not? Pretty sure you won't wreck it, baby. And I get to keep Rena safe just in case." Ar'ekk gave Tava a wink and a side-smirk while they waited for the airspeeder to arrive, the magnetic doors to the docking bay opening as it landed on the small spot right next to the Ebon Hawk. "You're gonna love it. It's custom made, only one of its kind just for me."

Once Tava entered the driver's seat and became acquainted with the controls, the music would begin to blast rather loudly as the fallen Jedi loved to listen to loud music while driving. It was a habit that he picked up to avoid uncomfortable silence while driving with clients or toward them between jobs.

His musical taste was rather eccentric to say the least and the song that popped up made that pretty clear.

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[Tava Del Nove]

While metal parts began to move and slide into place, a well-oiled whine sounded. Tava knew that sound to be the descent of the chosen vehicle and she turned to [member="Arekk"] then, eyes slightly narrow so that the brown was a glint among her dark lashes. He wasn't serious...mostly, but if the same soul dwelt there- which she was absolutely positive it did- a part of that joke was lined with some silver truth.

"Have I told you that I love you lately?" Excitement painted her features and her voice. Tava took a tentative step forward and around the speeder, gaze flitting over the controls first, then the body of the vehicle. Adroit, soft fingertips danced along the fabric of the seats, then lightly grazed the switches and buttons. "You've always had good taste, Ar'ekk..."

With a bit of a shimmy, she tugged up her bottoms and slid into the seat smoothly. Del Nove's heart beat a little faster between the stimcaf and the anticipated adrenaline rush. She smiled up at him and winked at Rena, "Are you ready?" Laughter laced in her words that were barely heard over the music blaring from the audio system.

Once she was sure they were safely in, the kickback propelled them into traffic and well on their way to the destination. They zoomed past and her ponytail swished in the wind. When they arrived close enough, Tava slowed the airspeeder to a crawl. "Gotta figure out where we are locking this up..." The area wasn't the worst by far, but there was a reason she was here and it wasn't because they were hosting a barbecue festival.

"Rena, go on. Get to Boon. No pit stops."