Bathe in the Light

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira grinned, but didn't think much of the using of her rank. "I leave a dress for you." To her it was just a rank she'd been told to have and carry, something given to her because of the things she had done on Manaan, Serenade, Kaeshana and Skor, among a few other skirmishes she'd been involved in. She wasn't exactly Rogue Squadron material, but she'd flown with them over Anoat as part of their flight group. As far as the redhead was concerned she'd been given the rank because she was with Resistance Intelligence, and that was one of the lower flight capable ranks they had to offer.

Stephanie's inspection of the kill-tally wouldn't show a ton about lethality, they weren't broken up by mission only just her confirmed kills in space listed upon the X-Wing she'd been given. Maybe two dozen TIE's of a few variants, a half dozen Mandalorian fighters and interceptors. Nothing a veteran would look twice at overall. Laira'd just been lucky enough to get through her handful of dogfights in one piece. On the inside of the cockpit there was a different list inscribed on the X-Wing, each of her wingmen who had died, five names scribbled down.

Laira wasn't gone all that long, the benefit of the soniclean shower which only took a two or three minutes and didn't require any time to dry off. Laira came back around the corner of the lean-to, ducking under the tent and giving the brunette a little turn. She was wearing a black cocktail dress cut about half way up her thigh and snug to her svelte form, just enough give to be comfortable. The top of the dress around her throat and shoulders was transparent with designs that made it just a little less modest on the busty redhead. From behind the back of the dress was cut open to leave her shoulder blades exposed. For now she wasn't wearing any shoes but she had an idea for a pair.

"I know, it might not be current fashion but its my favorite." She feigned self-consciousness about her fashion sense a little, mostly just to see what Stephanie would say. "I fill it out pretty good though. So, what do you think?" Laira asked, a glint in her grey eyes as she sought the Padawan's approval, and just a little of the Jedi's desire. She was a temptress after all.

And the strapless red sequin number she had left for Stephanie would hopefully stir those modelling genes back up in the Padawan.

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Hands on hips, the Padawan walked around and smiled at the little astro-droid doing the rounds. It was a cozy set-up, and she could imagine how the Resistance would look and sound in their collective number if they were all like Laira.

Speaking of the devil, she made her return to the camp, and she was certainly dressed for that dinner. The girl’s face fell in disbelief and a little shock – for some reason she had expected a nice gown or comfortable sweater and joggers….anything more casual than the dress she filled out. And filled out she did.

Stephanie pursed her lips and nodded, unable to stop the wide smile forming.

”It’s good. It’s nice!"

That feeling swelled inside her – she could only imagine the dresses she had tucked away and what was left for Stephanie. It’s not that she didn’t want to spend time here for dinner, or wear something as elegant, but she just never seemed to blossom in those formal dresses. She had only dressed up twice before for her Order’s social functions. It had gone ok however, but she hadn’t been on her own with only another for company.

She held her hands up and walked across the camp, trying not to look too much at Laira as her red-hair fell with vibrancy to counter the dark black material.

”Gimmie a sec, I’ll see what’s left for me."

She walked through to the lean-to and the shower and little slice of privacy she could take for herself. It was firstly time to get showered, and she had seen these ones before. It was refreshing and very different to what she was used to, but it helped soothe the skin and warm her up from where the lake water had soaked through.

Only when she consciously covered up with a fold-out towel and saw the dress left out did she push her face into her hand. The red sequin number was strapless and would hug her torso down to the thigh. The dresses she had been given with the Jedi at least touched the floor and had straps to cover her shoulders. She sighed and looked at it for a while, wondering if it would even fit. She wasn’t much different from Laira on first look size-wise, maybe a little taller?

Well….it’d be rude not to.

It wasn’t as much of a struggle as she thought, and the dress was soon covering her. She pulled the zip up her back with a few awkward twists – how silly she must have looked trying to pull this off – and had to pull the hem down a little. The dress wasn’t tight, yet…well….she was conscious, put it that way.

She was nervous, and stood there after about fifteen minutes, playing with her fingers and not hoping she looked stupid. She took a few steps, bare foot, her damp clothes hanging up opposite Laira’s from the rear tent, and composed herself, butterflies swirling. She continued and walked out, ducking around the tent and back to the main site.

And for a second, she played on it. She walked, hand on hip, remembering her instruction from the modelling day – foot over foot, walk with purpose - and turned a few feet from Laira, head to the side.

”Well?"

[member="Laira Darkhold"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira positively beamed at the comment, and more the expression the padawan wore while examining her in the pretty black cocktail dress. The redhead smiled with contentment, turning her grey eyes downward and feigning bashfulness. In truth she loved the attention, but she was also a little self-conscious about comparing herself to an actual model with several years on her. "Glad you like it, hun." Laira said, adding a little sheepishness into her own expression and movements. It seemed the padawan was a bit taken with the outfit, which always boded well.

Stephanie had been gone for far longer than Laira had expected and so the redhead had decided to keep herself busy with a book and fishing out her heels and a pair for Stephanie assuming she was the about the same size. Laira didn't exactly travel with a full closet or shoe wrack, just a handful of different things for different situations. The redhead thought about taking her formal gown out of the case and offering it to the Padawan after she had been gone about ten minutes, wondering if the girl had just taken off and ran into the woods rather than be subjected to that red sequin dress Laira had pulled out for her.

Finally, Stephanie returned while the redhead lounged on the cot reading a few pages as she waited. Almost instantly Laira began looking the padawan over, "Wow..." she purred, satisfaction filling her voice as she took in the sights and observed the curves of the woman before her. Laira blushed as she realized her gaze was lingering on the brunette for longer than would be polite. "I'm, um, impressed. Still got the moves and the walk. And gorgeous legs." She tossed the last in hoping that the Jedi would think thats where her gaze had lingered, as the Jedi did indeed have great legs for the dress she was wearing. The redhead stood from the cot and walked over, straightening her own dress as she did so.

"Well, now I feel foolish." She started, deciding to reinforce this behavior, this facade of confidence Stephanie wore. "You are drop dead gorgeous, prettiest girl on the planet. I'm certain of it." Laira continued, showering the Padawan with compliments with a voice filled with honey and sweetness. Finally, Laira's eyes met Stephanies and she approached to wrap her arm around the young woman once more and lead her back into the settlement for dinner. "After dinner, we can come back here and I can show you a few dances."

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

This was something surreal; something she wasn't prepared for and didn't ever expect to happen in all her years. It was a nice feeling, and the compliments simply made Stephanie blush and fidget a little. She patted down the dress and did a little bow.

”Will you stop these compliments! Goodness me, you're going to give me a complex. You're very sweet. Thank you, honestly."

Stephanie turned into Laira as she put her arm around her, and so the Padawan did the same. Is this was it felt like? To be accepted? To be happy? To be in control of your own destiny? She walked with a new air of confidence in Laira's company, as if nothing else mattered and no judgment would hurt her. Not after all she had been through. Then, her brow furrowed slightly remember the mark. The rune. It was there. Silently burning away in her skin and a mark that would never leave her. A mark of her failure and her weakness.

”If my Master could see me now...goodness knows what she would say! I'm sure she would actually be happy that I am happy and doing something other than beating myself up or reading texts."

She shrugged off the dark memories and glanced up at the waning light of late afternoon coming in across the planet.

”Right, Lieutenant. What is on the menu for tonight? Oh, and I don't dance. Don't. Can't. Pick one."

[member="Laira Darkhold"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira grinned, sticking her chin up defiantly. "I probably won't stop." She said, sticking her tongue between her teeth her eyebrows raising as she got comfortable alongside Stephanie once again. Laira was a flirt, and had no intention of changing dramatically now that she was getting exactly what she wanted from the Padawan. She was getting to be the only thing in the Jedi's attention and getting to dress the woman up, or down depending on perspective, and make herself cozy.

A shudder went up her spine at the formalness of the Padawan, the sudden shift of tone wasn't present. But once again they were not on a first name basis. For a moment her tone become serious and genuine. "Please, call me Laira. I'm not an officer. Tonight its just Laira and Stephanie." She was not just some bimbo to be used and cast aside, she was not about to be regulated back to being just a professional.

The redhead lead the way, giving Stephanie a reassuring squeeze. "Well, she might say you looked hot." See, she didn't stop with the compliments but she did reign them in a little. "I'm glad you are happy though. Its not everyday I get to go have fun like this, and never with such entertaining company. I know you might think its all adventures and excitement, but most of my days are spent alone." She bit her lip and rested her chin on Stephanie's shoulder comfortably, "I've asked one of the locals to cook us a meal, red fish over rice with steamed veggies and handchurned bluemilk ice cream for dessert. He only had one cone though, so we will have to share that." He hadn't said the last part, that was more at Laira's request.

The village in the evening was lit by numerous lanterns hung from large wooden poles, casting yellow light over the worn dirt and cobblestone roads and the thatched roof cottages around the outskirts. Laira pointed them at a small cottage that had a candle upon a table with two chairs on the same side facing the river, a lantern hung over the table. The princess was quite pleased at the ambiance that the chef had managed to achieve on short notice and that he seemed to have went all out for the spare Krayt Dragon Pearl she had promised him. Very lovely indeed she mused to herself.

"Here we are, Stephanie."

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

There was a small tone in Laira's voice for a second, and it was evident when surrounded by the usual fun and teasing she had been doing. Stephanie nodded, a small reassuring word at her request, but for a second it startled her, and she felt embarrassed for touching a nerve.

The kind of embarrassed where she wanted to be back in her Hapan gowns, or the combat uniform, or her comfy slacks, and curled up in her quarters on her own without trying to be good company - the kind where you wanted the ground to swallow you up. Making Laira feel like that, even for a moment, wasn't good.

But the two walked on, and so the mood changed at the sight of the small cottage and also the menu of choice, which sounded divine.

”Mm, sounds wonderful! I do like rice, and blue milk churned ice-cream? Oh yes please!" Her mouth figuratively watered at the food on offer. ”This looks beautiful, thank you so much. I hope you didn't plan this for me?"

How could she have? Silly Jedi.

Rubbing her hands, Stephanie walked to the chairs and mirrored Laira to sit and get comfortable, the candle-light just enough to set a wonderfully cozy mood, the flickering flame dancing over their faces and the river that would lead to their previous destination babbling beside. The Padawan looked around, crossing her arms on the table.

”Hm. Well, what do we drink? I mean I'm fine what whatever...water is good, I'm not a big drinker of alcohol myself. Can't say I've ever made it something to enjoy."

She watched Laira for a second, and smiled. This was just what she needed, and it felt crazy to be given such an opportunity.

[member="Laira Darkhold"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira blushed visibly, even with the dimmer yellow light instead of the bright sunlight from during the day. "I mean, I might have called ahead while you were changing, but I didn't plan every detail." her voice was bashful and shy for once, suddenly not as confident and proud but still quite content. The earlier moment of weakness, the memory of one of the few people she had become truly vulnerable with casting her aside was over and she had quickly let go of it to focus on Stephanie. She batted her eyes at the Padawan, "It is a date after all."

When it came to drinks, Laira preferred very light drinks if it was alcoholic such as jawa juice or a good wine pairing and normally refrained from getting intoxicated. "At least taste the wine the chef suggests." She said, gesturing for two small glasses of whatever the chef paired with the meal normally. "Just enough to get the taste of it, that's all I ever really bother with."

In the meantime Laira sat in the chair and crossed her legs, sitting up straight in her chair with proper posture, placing her hands in her own lap. "I have to apologize, in the excitement of showering you with compliments I forgot to ask if you liked the dress as much as I like how it looks on you." Small talk wasn't the princess's strongest suit, but she could manage. While she waited for a response she popped a cherry into her mouth stem and all to snack until the food was brought out to them.

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Stephanie gave a content nod and pulled her chair in a little, adjusting her dress - again - and crossing her leg. Right over left. Left over right. That was it. She gave a nod to the chef who brought their drinks and the small bowl of nibbles. With a raise of her glass, she took a sip. Fruity and alcoholic. Not too strong, but had a little kink in the back of the throat.

”Mm, no, I do," she swallowed and put the glass down, ”it's really nice. Thank you. I've only got two dresses. More like ballgowns. Both black. Standard. Nothing like this."

Her turn for a cherry. She leant and took one, popping it in her mouth and linked her hands on the table, glancing out to the water for a moment, and then back to Laira.

”Nice drink too. So tell me. Let's get this...date...started. Tell me about Laira. Where do you come from? How did you find yourself in the Resistance? Big old question I know but I have to ask!"

She twisted her body slightly, getting comfy and easing back into the chair.

[member="Laira Darkhold"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira sat quiet for a moment while Stephanie told her about the dress, until the conversation returned to the redhead who produced the stem of the cherry with a knot from her mouth with an alluring grin. She placed the knotted stem on her plate, the redhead subtly showing off for the Padawan as they chatted. "Well, you can keep it if you want. I haven't ever worn it and its going to waste getting packed into an X-Wing. I really only need the one cocktail dress anyway."

Then she pursed her lips, looking into the Stephanie's hazel eyes for a moment as she contemplated how to answer that question. It was broad and multifaceted. "Alright, but you'll have to answer a couple of my questions too." Laira took a sip of the fruity wine, letting it sit in her mouth and tingle her tastebuds before swallowing it, a proper elegant lady tasting her wine for once in her life. Their food could be smelt from the cottage inside as the finishing touches were being made and the dishes plated.

"Well, lets see. I was born on Bothawui but attended finishing school on Alderaan at the Collegium for Young Ladies, my father left me a trust before he passed on the condition I attended and graduated from one academy of a short list and that was the one I picked. Once I graduated, about three years ago now, I took to the space lanes. Without any family to tie me anywhere, I just wandered for a while. I smuggled for a few Hutts, ran guns for the Guavian Death Gang once, but mostly stuck to shipping for the Alliance. After a few battles, the outfit I was with kinda lost faith in the leadership and went off on their own while I joined the Coalition Ranger Corps. I was stationed on Thyferra when the Sith attacked it and I was running civilians to the evac ships while my team directed them." She stopped for a moment, gathering herself. The memories of Thyferra weren't her favorite and she blinked away the tears welling up in her eyes. "I was flying a shuttle up when their position got bombarded and then the Admiral ordered the fleet to jump away with the civilians. I've been with the Resistance from the start and haven't heard from anyone I flew with before. No reason to go anywhere else, and the people I'm with now have been very kind. The people are always helping each other, making sacrifices for one another."

She breathed in and smiled again, "I'm a little rough around the edges I know, but I'm still just me. I like pretty brunettes, sunning on warm beaches, and flying." The food was brought out and set before the women along with clean silverware, and now it was Laira's turn to ask a few questions. She had a few in mind from her other dealings with Jedi that she was curious about.

"So, I'm going to ask you two questions. First, why the Silver Jedi Order? Second, what are your thoughts on relationships? I've been told the Jedi Way indicates its best to seek short term flings without a lot of emotions, but I've also heard of the Heavenshields." Probably a little personal of a series of questions but how else was Laira supposed to get to know Stephanie well without hearing about her opinions on her own order. The other one was more because she wanted a second opinion since the Jedi Master she had already spoken with had shattered a handful of her dreams.

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Laira began her story, and Stephanie didn’t need to move, nor did she want to. She was comfortable, the light was cozy and there was a peaceful atmosphere. She listened intently, a small smile at the exciting moments, but soon it faded to a solemn one for the sadder memories; memories she could relate to all very well. The pilot had seen her fair share of danger and adventure from an early age, a wonder she had made it through at all.

The food was brought out near silently, and Stephanie tore her attention away for a second to thank the humble chef as the plate was settled before her. It smelt wonderful, and looked just the right amount not to over-fill but to simply satisfy.

Yet, Laira kept talking so Stephanie paid her all the attention she deserved. She ended, and Stephanie grinned with a single nod to signal she understood everything. But now it was her turn. She took her fork, played around with the rice and veg and took a small mouthful just to satisfy that hunger, dress her palette and buy time to think on the answers.

Thankfully the question wasn’t too complicated, so she swallowed, took another sip of drink, and began.

"Why the Silver Order. Simple answer is they were the first people I came across when I needed a home. I found myself on Midvinter, to the far East of the galaxy, if you’ve heard of it? It’s like Tatooine, but covered in snow and ice. The Heavenshields you mention have an establishment there, and there is a race of warriors called Valkyries. I needed a place to go way from it all, and this world seemed far enough away from everything for me to find myself again. However I met a few travellers there, some linked to the Heavenshield family and in turn talked to me about Voss and the Silver Jedi Order as it was clear I had a desire to serve the Light. They thought I should go to Voss, seek out Thurion Heavenshield himself and his wife Coci and find a place with them instead of freezing to death on a world I would never fit in."

She leaned forward to take another sip, and continued.

"So I went to Voss, and found their temple, pledged to serve the Order and defend the Light, and I was given a chance. I messed up a few times, it wasn’t easy, but I eventually found the way forward and wanted to help. I wanted to be something, to do good, to fight all the bad out there prying on the weak and the innocent. It’s all I’ve really known, it just took a while to adjust to this Jedi way, but I wouldn’t change it."

Her lips parted in a smile, a little chuckle escaping as she sighed and toyed with her fork.

"And relationships? Simple. I believe in them. It’s the bond of two people and a unification between their natural energy that creates something strong to cherish. It doesn’t matter their sex, their race, culture…anything. It’s the person, it’s the soul and the spirit that makes them who they are, and if that makes you stronger, makes you feel good and gives you more to live for when the dark times come to haunt you, it’s a strong defence to have against despair. But, I know if it all falls apart it can leave you wide open to break, and you have to be strong to survive that."

She shrugged and scratched her arm.

"I know the Jedi way about not being attached, but trace back to the beginning of time. How did our Jedi come to be today? They had to come from somewhere. They had to be loved and cared for somehow, by someone. Relationships form a Jedi much more than they care to imagine, but thanks to the Silvers I think the view is changing – we aren’t machines. We are beings."

Stephanie rolled her fingers and thumbs together slowly, dipping her fork around the rice.

"Do you have someone special?"

[member="Laira Darkhold"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira was polite, and gave the Jedi time to consider her answers while unwrapping her silverware and placing it alongside her plate in the proper order, folding the napkin into her lap. Despite her normally very rough exterior, certain manners had been drilled into the princess from a very young age. Table manners were one of them, during formal events or dates she couldn't help but go back to those. If they'd both been in cotton pajamas she would have been able to ignore that particular programming in her brain.

Instead she paid close attention as the Jedi began talking, carefully cutting her meal into bite sized pieces and separating it into the different foods. She only bothered to taste the fish and rice before setting her utensils down to give her undivided attention to Stephanie as she spoke. Midvinter had been where Stephanie started on her current path, how she would have enjoyed hearing that Laira had been a ward on Midvinter for a few years in her youth. The Silver Jedi weren't incredibly different from the Resistance in intentions, but the means they took were different enough. The story enthralled the redhead and she took mental notes.

Stephanie had similar ideals regarding relationships as Laira, who wanted to eventually be a Jedi but had not been able commit to that path. The Padawan seemed to approve of them without explicitly confirming or denying her own opinion on relationships. Nevertheless Laira found herself blushing and grinning, teasing her hair playfully with a slight giggle. "It's true, we aren't machines."

She looked down at her plate, taking a bite before bothering to deal with the very complicated answer about whether she had someone special. "Well, not really is the simplest way to answer that. There is someone I'm close with, but what I want and what she wants don't line up right now. I can't just sit by and wait hoping we eventually want the same things. Then there was someone else, but, well that was just me being foolish." Laira had no intention of going into detail on her vulnerability and how stupid she had been. She was an compassionate creature by nature.

However, there was an opening and Laira's foot touched against Stephanie's calf under the table, rubbing slowly up and down. "There is one other person I like, but I'm not sure about her yet. She's a Jedi you see, very pretty, silky brunette hair. Adorable." Laira bit her lip, grey eyes shining as she looked for a reaction from the Padawan.

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Now the Padawan could relax for a few minutes. She sat forward, licked her lips softly and began her meal properly, trying the fish a little tentatively as it wasn’t her main choice of food, but somehow it was a very soft, almost buttery taste. The rice and vegetables complimented it not being too moist or too dry.

Through eating, she was grinning with a closed mouth and had warmth in her eyes. She was enjoying herself. She was enjoying being good company for someone, and having a wonderful little meal in a peaceful, tranquil setting that reminded her of Voss. It was almost like she was human again. A sip of the drink washed the food down as she gave a small smile and nod of the head about Laira’s relationship status.

There and then she felt sorry for her – that empathic sense creeping in – and hoping with all her being that she would be in a better position soon.

The touch from her foot and covert compliment felt like a burst from the stones in the cave. It shocked her and made her jump a little, and she felt flush. What was happening? Stephanie wanted to ignore it and laugh it off, and to some extent she did with a wave of her glass and a glance to the side, but it was a seed planted right in the middle of her mind. There was little room for her to continue avoiding this feeling that was flowering after such a ridiculous, head-on chance meeting with the redhead on the bridge.

"Well, I hope you both find what it is your looking for. I’m sure it will work out."

She touched her glass down and took another mouthful of food, trying to suss Laira up over the candle between them.

"This Jedi. Not sure about her? What are you not sure about? She could probably help you solve all your problems if you let her – best Jedi you ever encountered probably!"

[member="Laira Darkhold"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira grinned a little wider, pleased that Stephanie had such a reaction to her playfulness and the slight teasing of her leg, something she learned not long ago. And so her foot continue to slid along Stephanie's leg while she ate more from her plate, tasting the buttery fish and the fresh cooked vegetables.

"Thank you," Laira said in regards to her other suitors. She cared about them both still, but the princess wasn't in a position to sit around and wait hoping the Witch changed her way of life and decided to commit to someone. Even if that ever happened, there was no guarantee it would be with Laira. And so, while she had no problems spending time with that girl, she herself would continue looking for someone who wanted more of the same thing she did.

"I don't know about ALL my problems, but she's very good company. I like how sweet and bashful she is because that is normally my shtick." True, and they would likely trade places if things progressed much further. "I'm talking about you of course!" Laira giggled absent-mindedly playing with her bright red hair. "I don't know if you are interested in me." She was trying to be coy, knowing that Stephanie might deflect or avoid the question if not prompted for a specific answer. "Romantically, in case you were planning on beating around the bush."

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

For a moment, it was difficult to concentrate on Laira and her food. One mouthful wasn't enough...just one more and THEN stop to listen. Just ONE more little one, and a sip, and THEN stop. Ok - that was enough, because she couldn't smile much with her mouth full! She took a moment to actually process her food and also how things were escalating, the whole thing one surreal moment.

"Mmm," she waved her hand around as she swallowed, "I know you meant me silly! Best Jedi you've ever met? Obviously me. And bashful and nervous and all that...rubbish."

She shuffled at the next question and tucked a loose strand of her fringe behind her ear. While her hair was growing, it was still shorter than she had ever had it before - but it wouldn't be long before she was back to her normal style. Romance.

Romance.

There was a word she hadn't faced before. What was romance? Was it this? Was it whatever the person made it? Suddenly her appetite went, and the candle flickered by a gentle breeze that passed, tugging the ends of Laira's red-hair.

"I, er, that's..." she looked into the candle's flame, afraid to fall into Laira's eyes again if she looked up. "That's rather personal, I mean, we're getting on and I've loved your company and..." she sighed, laughed for a second and shook her head.

There was never any point in lying or being ashamed of who you were.

"I think I would be. Yes. I think romance isn't...totally a bad thing. You're really great." She looked up. "You? I don't want to make this awkward of course."

Her stomach was fluttering and her leg was trembling slightly.

[member="Laira Darkhold"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira raised a single eyebrow, waiting with an expectant expression on her face. In truth she was a little unsure of what answer she would receive but was fairly stoic and resolved. What was the worst that happened? They finished eating in silence and then went their separate ways. Not such a bad scenario. They might even have remained friendly with one another.

She continued eating slowly, taking one bite after the other in a quaint manner. She was trying not to smile and giggle like a school girl over their meal, but was having a little trouble. She swallowed and took a drink of her wine, finishing the small glass she had been given.

Finally Stephanie relented and admitted that there might be a subtle spark, and Laira let out a long sigh of relief. "Am I interested? Honey, I will teach you to read signals better. First, you can't say you aren't bashful and nervous while fidgeting and avoiding eye contact." She hadn't given an answer to Stephanie, at least not directly, on purpose. She liked playing the game a little, and Stephanie wasn't making it any less fun. Her face became still and emotionless, but honey and sweetness remained in her tone of voice, leaking through the facade.

She stood up from her chair, smoothing out her dress as she started to walk around the table in slow deliberate steps, one directly in front of the other, "Second, when someone grabs your butt, they at the very least find you attractive. Third, when they continuously call an outing together a date, they likely want you to think of it that way too."

Laira leaned over to hover, in front of the padawan, red hair cascading around her shoulders as she bent at the waist until her face was even with Stephanie's. Her voice dropped to a whisper, "Fourth, when someone kisses you like this," Laira pressed her lips against the padawan tightly, pressing them together and slipping her tongue between her teeth for a moment. The pilot pulled away, just an inch to look into the Padawan's eyes, "They are very interested."

"So," her eyes flicked down and her alluring grin returned, "You tell me."

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Words didn't matter now, Stephanie was nervous as hell. The food wasn't important either, and she quickly necked the last of her fruity alcohol, fake smile to brush it all off. It didn't work.

She was out of her depth.

Laira was playing with me.

She was here to explore the planet, and hadn't given reporting in a second thought.

Laira was moving to me.

She didn't know what to do - what rules? She felt touched about Laira wanting to spend time with her and help her out, but now it was escalating and what if someone got in trouble or she was a Sith or -

Laira kissed me.

A sensory overload, and no need for a Force Spinner. The smell, the touch, the noise, the sight - everything rolled into one big burst of energy as Laira kissed Stephanie's lips. Her first kiss. It was scary, but so soft and welcoming and gentle. Without moving, the Padawan kept her eyes closed and held her posture and moved her lips slightly.

It was only when Laira spoke, and Stephanie found herself kissing air, that it was over and she didn't know what to say. She let out a little gasp and a sigh, and sat back, and looked around, a little flushed.

"Thank you..." Stephanie looked at the pilot, and found her confidence and acceptance, and reached to place a hand on hers. "My first kiss, go figure."

She swallowed, looking at Laira's lips like a puzzle, and moved in for her turn. A small, gentle kiss that teased the lips and as delicate as Stephanie Swail herself, but something that had catapulted her from meek and insecure, to confident and brave.

[member="Laira Darkhold"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira quite enjoyed herself, she liked how awkward and nervous Stephanie was acting and suddenly it all made sense. The redhead's face went from that of a siren having caught her prey to a regret in an instant. Her own first had been several years ago on Alderaan, and she'd gotten practice since sure, but she could still remember it. Such a thing burned into memories and even in a person's old age they could remember their first romantic kiss.

The redhead didn't feel bad because she had taken that from the Padawan, she was certain Stephanie could do much worse, it was that she had not known. Had Laira known she would have put a bit more effort into the act, ensured she put her best foot forward so that the memory being burned into Stephanie's mind wouldn't be lackluster.

"Oh, I'm sorry honey." Laira said, inching around the table so she wasn't bent over it to reach the Padawan. She grinned again as Stephanie leaned back towards her for more, her stormy grey eyes closing, "Here, try this one. It'll be better."

As gentle and nervous as Stephanie was, Laira was confident and fiery. Soft lips pressed together, arms wrapped around the Padawan to hold her loosely, and hips slipped into the Padawan's lap. She couldn't lay across the table the whole time. Her tongue slipped into Stephanie's mouth, the earlier proof of her skills with the cherry stem coming back into play. Laira moved a lot, her hands, her tongue, her chest as she took deep breaths and changed angles.

[member="Stephanie Swail"].

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Laira moved like she probably did as a pilot in her ship - fast, without hesitation and on target.

Stephanie didn't have chance to think before the red-head was back, this time with a stronger intensity that was impossible to question or break away from. With a slight inward gasp, air blowing through her nose, Stephanie found her lips parting in a grin and tentatively shifted position. Awkwardly, of course, but she was trying. Her hands gently placed themselves on Laira's shoulders, a little tighter to hold her in place and the two seemed to be locked.

She found herself hungrily starting to kiss back, to have it feel natural, but then had to stop. The brunette gasped a little and pulled back, face in amused shock and taking stock of what had just happened. It felt...good.

"Wow..." she chuckled, "...wowwowwow ok, that was new. Different. Wow."

Her hands rested on Laira's shoulders, sat on her lap without a care in the world. She hardly knew the girl, but started to feel like she had known her for years. Either way, the draw to spend more time with her, to GET to know her, to stand with her, to fight with her and be proud with her was growing. It was like a drive to make Stephanie great too.

"Can we just...what about your other...situation? I don't want to be a thorn in anyone's side...is this even a thing? What does this mean? God I'm so bad at this."

She rested her brow on Laira's cheek and laughed again, feeling more and more at ease.

[member="Laira Darkhold"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

For the redhead, she didn't mind the little nervousness in Stephanie. If she was being honest with herself, this was probably the only thing she wasn't nervous about. Anything further and she'd be timid and shy, have trepidation about it, and want to put it off until she was certain about herself and what she felt. She was quick to move in for the kiss, but she liked to sit at that base for a healthy length of time.

And the Padawan wasn't bad at all. She was sweet and kind, two things she already knew she liked. She was bashful, which was good but not the only thing that attracted her. Recent troubles and compromises, disappointments with romance had left the redhead much more guarded with her emotions. She liked Stephanie, but she had not yet decided on anything involving her. She would like to, but now Laira found herself not wanting to be vulnerable and open until she was certain. Certainty didn't come with one kiss though, as good as it was.

"Pretty good huh?" Laira giggled again. She needed to get a handle on that.

"Steph, it's alright." She needed to make some kind of decision and explain it a little better to herself and to Stephanie. "That," she paused, remembering her flame-haired companion fondly, "One of the reasons what we want doesn't line up, is because she doesn't want to commit or anything long term, and I do. She and I are close, but I'm not going to fool myself hoping she changes her mind, hoping we are going to end up exclusive."

Probably not the best explanation she could give, but it was quick and easy. She was going to be honest, not lead Stephanie or Elpsis around or hide things from them. At least anything else from them...

"And this," she wagged a finger back and forth, gesturing at Stephanie then herself, "Is fun. It's really fun. I like you, I know I'd enjoy getting to know you better and getting closer with you." And now for the other shoe to drop, which would be painful. It could be like ripping off a bandaid, it could be a long slow pain. She didn't know Stephanie well enough to say for sure if she'd be hurt. "But we both have responsibilities, Steph. It could be months before we can see each other again, and I don't want you to pass up opportunities while we are apart, and still just getting to know each other. There might be a time when we both decide we want to make it work. But, babe, I don't want to settle down and stop looking because of one afternoon."

She grinned widely and wiggled a bit in Stephanie's lap. "But while we are together, and when we can get together, we can keep doing this and spending time together until we are both sure this is what we want. If that's not enough, I understand. We can be just friends, or you can leave and never look back if that's easier for you, but I'd prefer this if I get to pick."

[member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Funnily enough, the logic and reasoning that Laira started to talk about in their embrace started to make a lot of sense. Stephanie only saw sense, and logic, and reasoning, and explanations. The wild, un-planned and exciting actions were what made her tizzy and a little out-of-sorts. She partly expected this to come, but hadn’t thought about it due to the whirlwind day she had been on, and the hurricane of the last hour.

The two girls sat together, and Stephanie kept her hands on Laira’s shoulders while she talked and looked at her and gave her the respect of full attention and understanding. It made perfect sense. She nodded a little, a little smile and was calm and radiated nothing negative.

"You are right, and you know you are."

She sighed contently.

"We don’t know each other, and even the other’s circumstances. I will quietly hope you and your friend work things out however it goes. And, yes, I know what you mean about…this." She rubbed her hand across Laira’s shoulder. "I thank you for helping me today, and allowing me in a little. It’s helped me. Made me look at myself a little and who I am and that’s important. Guess I just got caught up in things and, well, I said I’ve never really had this before."

Truth be told, she hadn’t. But who knew where their paths would take them. Yet if it was to be, the Force would see it so.

"I won’t ask you to stop living, and finding where your future lies. You will have the ability to contact me direct if you ever need to, or want to, and I do hope to see you again. It’s been one afternoon, yes, but one I hope to expand on in the future. I like you, Laira, and I am grateful for you giving me this day."

She swallowed, a pang of worry inside, but she assumed that was natural.

"Friends."

The smile returned but didn’t twinkle in her eyes like it did before. The unknown was always her enemy.

[member="Laira Darkhold"]