Catching Up With The Past

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ar'ekk's Apartment, Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lilla Syrin"] ​

"I'm not sure. Could be the rain or simply because I find tranquility away from other places on the galaxy."

An empty glass was promptly filled with cold water at Lilla's behest and being given to her carefully by Ar'ekk, who would go back to the kitchen and continue preparing their meal.

He roamed around the apartment in socks too given that the interior was warm and would allow such liberties unlike outside, where a heavy lightning storm with fast winds was taking place. Much better to seek refuge and stay somewhere safe than venture out into the dangerous wild.

"Excuse the mess, you'd expect better from someone who used to call himself a Jedi Knight. After a year or so you tend to forget what you've been taught."

Ar'ekk laughed from his end as he sniffed the delicious scent coming from the boiling pot full of food, hopefully Lilla would understand what he was saying.

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[Lilla Syrin]

Lilla wondered if she’d ever be anything but a Jedi. In her simple view of life, she would serve as a Jedi in an active capacity and – if she survived to an age where she would be a liability in the field – she would take a less active role, maybe in the archives? Or a full-time teacher. Or most likely both.

Not that she planned for old-age or retirement. Nor did she necessarily plot to die in service. But she knew that pondering the future was futile and so she spent her energies focused on what was within her control.

Out and out retirement did not seem an option for her – but clearly it was. Would she begin to accumulate belongings? She’d never had any – either through poverty or her chosen way of life – and could not imagine doing so in the future. A change of clothes, somewhere to sit and to sleep. A means of keeping in touch with the outside world and enough utensils to cook and serve food.

And speaking of the latter, Lilla could not help but to be enticed by the aroma of whatever Ar’ekk was preparing. As a rule, food was a fuel for Lilla – but she appreciated flavour and could tell from the smells emanating from the kitchen area that what was for their meal was both fresh and would be tasty.

She sipped on the water, “Don’t mind me,” she said, “This is your place, your rules. Oh, and what’s in the pot, it smells intriguing.”

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ar'ekk's Apartment, Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lilla Syrin"] ​

"You like it? Come here and let me know if it's good."

Ar'ekk stired the wooden spoon inside the pot and took it out carefully, hovering his open palm underneath to avoid any spilling that would make a mess of either the counter or the floor.

The tantalizing aroma of food being cooked and coming from the pot was mouth drooling, his stomach growled loudly as time moved on.

Retirement was an utopia for Ar'ekk. He never expected to have his own apartment, set his own rules and live a "peaceaful" life in a planet where nobody would try to either kill him or try to make him do things that are despicable.

There was a life out there for him away from the Jedi doctrine or the life as a crime lord, one where he had control of his own decisions and where he did not depended of some ancient rulebook.

"How is it?" He questioned, if Lilla decided to taste the food he was preparing.

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[Lilla Syrin]

Lilla unfurled her legs and stood up from the comfy sofa. In her life so far, she’d spent more time than not sleeping on an actual bed – and seating was invariably industrial. Furniture designed for comfort and style was not something she was used to. Functional or non-existent was what she was used to.

She padded to the kitchen area and pointed at the spoon. “No double-dipping, OK?” she said, before carefully tasting the contents of the spoon.

She savoured the taste, allowing it to rest on her tongue, allowing her taste buds and palate the maximum chance to sense the complexities and layers of flavour.

“I’m not going to pretend I know which herbs and spices you’re cooking with, but there is a lovely blend of flavours and then, right at the end, a warmth that is a pleasant surprise.”

“I pegged you as someone who ordered out, but that was only based on a stereotype, no deductive reasoning.”

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ar'ekk's Apartment, Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lilla Syrin"] ​

"It's delicious, I swear!"

He released a nervous chuckle, eager to see Lilla's reaction to the food he was cooking. A mix of vegetables and other delicious ingredients were being concocted to eventually be called a proper dinner. He blew the spoon before slowly moving it towards Lilla's mouth so she wouldn't burn herself in case it was too hot.

The one second wait felt eternal but once she expressed her positive opinion, a sigh of relief was released by the man.

"That's good to hear. See? I'm not so bad at cooking after all."

Ar'ekk stirred the pot with the wooden spoon once more as he looked up and down towards Lilla, a huge proud smile broadening upon his face.

"I usually eat outside, by Jovim's. He's got a noodle shop around the corner. Tonight? I have you as my guest so it was only appropiate to cook something up for you."

Pointing behind his back towards one of the drawers, Ar'ekk asked Lilla for something very simple to do.

"I usually do this myself but I have my hands full... Can you prepare the table for us? Grab the cutlery and whatnot from the first drawer."

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[Lilla Syrin]

Lilla nodded. “I’m in agreement with you, I was just curious as to what you used to flavour it. I know I couldn’t do anything anywhere near as good – but then, I’ve never cooked. Not properly. Not with pots and pans and a stove – and ingredients. I tend to eat at the Temple canteen, or rely on ration bars.”

Fortunately preparing the table was within her skill set. She grabbed cutlery – a knife, a fork and spoon each – and then found napkins and place-mats. She did her best to emulate the layout of a restaurant – but decided not to try to turn the napkin into a work of art. Instead she folded it neatly and placed the cutlery on it.

She put her own glass on a coaster on the table and then asked, “Are you having something to drink?”

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ar'ekk's Apartment, Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lilla Syrin"] ​

"Secret recipe. All I'm gonna say it's delicious, can't wait for you to try it."

Ar'ekk grabed two empty plates and bowls to serve their food that consisted of properly cooked grilled steak, a delicious herbs and spices soup with secret ingredients and your average evening dinner food just enough to fill your belly in a matter of minutes.

After flling them up and placing them on a medium sized tray, he would bring it to their table and serve them accordingly. Looking up to Lilla, Ar'ekk nodded when she asked the question and responded promptly.

"Yes, I'm having some wine tonight. You know, for the special occasion. The bottle should be in the cupboard too."

The table was laid out perfectly just like he used to do it back in the day as a Jedi Padawan, always assigned to lay out the table when it was time to eat. All the food was served, warm and ready to be eaten so the only thing left for them was to sit down and enjoy a relaxed dinner as the rain droplets hit the roof and the window to the balcony.

"I'll wait for you to sit down first."

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[Lilla Syrin]

“I can’t wait either,” Lilla responded. “That sample taste told me it was delicious for sure.”

Lilla enjoyed the aroma – her tastes were relatively simple, and she always preferred savoury to sweet foods. The steak would be a perfect accompaniment to the soup.

She checked out the cupboard and took out the bottle and two glasses. She did not drink as a rule – it was not a healthy source of any nutrients, and given she didn’t socialise, there was limited benefit for her in imbibing. But every now and then she would have a beer, or a glass of wine – and today was about to be added to the list of times.

She removed the bottle top and poured out two glasses, handing one to Ar’ekk before adding a second coaster to her place-setting for the glass.

Then she sat and raised her glass. “To the chef,” she toasted.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khopEHMYp30&t=9s[/media]​

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LITHIOS​

Ar'ekk's Apartment, Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lilla Syrin"] ​

The dinner couldn't have been more perfect. It was raining pretty vigorously, and with a generous amount of wind. Both of them are nice and cozy in the tranquillity of Ar'ekk's home. Just relaxing and enjoying a delicious meal while listening to the countless raindrops hitting the windows.

Raising his glass, he would cling glasses with Lilla after her initial toast.

"To great company."

The aroma emanating from their plates was definitely something out of this galaxy and made your mouth drool like a Rancor awaiting its prey to come down its lair. A glass of fine red wine, perfectly cooked steak and a savoury soup prepared with special care and dedication was all they needed.

Taking a sip from his glass and then set it down, Ar'ekk made use of the cutlery laid out by Lilla and waited for her to take the first bite. Her opinion of his cooking skills would either break or make their evening and he was eager to know more.

"Hope you like it."

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[Lilla Syrin]

“Thanks,” she said as his counter toast was said. She felt slightly awkward. Not because of who Ar’ekk was – or due to any other factor related to him – but because she was here, enjoying herself.

Yes, she’d occasionally eaten on assignment, over and above ration bars. Occasionally she’d visited a diner or bar in connection to her work. But a meal for its own sake? Usually she was too busy. If not on assignment, she was teaching. And if not teaching, she was studying. It was innate – she knew nothing else, and quite frankly didn’t want to.

Aware she would seem preoccupied, she smiled, took a large sip and then began to eat – savouring the flavours. “It’s wonderful, honestly. Possibly the best food I’ve ever tasted.” In many ways that was not a huge compliment, given where she’d eaten previously – but it was heartfelt.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ar'ekk's Apartment, Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lilla Syrin"] ​

A brief awkward silence overtook their conversation for a moment. He sipped from his wine glass and watched Lilla enjoy the food he prepared, feeling proud that she liked it. Considering he did not cook for others very often, if at all, this was an accomplishment and a huge boost to his culinary skills.

"I highly doubt it but I appreciate the comment!" He said in jest to Lilla's comment, he did not believe that at all but played it off rather nice to her.

He knew all too well that as a Jedi you don't get to socialize much with others like Lilla was doing, he was one of them too. That's why Ar'ekk made sure she felt comfortable and not out of her zone during their dinner by trying to be as amicable as he could.

Taking a sip from his glass and then set it down, Ar'ekk made use of the cutlery laid out by Lilla and waited for her to take the first bite. Her opinion of his cooking skills would either break or make their evening and he was eager to know more. Between assigments, missions, meetings and training... Who has the time for that?

It was a nice thing for a change; to get out of the routine. Lilla seemed to appreciate that one way or the other. She wasn't like the other pragmatic Jedi he'd met during his younger days as a Padawan or as a fully seasoned Jedi Knight.

Of course she followed everything by the rulebook and all that mumbo jumbo, but something was different about her.

"You ever thought about your future plans, Lilla? You know, if you stopped being a Jedi one day. Not saying that you will but things are uncertain along the road."

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[Lilla Syrin]

Lilla smiled. "I can't imagine being anything other than a Jedi. Even when I'm too old to be active on missions, I'm sure I can find a role. Teaching or working in the archives I suspect - they're things I love doing now, let alone when I become a liability in the field."

"Or I'll die of course." Her voice was not morbid - she clearly saw death as a natural progression from life, as much a part of the cycle as retirement.

"So is this your life from now on, or do you harbour any secret ambitions? Any unfulfilled desires?"

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ar'ekk's Apartment, Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lilla Syrin"] ​

"I understand. Once you devote yourself to a cause such as being a Jedi, it's all you can ever think of. That's something I respect." He replied back to Lilla, smiling too.

Ar'ekk had found purpose in his life on Lithios, trying to survive by living a "common" life away from everything he once swore to abide by. The Jedi had given him a home but everything quickly fell apart in the blink of an eye. What was left for him? Nothing. It was survival of the fittest then and it was now too.

"I don't know, really. Perhaps... forming a family? I really have no idea. I'm just thankful that I can open my eyes every day and not having to worry about a thing. Maybe one or two but nothing that can't be fixed."

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[Lilla Syrin]

"Devotion," Lilla echoed. "That sounds about right. Maybe a little fanatical, but otherwise accurate. I do tend to eat and sleep my work. If I'm not on a mission, I'm teaching. And if I'm not teaching, I'm studying. Not that I'm complaining, it's what I choose to do. Call it a vocation."

"And it sounds as though you've found peace -- at least for now. So, for as long as it lasts, embrace it. I suspect you'll know when the time comes to change, and I just hope you'll know what to do when, or maybe just if that time comes."

"Remain true to your heart and you can't go wrong." She took another mouthful. "Maybe you could open up a restaurant?"

[member="Arekk"]