Private Crimson Ascent

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Engagement Ring I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X I Theme Song I Bloodline Tattoo


Tags: Roman Vossari
Location: Prosperity Training Dojo
Objective: Reunion | Unresolved Issues​

The air in the Dojo was... cold, but it didn't matter.

As the sound of a young woman's kiai's were heard -- there on the training mat's stood Anneliese. Garbed in tight fitting black leggings and a grey mid-top sports bra, sweat glistened off her upper torso, the black bleeding crescent moon tattoo in full view for anyone to see on her lower back as her chest heaved up and down heavily.

Frustration was written all over her face.

Walking over and reaching down, she grabbed her towel as she slowly dabbed her face, her left arm down and her fist opening and closing repeatedly. It'd been several weeks now since the battle of Tython and she'd regained most functionality in her arm -- the fracture had been healed finally... but that hadn't stopped her need to become stronger, to push the boundaries and limits on which she deemed acceptable, or safe even at times.

There were darker things yet than what Tython had thrown at them.

Her mind came to Roman as a loud yell escaped her lips, her left hand letting a force repulse escape as a weight flew across the room. Right after Tython -- she'd never in her life felt more betrayed and heart broken than what stunt he'd pulled. It hadn't even been a day yet and she scrambled all around and over asking for where and what transport he might have been on -- but as the day turned to night, then into another one, then a week -- she'd finally gotten her answer when he corresponded her with her arrival time, which she'd simply replied where to meet.

Her heart hurt... she loved him, but why he'd left like he did... she just couldn't understand. Part of her wanted to scream at him -- part wanted to cry... the other? She wanted to kiss him as hard as she could and make him feel love and warmth so that he'd never want to leave her side again. But... then there was one part of her that feared -- what if he'd grown tired of her? Wished that he'd never proposed?

There were too many what-ifs.

Dropping the towel down she went straight back into her Kata's -- her speed and ferocity of her movements much more aggressive than before, her movements fluid, precise and deadly as every blow in the air created a slight ripple of air, a stray strand of her hair untucking from the tightly wound braid that kept her unruly hair in place. Taking a running start, she jumped forward, planting and preforming a series of calisthenics, flips and jumps as she went back into her kata -- her kiai's filling the air once more as she awaited.

 

[Roman Vossari]

The Prosperity | Training Dojo
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Anneliese Kaohal

​

Roman stepped lightly down the corridors of the Prosperity, the familiar hum of training and distant classes filling the silence around him. The fabric of his loose-fitting training clothes swayed as he moved, but he barely registered the way they clung to him. His focus was solely on what lay ahead. He navigated through the flagship with a singular purpose in mind, he needed to find Anneliese.

His mind raced with fragments of memories from the past weeks, Dantooine, the rigorous training with Diarch Reign and his daughters, the harsh discipline of a combat form that felt both ancient and oddly personal to him. He had devoted himself in those days, hiding away from the pain and memories of the invasion of Bogan, of loss and suffering. But in doing so, he'd left her behind, the very person who meant everything to him.

Turning a corner, he was hit with a sensation that made his heart skip. Her presence filled the air, drawing him closer. He could feel the force surrounding her, infused with frustration and fiery determination. Shame rolled in his gut, he had neglected her, allowed her to shoulder her burdens by herself while he ran away to learn how to fight and to forget the pain. But there was no forgetting Anneliese.

As he approached the dojo, a flicker of uncertainty crept into his chest. What would he say? How could he mend what he had broken? He paused at the entrance, his breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight before him, Anneliese, so fierce and beautiful, her movements a blend of grace and power. Sweat traced the path along her skin, the tattoo on her lower back a striking contrast against her weary but determined form.

Roman felt pride swell within him, but it was quickly stifled by the regret. He shouldn't have left her. He should have been here, a support, a companion in her journey of recovery. But the turmoil of his emotions held him captive, forcing his eyes to hang low as he leaned against the doorframe, watching her in silence.

He entered the dojo quietly, laying his towel and water down on the bench, all the while searching for the right words to bridge the tension that had formed.

He wanted to speak, to wrap his arms around her and tell her how sorry he was. But he couldn't summon the courage to meet her gaze. Every fiber of his being ached with the desire to reach out, tangling between wanting to embrace her and grappling with the reality of his mistakes.

He waited, hoping she would see him. Did she see the regret in his downturned eyes? Did she sense the weight of his failure to be the man she deserved? As Anneliese transitioned through her katas, her grace interrupted by palpable frustration, he could no longer remain silent. "Anneliese." he finally managed to say, barely above a whisper at first, hoping that she could feel the sincerity in his tone.

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Engagement Ring I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X I Theme Song I Bloodline Tattoo


Tags: Roman Vossari
Location: Prosperity | Training Dojo
Objective: Remain Composed ​

She felt his presence long before he spoke up -- and as much as she desired to reach out, something deep within gnawed at her very soul and stood staunchly in place, holding its ground. Was it pride? Was it stubbornness? Was she being unfair?

Stopping as Roman spoke up she stood, back to him, her breathing heavy as her shoulders rose and fell gracefully. Her fist clenched slightly as she peered back -- her emerald eyes a mixture of emotions, one hard to gauge, even for someone as familiar as Roman was... and he, was intimately familiar with Annie.

Walking over towards Roman, but brushing past him slightly, her warm floral scent mixed with the smell of her perspiration, she grabbed her towel and dabbed her face, the glint of the promise ring shining vibrantly in the rooms lighting -- she'd clearly not taken it off... definitely a good sign one would think. A soft greeting would escape her lips.

"Roman..."

Brr...

The cold shoulder definitely was not something she enjoyed ever giving... especially when all she could think about as she had walked by him was jumping his very form -- her heart hadn't been the only thing that'd missed him... no, her heart, her mind, soul... and body all ached and longed for his very touch. In all honestly, it took virtually all her willpower.

"Decided to finally come home I see... hope wherever you went was worth it..."

Chit -- apparently hell hath no fury like a woman ignored.

Remain composed Annie... keep, calm -- she inwardly told herself.

She now moved past him towards the mats, her demeanor distant as she stood now in the middle of the dojo once again, her teeth gritting now in sheer frustration, her emerald eyes a pool of volatile emotions. Breaking the ringing silence, frustration clearly evident -- Anneliese spoke. "Where did you go? Why didn't you bother to tell me anything?" Her voice echoed in the empty room -- the two crimson lovers now in a heated discussion. "I... have been, going insane thinking about you Roman..."

Well chit -- so much for being composed.

A shriek of frustration came from her as her hands came upwards, twisting slightly in the air as they came sharply back down, the training mats rippling from the force that came off Annie. "I -- I don't even know what to say right now. Three weeks Roman -- Three.Weeks." The words emphasized, her voice quivering slightly as her breathing picked up and hot tears began to swell within her eyes. "The hell Roman? I get Tython was... just, downright awful -- for all of us. But with all the chit we've dealt with, and are still -- dealing with, I never assumed you'd just... drop off the radar and leave me guessing what happened."

Her hands shook as her ears began to ring -- an all too familiar sensation now beginning to overtake her senses. Ever since her return from Tython, she'd noticed a change in her demeanor, regarding how... irritable she felt towards, well anyone. Her fuse was shorter, she'd been sleeping less... and right now, it took all the restraint she could muster now to just pop off on Roman. Training in the Dojo, doing early morning work-outs, which sometimes lasted hours seemed to take the edge off -- but really, it was all just a distraction. She was still working through her own chit... they all were.

 

[Roman Vossari]

The Prosperity | Training Dojo​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Anneliese Kaohal

​

Roman felt a small jolt as Annie brushed past him, his fingers instinctively reaching out to catch hers, but only grazing them before she was gone. The warmth of her touch lingered briefly, swallowed by the tension that hung in the dojo. He could sense it, a storm brewing within her.

"Anneliese..." he groaned softly as she moved toward the mats, her frustration radiating off her like heat from a fire. The distance between them felt like a canyon, steeped in unspoken words. He shifted forward, determined to bridge that gap, hesitantly.

"I went to the Outer Rim." Roman finally spoke, moving closer, even as Annie called him out on his silence. "Dantooine." he added. "I thought... I could spare you from what I was feeling. I was hoping I'd be back in time for you after recovery."

He paused, searching her emerald eyes for any sign she understood. They had been through so much, he had seen the darkness that loomed over them both since their return from Bogan, and in his foolishness, he thought solitude might heal him without dragging her down. "But the days turned into weeks... and in my attempt to protect you from that side of me, I--"

The shrill sound of her frustration cut through his explanation, sending a ripple of despair through him. "You've been thinking about me?" he attempted to playfully tease, desperately trying to close that emotional distance.

He was forced to take a step back as the momentum of the force on the mats sent him off-balance, "I... I'm so sorry, truly. I thought distance would be best, but I should have never left you alone." The words felt insufficient, but he couldn't let his silence weigh heavier than his apologies. He needed to do something to help her release that pent-up energy.

With urgency, he moved to the side, swiftly removing his shirt and tying back his hair, exposing the sculpted muscle he had built in her absence. He had worked tirelessly, pushing his own limits, but deep down, he knew it was all just an attempt to keep the demons at bay.

"Anneliese." he called, stepping back into her line of sight with a newfound resolve. "Hit me. Release this frustration. You have every right to be angry, for leaving you." He assumed a guard, inviting her into the moment with an understanding look in his eyes.

"Let's spar, it'll help, I promise." The tension between them was thick and electric. He wanted her to feel free to let loose, to hit him and reclaim control of her emotions, if only for a moment.

"I deserve it." he urged, raising an eyebrow in mock defiance. "And afterward, we can talk more. I'll do everything I can to explain just how much you mean to me. But first... let's get this out of our systems, yeah?"

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Engagement Ring I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X I Theme Song I Bloodline Tattoo

​

She seethed with rage whenever he gave excuse, which was simply to spare her from his feelings, and that it was actually him protecting her.

"Spare me? We were all feeling something Roman... are you so... dense you couldn't realize that? I would have been fine if you'd simply just said something to me -- you know, communicate, what were supposed to be doing."

He smiled and tried to be playful -- which only caused her heart to flutter, but at this point she refused to back down from her stance -- he'd crossed a line and she was furious with him... but it didn't mean she loved him less, it just hurt.

As he stepped off to the side and removed his shirt, her face went slack as her emerald eyes flashed with a greedy want and desire as her eyes traced over the new lines and grooves that were now ever present in his upper torso... her internal dialogue now extremely loud within her head. "By Ashla... those lines weren't there the last time..." Her cheeks flushed as her eyes now fluttered -- he'd caught her off guard with that one, but despite how amazing he now looked standing before her -- she was still mad, he just didn't play fair with that little maneuver.

Her eyes narrowed.

He wanted her to hit him? Feth -- she would have done that chit without his permission.

No time would pass -- no words would be said as Anneliese closed the gap between them violently -- the tenacity pouring from her body ten times different than it'd ever been in the past -- this was the battle hardened woman that had come from battle. Her fists were curled tightly, her knuckles white as she swung at him, the air felt in each swing -- her arms channeling the force down and out just like she'd demonstrated to him that first day they met -- she wasn't holding anything back, her emerald eyes blazing with fury as she let out several kaia's of excitement. Launching a right thrust from her legs to put distance, she would flip forwards, sending a flying heel kick downwards -- if it missed the sheer impact would crash onto the mats.

 

[Roman Vossari]

The Prosperity | Training Dojo​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Anneliese Kaohal

​

Roman braced himself as Anneliese closed the distance, fury radiating from her. The first strike landed squarely with his abdomen, the force of her punch jolting him back slightly. The pain was sharp, but it was nothing compared to what he felt inside, a mix of admiration and an immense sense of responsibility for her emotions, for their situation. He could feel the intensity of her frustration flowing through each calculated movement.

As she swung a right thrust kick, Roman twisted swiftly to the side, his body moving instinctively as he dodged her instep. The heel kick aimed at him flew through the air, missing its target and crashing against the mat with a thunderous thud. The impact reverberated through the dojo, sending vibrations that matched the tumult inside him.

It was clear to him now, she had come back from battle not just physically transformed but hardened by the trials they had faced. Each breath he took was infused with respect for her strength, and though the adrenaline was high, it served a different purpose. This was a spar, yes, but more than that, it was a necessary release for both of them, a way to shed the weight of his miscommunication and the layers of hurt that had accumulated in his absence.

With each subsequent blow, Roman parried and dodged, the air between them crackling with energy. He didn't retaliate. Instead, he leaned into the storm of her strikes. Each jab tested his reflexes, each sidestep an acknowledgment of her unyielding desire to be heard and understood. And with every punch that grazed him, he could feel the tension between them ebbing, even if only slightly.

As the tempo of the fight quickened, Roman felt a fist connect with his lip, a sharp sting igniting his senses. Blood trickled down gently, a reminder that this was a dance of feeling as much as it was a spar. He revelled in the sensation, the thrill of her power, knowing it was a product of both her rage and her potential. "Ouch." he managed with a crooked smile, voice slightly slurred but genuine, the words almost lost in the space between them, threaded with admiration.

Then, as she shifted for another strike, he executed a quick roll towards her, moving into her guard. With a dangerous degree of closeness, he found himself mere inches away from her, breath mingled with the hint of exertion. "I'm sorry." he whispered, urgency lacing his voice amidst the charged atmosphere.

That moment, suspended in time, transcended the sparring match, it became a raw mixture of emotion. Roman could see the conflict flash in her eyes, a mix of anger, hurt, and desire. He was there with her, not just physically but emotionally too, allowing her to unleash everything she had bottled up inside. They were warriors, yes, but they were also lovers trapped in a storm.

"Hit me again." he taunted lightly, smirk back in place, still within her guard.

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Engagement Ring I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X I Theme Song I Bloodline Tattoo

Tags: Roman Vossari

​

Each side step, each deflection only fueled a impassioned rage that had been building up within her over the last few weeks... and with each strike that made connection to him, he only apologized -- she could feel his sincerity, but at this point, she felt as if she was unleashing something more, something deeper she now could no longer bottle back up.

Biting her lip she cursed under her breath.

Wasn't he upset too? What was he working through? Why wouldn't he tell her?

Wasn't she sufficient enough?

As soon as they came to a short reprieve, he goaded her on once more. Coming in low, she swung high, coming at him with an uppercut that would send anyone reeling backwards, but as she'd come to expect form Roman, he gracefully back-stepped, a coy smile coming from his face as it only gave rise to her frustration. Why did he have to be so damn cute while she was angry? It wasn't fair.

As she continued with her onslaught, her combos becoming more and more increasingly aggressive, her fist making contact with one of the training set ups -- the dummies that were used to simulate real contact with a person. The wood surrounding splintered and shattered as the life-like figure was sent flying back, her voice breaking from her lips as she moved around with him locked in their duel.

"Hit back Roman -- hit BACK dammit!!!!"

Every block and parry that Roman seemed to make was like meeting with an iron vice -- whatever he'd done, wherever he'd been, results were showing and she knew the longer he continued down this path, his strength might even one day rival Thurions, a man that had saved them along with several the day they marched on Bogan.

As she leap upwards, both her hands coming together, she came down onto Roman, with the intent to hit with a power blow -- but as she did, his hands met with hers, effectively blocking her blow and using her own momentum, he flung her over his shoulders, his wordless action answering her own angry scream.

She landed with a sickening thud as she gasped loudly, the breath from her lungs escaping and leaving her.

Flashes of battle came into her mind as she bridged between reality and fantasy, ghostly sounds filling her ears as she rolled over, a cough heard as she inhaled sharply, trying to regain her breath back, her fists clenched as she slammed them to the mats.

"Why? Why?! Why?!?!?!?"

Hot angry tears escaping her eyes as she shakily stood up, the mats indented from how hard she'd hit them.

"I've been hurting Roman... I've been so lost -- and there was no one, I wanted more than you!"

She came in again, her fists blurring in and out of sight as she worked him towards the wall, but once again, he dodged as her right cocked back, missing its mark and as it made contact with the wall, the wall splintered and crackled outwards in a large radius, the room shaking as she breathed heavily, sweat dripping off her form. Bringing her hands up and towards her face, tears and sobs broke from her lips, her knuckles bleeding.

"Why couldn't you just talk to me? I thought you loved me..."

 

[Roman Vossari]

The Prosperity | Training Dojo​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Anneliese Kaohal

​

Roman watched, breath caught in his throat, as Anneliese landed a devastating blow to the training dummy. The splintered remains flew across the room like a flurry of broken dreams, and he couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and admiration. She was a force of nature, so impressively powerful and strong.

When she turned to him, her fists raised and eyes blazing with tears of anguish and frustration, time seemed to slow. Each furious jab she aimed at him came with unspoken words, layers of hurt he knew he had a hand in causing. As she shouted at him to fight back, he shook his head, the weight of her anger thick in the air between them. He could never lay a hand on her in aggression, no matter if they were training or not. To him, she was everything, light and warmth.

"I know." he managed to say when he had a moment between her strikes. "I was selfish."

Every near miss only compounded the tension. As she lunged for him once more, her fists creating cracks in the very walls that surrounded them, he barely found the space to escape her onslaught. He marveled at her strength, both in spirit and in body, battling against the sorrow that had wrapped themselves around his heart. She was right, he had let weeks of silence grow like weeds between them.

But he thought he had his reasons, rationalizations that now seemed like mere excuses. He had encountered an old friend, a mentor that challenged him, and somewhere along the way, he lost sight of everything that mattered most.

As Anneliese struck the wall, he watched the debris fall, but it was her despair that brought him closer. When her fists dropped to her face, tears streaming freely, his heart broke for her. She shook, caught in the storm of emotions that tore through her. Slowly, he approached, his hands outstretched as he enveloped her in an embrace.

"I do love you, Anneliese." he whispered into her hair, feeling the warmth of her body against his, even as her sobs shook them both. "I was lost. I didn't want to bring you down with me. It was supposed to be a few days, a trip to clear my head, but it turned into weeks because I…"

There were no more words, just the truth weighing on him like a heavy shroud. He had been running, running from the reality of his own struggles, all the while she had been standing still, waiting for him.

"I should have communicated better. I'm so sorry." he murmured, pulling back just enough to cup her face in his hands, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You mean more to me than anything in the galaxy. Please forgive my silence. I promise I'll never let that happen again." He parted her hair, hoping to comfort her some more.

"I'm here now." he assured her, his hands wiping away her tears with his thumbs. "I'll answer any questions you have, and I promise to help you in any way I can, like I should have from the beginning. I can't let you carry this alone any longer."

His heart swelled with hope that maybe, just maybe, this could be the first step toward healing, toward bridging the chasm that had grown between them. He could be better. He had to be better. For her. For them both.

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Engagement Ring I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X I Theme Song I Bloodline Tattoo


Tag: Roman Vossari

​

She felt him enveloping her into his embrace as she laid her head into his chest, their heavy breath mixing together as she allowed her fleeting anger to dissipate.

She couldn’t stay angry with him — not in this lifetime or any that would come.

“Yes — you should have…”

Her voice coming out as a whisper as a sob broke loose. So much had happened during Tython and in the wake of that war — so many of them were left with picking up the broken pieces and pulling themselves back after having shattered and rend their souls and hearts.

War was a respecter of no persons.

She was strong, she was resolute — but she was so tired. The ghosts of war nipped and gnawed at her heels as she allowed herself to finally relax in his soothing presence, her arms now coming up and embracing him fully as his hands came and gently cupped her face. A small giggle escaping her face as he wiped her tears she spoke.

“I’m glad you’re here — I’ve missed you, so much.”

She let out an exasperated and shaky breath as her countenance fell, her sobs breaking forth once again.

“I haven’t felt the same since we’ve gotten back. I’m angry all the time — I snapped at one of the Masters during lessons yesterday — I don’t know what came over me, but all I saw was red and before I knew it, I was yelling at him.” She let out another shaky breath as she felt the stinging pain in her lower back burning into her flesh. “I feel a weight pushing down on me. Nightmares have been my constant companion and I can’t sleep, I’ve hardly ate — I am so, tired… Roman… I need a break, I need time to breathe and to recoup.”

They were young adults sent into a very adult situation, and now they were all reaping the repercussions. Going into battle had only caused her own usually strong mentally defensive capabilities to wane and weaken — with the very real threat of the Nameless still looming in the shadows, her concerns were very much so close to home and near.

“I’m leaving soon Roman — I wasn’t sure if I was going to see you. I’ve put in for a leave of absence to go visit and train with someone…. with Thurion. Val agreed that the slow down by going to his homeworld of Midvinter might be good for me.”

She looked up towards him as the weight of it all would settle in.

 

[Roman Vossari]

The Prosperity | Training Dojo​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Anneliese Kaohal

​

Roman held Anneliese tightly in his embrace, feeling the weight of her exhaustion seep into his own bones. It pained him to see her so worn down, to sense the turmoil brewing beneath her surface, a storm of emotions that had become all too familiar in the wake of the war. As her head rested against his chest, he could feel every quiver of her breath, each one laced with anguish and vulnerability that tugged at his heart.

"I missed you too." he whispered softly, his fingers threading through her hair as he held her close. He wanted to shield her from the galaxy, to wrap her in a cocoon of warmth and safety, but he knew this was a battle she had to face, just like he had done. "You're so strong, Anneliese." he reassured, his voice steady yet gentle. "But it's okay to feel tired, okay to let it all out."

She spoke of leaving soon, a twinge of sadness striking deep within him. The thought settled heavily in his chest. He had only just come back, and now she was preparing to go, even though it was his fault he was gone so long. "I understand." he said, though a sliver of disappointment wove through his voice. He wanted to keep her here, beside him, where he could offer her solace. But he would be selfish to wish for her to stay when he knew this was what she needed.

"Thurion is a good man." he continued, trying to alleviate the sadness gnawing at him. "He knows what we've all faced, what you've faced. He'll guide you, help you find the peace you're looking for. You'll learn so much from him." Thoughts of the fierce warrior flashed through his mind. Thurion was not just a mentor, he was a beacon of strength. Roman remembered the man rallying their ranks during the chaos of battle, the fire in his eyes illuminating hope even in the darkest of times.

"I want you to go, to find what you need." Roman finally said, pulling back slightly to look into her tired eyes. "I'll be here when you return. You're not alone in this, Anneliese. I promise you that." He cupped her face with his hands, his thumbs brushing beneath her eyes, gently wiping away the remnants of her tears. "You have to take care of yourself first. Only then will you come back stronger, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead."

As her gaze held his, he found himself lost in the depths of her soul. She was more than just his love, she was a part of him. No distance, no matter how great, could sever the bond they shared. "I'll always be here for you." he murmured, his heart swelling with affection and resolve.

With that, he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, hoping to infuse her with a sense of comfort to take with her.

Roman paused for a moment as he tilted her chin gently with his hand, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Promise me that when you return, you won't come back to beat me up too much with all those new moves he teaches you." he teased, trying to lighten the somber mood without dismissing her pain. A soft chuckle danced at the edges of his words, a brief flicker of the joy they had shared before the war had surged into their lives like a storm. "I wouldn't stand a chance against you."

 

[Anneliese Kaohal]

Items: Lightsaber I Engagement Ring I Outfit X X II Equipment X X X I Theme Song I Bloodline Tattoo

Tag: Roman Vossari

​

As she stood in his embrace, Annie closed her eyes as her breath became even and measured -- she always felt comforted and safe within the confines of his presence. As he whispered the words that he'd missed her too, a small grin broke out and onto her face as she looked up to him and allowed her lips to meet with his, the emotionally charged kiss taking her very breath away as she broke free from it.

Yup... she'd definitely missed being able to do that.

Thurion was someone that nobody in their age group had even heard of until -- the godly force viking seemed to apparate out of thin air, as if the man had been magic. Nodding her head softly she spoke, her soft voice breaking the silence that hung between Roman's sentences. "I'm looking forward to it, and I hope that I can accomplish what I'll set out to do -- all I know is what he has, I hope I can get even a scrap of it."

"I'll always be here...."

Was this what partnership looked like? What marriage would hold? Granted -- she had been in a tiff over Roman just up and leaving, that was more of the lack of communication, not the act of letting him go somewhere as if he somehow had to ask her permission. Furthermore, Annie wasn't the jealous type either -- she had complete faith in Roman that he'd never dare be unfaithful to her.... but what amazed her was the constant example he set, and the grace he constantly gave her... even when she felt she wasn't very deserving of it. He had a strength of heart and steadfastness that even she constantly felt in awe of.

Chuckling she leaned back, pulling her arm up and gave a light tap on his bare shoulder. "Yeah, I'll try to go easy on you." Looking into the ocean that was his eyes she felt a knot in her throat -- she was near him now, but within days she'd be leaving, only to be separated once again. "So -- wanna tell me who got you into this..." Looking down at his arms and upper chest, her hands coming up and tracing lines, a small smirk on her face. "... tip-top shape? What did you do while you were away? Feel like sharing?"

 

[Roman Vossari]

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Anneliese Kaohal

​

Roman led Anneliese over to the bench, his fingers gently clasped around her waist, embracing her warmth while his heart thrummed in sync with her presence. He felt comfort in her laughter, a melody that soothed the chaos swirling around them.

"Thurion is truly something else." he said, chuckling as he settled next to her. He glanced sideways, catching the way her eyes gleamed with a mix of admiration and determination. "This training is going to be incredibly good for you." he reassured her, hoping to quell any lingering doubts that might shadow her thoughts.

Anneliese's playful scrutiny, those eyes tracing the contours of his arms and chest, made him smile. The weight of her gaze held significance, a question lingering in the air, and he laughed softly, inviting her inquiry.

"I didn't want you to feel helpless again, like we did on Bogan." The memory churned in his mind, the feeling of inadequacy sinking into the pit of his stomach. It was a catalyst propelling him toward self-improvement.

"I figured I needed to work on myself a little more." he confessed, wearing a half-smile as he recalled that time. "So I adopted a bit of your determination with training." He said wanting to embody the resilience she represented in her day to day training.

"Dantooine was my refuge." he continued, letting nostalgia wash over him. "A beautiful, quiet place. It's where I found my solace." The thought alone painted a serene landscape in his mind, and it was a haven he longed to share with her someday. "We'll escape there, just the two of us, one day."

He paused, allowing the silence to cradle their intimacy, just for a moment, before another memory surfaced. "I came across an ancient library. It was filled with tomes, old manuscripts detailing fighting styles from across the galaxy."

He laughed softly at the thought. "I practiced day and night, but I just couldn't quite get the hang of it. Frustrated, I was about ready to give up when man named Reign found me. We had briefly met before in passing..."

At that name, a flicker of excitement crossed his features. "He and his daughters sparred with me, they were relentless. We trained day in and day out, bonds forged with sweat and camaraderie."

He looked at Anneliese, sharing the enormity of what he had learned. "Reign has this wisdom about him. A good man, I think you would really like him. Maybe one day, I can introduce you? He taught me so much, not only about combat, but about the galaxy as a whole. He really opened my eyes..."

Tracing her left arm with his fingers, he examined the remnants of her previous struggles, the injury that happened on Bogan. "How's this? Fully healed?" he asked, concern lacing his tone.