Enter the Mists

[Brayden Antares]

The Hub, Golbah City

Silver-green eyes narrowed with the wrinkling of Brayden's nose as a particularly pungent odor touched his nostrils. Glancing in the direction of the smell, the Sith did not immediately see what could have been the source of the wafting affliction. A shifting of shadows down the dark alley gave Brayden his answer before the Force whispered anything. Rolling his eyes, Brayden continued along his path. The Prince of Endelaan couldn't say he exactly understood why people chose to live on the streets of some over-crowded city. Then again, on this dry slag of a rock, he supposed going it alone out in nature wasn't exactly an option. Suddenly, not-Scherezade's declaration of living on a ship being better began to make sense.

Fresh from a very illusive meeting with a man that Brayden couldn't exactly say he understood one way or another, the Sith Lord was looking for a place that wouldn't constantly remind him he was inhabiting some barren desert world. Yes, the sprawling reality of Golbah City was almost enough to complete the illusion that he was standing on some prosperous, teeming metropolis of a planet. However, it felt wrong, contrived. Brayden silently wondered if this was how so many of the planets of the galaxy felt these days. Certainly, he'd felt none of these things during his time on Endelaan or even Spira for that matter.

Rounding a corner, bright eyes fell upon a rather well-lit, sprawling establishment. Based upon the type of clientele that he saw entering the establishment, Brayden judged it to be adequate to his current need. Ever since his very enjoyable trip to Spira, Brayden had developed a rather specific taste for whiskey. What he didn't know was...that was generally something shared by all the male members of his family. Dressed somewhat simply in a black and silver tunic over black pants, Brayden offered a subtle nod to the two men at the door. To his relative surprise, his progress was not impeded.

As his silver-green eyes swept the interior of the establishment, noting several points of tactical advantage, the tall Sith Lord angled his way towards the bar. No sooner had he taken a seat than a well-dressed bartender was in front of him asking for his choice. "Whyren's Reserve. Neat." Leaning back slightly, the Sith Lord allowed his eyes to continue their slow roam of the establishment.

[member="Faye Malvern"]

 

[Faye Malvern]

It had been over a week now since Faye had moved to Geonosis to live with her brother Adron. So far the planet had proved to be nothing more than a thriving city, each person trying to live their day to day lives without any interruption. For the first time she she'd abandoned Serenno Faye felt safe walking the streets alone. Her brother had assured her nobody knew of their name at least not in the way the Sith Empire did. Most people knew the name Malvern from Adron's work as Exarch of the faction that owned the desolate, desert planet and so far that had only proved to be a positive thing. People were more inclined to protect and defend her than they were to take her life. Despite it not being exactly like home Geonosis was starting to feel safe enough to earn the name.

There was nothing much for her to do in the Confederacy for the minute, she barely knew anything about the faction that had claimed 90% of her brother's spare time. For this reason alone she found herself wondering the teaming streets of Golbah City. It had been a long while since she'd walked anywhere without a trail of security behind her and an even longer time that she had felt protected without it. Geonosis was an incredibly warm planet and she had dressed herself for the occasion. Shopping seemed to be the only thing to do here, but the lively market stalls and sand colored city walls could only hold her attention for so long. She soon found her eyes glancing over the signs above shops, looking for something in particular to keep boredom at bay.

A gentle smile crossed her expression as she slipped through the doors, held open by one of the men standing guard. From first glance the little bar appeared to be perfectly suited to her. Most of the patrons sitting there were dressed to the same degree she was and most sounded like they came from well off families. Perfect. Faye shifted her way through the maze of tables and chairs, the only thing on her mind was a cool, inebriating drink. There was only one spare spot on the bar and sitting at a table on her own seemed less than appealing, so Faye slipped herself onto the velvet covered stool beside the stranger.

'Something exciting, please.' The suit-clad bartender nodded his head at her request and turned away to make her drink. A few moments later Faye called after him in her sticky sweet voice. 'Make sure it has lots of ice!'

[member=Brayden Antares]

 

[Brayden Antares]

The bartender returned with Brayden's drink swiftly enough. Returning his attention to the dark-colored liquid in front of him, Brayden took a long sip before replacing the crystalline glass back on top of the bar with a surprising air of delicacy for someone of his size. In that moment he sensed the approach of another. Truth be told, such a thing was hard to discern in a large establishment with people constantly moving in all directions. However, the Force caused a prickling sensation to the back of Brayden's neck. It indicated merely that someone was directly approaching his position.

As was customary for the Sith Lord, he did not immediately turn to confront the would be threat. However, a single hand did slip underneath the bar as purple-white tendrils of raw energy began to form around his fingertips. Over the din of the crowd and music, there was nothing to be heard. No sooner had the Endelaan native prepared himself than the sensation disappeared amidst a wafting of a wonderfully fragrant scent. A second after that, [member="Faye Malvern"] slipped into the seat beside Brayden.

The melodic tones of her voice quickly ordered a drink as Brayden allowed the devastating energy forming in his hand to dissipate. Bringing his right hand to rest back on top of the bar, the Sith Lord afforded the woman little more than a brief, passing glance. In the event she happened to look his direction at the same time, he was prepared to offer a faux smile. Thanks to Madalena ([member="Scherezade deWinter"]), he was getting very good at those. That reminded him...he would likely do well to inform his not-sister that he had elected to throw in his lot with the Confederacy...for now. In reality, it was still all a part of a plan to keep an eye on the woman.

Returning his attention to his drink, Brayden took another long sip, draining the glass of its contents. When the bartender arrived with Faye's order, the man glanced in Brayden's direction. Sliding the glass towards the man, the large Sith nodded his head slightly. "Another Whyren's neat, please."

 

[Faye Malvern]

Faye always liked bars. Or any place where people were so drunk they forgot to feel their deepest thoughts and emotions. Often bars, parties and the like were full to the brim of happy emotions that elated her beyond compare. This time though, as she approached the bartender to order her drink, she felt a slither of defensiveness. Though most people wouldn't have felt it, to Faye it was as obvious as a screeching cat or a howling dog disturbing the midnight slumber of a small town. It pressed on her mind, almost to breaking point, until she sat down on her bar stool and it dissipated into the air like smoke from a fire.

Eyes fell on her like hot needles pressing into her skin and Faye couldn't help but raise her brow. Her curiosity got the best of her and she allowed herself a quick glance at the stranger she had sat next too. The first thing she noticed were the shocking green of his eyes staring back, that alone held her attention for a moment longer than she had expected. The smile came next. He was pretty good at pretending but nobody could pretend around Faye. She could feel the false pretense as easily as he could see her cautious gaze.

The bartender returned with her drink, something in a tall glass with a vibrant pink colour. Her full lips wrapped around the straw buried deep in the shaved ice she had asked for and she took a deep, satisfying sip. The fruity drink, coupled with its cool temperature, brought a bright smile to her face. Perfect. The sound of a glass shifting across wood brought her curiosity bubbling to the surface, once again it forced her to turn around. His chiseled features came under her scrutiny this time and rightly so, no woman could resist them.

'Expensive choice...' She commented lightly as she took another sip of her dangerously delicious cocktail. The bar stool she sat on span as she swung round to face the man fully. One leg slid over the other as Faye lent back against the plush velvet. 'I'm surprised anyone can afford a glass of Whyren's now-a-days.'

[member=Brayden Antares]

 

[Brayden Antares]

Brayden, on the other hand, couldn't say that he'd frequented very many drinking establishments. Truth be told, Spira was his only real exposure to it all. Honestly it was probably the worst place in the galaxy to start. His family connections meant that the many pursuits of pleasure were his for the taking effectively without cost. While he'd not spent an inordinate amount of time at the Red Lady, he most certainly had made the best use possible of his visit. Though he doubted he would partake in such...superfluous pursuits again. The entertainment had not outweighed the feeling of regret the next day.

Though Brayden could feel the attention of the woman beside him on the side of his face, he gave no indication that he noticed or otherwise cared. It was not until she elected to directly address him that the Sith Lord slowly shifted his bright gaze back in her direction. This time, however, the smile was genuine as he too turned his seat towards the alluring woman. It was mostly done out of respect, in the moment. "It is..."

Silver-green eyes darted to the crystalline glass for but a moment before returning to the face of the woman next to him. "I'm afraid I developed an expensive habit while visiting a family establishment. Still..." Brayden raised the glass in Faye's direction out of subtle acknowledgment before bringing it to his lips. After taking a brief sip, he placed the glass back on top of the table. "I do enjoy pursuits of pleasure when I can."

Forcing a brief fake frown, Brayden leaned in towards [member="Faye Malvern"] just a little. "You're not going to turn this into a lecture about me being more responsible with my money are you?" Then he remembered something his not-sister had said about trying to set him up with some of her friends. Leaning back gently against the velvet cushion of his chair, Brayden allowed a thin smile to touch his lips. "Worse yet, you're not here at the behest of Madalena Antares are you? I know. Rapid fire questions, but I would hate to waste your valuable time." The Sith raised his glass back to his lips once more, mischievous smile still lingering on his lips.

One thing was for sure. His trip to Spira had certainly taught him the art of small talk in social settings. He'd stumbled through it terribly for the first couple of hours. Nothing a little liquid courage can't fix.

 

[Faye Malvern]

A genuine smile was more like it and Faye returned it with ease. It was easy to forget the maladies that plagued her mind when she could feel nothing but happiness and excitement from the people surrounding her. The deepest darkest expressions that people would never dare bring to the surface had been Faye's friends for years, this new stranger was no different. The man in front of her was louder with his emotions than he likely realized, but then again everyone was.

Faye raised her glass in return, abandoning the slinky straw she'd been sipping it from. When she took another sip the crushed ice slipped down her throat and cooled her from the inside out. There was some comfort to be gained from nursing a drink, so Faye allowed her hands to wrap around the chilled glass, it fogged up to her touch but the sensation was incredible amidst the close heat of Geonosis.

'Mmm.' The soft hum of pleasure left her lips. She was enjoying the drink a little too much to focus on him fully, though she couldn't very well ignore his comment about the pursuit of pleasure. Faye shot him a rather knowing grin that curved the corners of her lips up slowly. 'Doesn't everyone?'

Faye was slightly taken aback when he lent in closer, despite the still rather large distance between them his voice lowering as he spoke. She was too much of a lady and far to polite to show her confusion at his words, but she did acknowledge them with a slow, thoughtful nod.

'First of all, I don't lecture anyone about how they choose to spend their own money. Secondly...' Faye lent a little closer, closing the gap between them by a fraction of an inch. The brief pause in her speech allowed her onyx eyes to dance over his face and trail down the large expanse of his chest. When she looked up to meet his silver-green orbs again she struggled to hide the bemused expression on her face. 'Who is Madalena Antares?'

[member="Brayden Antares"]

 

[Brayden Antares]

Brayden managed a soft, brief laugh as he set the glass back on top of the smooth finish of the wooden bar. The Endelaan native certainly had not missed any of the soft indications of comfort that Faye displayed. While he didn't think it meant anything particularly important, it did help to continuously put him at ease. Intellectually, Brayden knew that his current flow of confidence stemmed from an environment wherein women literally were being paid to interact with him. The Red Lady was probably...the absolute worst place for any male to have their first legitimate romantic exposure to women.

For now though, Brayden wasn't thinking about any of that. "Madalena is..." How did he even explain that to someone...particularly someone that didn't even really know him? Offering Faye another subtle laugh, Brayden straightened in his seat and waved a dismissive hand, smile lingering on his lips. "Let me back up. You'll have to forgive my uhh...inexperience? I don't really get approached by beautiful women that don't have an ulterior motive...ever." That was the absolute truth, but for a specific reason that he'd lived mostly in solitude. "A lot of time spent traveling the galaxy and training, doesn't leave much for personal relationships."

Extending his hand to Faye, Brayden casually introduced himself. "My name is Brayden Antares." Brayden was pretty sure that would at least relatively explain who Madalena was. Even though her name was actually Scherezade deWinter. "Madalena is my sister. My very bubbly sister, and she's made no secret of her intent to parade me around to her friends." Brayden rolled his eyes though a smile still lingered as he reached for his glass. "As for your lack of a predilection for financial lectures..." Brayden shrugged his shoulders slightly as he took a sip of his drink.

Lowering the glass from his lips, Brayden winked playfully at Faye. "Because obviously that wouldn't be much fun..."

[member="Faye Malvern"]

 

[Faye Malvern]

He was nervous, though the alcohol gave him the pretense of confidence. Sometimes Faye wished desperately that she knew the reason why people felt the way they did instead of just knowing that they felt that way. There were very few ways to apply her gift the benefited her, especially when in a social situation like this one. A gentle, barely audible chuckle filled the half empty glass she buried her nose into as Brayden spoke. Once the smooth, strawberry red liquid had been all but drank she placed the glass down on the bar and lent back in her seat once again.

'Do you often flatter complete strangers with silky words?' One side of her mouth curled up into half a smile and she rapped her slender fingers against the polished wood of the bar to gain the bartenders attention once again. 'I think we've had much the same life, to a point. Travelling and training. Though I've always managed to make time for socializing.'

Faye reached out with her own hand and placed it gently in his open palm. Ever the lady, she did not clasp his hand but simply rested her own on top of his, she still half expected people to know the classic greeting the nobility of Serenno shared. 'Brayden...' She tested the name on her tongue and quickly decided it suited him very well. 'Fra-... Faye Malvern.' Faye? Francesca? She never knew which moniker she preferred people to use, especially when she barely knew them. Faye was an intimate nickname used by family and friends, and rarely ever used by the protection she had been assigned or perfect strangers.

'Well, it's extremely nice of you to assume I was sent here under the guise of a parade. Do you ask every woman you meet if they've been sent by your sister? Surely her reach doesn't extend that far.' Her tone was playful and light, though she was genuinely curious about why this Brayden felt so on edge about his sister's friends. The bartender once again returned, with something different for Faye to try this time. The sunset colored drink seemed more than appealing and Faye wasted no time taking a deep drink from the curved glass. 'I would have assumed a man like you would delight in a show of women making a fool of themselves for him.'

[member=Brayden Antares]

 

[Brayden Antares]

Brayden allowed one corner of his mouth to turn up into something of a mischievous glint at Faye's own compliment. The Endelaan Prince managed to maintain the expression even though a flurry of doubts flashed across his mind as to whether or not they'd had similar upbringing. Perhaps if Brayden had been afforded the opportunity to live a semi-normal life with his family past the age of like twelve months, he would be a completely different person. If he hadn't spent hundreds of years in complete, utter darkness, he might have a better handle on socializing with the masses.

As it stood, however, Brayden had only the images and memories implanted into his brain by his mother. It had certainly helped...a kindness it did not seem his mother had afforded his sister for one reason or another. Still, he'd managed during his twenty or so years among the current galaxy to refine a number of things. Social exposure had not been one of them until the most recent few months.

The moment's Faye's hand came to rest in his own, Brayden blinked for a moment, attempting to reconcile both her posture and the lightness of her touch. It took a moment, but he was eventually able to recall something he had seen in a documentary holovid during his recent extended journey. Gently, Brayden raised Faye's hand while simultaneously leaning forward to softly kiss the top of her hand. He'd no idea if that was what she was going for, and it seemed...perhaps a bit formal for the present environment. Then again who was he to judge?

"Faye," Brayden repeated with an easy smile. "I genuinely do not mean to flatter. I can't say I have much patience to say anything other than what I truly think and believe." To her last question, Brayden could not help but laugh softly. Reaching out for his glass, he offered the alluring woman a simple, direct answer. "I only ask it of the ones that are so beautiful and engaging, they could only possibly be in my vicinity at the behest of my sister."

Taking a final sip of his drink, Brayden placed the empty glass back on top of the bar. Out the corner of his eye, he could see the bartender make a motion to ask if he wanted another. Brayden made a motion to indicate he was fine for the moment before returning his full attention to Faye and her final statement. "I do not usually, no. Though I suppose at present that...depends..." As a mischievous smile slipped across his lips, Brayden asked a simple question. "...on whether or not you feel like you're making a fool of yourself? If so, then I guess I would have to say I'm enjoying it quite a lot."

[member="Faye Malvern"]

 

[Faye Malvern]

Something about that grin on his face and the soft brush of his lips against her hand made Faye's heart flutter. She could feel it against her breast as it beat a quick cadence in time to the music that filled the quiet bar. For a split second she felt almost like a teenager swooning over the guy next door, it came coupled with the relief and eternally gratitude that she was the only one who could feel other's emotions. To bring herself back to reality and to draw her eyes away from the shocking silver-green, Faye shook her head a fraction of an inch. In the back of her mind she could hear her Mother's voice, smooth and calm as it spoke. 'A Lady does not pine and swoon, in fact quite the opposite. She is pined and swooned over.' Her deep dark orbs flickered momentarily from the man to the drink in her hand, it was definitely time to slow down.

'Well, I can't say I'm not sorely disappointed. Flattery gets you everywhere as they say.' Her face broke out into a bright, playful smile that was matched by a shimmering light in her charcoal eyes. 'It's been a long time since I've met an honest man by his own admission.' She said nothing of the fact that if he weren't honest it would easily be detected. That little secret was often one she preferred to keep quiet, at least until she knew someone better. Though, for some reason, the feeling in the pit of her stomach made it seem like she had known him for years. Faye took another sip of her drink then set the half empty glass on top of the polished wood. 'Your sister must be something extraordinarily special to know so many beautiful and engaging women.'

Faye threw her head back into a light, tinkling laugh that only just carried over the gentle hum of close conversation. The laughter was still in her throat as she spoke. 'I think you know me very little, Brayden Antares.' The name sounded familiar on her lips and tasted sweet on her tongue, like the name of an old friend lost long ago. Faye lent back in her chair, her body making one graceful, curvy line from head to toe as she did. Her voice was filled with mild amusement as she continued. 'I never make a fool of myself.'

[member=Brayden Antares]

 

[Brayden Antares]

Brayden wondered what...was going through the woman's mind. Empathy was certainly not one of his talents. Yes, he had the ability to manipulate minds, to invade and dominate them. However, he had no present thoughts of doing anything even remotely similar to Faye. The Endelaan native couldn't possibly have hoped to explain the awkward sensation coursing through his body, so he, simply, did not try. Instead, Brayden was content to exist in the moment, enjoying the pleasure of Faye's charming company.

"You needn't be disappointed. I can't see any situation wherein there is need to specifically flatter you. From where I'm sitting, describing your heart-stopping beauty, charming smile, and melodic voice can only be done in the most prepossessing of vernacular." Lifting his glass to his lips, Brayden's next comment slightly mumbled as the crystalline device touched his lower lip. "And you radiate confidence."

Setting the glass back on the table, Brayden laughed softly at Faye's comment about his sister. "Oh. I have yet to meet any of them. What would be the point now..." Brayden's voice trailed off as he realized, too late, what he was saying. Clearing his voice slightly, the large Sith adjusted in his seat once more. For as confident and definitive as he was in most aspects of his life, Brayden Antares was a complete amateur at navigating...these types of emotions. Managing a smile in spite of himself and the situation, he concluded simply, "I've already met the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. Everyone else is fighting for second place."

Glancing to the medium-sized dance floor in the establishment, Brayden's eyes lingered as a mischievous expression stirred his features. "Never make a fool of yourself. Well." Sliding off his seat, Brayden stood to his full height and offered his hand to Faye. "I love to make a fool of myself. Care to join me?" Brayden knew how to dance but...it certainly wasn't the type of dancing that was presently happening on the floor. They were all cultural dances specific to Endelaan. His confidence in his ability to adapt might be misplaced but...sometimes you had to risk big to win big.

[member="Faye Malvern"]

 

[Faye Malvern]

Ordinarily she wouldn't have batted an eye but Faye couldn't help the grin that spread over her face, it stretched from one cheek to the other and came coupled with a deep rouge blush that tainted her tanned cheeks. 'Now that definitely is flattery. I don't think I've ever heard such honey-coated words.' She raised her glass with his and took a quick drink, if only to hide her momentary lapse in pose and to prevent the school-girl giggle she could feel building up in her chest. It was silly to feel so elated by compliments, she was complimented often enough and she ought to be used to it by now, but it felt entirely different coming from him.

'Are you saying you can't dance?' Faye grinned and quickly abandoned her drink on the bar once again. She stood up in one fluid motion, resting her hand against Brayden's outstretched one. That simple touch sent a jolt of electricity down her spine, making her hair stand on end and forcing sultry smile to overtake the cheeky grin. Her mind whirred and flamed with a thousand and one different thoughts that a Lady had no business being party too. She cleared her throat in an attempt to bring her mind back to the noble state it was raised as. 'I can teach you, though I can't say I know much about ordinary dancing. All I know are complicated ballroom dances.'

She started them on their journey to the dance floor, turning on her heel to wink at Brayden as the entered the throng of people stomping in time to the music.

[member=Brayden Antares]

 

[Brayden Antares]

Brayden chuckled lightly at Faye’s question. ”No, beautiful. That is for sure not what I was saying.” As Faye’s hand found his own, Brayden could feel another rush of heat sweeping through his body. This was...far different than what he’d experienced on Spira. Certainly there had been the excitement of a new experience, the lust that was common when in the presence of an appealing entity.

However, with Faye it was like...he had finally released a breath that he’d unnnowingly been holding his entire life. Brayden did not even know if the woman was free to love. Would it have made any difference? Would the presence of another in his life have deterred him? The Sith knew the answer instantly. No. It would not. He would have existed in whatever awkward existence he had to in order to hold her affection and she his. Brayden would wait for a woman like Faye, a woman that electrified his very soul, for as long as it took for her to realize...they were fated to be together. That their two souls were destined to be together, linked across all of time.

So lost was Brayden in his rising emotions and thoughts, that he’d nearly missed all of what she’d said. Glancing to the side to smile at her, Brayden offered a nod. ”Most of my experience comes in the form of cultural dances of my people, my home. But...” Turning his gaze to the throngs of people, Brayden allowed the best of the music to deep into his soul before turning back to Faye. ”I’m sure we can adapt.”

Without prompting or warning, Brayden gently but firmly seized Faye into his grasp. Spinning her body around such that her back was firmly against his stomach, Brayden shifted one arm around her waist as the other lightly trailed down her arm and grasped her hand. Simultaneously, the large Endelaan native allowed his body to move to the rhythm of the beat, his hips easily turning his words and desire into a breathless expression of need and intensity while his lips lingered near her ear.

[member="Faye Malvern"]

 

[Faye Malvern]

Her head felt dizzy and buzzed with a strange sensation she couldn't put her finger on, though whether it was the drink or the rush of having his hand in hers was completely unknown. Whatever it was seemed to spur on the thought that his hand belong there, pressed into the center of her own. It felt like wearing a tailored velvet glove, smooth and supple like a second skin. It wasn't far to walk to the dance floor but by the time the couple arrived Brayden seemed to be in a world of his own. Faye took the opportunity to really look at the man in front of her. What she found took her breath away. The muscular shape of his body, the way his chest shifted with each breath he drew, the shocking silver-green of his eyes, the way he smiled when he caught her gaze...

'So, where is your home then? Perhaps I've heard of it.' Faye couldn't prevent the soft squeak of surprise that escaped her lips as Brayden wrapped his hands around her. 'Oh...' A blazing fire ignited in the pit of her stomach, spreading a warm all over her body down to the tips of her extremities. She felt jittery in his grasp but at the same time she felt like she was always meant to be there, his hand fit perfectly against the curve of her waist. Faye had to physically stop herself from leaning her head on his chest and letting out a sickly sweet sigh. What she couldn't prevent was her heart dancing a rapid beat against her chest and likely against his too. She couldn't help the jolt of electricity that ripped through her spine each time his breath caught her ear.

Her hips swayed with him, her feet tapped in time to the beat, her body pressed tightly against his. She found herself wishing she could freeze time, to trap them both in this moment and never bother to look back or be worried of the consequences. Brayden Antares had captured her heart in the time it took for them to walk from the bar to the dance floor.

[member=Brayden Antares]

 

[Brayden Antares]

Brayden had heard the question just before their two bodies practically merged into one. Even as the sound of the music filled his ears and the beat caused shallow vibrations in his chest, Brayden could not deny that the closeness of Faye's body to his own was arguably more...affecting. Hands sought to explore every curve of Faye's body. So deliberate was their slow trace that Brayden could have built a detailed model of her body's physical features down to the micron.

The steady rise and fall of Brayden's chest began to quicken as the DJ seamlessly transitioned into a new song. Between airy breaths that conveyed much more than just physical exertion, Brayden replied to Faye's earlier question. The answer she received was not...precisely what she had been looking for, but he couldn't very well start giving into the secrets of his home immediately. He felt that he could trust Faye, certainly, but he was no empath. As a result, he couldn't really know for sure. "A mostly forgotten world on the far reaches of the Unknown Regions. Mmm it's beautiful. You would fit in quite perfectly among its crystal waters rolling, lush countryside."

Everything about being with Faye in that moment and for the entirety of that evening, seemed right...as if it had indeed been written in the stars eons ago. Brayden certainly could not deny his desire for the night to continue into forever, and he certainly could not hide it.

[member="Faye Malvern"]

 

[Faye Malvern]

Faye smirked a little at his words, or was it because his hands were set to discover every undulating line of her body? She couldn't tell and she didn't care. There was no denying his hesitation to share the information on his family home, though she desperately wished she could ignore the feeling entirely. He was allowed to be secretive about his personal life but she wanted to know everything there was to know about the man who called himself Brayden Antares. Despite only meeting him less than an hour ago Faye found herself wanting to be tied to him impossibly, in a way where you couldn't tell where one ended and the other began.

'You're rather mysterious, is that meant to intrigue me? It's working.' A smile crossed her expression as she spoke, swaying with his body as the song switched over to something entirely different. She span around in his embrace and found herself looking up into his silver-green eyes through thick black eyelashes. Every breath she took caught in her chest. Faye only realized that her mouth had opened to talk when she heard her own voice cutting through the music. 'I don't know why but I find myself entirely entranced by you. It's like we were always meant to meet on this day and this hour.' She shook her head quickly, almost burying her blushing face into his chest as she continued. 'It's silly though isn't it? You're practically a stranger.'

Faye had never truly believed in fate, but something about the warm evening on Geonosis screamed exactly that. She had never meant to turn down that little alley way. In fact, Faye had almost admitted to herself that she was entirely lost, she was just about to turn back to try and find her way home when her eyes had found the bar they were dancing in now. There was no need for her to sit at the bar beside Brayden, there had been plenty of tables to pick from. It all felt like an inexplicable force of nature had drawn them together that day.

[member=Brayden Antares]

 

[Brayden Antares]

Brayden smiled at Faye's words, laughing softly into her ear. The effect last only a moment before his naturally deep voice spoke in even, velvet tones. "I apologize. I feel as though I need to...hold myself back, but I only feel that need because my heart is already perfectly content with letting you in." It was a simple admission without being overly direct. Brayden was not exactly sure how direct he wanted to be in the moment.

As Faye spun around to face him, Brayden momentarily stilled his movement. Bright eyes gazed down at the beautiful woman. For a brief moment, the Endelaan native actually forgot where he was. Similarly, the presence of people all around them enjoying their evening faded into little more than a distant memory. Allowing Faye to entrance him into a sort of dream world where only the two of them existed in the entirety of the galaxy, the Sith Lord smiled.

Though Brayden could hear Faye's melodic voice, he couldn't say he paid much attention outside of that. Words drifted in and out of his ears as the only sound that the Sith Lord could easily register was the thumping of his heart. The natural cadenced sounded so loudly in his ears that he was sure Faye could hear it as well. Like Faye's present thoughts, Brayden briefly found himself considering the hundreds of random acts of chance that had brought them to the present point.

It sometime shortly after Faye asked her innocent yet astute question. Yes, it was perhaps silly...foolish even for the two of them to give into desire and the rising heat of a much broader emotion; an emotion neither wanted to give breath to. The idea, the emotion was so fragile and precious that if either even so much as whispered it in that moment, it might be lost to time forever.

Allowing a single hand to gently cradle Faye's left cheek, the Endelaan native allowed his thumb to gently rub against the smooths kin. At the same time, Brayden closed what little distance remained between them, free arm strengthening around Faye's waist. Where words failed to adequately describe what he was presently feeling, Brayden resorted to merely be a man of action. In the next moment, the large Sith leaned forward just enough for his full lips to meet those of Faye.

The feeling that rushed through his body was...electric. Perhaps for a moment it was seemingly innocent, but Brayden quickly became lost in the embrace. Allowing himself to melt into Faye, he tightened his bottom against her own, simultaneously increasing the passion of the kiss. Through his action, he communicated all of the desire, admiration, and comfort he felt in the woman's presence. He wanted more, and it showed in how quickly and decisively he allowed the kiss to deepen into something that lingered just on the edge of a fully carnal experience, both hands moving to encircle the entirety of Faye's body in passion, in an expression of budding love.

[member="Faye Malvern"]

 

[Faye Malvern]

A sudden ripple of a distinctive sensation traversed the length of her spine as the honey coated laugh entered her ear. She couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle of her own, coupled with a smile that creased the corners of her eyes. 'It's inevitable, Brayden. I'll make it my mission to know everything there is know about you.' Faye could feel he felt the same, she had nothing she felt protective over and there wasn't a question he could ask that she would not answer. Her grin met his stare as she spun in his grasp. Each subtle movement of his hands on her waist sending a spark of electricity through her whole body, it made her hair stand on end. Faye had never desired much in her short lifetime but she wanted his hands to remain there, she wished for him to explore further, she needed him in unimaginable ways.

She lost herself in his gaze, entirely captivated by the shifting silver green of them. Part of her wanted to slap herself silly for being so easily wooed, she rarely had her head turned by men and especially not strange men she had met in bars, but this felt different somehow. It felt as though Brayden was the piece of a puzzle she didn't know was missing, he was the spark to a fire she was certain had died long ago. She had known love before, she had witnessed it plenty of times and even felt it once or twice, but the experience wasn't the same when it was your own... Faye shook her head quickly, trying to clear her mind of that particular train of thought. She drew her gaze away from his eyes to the muscles in his chest, just in time for the firm skin of his hand to catch her cheek.

Everything froze, the music faded into the background and the people disappeared behind the electric atmosphere that encased the couple. Without thinking Faye found herself leaning up on the tips of her toes to meet him as he moved toward her. when their lips met the energy snapped and sparked around them, filling the air wit ha passion so heated it would have melted even the coldest of hearts. She mumbled a soft expression of surprise against his lips, the sensation coursing through her veins left her feeling weak at the knees. He tasted like expensive whiskey mixed with her own drink of choice, the sickly sweet cocktail. She sunk into the kiss, bodies pressing tightly against one another as her eyes fluttered shut in complete bliss. Fyaye had been to a lot of places since the loss of Serenno and the majority of her family. Yet, in that entire time nothing felt as right as his lips did against hers, nothing felt as natural as the way his arms brought her close and held her in his embrace. He felt like the safety she had left behind, the comfort she had never known and a home she had almost forgotten.

When she pulled away it was only to take a breath, the magnetic pull of his presence soon had her returning to the sour taste of the alcohol on his tongue. Her hands snaked around his shoulders, fingers gingerly ran through his sandy brown hair., The second kiss felt as deep and powerful as the force they both shared a connection to. An inaudible groan of satisfaction escaped her throat as they once again sank into the passionate exchange. Faye felt like she was weightless, floating in the clouds with his arms as the only anchor she had to solid ground. The emotions radiating off them met in the middle in a beautiful symphony of inexplicable feelings and an untouched, ravenous desire.

[member=Brayden Antares]

 

[Brayden Antares]

Brayden could only hope to manage a smile in response to Faye's statement. Yes, there were certainly things about him that he was normally...hesitant to discuss, to convey. There was probably only one thing, however, that he would outright refuse to discuss with Faye. This reality was not indicative of a lack of trust though it probably should have been, shouldn't it? It was entirely possible that Faye was manipulating him or using some sort of ability to twist his emotions to her purposes. Yet when she'd approached, there had been no warning of danger. He'd seen no flashes of hostile intent through the Force. More importantly, his heart somehow managed to tell him this was true, real.

Certainly, Brayden had never known love outside of love for his parents and sister. That love, unconditional though it may be, was engendered out of infancy...a life he would never again have. It was not the same as the powerful emotions he presently felt for the alluring stranger in his arms. These thoughts, however, faded at the first touch of her lips against his own. At first, it was tender but blissful.

When Faye broke the kiss to steal a few quick breaths, the Endelaan native did the same. At nearly the exact same time, their lips sought each other's with an unquenchable thirst. The second kiss was different from the first. Any hesitation or uncertainty of the first exchange faded entirely, quickly their embrace escalated to the point where Brayden could feel the heat radiating off his skin. As his hands began to readjust, the Sith Lord broke the kiss somewhat suddenly.

As their lips separated by less than a couple inches, Brayden kept his head hanging low, forehead resting gently against Faye. Between rapid breaths, he managed to say, "I'm sorry I..." The Sith Lord did not prefer this night progress as his one evening at the Red Lady had. There had been plenty of passion in that instance, but it was devoid of any real emotion. The desire he'd had that night was purely physical whereas he found himself...captivated more by Faye's entire presence than just her undeniable beauty. "...I don't want there to be anything about this night that you regret." The Sith Lord paused, unsure of how to appropriately ask without the suggestion of a purely sexual encounter lingering in his words. He wanted...more than that in just that moment. "Would you like to get away from all these people?"

Brayden needed to feel the cool night air, to step away from the masses and simply exist in a space with Faye for a moment. There was always time for physical pleasure, but in that precise moment...he was forcing himself to set outside lust for true intimacy. It was a test of sorts.

He just couldn't be sure if he was testing himself or Faye.

[member="Faye Malvern"]

 

[Faye Malvern]

He broke the kiss. So suddenly and without any warning that Faye found a soft groan of disappointment slipped from her tongue. She pressed her rose petal lips together, desperate to savor the taste of him in the brief moment of silence before he spoke. He was still so close that she could feel his breath against her skin. Her fingers trailed up his chest and came to rest against the bare flesh on the hollow of his throat. For the first time in her life she felt her own emotion pulsing stronger than anyone else's in the entire room, which was an all together new sensation for Faye. They were still there, niggling at the back of her mind, but she mostly all she could feel was the overwhelming endearment and the strange notion that, if he asked it of her, she would do anything for him.

His words made a subtle smile creep onto her face. It came coupled with a glint in her eye that reflected the bright spotlights shining down on them from the ceiling. 'If I regret anything about tonight it was that I didn't kiss you sooner.' Her slim fingers danced gently against the home they had made in the dip of his throat. Her eyes flicked up, coming to rest on the half closed lids of his own. There was something hidden behind them that he wouldn't voice anytime soon, but on top of that she could also feel his hesitation. It didn't appear to be hesitation for the how the day had gone so far, or for their actions in the past few minutes. She didn't let the confusion show on her face as she tried to figure it out. One of the downfalls of being an empath was not being able to tell exactly why someone felt the way they did.

'I would love too.' She let her hands fall from the expanse of his chest, one of them tangled around his own in an almost impossible way. The dance floor was small enough that the couple had crossed it in less then a second, Faye in front and Brayden following closely behind. 'What would you like to do? I'm still new to Genosis, I'm not really sure what there is to do around here. Maybe we could just go for a walk...' Faye found herself fumbling for words, something she rarely ever did. She could have remained silent but she knew for a fact the moment she stopped talking his magnetic presence would call her back to the softness of his lips. When she stepped outside she was surprised to find that the day had slipped into night. The blazing sun was no longer the focal point of the sky, which by now had turned a soft orange that was merging into midnight blue on one side.

[member=Brayden Antares]