Private Falling With You

[Zaiya Ceti]

Nakbe
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

-

"That's not all you want though, is it? I do know you. What is it you want, really? You can tell me, Zaiya."

There was a swirl of indecisiveness and flustered awareness at Aris’s confirmation that he did know her well. That was the double edge sword of resonating with him so quickly when Zaiya first met him and becoming fast friends. There was very little that Zaiya could hide and Aris was by far the one who most understood her. She’d hoped in a tiny little guilty pleasure portion of her heart that he could say the same about her regarding him… but she knew how close the Noble family were. Family for Lovalla were so important. She couldn’t fault that Aris’s family would know him better. That made sense.

Anxiously fiddling with her drying hair, Zaiya felt heat rush to her face that had nothing to do with the one Aris was radiating to help her dry off.

Lots of thoughts came to mind again, and it would be evident to Aris that Zaiya was overthinking again. As easy as it was to talk to him, sometimes, it seemed so difficult. It was only getting more frustratingly complicated too, with the conflicting emotions that seemed to have her flowing from one aspect to the next.

“Umm… well.” Things had naturally progressed that they would each see less of each other due to their training, curriculum, and various masters and knights they were training under.

“I’d… like to spend more time with you — but I know we’ve both been really busy…” this was one of the few times they had several days to hang out compared to before. And while Zaiya had met new friends, no one quite compared to how Aris made her feel… better.

But with that came all the odd thoughts and desires like to cuddle him that made Zaiya question just how comfortable Aris would be with that.

“And well…I-…” Zaiya stumbled over her words, finger combing her hair and then checking on her robe for the dryness. It was almost done. It was a good thing she couldn’t see his face right now, but even then the medley of color combinations radiating off the walls from her bioluminescent skin was telling.

“I…I miss and want things but not sure how to explain it. It feels confusing and silly.” it did sound so silly. But for Zaiya, it was a truth that she struggled with.

 

[Aris Noble]

Oh he asked a much deeper question than he thought. Aris was half tempted to glance over his shoulder to Zaiya, but caught himself to make sure he didn't. That was a level of awkwardness he didn't think he could handle. Rather, instead, he just stared at the far wall with a contemplative expression. There was a lot she was saying without actually saying.

"I've been distant. I can tell that much. I don't mean to be, I just.. Worry. About you. You said Lovalla need affection at a certain point in their lives. We're Jedi, and I worry that if I'm too close, then I'm just- going to hurt you, you know? I don't think I could ever be alright with hurting you. We can't always be together, especially with our own training. .. But at the same time I miss you too."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Nakbe
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

-

Worry. It all began with worry. It was evident that Zaiya wasn’t the only one worrying, and while she felt a shimmer of warmth that Aris also missed her, the fact he was aware he had been distant hurt. Did that mean he was doing it on purpose?

Then again, hadn’t she done the same? Holding his land less, reaching out to him only when needed, afraid that whatever jumbled feelings she had would drift out and he’d feel burdened by it all.

A knot grew in Zaiya’s throat and she felt as if her stomach was sinking. Her skin couldn’t help dampening it’s vibrancy, and a sense of dread melted the rosy gold of her skin to a muted silver.

It didn’t take long to figure out why.

You said Lovalla need affection at a certain point in their lives. We're Jedi, and I worry that if I'm too close, then I'm just- going to hurt you, you know? I don't think I could ever be alright with hurting you. We can't always be together, especially with our own training. .. But at the same time I miss you too.

“Oh…” Zaiya barely uttered the word, but her breathing hitched and the pressure in her chest grew. Right. We are Jedi.

They had training, and responsibilities to others, and.. and… Zaiya’s mind raced, her tendency to over think misconstruing what Aris told her now with what he’d mentioned and acted in the past. At the bonfire when he froze and seemed uncomfortable with how she held him from behind. Back when they were training and she asked him about liking her. How he’d considered kissing gross and then learning now that he’d been deliberately distant.

The Lovalla teen knew that Jedi could be close. Closer than friends. Aris’s mom and dad were examples of that. What Aris was basically saying was that he didn’t see himself providing that kind affection to her. Meaning, he didn’t see her at all as more than a best friend. That they were Jedi. No more. No less.

So why did that hurt so much?

“That —that makes sense,” her lower lip began to tremble, and for some reason Zaiya felt her eyes begin to sting. Silver would etch the darkening grey of her mottled spots, feeling the first icy pains of an emotional ache she hasn’t felt before. Swallowing hard, the sixteen year old did her best to blink back the stinging of her eyes, grabbing her boots and checking for dryness. It was dry enough.

The sudden need to put some distance between her and Aris grew, and she slipped one boot back on, focusing on the ties with firm, purposeful motions.

“Yeah. That makes sense. We are Jedi and need to focus on that. And I know you’d never hurt me,” Zaiya did her best to keep her voice level, forcing herself to lean into the training Lossa and Braze has taught her, mentally and emotionally, blocking off what she was feeling, walling off the ache of a budding broken crush.

“In that case, just make me something that reminds me of you then, for when you aren’t with me,” Zaiya did her best to try and put a note of friendly cheer in her voice. The other boot was slipped on and secured.

I can be a friend. I can be a best friend. That’s okay. That’s fine.

But it still stung.

“That way I won’t miss you as much.” Practical. Something to focus. And maybe Aris would be just as apt to focus on that than her.

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris's own mind was racing at this point. Even after he finished what he said, he could feel her reactions behind him. The racing of her heart, the hard swallow of disappointment. The tensing of her expression, tightening of her fists. He didn't like this. Something he'd said upset her. Like in front of the bonfire, like when she'd asked him his opinion on kissing. He didn't get it before, the feeling that something was amiss. He knew something was wrong before, but he didn't really understand it.

He still didn't but something in the back of his mind was telling him not to just brush this aside as Zaiya was. Something that left him feeling distraught himself on this. He'd hurt her, in a way he really was trying not to. Without thinking on it any longer, or at all really, he turned and just, hugged her to his chest. It wasn't a forehead flick to stop her from overthinking, but a hug that he felt they both needed right now.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm doing, what I'm really saying. But I don't like the idea of you feeling like this. I know you're not okay. I can smell your tears even. Talk to me, Zaiya. What's going on? What's making your colors dull so sadly? I can tell what you're feeling, but I can't read your mind to know why."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Nakbe
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

-

Zaiya had already resigned herself to leaving, the heavy weight of all the misunderstandings and confused, overthought teenage emotions pressing down on her. She was determined to pull away, to block off the sting of perceived rejection that gnawed at her. But just as she began to stand, something unexpected happened -- Aris's arms, warm and solid, wrapped around her from behind.

In an instant, he pulled her close, enveloping her in the kind of embrace Zaiya had only dreamed of. She felt the beating of his heart, the tickling of his breath by her ear, and the rumble of his voice as he spoke. Apologizing, asking her to talk to him. To let him know what was going on.

Zaiya couldn't help herself, Aris had moved so fast and unexpectedly she didn't have the ability to maintain her empathic shield. Her breath hitched, and all the mental and emotional walls she'd been so carefully constructing to block off her empathic resonating crumbled like sand. The emotions she'd been trying so hard to suppress came flooding out, overwhelming her in a dizzying and mortifying rush because she knew, she knew, that she couldn't hide them from Aris when he held her.

"Aris... please..." If she was saying it for him to let go or keep holding her, it was hard to tell. What wasn't how longing surged through her, raw and powerful, battling against the confusion and anxiety gnawing at her in the past few months. The worry that she had been unintentionally manipulating his emotions, that now that he confirmed he'd been distant meant the real ones were showing, and that's why he was drawing a line by reminding her they were Jedi. How the instinct to snuggle closer crashed against another torrent of feelings -- worry, despair, and the aching guilt that she wanted something more but was confused about what. Hearing Aris say he couldn't provide her the type of affection she needed at a certain part of her life was making it click, sending her into an angst-filled whirlwind of longing, fear, and desperate affection.

This wasn't just about the hug -- it was about what she'd felt for Aris all this time, painfully slowly coming to a head. All the stolen glances, the way her heart fluttered whenever he was near, how her face flushed, and she caught herself wanting more and more to reach out to him and touch him, to snuggle close. And now, here he was, holding her like she was something precious, something he didn't want to let go of, confusing her on just what he felt or wanted and, oh, only making it harder to try and focus on anything but wanting to sink in further into the hug.

"It's already really hard to -- " her voice stammered, and Zaiya shut her eyes, trying to force the words out. To what? To figure out what she was feeling and if maybe she'd be overthinking or overreacting or being so stupid and silly for what she was feeling that clearly, Aris was not. To not want to hold him? To not want to hear again his perceived rejection of her? Embarrassed and disappointed at it all while trying to tell herself that it was okay, it was alright to be the best friend she could be.

"Just ... I get it. Okay." she breathed out in vague reference, lower lip trembling and swallowing hard. For once, Zaiya didn't want to go into a babbling speel. She didn't want Aris to reaffirm what she seemingly already knew. She didn't want to feel him confirm it with his heart and his emotions at her back, the blinding spotlight that would only highlight her anxiety-building befuddled dread. "It's fine. I'll be fine."

She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, trying again her best in an attempt to wall off her emotions again.

"We - we should go find that forge," her voice cracked, and Zaiya tried to pull away. Any longer, and she'll only want more, to linger there. Or worse, she'd start to hope. "Before your parents send over a search party."

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris had acted on emotion. He'd never done that before, never gave into an impulse. Hell, he didn't really have impulses or a desire to do something he hadn't thought out. With how fast his mind could think, it was as if he simply couldn't be impulsive. Yet this certainly was. He sort of sat there, not tightening his hold nor relinquishing it as his mind tried to process what exactly he'd done.

All while listening to Zaiya. While trying to sort out what se was saying. Not saying, more specifically. It was as if he'd forgotten just how much he could feel from her while they were in contact. It had his expression soften. She was saying nothin, at the end of the day, with her words. She was desperate to avoid the subject. Whatever these feelings were, they were far too complex for them to just sit on.

"No. Whatever's down there isn't going anywhere. I don't know what's going on, Zaiya. You've always talked to me. You can now." He paused before gently letting go of her waist. He smiled softly, trying to appear calm. His mind was racing regardless. He had a feeling what this was, what this all meant, on a surface level at least. He wasn't blind or ignorant. But he didn't want to just decide for her.

He needed her to tell him.

"A knight shouldn't keep secrets from their prince, right?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Nakbe
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

-

Zaiya's heart pounded as Aris's breath brushed the top of her head again as he spoke, his voice soft, seemingly calm, but filled with concern. The sensation sent a tickling flutter down her spine, and she tucked her neck in, curling forward despite the irony that she wanted to get closer. She drew her knees up to her chest, gripping the fabric of her outer robe with trembling fingers. He hadn't been this close to her in a while, and even then, she hadn't felt this way before. Now, every tiny movement, every breath he took, made her hyper-aware of his presence.

Her mind raced with anxious thoughts screaming inside her head.

Was this easy for him? It had to be, especially if he didn't feel the same way she did. Zaiy felt Aris let her go, gently pulling away from her, clearly distancing himself...

"A knight shouldn't keep secrets from their prince, right?"

Zaiya froze, her thoughts coming to an abrupt halt. Then, she spun around, twisting at the waist, and looked up at Aris in utter shock. Her iridescent blue eyes were wide, reflecting the wave of disbelief crashing over her. A pulse of astonishment rippled across her skin, turning it dove grey with pale yellow flecks. Her mouth fell open, dumbstruck, before she snapped it shut, trying to process what had just happened.

No. No, he didn't. He DID! Aris was using that against her. Their private, silly joke had somehow turned into something serious, something that had fueled her determination for the past two years as she pushed herself to train harder, to be the best Knight she could be alongside him.

"I... you... why --," Zaiya stammered, her emotions swirling in a chaotic whirlpool. Even if she wanted to avoid it, there was no dodging it now. He knew her too well; he knew she wouldn't take what he said lightly, not when she'd been taking her training so seriously.

"T-that's not fair!" she suddenly burst out, her skin flashing with a burst of color and bioluminescent shimmer. She even brought her hand up to push against his chest, though it didn't do much, it was more an emotional outburst than anything else.

"That's not fair when I've been trying, really, really hard to block off all these confusing emotions when I'm around you, and now you're just confusing me even more!" The words tumbled out in a rush, a flood of everything she'd been holding back.

Zaiya's eyes began to sting again as she felt her control slipping away. Every fear, every doubt she'd tried to bury, came rushing to the surface. "I don't like it! I don't like that I don't see you as much and I miss you and I want to hold you but then I can't even look at you when you're too close," she admitted, her hand still pushing feebly against his chest, "and I can't help feeling anxious and nervous and I didn't feel like that before but now I do and then... and then -- "

Another wave of emotions crashed over her, and her skin erupted in a kaleidoscope of rippling colors, the display as beautiful as it was heartbreaking.

"And then I worry! I worry that maybe I was right when I talked to Cora, and maybe you only like me because I made you feel this way because of how the Force reacts to my emotions whenever we touch!" Aris's face blurred before her, the tears in her eyes making it hard to see him clearly.

"Now I'm scared that maybe what you're feeling all this time since we met isn't real, and now you're telling me that since we've been seeing each other less, you've been deliberately distant, and it only makes me think that might be true!" She sniffled, her face twisting with the effort to hold back the sobs threatening to escape. She pushed at his chest again, frustration and heartbreak mingling in her voice.

"And then you -- you go on and say that you can't like me the way my kind do and that we're Jedi and that's that, so I'm just stuck here trying to figure it out and make things work, and I'm trying but then-- but then -- Ugh!"

She wiped at her eyes with a jerky motion, her emotions spiraling out of control.

"I can't help but want more, Aris! But I get it. It's not like that for you, and I don't want you to feel things just because I can't control them, and it's just so... so..." Zaiya's voice trailed off, her breath hitching as she searched for the words to explain the whirlwind of emotions inside her.

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris blinked.

He knew there were a lot of feelings that she'd been burying, but to have it be so much all dumped out together like this was beyond what he thought was going on. There were a lot of different subjects to tackle there, about what she felt. About what he felt. And yet, by the end, Aris was smiling. A soft, understanding smile, but where she was distraught he was simply.. Smiling.

A hand reached out to gently pat the top of Zaiya's head. He was tempted to poke her forehead, but, with how much she was crying, well. He wasn't sure that'd do a lot of good to just poke her like that.

"So this is why you've been so quiet and distant yourself. You can always talk to me, Zaiya, about this. You should, even, rather than just assume what I'm feeling." Which, seemed to be the basis of all of this. Still, again, Aris was smiling. Despite the tears, she'd more or less admitted she felt something similar to what he did. And it made him happy.

Worried, but, far more happy than worried.

"My fears, Zaiya, is that if you were to grow attached to me we wouldn't be together enough. You said that Lovalla will die if they're separated for too long from that person. I- don't really understand what that all means. I don't get a lot of these feelings we have. But we are Jedi, which means we'll be sent on missions. Separately. A lot. I just- I can't control those feelings either. I want you to glow, bright as ever. I never once said I couldn't like you that way. I'm just- scared I'll be why your colors dim. Why you get hurt."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Nakbe
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

-

Zaiya's thoughts were a tangled mess, swirling like the colorful patterns on her skin, which flickered between shades of anxious pale yellow and frustrated lavender. As Aris gently patted her head, trying to comfort her in the clumsiest way possible, she couldn't help but feel a spark of teenage angsty irritation. He was the one who insisted she spill everything she was feeling, and now he was treating her like a youngling?

Her emotions spun even faster, spiraling between confusion and that annoying prickle of teenage annoyance to feeling touched.

What was he even trying to say? Something about not wanting her to get too attached? Or was it that he was afraid she would end up hurt if they got too close? That he wanted her to glow as bright as ever? And what was that about not being able to control his feelings? Did that mean he wanted to like her in that way, or didn't, or… ugh, it was all so muddled.

She rubbed at her nose, wiping away the last of her tears as she tried to piece it all together. But then, just to make things more complicated, Aris went and smiled at her -- this soft, disarming smile that made her heart do a weird flip and scattered her thoughts all over again.

It was so unfair! How am I supposed to focus when he did that? - And why am I the only one who seems to be bothered by this?

Zaiya wanted to scream in frustration. Talking to him should be easy -- she knew he was always there for her -- but the words just wouldn't line up in her head. They kept tripping over each other, leaving her even more lost. Every time she tried to explain what she felt, it only got messier, like trying to hold onto sand slipping through her fingers.

Dropping her face into her hands, Zaiya took a deep breath, trying to calm the heat rushing to her cheeks. It took everything in her to not let the panic take over. She needed to get a grip, needed to figure out what came next. But how could she do that when she didn't even know what Aris wanted?

"Okay… okay…" she mumbled, more to herself than him, forcing herself to breathe evenly. Zaiya swallowed hard, her skin flickering between muted shades as she tried to ground herself. This wasn't just about her; she had to know what he wanted, too. Maybe if he gave her a straight answer, she could figure out how to deal with this confusing mess of emotions. Maybe then... if she had to, she... she could be a really great best friend. At the very least, the perfect Knight.

Or maybe even... No. no. Just focus.

Looking up at him with wide, uncertain eyes, she managed to ask, "Then what do you want to do now?" Her voice wavered, as she searched his face for any sign of clarity, forcing herself to look at him despite what she might find. "What do you want?"

It felt like such a simple question, but the weight of it made her heart race. She didn't want to mess this up, didn't want to accidentally push him away or cling too tight - or worse, manipulate him into whatever she’d wanted… whatever that was. She'd work with whatever he told her -- she just had to know where they stood. Maybe then she could stop the panic that was slowly bubbling back up, tightening her chest. Zaiya squeezed her hands together, bracing herself for whatever came next.

 

[Aris Noble]

What did he want?

He'd made a point that she should ask him that rather than assume, but, did he really have an answer? His smile didn't fade, but it did turn more thoughtful as he mulled it over. Seeing how she carried herself, how worried and panicked she looked. Listening to her words, her voice choke on sobs just moments ago. The tears in her eyes.

"I want to make you the happiest person ever, and protect that smile with all my strength. I don't know what that means, what that entails. And.. We're still kids. I talked to Colette a little about it. The bond your people have with one another. That's a permanent thing. If you form that bond with me, I can't and won't be able to feel it. We are Jedi, which means we'll be sent all across the Galaxy and be separate. You said that would make you sick, hurt you. Kill you. I don't want that, Zaiya. I can't think of a way to fix that right now, to make it so you don't get sick or die."

He paused. This wasn't anything different from what he said before, but hopefully this time she'd let him speak more on it.

"I want to figure out how to fix that, so we can choose together, when we're older, what we want with this. So we can be free to choose if we want to be just friends or more without fear that we're going to hurt each other. That's what I want. To feel like it's okay to want more without being afraid I'm going to end up getting you killed."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Nakbe
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

-

Zaiya's breathing finally steadied, her emotions ebbing from the storm they'd been swirling in moments earlier. Listening to Aris now, really listening, became easier as the initial panic faded away. Despite everything, she'd always been a good listener -- curious, attentive, eager to understand others. But when it came to Aris? When it came to her friends and the gnawing fear that she might somehow hurt them? That's when it all got tangled in her head, emotions mixing with teenage confusion, the weight of Jedi responsibilities, and the uncertainty of figuring out what she truly felt.

Still, as she let Aris's words sink in, Zaiya started to recognize the sense in what he was saying. He was always deliberate, careful with his words, each one chosen with purpose. It came from that drive of his to be honest, even if it might sting a bit. He didn't want to hurt her, she knew that, but he also needed to be clear. Over time, Zaiya had grown to appreciate this about him, even if it sometimes made things difficult.

She forced herself to focus, pushing back the swirl of conflicting thoughts. Aris wasn't entirely sure what his feelings were, but he was certain about one thing -- he wanted to keep her safe. That mattered. He cared about her happiness, about protecting the parts of her that made her glow, both literally and metaphorically. His concern wasn't just about himself; it was about making sure she didn't end up hurt because of things neither of them fully understood because they weren't adults yet. Just teenagers.

Zaiya couldn't deny the truth in what he was saying. There was a lot she didn't know about how the Force affected her kind or how deep those bonds could go. Lovalla physiology was a mystery even to her and who knew how the Force would also affect that. She was still growing, still learning, and who knew how those connections might evolve as she got older? It was something she'd have to figure out in time, but for now, Aris's caution made sense.

But even as she accepted his reasoning, a bittersweet twinge settled in her chest, the contemplative muted amber tinted by shades of inky grey. The thought that Aris, because he wasn't Lovalla, would never be able to feel those connections the way she could made her heart ache. It was a truth she'd been told before by Valery Noble, Aris's own mother, that he would never be able to forge bonds like his parents. It was a reminder that whatever bonds she might forge, they'd never be fully shared with him. And maybe, just maybe, that was a good thing -- because if they stayed as just friends, he wouldn't have to deal with the same longing or loss she might face.

Zaiya swallowed hard, trying to push the doubts away. She gave a slow, measured nod. He was right. Maybe it was best to keep things simple, to stay focused on training, on being the best Jedi she could be. Maybe if she kept her feelings in check, if she stayed steady and patient, then one day, when they were both older, Aris would know for sure what he felt. And if all he ever wanted was to stay friends… well, she could handle that. She'd protect him and stand by his side, no matter what. She'll keep whatever she was feeling deep in her heart and hide it well.

"Okay," Zaiya finally whispered, her skin settling into a soft, contemplative amber hue. She repeated it, more for herself than him. "Okay. We can do that."

As she adjusted her robe and loosened her grip, Zaiya allowed herself a small exhale, accepting that for now, this was enough. They'd figure the rest out in time, even if it meant letting go of things she wasn't ready to admit she wanted. For now, she'd focus on what she could control -- being his ally, his friend, and maybe one day, the protector she hoped to be.

 

[Aris Noble]

She listened, at least. This was a good step. For both of them. Though, he frowned. Something felt wrong still, for him, specifically. She could see it in how she looked at him. She was locking something away, locking the feeling. He didn't like that. Was he okay with it? Did he- Aris smiled regardless of his wandering thoughts. Right now, this was for the best.

Until he was certain his feelings wouldn't bring her harm as he knew the would, he couldn't tell her. It just sucked that it took this for him to realize it, really.

"Let's find the forge, yeah?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Nakbe
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

-

It was bound to happen -- more miscommunication. Zaiya and Aris were both still stumbling through the complexities of figuring things out, not just about each other, but about how to express what they were really thinking and feeling. So when Aris smiled, despite the brief flicker of a frown, Zaiya assumed he was ready to move forward in the direction her mind had already mapped out, completely unaware that he might've meant something else.

"Yeah, we should find the forge, figure out what it is," Zaiya echoed, her voice a bit too firm as she stuffed her emotions back down behind mental shields. She had to practice more -- more control, more restraint -- so nothing slipped through, so her emotions didn't resonate with anyone unintentionally. Especially not Aris. She made a silent vow to be more careful, to only touch him when necessary, and even then, to block off anything that might bleed out from her feelings into his. That is what Jedi did right? Keep calm, keep cool-headed, didn't let their emotions run amuck. The Force had already blurred enough lines between them, and she didn't want that to happen again. If she could just focus on training to be a good Knight -- a good friend -- maybe it wouldn't hurt so much.

Zaiya gathered her outer robe, rising to her feet with deliberate composure. She brushed off the remaining dirt and inspected her clothes. They were mostly dry now, save for a few slightly damp spots.

Good enough, Zaiya thought. The fabric whispered softly as she moved, her willowy form swaying as she slipped the thick robe on and tied it securely. She took a breath, smoothing it down before giving a small nod.

"Okay, let's get going." Her tone was resolute, a dark orange ripple with a blue glow darting over her skin, refocusing her mind on the objective. She summoned the three glowing orbs from her bangle once more, sending them ahead to light their path with that familiar pale blue glow.

"It's probably going to get a lot colder down here," she added with a slight grin, trying to lighten the mood. "Might be time to break out your Epicanthix torch abilities again." It was a small joke, an attempt to bring some normalcy back between them, to ease the tension that had hung in the air before.

"I'll take the lead and see if I can sense anything dangerous...well, you know, as long as it's not another big stone snake..." she trailed off with a dry chuckle, hoping her forced levity didn't sound as awkward as it felt. Then, with a determined step, she moved forward, the orbs casting soft light ahead, guiding them deeper into whatever lay in wait.

 

[Aris Noble]

Right now, focus.

There were too many emotions to sort through, and they were still technically lost in a cave they'd crashed into on the other side of an underwater lake a massive snake had brought them across. Searching for something called the Forge of Ascension. He stood himself, dusted himself off before smirking. He would be their light? He snorted before lifting a hand to glow.

He was able to glow, yes, but it did little to actually light their way.

"I trust your senses more, mm? Lead the way, my Knight."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Nakbe
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

-

Lead the way, my Knight."

Zaiya felt a knot tighten in her chest as Aris called her 'my Knight' again. The words only reinforced what she'd convinced herself was the best way forward - keeping a distance. A Knight didn't get too close to their charge. They were focused on their well being and protection.

Of course, her mind couldn't quite drag itself away.

Why does this seem so easy for him? she wondered, trying not to let the thought spiral. Aris's smile seemed effortless, like he wasn't nearly as torn up about this as she was. Did he even feel the same weight she was carrying?

The Lovalla Padawan forced herself to think of happy things, funny things; anything that would maybe not make her color-shifting be that apparently. Once again, she was reminded how Shan had told her years back that she should look into possibly controlling it. Now it only struck a nerve. Something to ask the Jedi Elders when she returned to the Prosperity, or maybe ask Lossa Aureus or Corazona von Ascania , or one of the other Jedi Masters if there were ways to. She needed the training of a specialist for this.

As they moved deeper into the tunnel, the temperature dropped sharply. The air grew so cold that their breath became visible, wisps of mist hanging in front of their faces. Ice crystals clung to the tunnel walls, weaving intricate lattices that glinted in the faint light. The polished surfaces of the tunnel bore more of those mysterious designs, which seemed to pulse to life as Aris's presence drew nearer. Whatever energy was at play here was reacting to him, drawing Zaiya's attention even as she fought to keep her emotions in check.

The passage eventually opened into a vast cavern filled with a soft, glowing mist. Massive crystals jutted from the walls, their sharp angles creating a breathtaking but eerie landscape of pale blue and white light. The crystals radiated enough illumination that the orbs Zaiya and Aris had summoned were no longer necessary; the entire cavern shimmered with an otherworldly glow.

At the center of the cavern, an enormous formation of ice-covered crystals encased what looked like a towering door. More runes were etched along its surface, adding to the mystery. Zaiya's eyes widened as she took in the sight, both in awe and with a gnawing sense of unease. This place was beautiful but cold.

"Oh stars..." came her murmured whisper. Right, they were here for a reason, and she couldn't let her own doubts get in the way.

"Do you think this is the Forge the serpent was talking about? It doesn't seem very.... forgey... or hot for that matter." She could handle this amount of cold just fine, but would Aris?

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris was, ultimately, unaware of just how cold it got. It'd become almost passive for him, how he regulated his temperature. The colder it got, the warmer he'd seem to glow, all to keep himself a the right core temp to be comfortable. Which, honestly, wasn't good. It could've been a good distraction for him to focus on regulating himself than letting his mind wander on the conversation with Zaiya.

It was a blessing and a curse that he'd been taught to keep his emotions tight and controlled. The more he learned about them, the easier those lessons were. He couldn't further burden Zaiya as she tried to figure out her own thoughts. Thankfully, they weren't long until they made it to.. Something. He blinked as he looked over the door, the runes. There was no keyhole, no way to open it.

Especially with all the ice. He reached out, his hand blistering with it's own heat to start to melt the ice. He couldn't feel the Forcce coming from the crystals after all, and they melted just like ice would.

Though there was no water. They just evaporated.

"It could be. I don't know where the door leads, so.. Let's find out?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Nakbe
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

-

Zaiya couldn't help but giggle as Aris reached out to the icy wall, only for it to melt beneath his touch. The tension in her chest lightened at the sight of it. Of course, he'd end up melting it - he was practically a walking furnace in his current state. With all that heat rolling off him, it was a wonder he hadn't turned the whole cavern into a puddle.

"Maybe you'll just melt your own entrance," she teased, her skin flickering with light blues and golden luminescence, the colors of her amusement.

She took a few steps forward, intending to investigate the strange door further, but something made her pause. A shiver ran down her spine - not from the cold, but from a sudden awareness tingling through the Force.

"Aris…" she began, her voice trailing off as she joined him by the door. Her opal blue eyes gleamed curiously as her gaze flicked down to the crystals, citrine spots glimmering on her skin, shifting hues that mirrored her growing intrigue. She pressed her palm against the cool surface, focusing. A gentle push of energy rippled through the Force, and suddenly, the ice crystals before her lit up with a dazzling cascade of blue light, refracting and dancing across the cavern.

Zaiya's breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide with awe. "These crystals can react to the Force!"

Excitement bubbled up inside her, sending soft golden glowing ripples through the mottled patterns across her cheeks and arms. The more she thought about it, the more certain she became - this wasn't just some random formation. There was purpose here, something deliberate about the way these crystals were arranged.

"I don't think these are here by accident…" she mused, her mind racing as she tried to identify the crystals. They weren't kyber, that much she could tell. But what were they? And what role did they play in this place?

Her fingers trailed along the icy surface, her eyes narrowing in thought. Whatever this was, it was more than just a locked door or a forge.

 

[Aris Noble]

Wait, she could feel the Force from the crystals?

Aris pulled his hand away almost immediately, frowning as he looked to the ice. It wasn't ice at all, was it? Despite being cold and clear, as if it was. He had no doubt she could feel something from it, but what did that mean exactly? "I doubt it. I'm not sure what it all means, though. I.. Hmm." He reached for the orb, pulling it out. He focused on it then, idly tapping through it, rotating it. The Force guided him as he did, until the sphere again floated in his hands. It glowed teal as it drifted forward, towards the door.

The crystals mirrored it's glow, shinning through. Then, on the door, it sparkled. Across it lights shinned. Dots with lines connecting to them. A star map, by how it looked.

".. Wo."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Nakbe
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

-

"I'll collect some and see if they can be researched back on the Prosperity," Zaiya said, her voice thoughtful as she crouched down to inspect the strange substance. Her mind raced with possibilities -- maybe whatever they found here could help Aris later on. She picked up a loose clump, cold as ice, and watched as it began to condensate the air around it, leaving a thin layer of frost.

Good thing I can handle the cold.

At least, until Aris did something that caused the sphere to resonate with the door, setting off a chain reaction that illuminated the crystals around them. The entire cavern erupted in light, an aurora-like shimmer cascading across the walls. Zaiya's breath caught in her throat as she stared, captivated by the sheer beauty of it all.

And then, the realization hit -- this wasn't just a display; it was a star map.

"Oh, whoa… well you don't see something like that everyday," Zaiya murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Without even realizing it, her skin began to shift in response, mirroring the glowing blue tones and bioluminescent shimmers that filled the room.

Drawn in by the spectacle, she stepped closer, trying to make sense of the starmap. Her eyes darted across the constellations, searching for something familiar.

"I get the feeling this is going to be one massive scavenger hunt," Zaiya added with a hint of humor, her voice lightening as the awe began to give way to curiosity. One particular planet caught her eye, the stars and systems layout triggering something in her memory.

"I think this might be in the Mid Rim?" she ventured, though uncertainty laced her words. Zaiya wasn't exactly well-traveled outside the Core and the Expansion Regions, but something about this star system seemed… familiar. She hoped she was right -- if they could figure out the map, it could lead them somewhere important.

 

[Aris Noble]

"Yeah. It's.. Bigger than I thought, honestly."

He stared over the map. There were marks everywhere. Planets, he figured, but some seemed to specifically be marked. Locations of interest, then? A guide point to where they needed to go? Logic dictated a door with no visible way in needed a key, right? His brow furrowed in thought, but in truth, it was an excited sort of line of thinking. An excited furrow.

Aris couldn't help but enjoy a puzzle.

"We're going to be heading to a lot of worlds, I think. Maybe we can hit up some of the burger joints as we go?"

That was what really solidified their friendship, right?

Zaiya Ceti