First Order; Second Chance

[Connor Harrison]

Connor’s skin tingled again at the feel of her hair and breath on his skin. Her voice was so quiet, but so clear. When she pushed away, he had to snigger. A Jedi? Again? Healing was something to bridge all those in the Force – he’d have to work on his teaching methods.

He stood, knees cracking as he winced. He was sure the Force had been a natural boost to his immune system and body strength that carried him through. Now he was carrying himself through the aches and pains.

"Alright then. In that respect you had chin, ribs and wrist, so that’s three questions you can ask if you need to,” he said, stretching and winding down his muscles.

He began to pace in front of her counting the questions on his fingers.

"One. Are you a Disciple of Ren.”

He knew they existed, so he didn’t need to waste a question. That was one.

"Two. Can you introduce me to your Master or the Supreme Leader.”

That was two. And so the final question he was allowed, to which he turned and looked at her, holding his three fingers up.

"Three. Are you seeing anyone, currently.”

New Connor meant new confidence even if it would probably lead to same old disappointment.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

While he stretched, she retrieved her cloak, tucking the hilts in their designated pockets. She winced in sympathy as the sound of cracking joints echoed through the room. She turned, facing him as he paced and deftly clasped the cloak above her collarbone. The fabric brushed against the burn on her shoulder, eliciting a small hiss of pain.

She shook her head and grinned ruefully as his first two questions were slightly expected, and fairly easy to answer. At his third, her eyebrows winged up in surprise. Not at the question itself, she been asked the same question, in cruder ways even, many times over the last few years, but that he would waste one of his questions on it was foolish in her opinion.

"Yes. Maybe. No."

She answered his questions simply. His first, there was no sense denying it. They both knew the answer, his asking was merely a formality. The second, a very solid maybe. She had already resolved to contact her master with regards to the ex-Jedi seeking information on their order. If he wished to meet with Connor, then it would be done. If not, well Ara had very little to do with her Master's decisions.

As to the third....never could she be considered as 'seeing anyone'. In the years since she'd fallen from the building, she'd used her looks and charms to get anything and everything. She'd had lovers for a night or two. But to form a bonding relationship with someone took trust, something she wasn't sure she'd given anyone save for Talon Ren. And that was trust born from respect, as her master and her teacher.

A relationship required vulnerability. It required selflessness. Neither of those descriptors would ever be used for the disciple, now or in the future.

She crossed her arms over her chest, gently resting her right wrist on her elbow.

"Two of those three questions were a waste, I'm disappointed."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Her answers were blunt and to the point, which he always appreciated.

Mulling over them, Connor walked over to the side of the room he had settled on and took his own cloak and clasped it to his collar, setting down the crimson material and pushing it out behind him. He left the sleeves rolled up to cool off a little.

"Well, I had no real questions to ask at all.”

He turned to face her.

"It was clear you study under the Ren, so that’s a given. And you’re not going to have a Master and NOT tell them about the mysterious ex-Jedi sniffing around the First Order and enquiring about the sect, so that was a given. And as for the other?”

He gave a lob-sided shrug and backed to the doorway of the garrison.

"What can I say. Call me curious.”

There was a silence, and he glanced to the door, and then to the now robed Ara who was clearly not impressed.

"Anything else you wish to ask or scold me over?”

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

She watched him, head tilted ever so slightly, a soft smile on her face as she listened. He was intelligent, but unpredictable. Touchy seemed to be the right word. She moved away from the center of the room, taking a few steps towards the door as he did.

"Scold you..."

She chuckled, definitely touchy. She stopped a few feet away from him.

"If my master wishes to meet with you, I'll be in contact."

She looped a finger through the pocket that held his comm chip taping it lightly with one finger, reminding him that she had his information. She would be dong exactly as he said, reporting back. It was too curious of a situation to leave alone.

"If you wish to show your support for the First Order, might I suggest attending the Military Ball? It is a fundraising event and your presence might help convince the Order that you are serious about your interest in them."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

He chuckled, and nodded, mouthing “thank-you” as she spoke.

It was a start. It was something to go on, and one of their own had been so curious in him to enquire and now provide a link to an Order who may offer him a purpose again, which was what he craved more than anything. Without purpose, he was nothing.

At the mention of a First Order ball, he raised his brow a little.

"A Military Ball you say.” The Silver Jedi had tried many of those, but his heart was never in them, and he was always there to ensure nobody got hurt. "Tell me when and where, and I’ll give it some thought. I’ve a few places to go in the meantime, but like you say, it won’t hurt to show an interest at all.”

Making a sweep of the garrison, he could still smell the stench of combat in the air. A few little scorch marks on the floor. All signs of a spar well used.

"So what are your plans now? Off to the Master to report back on Connor the curious Jedi, or do I have some more of your precious time to call my own.”

....a Military Ball. He had very little fancy clothing to wear to a ball! The important thoughts always bothered him most behind the smile.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Ara followed him out and through the garrison, wincing with the first few steps on her sore shin. Whatever his issues with his force connection, his blows were still solid and she felt every one of them acutely. She smiled wryly to herself. Her new scar would show in stark contrast to the strapless black dress she'd purchased for the ball. No doubt it would raise questions and garner attention. She chuckled darkly to herself and waved off any curious looks her companion may have given her. Now she just had to hope her shin healed up enough to walk in heels. Maybe she would have to make a trip to the med centre before then.

"The ball is in two evenings at the Reimalai Opera House. I believe you can purchase a ticket from the civilian affairs office at the Capitol Complex."

In truth, she wasn't sure if that was the ight location for a civilian to purchase entrance to the fundraiser. Her invitation had been delivered to her room at the Bastion before she'd left on the mission.

She raised an eyebrow at his question and smirked.

"Did you forget the word 'former' in there?" She asked knowingly, adopting a lightly teasing tone. "I could, but I wasn't aware there was a rush."

She raised an eyebrow at him in question. Exactly how desperate was he to be in contact with the Ren? She followed his gaze around the sparring room and quirked a smile. There was the tiniest smear of blood on the floor, she was fairly certain it wasn't hers.

"I have a few errands to run myself. I'm not sure if revenge shopping would be something you'd enjoy."

Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she thought about the frilly and slinky options. Kaalia had given her a jacket with a pilot's patch? Ara would buy her the girliest dress possible for the ball. Her friend had already agreed to meet with her on Avalonia tomorrow, although Ara hadn't been open about the reason she insisted on the disciple's presence.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Clocking her little amused grin, Connor followed it to the floor and looked more intently.

Ah – the blood.

With that, he discreetly touched his chin and the soft clotting of blood left a small dab on his finger. Small mercies. He noted Ara hobbling and hoped she would be better for her ball.

"Reimalai Opera House. Two evenings. That should be enough time to get to Dxun and back, but, former Jedi – yes. Hopefully little of the Jedi at all once I’m done.”

He took the lead out of the garrison, but made sure Ara did all the smiles and checks needed to leave without hesitation. The fresh air was cool on his face.

”Revenge shopping. I don’t know whether to be curious or not. Sounds…dramatic.” He glanced at her with an amused expression. ”I would imagine that’s something you can do on your own. For first meetings I think I’ve left enough lasting marks for today, don’t you?”

Brushing the edge of her cloak back, he winced at the raw skin left by his blade. Still, he knew she’d appreciate the scar and not want to hide it. For like he, the scars were reminders of the past to be embraced and grown with, not hidden and ashamed.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

She glanced at him sidelong, a curious expression on her face. Dxun, hmm? Maybe he meant for her to press what business he had there, or if that was where he made his base of operations now that he was no longer a member of the Silver Jedi Order. Or perhaps the location drop was meant to prompt the same from her.

Sometimes she wondered if she gave the former Jedi too much credit. Not everyone was cold and calculating, and sometimes simple comments where just that, simple comments. Somehow she doubted that was the case with Connor. He'd be a force to be reckoned with at his full strength. Someday they would have to fight again, after both had grown into the Force Users they could be.

She shivered as him hand brushed her cloak back, the mark bared again for the world. Unlike him, she didn't glace at it, she kept her gaze squarely on his face.

"I can honestly say you are the first, Mr. Harrison."

She chuckled and looked up at him from beneath lowered lids. The cool air and breeze felt good on her flushed skin, and she closed her eyes, breathing deeply. A sharp pain stabbed through her side, a reminder that she still had many bruises and bumps from the sparring match. She'd have to make a visit to the Med Centre a priority.

She pulled away gently, taking a few steps away from the main hub of the city, her feet taking her deeper into the spaceport district. She'd stop by her transport first.

"Don't get yourself killed asking questions about those who don't exist, Connor. Until our paths cross again." She laughed and kept walking, never glancing back.

Ignoring the hustle and bustle of the spaceport as it neared dusk, Ara made her way to the waiting transport, pulling her hood up and over her head, slipping a mask over the lower half of her face. She'd report to her Master and then rest. Shopping could wait.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

The world may call it a second chance
But when I came back it was more of a relapse
Anticipation's on the other line
And obsession called while you were out
Yeah, it called while you were out

 

[Connor Harrison]

He was a first? That could be good OR bad. He didn’t want to ask.

Clasping his hands before him as she looked up with those eyes, and that smile, and that wonderful wit, Connor had probably given her more than she expected after crossing paths in the plaza and avoiding the stares of Stormtroopers. So, for his performance, he gave her a bow.

You’re welcome.

He stifled a laugh as she walked away, shaking his head.

”Don’t talk to any strange Jedi," he called after her.

Ara seemed to be swallowed up the more she headed to the spaceport, blending in like all good Disciples did. And then, she was gone.

With a content sigh, Connor licked his lips and turned, feeling his objective was complete. He had glimpsed into the Ren and the strength of the First Order and had a place to go to continue just that. And he had met a rather delightful lady in the process. The walk back through the park and the plaza was quick on his own, and his retraced steps right back to his ship in the docking bay.

He had been given many second chances in his time, but this was one he wasn’t going to waste.


When stormy weather comes around, it was made in heaven.
When sunny skies break through behind the clouds, I wish it could last forever.
Wish it could last forever.
I'm playing my role in history, looking to find my goal.
Taking in all this misery, but giving in all my soul.

[member="Ara Ren"]