Growing Pains

[Trextan Voidstalker]

This was a food fight he couldn't win. Mostly because he didn't have any food to fight back with. The cream she had flicked smattered across his shirt in three places. His jaw dropped in feigned shock and he tried to look as innocent as possible.

“You should be more careful with that,” he said as he plucked one of the spots of cream from his chest and licked it off his finger. There was a bit above his eyebrow and he couldn't help but chuckle as he wiped it off.

Maybe he didn't need his own food to retaliate, he decided. Rather than throw anything back he looked to the prize and then back up at Choli expectantly. There was both determination and amusement in that expression.

“Well...you wanted me to watch you eat it…” he prompted. He hadn't continued the food fight, apparently taking the retort stoically. That was how it appeared on the surface, but Choli would know that he had more planned. She might have had a fork now but there was clearly more mischief being planned.

“Watch yourself,” the Rogue warned. He was up to something. She could feel it. Taking the fork, she took another bite. Fingers were a bit sticky but that didn't bother her now. Either way, under the wary and warning expression she gave to Trextan, there was still that edge of satisfaction.

“Don't even try it.” A rather blanket warning, but it serves to show that Choli was aware he was likely plotting something. Trextan was a terrible bluffer.

Despite the warning, she still shot him a half smile over her fork and plate. This was fun. Silly, but fun.

He was doing an incredibly bad job of keeping the smile from his face. His lips kept pursing right and twisting about. The fork reached her mouth and returned to the plate without incident. Even the slightest twitch on his park led to a narrowing of her eyes.

“Okay truce, I'm done,” he admitted with his hands held up. He had already played his 'squirt the cream out the side of the pastry’ trick and had not come with a follow up plan. There was also the fact that Choli had been right about tidying. If the Jedi master had found lightsabers left on the floor disrespectful then pudding spread across the chairs and floor would have prompted some direct questions at the very least.

He turned to face the view and left Choli to finish it off. Probably wouldn't take her long, she could put food away very quickly he had found.

“Interesting how the hangar is laid out on this ship,” he observed whilst she'd chewed. He had accidentally stepped off on the wrong deck for the mess on the way down and found himself on the walkway that went over the deck before realising his mistake. Just a couple of duty fighters up on it at the moment.

Terrible bluffer.

However, with his hands up and Trextan's call for a truce, Choli accepted and settled to eat the rest of her dessert. Mid-chew, the Rogue gave a quick nod, agreeing on the observation on the Subversion’s deck.

“Mhm,” Choli began, swelling to add with a slight gesture of her fork,” Yeah, Lucy said it's to save space. The entire carrier is designed that way.It's why the rooms are so compact and why they utilize every meter they can to minimize waste. I think she said there's only three of them.” The bout of silliness with the small food fight and a good amount of minutes to pass the time, choli felt herself come down off of her high. Heart rate steady and breathing back to normal, wandering thoughts were thankfully kept at bay.

Plus, seemed the Trextan was feeling better in his robes.

“Cresh deck for crew and the hanger. Besh for -- well you know you're up there.”

“Yeah, though I'm not allowed in the bit with the restricted ops room. Or the bridge.” There was a second of silence, just a hint of guilt crossed his face. “I did ask.” He had thought the view from you there would have been pretty special. The observation room was as close as he would get it seemed.

This was nice though, he decided. Some of the heady tension had ebbed away and they could just relax for a few minutes. Not that he hadn't enjoyed earlier, but it felt like if they were going to explore that way again they really needed to be away from prying eyes. Especially on this little rumour box.

“The pilots and crew are six to a room aren't they?” He asked. “Guess you have more room on one of those big Valor-class carriers or the old Omega ships,” he said. Trextan wasn't all that sure about being in ships for extended periods of time but he did like looking at them. He'd memorised the profiles of all the ships in the Alliance fleet. By most standards Coruscant was fairly cramped for living space, but Choli had grown up in the wide open dunes of Tatooine.


Choli gave a snort of amusement. That he asked to see the bridge made her chuckle a bit. “Yeah, they'll keep that clear unless you're bridge crew or Intel.”

There were a few hedge bets with dessert rations or other kinds of electronics to see who might be able to get to the bridge and win the spoils. Omar had been close once, since he’d been sniffing around a Comm Officer’s pants and with the way he was able to sweet talk himself into situations, the entire Squadron figured he’d get it. Of course, that was about the time that the Comm Officer found out that Omar was also diddling with Baraja, a fresh faced Second Lieutenant in Sensors. Needless to say, Omar did not get to have a sneak peak of the bridge.

“Yeah. Gets pretty crowded.” Choli admitted, taking another bite of her dessert. After a second the Rogue turned towards Trextan and made a gesture with her hand and fork as if to say, ‘Want some?’

She might have been smug about the whole spar, but even that had its limits. They had a good time and now were just relaxing here. The observation deck was truthfully very lovely. The only thing being that all they saw were the streaks of white blue light from hyperspace.

“Only a few of the ranking officers get single cabins. Captain Janes is one of them.”

Of course he had one. There was just a touch of resentment there from when Janes had refused to put him touch with Choli or give him any details on her status. Trextan didn't think about the fact that he had been afforded his own room.

“Maybe I'll have a vision of danger and need to speak to the captain of the ship…” he mused. “Or perhaps just ask to go up there with Yvette. I can't work her out you know. Most of the time she seems to be one of the most emotionless Jedi Masters and then you just catch this hint of amusement in her eyes.”

Trextan looked down at the offered dessert. Whilst he had given up on the silliness that didn't necessary mean she had. It wouldn't have surprised him if she has one final act of victory planned.

“If I say yes, is it going in my face?” He asked, pretending to be deeply suspicious.


“Why, do you want it to be?” Choli shot back, impish mirth dancing in her jade green eyes at his mock suspicion.

“Why would I waste a perfectly good crumble pudding on your face?” A hitch in the snark department. Clearly, her sass knew no bounds when it dealt with food. A mock expression of affront and another shovel of the sweet went into her mouth.

“Mmm… as for Master Yvette. I don’t know. Maybe she’s just good at keeping her emotions in check.” Another thought came to her.

“Kinda like with me I guess. I haven’t had anyone be able to mess with my mind or use their tricks to pick up my thoughts.” Something Trextan had already learned through some mild frustration. Not that those emotive cues were the only things that he could pick up off the Rogue now. There were other tells that one could pick up off the Second Lieutenant if they paid enough attention of.

A few a bit more audible than most as the Jedi Knight had most recently discovered himself.

“Oh but you'll waste a piece on me?” He asked. He picked a piece between finger and thumb, holding the palm of the other hand underneath to catch any escaping crumbs. He tilted his head back to drop it into his mouth.

“Thank you,” he said after finishing. He left it at that. She had earned the prize for herself after all. It would be less tempting to catch her with a training saber a few times at the next sparring session after the little offering.

“I would say 'keeps me guessing’ but you're pretty up front about things,” he replied with a shrug. Trextan pictured what it was like to see her eyes shift between hues when they were just inches from his own. He wondered if that would ever stop catching his attention quite like it did.

“What about me?” He asked suddenly. “Am I easy to read?”

[SIZE=9pt]“I was taught to share within the clan. We do not own property as much as it belongs to everyone. Save your Bantha. They were as much a part of one’s being as an arm or a leg.” The corner of her mouth drew up, and she gave a scrunch of her nose at him in a playful look.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It isn’t a waste.” There was a smudge of pudding just along her upper lip, and the girl sent her tongue darting for it. The pink tip flashed and licked it off much like a lizard would their meal.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Mmm… “ was he hard to read? Choli contemplated his inquiry for a bit before shaking her head no.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“No. You’re pretty upfront.” Well there was a bit more of that plain speaking.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You’re smiling more, so I can tell when you are in a good mood. I’ve told you already that you have a tendency to brood.” Her finger came up, rubbing the area above the bridge of her nose and along her forehead.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So you get deep wrinkles here. The more there are, the more pensive you get. “ there was no missing the devilry in her eyes, “Two lines, broody… three lines, angry. If there ever gets to be four I worry if your face might freeze that way!” It was a light-hearted quip but allowed to share some of Choli’s observations. A bit exaggerated, but there just the same.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=9pt]“Guess it’s a good thing you don’t trim your hair. Hides all the gorges you’ve placed there.”[/SIZE]

Trextan looked down at his feet. There was embarrassment but also a broad grin at her description. He jostled her a little bit with his elbow, but only lightly; he didn't know how much sensation she had in her leg yet.

“I'm saving the fourth one for when I hit twenty one,” he replied. It was nice to hear her talk about his smile. Trextan hadn't really thought about how much his mood might alter his outward demeanour. He had never really been an overly social person. He'd become more quiet when the problems had started between his mother and Jacen. His step-father had always wanted a successful son and had tried to instill some discipline in him, but it had also come with an outlook on life that was decidedly selfish. Losing them and then his time in the sith academy had given him plenty to brood over.

He sighed and gave a small shrug. “I know I can be a bit dour,” be said. “Alright very broody,” he added quickly at her amused expression. He was about to start explaining, but then he realised that would be doing exactly what he knew he shouldn't. He'd start self analysing and thinking about himself.

“Think I should trim my hair?” He asked.

 

[Choli Vyn]

“Hmmm….” there was a long pause as the Rogue uplifted her right brow at the Jedi Knight, giving more than a bit of emphasis at her overt appraisal. Funny how looking at him now proved to show how much longer his hair was. How the corners of his eyes could crinkle when he smiled. Ah, mind wandering again.

Perhaps something silly instead.

“I don’t know.” Digging her fork into her plate, her free hand went out to jostle the unruly mop of dark forelocks over his brow. Her laugh came bubbling after that.

“It's fine. If you can see well then all the better. “ length didn’t matter to Choli. A finger pointed at her own thick mass.

“I haven’t trimmed mine in years.” Indeed, those raven locks could barely hold a wave when freed from the thick braid she usually kept it in.

“It can get annoying under the flight helmet though.” She admitted, her neck twisting as she made the attempt to look at the length of hair strung across her shoulders.


He hadn't really thought of what it would be like to tie that hair up into a flight helmet. He wanted to reach out and touch her hair in return. Not to give a friendly rub but to run his fingers through it. To tilt her head back towards him.

It was a good thing his eyes didn't changecolour or else she would have witnessed a slow shift to indigo. Trextsn swallowed. He had only just calmed himself down really.

“I, erm, guess it's easier working on the hangar bays with it in the braid. I hope you don't get it cut short,” he said. He tilted his head from side to side. “Suppose that would suit you too though,” he added. He wasn't really looking at her hair anymore but studying her features close up.

He tore his gaze away and looked back to hyperspace. Trextan took a deep breath.


There was faint pleasure at the compliment, although to be honest, Choli couldn’t imagine cutting her hair short. Certainly nothing like Tela. Her nose gave a scrunch.

“Maybe. I doubt I’ll ever be as short as Tela’s.” a pause and she clarified, “She’s the pilot with the short crop of red hair.” a small grimace at the subsequent thought. The one who had been appraising him as if he were a prime piece of Nerf steak.
He was just so curious. There were times where Choli couldn’t quite make out just what Trextan was thinking and other times she could. She hadn’t lied, the expressions that swept over his face could be avid tells. Choli spent the bulk of her life observing and catching what details she could. Even under the cerulean glow of hyperspace, the teenager was able to discern when Trextan was attempting to avoid her gaze.

“What is it?” again, something he likely wouldn’t want to be brought back up, but there were little cues and clues here and there. The bobbing of his throat, the way he took a breath. Even how he suddenly found a vast interest at the viewport told her something was on his mind. Certainly didn’t have to do with hair.

If Choli only knew that it in fact did.

“Hmm?” Trextan went, even though he had heard her perfectly clearly. Trextan could just about recall the pilot who fit that description. She had looked at him oddly as if seeing a Jedi on the ship confused her. He recalled wondering why at the time.

“Wasn’t thinking much…” he offered. Turning back to her he could see that she quite accurately did not believe the deflection. At this point it seemed as if life would just be easier if they could actually read each other’s minds. She wasn’t one to keep her thoughts to herself that often. Though he hadn’t known about the pajama incident and the recovering pilot trying to keep her gaze above waist height.

He tipped his head from side to side. Some more warmth flushed his cheeks. “Alright...I was thinking how you look so very pretty in this light and then how much I wanted to run my hands through your hair again. Then I remembered Lucy’s lessons and was trying to think about that less. Then I was wondering if Yvette would be angry, amused or just express disappointment in a very subtle manner if she had caught us earlier.”

He exaggerated taking a deep breath after rattling off the series of thoughts. “Sometimes I wonder if I think too much,” he added with a smile and shake of his head. He reached for the bottle of water just so he had something to do whilst he felt rather embarrassed about himself. Poor girl should have found a nice happy-go-lucky pilot. Just not Omar. Now he was thinking of that and it made him irrationally angry inside.



Choli’s eyes kept growing wide as Trextan confessed the inner workings of his mind. He wasn’t the only one who felt the blood rush up their neck and along their face. At least the light off the observation viewport didn’t emphasize it too much.

There were quite a few tidbits there that had the teenager mull over what Trextan had been pondering about. The first made her a sensation of abashed pleasure flood over her chest. The subsequent admission that he’d enjoy running his fingers through her hair brought along with it a warm, spine tingling rush that began at the nape of her neck and swept down. Yeah, well I like it when you do that too.

Or at least, that would have been what Choli would have said had Trextan stopped there. Revealing that he was concerned about what Master Yvette would have thought had they’ve been caught brought along a cold wave of guilt and a sheepish twist of her lips.

“Ah, I see.” Glancing back down at her pudding and needing to keep her hands busy at the sudden sensation of feeling caught in self recrimination. As one would expect, she finished it rather quickly.

The ducking of her head prevented the Rogue from catching any subsequent grimace of anger at the thought of Omar and happy go lucky pilots.

A quick wiggle of her leg and she felt a slight stirring. Nerve endings were slowly picking up again.

“Can feel my leg a bit,” well that was good. Meant that at least they wouldn’t have to be stuck here because of her numb leg. Change of topic to try and press on her mild sense of guilt at having placed Trextan in the situation that would make him worried about being caught by his Master. Now she really was going to listen to Lucy, plus make the effort to not set Trextan in the same predicament again.

“So guess we won’t be stuck here for long.” Glancing up she caught sight of the training sabers.

“You should probably take those back to her right?”

“That's good. I didn't exactly think of us as stuck you know,” he said. “Well, you're clearly stuck,” Trextan said. He watched her leg give a little wiggle and once again felt a touch of guilt at having used his arm like that. Next time she would probably just deactivate everything it had as soon as she had the chance.

“I can probably hold onto the sabers and we can do some more sparring when you have a chance,” Trextan said. Was she keen to leave? He wondered suddenly. It didn't occur to him why that would be on her mind all of a sudden so be blundered on.

“What time is it actually? Sorry, it's been nice to see you and if I could I would steal every minute you had. But I should probably try not to forget this is your ship and there are things to do.”

Trextan said that right as he shuffled closer until their legs met and he could wrap his right arm around her. It was peaceful here, he thought. Hyperspace wasn't the same as the endless dunes, but being on the observation deck was different to being in the cramped corridors and cabins.


There they were, the sides of their thighs pressing together enough to feel the warmth of each other’s bodies seep through the fabric of their clothing. It was nice.

“Hmm? Oh, time?” A glance at her chrono gave her the time. “Little past nineteen hundred.” Well, as far as time went. They kept to the Galactic standard based off Coruscant. He was holding her again, his arm wrapping at her back with his fingers resting along her hip. So much touching. Her own fingers gave a tingle but were busy with the last remnants of her pudding. Soon, she’d be able to set it to the side.

“I thought Master Yvette said you could only use them for thirty minutes?’ Back to the sabers again, her expression a bit confused.

“And yeah, I have a few more hours before I should head back to the cabin to sleep.”


“Oh good,” he replied and Choli would know from his tone that he was pleased. For a moment there he had assumed that their time was coming to an end for the evening. Despite how open Choli was there was always room for crossed wires and misinterpretation with a pair of teenagers still trying to work out relationships together.

“Maybe,” Trextan said. “I had thought she just meant stop after that much. Do you think I should take them back now anyway?” He asked. His concern was less about the sabers and more about the Jedi Master potentially seeking him out at some point in the evening to get them back.

Now it was choli’s turn to be amused. “I don’t know.” Her right shoulder gave a roll in a shrug. If Trextan thought he knew little of the Falleen Jedi Master, Choli knew even less.

“She’s your Master. What do you think?” Seemed rather obvious that at least Trextan would know a bit more on how Master Yvette worked along with others and what her expectations were. She did when it came to Asmus or with her new Executive Officer. One always figured that out as soon as possible just to make their time on the ship reasonable and trouble-free.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“I’ve not known her for long actually,” Trextan said. Their relationship was cordial but he hadn’t learned much about her mannerisms or the way she worked. He considered continuing the discussion on which was the most likely meaning behind the Jedi Master’s words. That was probably just going to annoy Choli. It didn’t really matter either way and he was just overthinking it because the last hour had him considering every decision a little too much.

“I’ll be right back,” he said. Better to get it done now. He gave a brief squeeze and stood slowly, fearing that her number leg might leave her unbalanced as he moved away. He returned the sabers to their case and headed for Master Yvette’s cabin, which was only a short walk down the corridor.

The door opened before he could even knock. The falleen Jedi master stood over him, holding out her hands for the case.

“I trust the training session was taken entirely seriously?” she asked. Trextan could see too much understanding in that gaze.

“A tiny bit silly when…”

“All I ask is that when the lightsaber is in use, it is respected for what it is,” she said quietly.

“Yes Master.”

“And stay more fluid. Do not overextend.”

“Of course Ma...what?”

“Enjoy the rest of your evening Trextan. If you wish to do some more training tomorrow I shall be here or on the bridge,” she said. The door was closed before Trextan could even think about continuing the conversation. As he returned to the observation room he gave a shake of his head. She was in a cryptic mood this evening and he got the sense she was having some fun at his expense.

“Stand yet?” he asked Choli as he walked over to her. He wondered if they would have given him two portions of pudding if he had asked. He felt like getting a snack for himself.

At the sound of Trextan's voice, Choli's head case up. A smile grew on her lips. Her arms were up, fingers half combing her hair as she adjusted them into three equally thick sections. She was braiding her hair again.

“Tried a bit,” she admitted.” She brought up her left leg a bit,” I just can't feel my toes yet.” Albeit that was said a bit more sheepishly.

“Everything good?” Trextan's concern over what Master Yvette might say or do had been evident. Already Choli had decided to be a bit more conscious of it and not get in over her head. She might be on light duty but she was still the Executive Officer of Rogue Squadron.

That meant she also had to behave.

“Yeah, it’s fine,” he said. “We can stay here a little longer.” The return of that braid seemed a sign of control being re-exerted. He had been the one to tug it free, to bring chaos to the evening. Or had she started it? He couldn’t quite remember now. It almost felt a shame. Yet regardless of anything else the incident with Omar had cast a shadow on the evening from the start. If he had invited her back to his room - as he wanted to do now - it might have always felt as if it had been influenced by his bawdy suggestions.

As his eyes followed the work of her hands the right corner of his mouth twitched up and his eyes fell back down to the sofa briefly. Just a hint of guilt but absolutely no apology for having tugged it free of its binds.

“Do you want to just stay up here for a while?” he asked. At least it was quiet here, away from the bustle of the mess and the activity of the main deck. The six-person cabins were also rather chatty at this hour. Still better than the hours that followed when Choli would be forced - on some nights - to pretend she couldn’t hear that one of the men from the crew had slipped into one of the bunks in the room.

Choli worked the end of her braid so as to braid it in such a way that it would hold in place. She still had to look for her hair tie. A brief scan of her eyes and the manner by which she did it suggested she was searching for it on the floor. Could it have fallen nearby?

“Yeah that's okay,” the young Lieutenant Commander replied, offering him a half smile in turn. Trextan was correct; it was a move to try and regain a little bit of control. Trextan made her forget herself. She still wasn't sure how much of a good thing that could possibly be besides all the parts involving far more physical intimacy than she had ever been used to before. Did he do the same with anyone else? One of the other Jedi girls? The female Scarred Lieutenants? Considering how promiscuous her own Squadron could be, imagining similar circumstances wasn't too far off. More so since Trextan did clarify that being with another wasn't frowned upon; or at least, unless it became troublesome that it affected the good of all.

What was it that Chloe had said? Do the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one?

Something to think about. Choli couldn't help but wonder how things would have been like if Jan had stayed in the Republic and the Jedi Order. Where would she have been then? Would she have been trained as a Jedi?

“So what else have you've been up to?”

As she still lacked some sensation in her leg Trextan stood from the chair and went to look for the hair band. It was easy enough to work out what she had been scanning for. He picked it up of the floor as he thought about what he had been doing.

“I went to Lujo,” he replied as he handed over the band. There was some scooping, twisting and suddenly her braid was back in place. He couldn’t keep eye contact as a guilty smile cross his face. He sat back down.

“We went to the temple where the New Jedi Order attacked the One Sith. It was still in ruins but there were some nasty experiments left down in the lower levels. Apparently those walls got knocked down by Marshal Talith flying a dragon into them. At least that’s what the soldiers say anyway.”

Trextan guessed that given all the creatures she had grown up around in the wastes that might not be too difficult for her to imagine.

“I tried to take on a student to teach, but it didn’t work out. That’s probably why Yvette wanted to watch. They’re looking to see if I’m ready to do some more work with the younger padawans. I think they’re a bit stretched.”

“Oh, they want you training younglings?” That was a curious thing. Choli wasn’t sure just at what point of a Jedi’s training they began training a padawan of their own. Honestly, and maybe this was a little bit silly, but Choli had thought that someone with more experience and time in the Jedi Order would grant them the opportunity to take on Padawans. There was a bit of confusion in her expression, a slight tell along with the gray-green of her eyes.

From what she gathered, Trextan had been a Sith Apprentice last during the Battle of Coruscant. When she met him, it had been on Polis Massa, one month after Kaeshana. While he was working through quite a bit of new experiences and training, that just seemed a little bit fast. Maybe that is just me.

It wasn’t that she didn’t believe Trextan to be competent; it just seemed a bit fast-tracked. Perhaps this was due to the fact that for Choli, Jan had been well into his thirties, and while he had joined the Jedi Order at a later stage, he still had spent years there.

Maybe with how things are going with the war effort, the New Jedi Order fast-tracked things?

It was something to think about indeed.

Trextan could see where the line of questioning was heading. He wasn’t even an adult by many galactic standards and with his past he was always going to come under close scrutiny around the more impressionable members of the Order.

“So far I’ve only done it under close supervision. Other than one small trip with a padawan. The rest of the time Jacen or one of the other masters was watching me and jumping in from time to time. I don’t think they would let me have my own padawans, but to teach some classes perhaps. Training me to train I guess?”

He thought about this for a moment. At first he had pushed back on the idea. Had that been because he didn’t want to do it or because it was Jacen who asked. Would Choli think he was acting like a child if she saw how he tended to behave when Jacen tried to become more involved with his life? Probably.

“Honestly I think I find it quite relaxing. Maybe tomorrow we’ll look at your footwork a bit more than your groundwork,” he said with a chuckle. “I don’t suppose you train other pilots as such? They come in through the flight schools? Or other more interesting routes,” he added, thinking of how Choli described her way into the Rogue Squadron. Trextan hadn’t even realised that his artificial arm was right back in place around her.

With her hands free again, the Rogue was a bit more hyper aware of where exactly to place his hands. Fortunately, sensation was returning to her leg, and with a small shift, Choli was able to turn her torso so that she was facing Trextan more than simply being side to side. The girl enjoyed being able to at least be able to have a conversation while facing one another. Might sound strange since Tusken Raiders were typically covered from head to toe, but that didn’t stop the desire to be able to face the individual one was talking to.

“And I guess I can try to actually focus on the saber work than using other methods of winning in a spar,” she shot back, teeth flashing in amusement under the glow of the observation deck.

A shake from side to side as an answer to his inquiry, “No, we have Officers who conduct training. When we can’t, well, it is more on the job training while assigned to a senior officer. They wouldn’t be in Rogue though. More like Green or Red Squadron. It allows new pilots to at least ease into it.”

That’s when she brought up her observation from earlier, “Yeah, I did notice that your demeanor changed when you started going over the training sabers. Even the way you spoke changed.”

Trextan shifted to angle himself to match Choli and sit more face on. This was nice. It was calm. There was still a part of him on edge that wanted to abandon all self control again, but it was held in check now.

“I think there are Jedi who spend more time training. It seems that everyone has a mix of responsibilities split between, erm, I guess doing stuff and training people. Unless Jacen just wants to retire me from the dangerous stuff.”

Trextan smiled in amusement as he continued: “Did I sound very official or businesslike?” Thinking about it he couldn't remember decided to act in any particular way to do training. Just being observed was enough to effect a change. Perhaps he acted how he expected he was supposed to act

“Maybe that'll be different when I'm more comfortable doing it.”

 

[Choli Vyn]

“Maybe.” Choli agreed, giving a small roll of her shoulder, adding with a twist of her mouth, “I know I can get pretty focused when I'm flying.”

Case in point, Polis Massa amidst the floating asteroids during their miniature escape from the Medical facility. If Trextan could recall beyond feeling his stomach flip on itself, that is.

Turning back down to her leg, Choli attempted a few rocking motions. Time to see if her toes could at least move. A tentative wiggle proved successful.

“Okay, I think I won’t fall flat on my face if I try to stand up now.”

“Give it a go if you want. I'd catch you,” he said. He closed his mouth a little sharply at the end of that. In his head it had sounded rather better than it had out loud.

“You seem kind of in tune with the ship when you're flying,” he said. “If you were up close when I was in the thick of it on that station you'd probably think I looked almost calm and focussed. When in teaching there's more panic going on in my head than in a battle now. I was probably less nervous on the way in though. Had you at the helm rather than a stranger.”

Normally it was that bit right before the battle that jangled his nerves the most. Or the part where he was sat in the hold of a ship and there was absolutely nothing he could do to alter his fate.

“Where do you want to go?” He asked. She had already said he could have another few hours of her time, or at least he had thought she had. There just wasn't much ship to explore. On tatooine they had all the space they could ever wish for to see together.

“Seems to be an ongoing trend…” Choli shot back, making a quip about Trextan managing to catch her when she was under duress. There was a wry twist of her lips with that along with a mild flush of pleasure at hearing him say he had felt a bit more reassured with her flying back at the station.

“Yeah well. That was a bit of a surprise.” Taking his advice, the Rogue tentatively adjusted her herself and made to stand up. She favored her right leg still, both hands up to keep her balance.

“Couldn't help but worry. That was a new thing to try and keep myself from focusing too much on,” she confessed, attempting to set more weight on her right foot. So far so good.

“Umm,” she began, looking around. They were fairly limited on what to do.

“Well I know this ship fairly well already. Wouldn't a better question be ‘would you want to go anywhere?’” Her head gave a slight incline to his direction.

“I can be a decent tour guide.”

“Yeah, the bridge where they won't let me go…” he said in mock annoyance. He thought about the question for a moment. If she gave him the full tour was it going to come with more inappropriate comments from the crew? She was right: this had been a surprise but it had been a nice one. He didn't want it soured by the crew misbehaving. Or leaving with the thought that she'd be getting more rude comments from Omar in his absence.

Then again, he thought, would it actually smooth things over if they walked the ship together? Outside of playful banter they would probably only make comments if they thought they could get under Choli's skin or - in the case of some Zeltrons - they just didn't understand normal personal boundaries.

“Let's just go do the tour then,” he said. “Normally I'm just stuck in my cabin or planning rooms.” Even as she was getting her balance he stood, stepped in and kissed her. As he stepped away he realised there was a bit of cream she had missed and wiped it from her cheek with his thumb.

“Steady enough?” He asked with an abashed smile. He took her hand but relinquished it as they moved for the door. “Probably not appropriate to go walking the whole ship holding hands?” He asked. It was a military ship after all. The trouble was that he was getting more used to physical affection with Choli. Trextan wasn't an overly touchy person and probably never would be, but he'd missed her and it was difficult not to let it show.

“Yeah, “ Choli replied with a half smile. There was appreciation at the concern. “Like I said, Arr Four has taken a few side swipes at me with his paddle beamer. Just takes time to work it out.” another slight flush rose to her face at the mention of how the rest of the crew and what may follow with the ongoing gossip after he left.

“Well, you’d be hard pressed finding anyone holding hands unless it is to get tugged into one of the cabins.” public displays of affection were not a thing in the military. Yet even that couldn’t help the desire to reach out and touch Trextan. Funny how it worked.

“Well… there’s the Maintenance bay…” Deck Esk and… Choli gave a pause. “The Mess Hall… likely can’t get you into engineering.” well depends on a good day.

“The east observation room. The Pilot’s lounge. General Lounge.” the more she thought about it, the more it was likely to be accessible to them both.

“Well I’ve seen one observation room and the mess hall. Why don’t we just go for a walk from top down and see where we go then?” he asked. He was interested to see what passed for a lounge here. The ship wasn’t spacious, but they must have had some space to move around in.

Trextan opened the door to an empty corridor. Master Yvette was probably still back in her room and the rest of the crew had followed the request to leave this observation room to the Jedi.

As he started to walk down the corridor a tall, dark-skinned man with a stern expression approached from the other direction. At his side was a shorter sullustan in no uniform Trextan recognised. They came to stop before Yvette’s door. It was a good thing they hadn’t left the room holding hands or showing any real signs of affection. Captain Amadgener was the least likely to approve of such behaviour on the ship. Vo likely would have just avoided the conversation.

Trextan could recognise the rank insignia and slowed up in case Choli had to stop and salute.

Choli did. With a brisk nod the Rogue said, “Gentlemen,” at both Captain Amadgener and Lieutenant Vo. Honestly she wasn't sure if they were going to stop to talk or had more important business to attend to. Choli knew she didn't want to end up having to speak with Amadgener, he seemed just a tad bit overbearing.

“Lieutenant Commander Vyn,” it was Vo who said hello first followed by the swing of the Captain’s head. He first looked at Choli, then peered even closer to Trextan. One could feel the silent appraisal.

“Good day,” a nudge to Trex indicated they should keep walking.

“Ah, this would be Jedi Knight Voidstalker correct?” Vo added. Well so much for wandering off…

Trextan had just got the hint. He'd given a polite nod then started to accelerate ahead. But the Sullustan stopped to say something. The Captain of the Subversion also stopped but showed no interest in the conversation. He was a busy man and needed to talk to the Jedi Master not her apprentice and a pilot.

“Nice to meet you,” Trextan replied with an incline if his head. The tone was very similar to his training voice. This was his you-addressed-me-as-jedi-knight-so-now-I-need-to-sound-official voice. “Trextan is fine.”

“Oh of course. There is the Jedi Marshal Voidstalker isn't there?” Vo asked, scrutinising the reaction. He'd read some interesting reports on the second recent Battle of Coruscant.

“Indeed,” Trextan replied. His smile thinned just enough for the Sullustan to nice.

“I am Vo, this is Captain Amadgener. This is his ship of course.” The Captain gave a disinterested nod.

“Master Yvette should still be in her cabin,” Trextan said. The captain shifted his weight enough to make it clear he wanted to proceed with their task.

“Good to see our temporary attachments talking. Feel free to talk to the rest of the crew more, Choli can introduce you to both the pilots and mechanical teams. She's multi talented that way. They're perfectly friendly for the most part.”

Trextan for the impression he was talking to a conversational predator who was probing for his weak spot. He was trying not to look to Choli for support for fear of giving anything away.

Vo couldn't help himself. His large black eyes were shiny, watching both teenagers with mildly amused interest.

“As always, Sir.” Choli interrupted, giving a small nod and a mild apologetic look.”Hope we didn't interrupt.” Another slight nudge bumped against Trextan’s side. The last thing they needed was to go down that route.

“Oh no trouble at all.” Vo replied, while Amadgener gave a curt nod.

“Good day gentlemen,” Choli had already begun to move, side stepping both senior officers. The Sullustans large ears gave a twitch. Curious indeed.

Trextan stepped after Choli without any further hesitation. The Captain was clearly keen to get on with his current errand even if the Sullustan wanted to stay and talk for some reason.

As Trextan went he heard a door being knocked on. They turned a junction onto a corridor that ran the length of the ship. He took a few quick steps to draw up alongside her. This deck was relatively quiet, with a restricted zone for intelligence officers up ahead.

“So that's the man in charge?” He asked quietly.

“Yeah, Captain Amadgener. The one beside him is one of the Intel officers. He's the one who gives us our Intel for briefs and missions, but he mainly works with the Spec Ops or other SISA agents,” they were nearing the area that would split off to take them to the rest of the dormitories on Besh, however, not a place where Choli could casually be walking through.

“We could head to Cresh desk. Medbay, gym, and the rest of the crew dormitories are there.” To include Choli's but that was likely being taken advantage of one way or another.

“Orrr…” a pause, the girl looking left and right. Yeah, they were limited with places to go.

“Sorry, it's a neat ship but we are kinda limited to where we can have free access to.”

He made a little noise as he considered the options, limited as they were. It had seemed strange that the commanding officer had wanted to move on, but the Sullustan stopped them. It made more sense if he was intel. He was likely the type that liked to know everything that was going on. That was pure conjecture on Trextan's part. He had no actual idea how military intelligence worked or what they were like.

“Well, we can just go down to the lounge. Or mess again.” But did they really want to go somewhere with the rest of the pilots. Especially after the little bit of drama earlier.

“We can just chill in my room. Can probably squeeze two whole humans in there.” He looked back over his shoulder. “Would have to do the circuit past the other observation room to avoid crossing those two again though.”

Yeah, but if we go to the lounge or the mess we’ll end up being the talk of the ship.

Choli bit her lip. It was a situation where they were stuck between a krayt dragon and a sand Demon. Part of her thought Trextan's suggestion held merit. Another part of her wondered if being sequestered in a tiny cabin was a great idea.

The thought of the opportunity of simply being able to be with Trextan without the prying eyes was nice. Not that it came with any other salacious suggestion; they were still getting to know one another and honestly, after Omar and how Trextan said he'd been wondering what his Master would think if they were caught kissing was an issue. Plus, if anyone found out…

“We could…” Choli wasn't held back by notions of a Jedi Code or moral dilemma. Just the thought that Trextan might be bothered being with her or more gossip going around. But what else will they do?

“Okay. Let's try that.” She said. Turning towards him. If he wanted to toback out, then it was now.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan had been told there were implications about taking a girl to his room. His parents had been quite clear on the issue several times. He could entertain the odd fantasy that his inexperienced mind couldn't really conjure accurately, but it wasn't the heart of his motivation.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Come on then,” he said. He could hear the hesitance in her tone. They took a left to circle across to the opposite side of the ship and then left again back up the corridor to the other observation deck. Trextan could sense there were people in there but they hurried past without opening the door. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]His fingers brushed against the back of her hand and he moved to take it. Then he drew his hand back to his side as discipline took back over. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Round and round,” he murmured. It almost felt like sneaking around the hospital again. One more left from the observation deck they'd started at and caught sight of Vo and the captain walking away from them. Their business with Yvette must have concluded. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]When they were out of sight he led her down the corridor to his own room. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“My cupboard,” he said as he stepped in and the light flickered on. His bed was recessed into the wall opposite them, hyperspace visible through the window behind it. On the floor was a folded up square of bed linen. He had been kneeling in that after the mentina station raid to centre himself again. He scooped it up and some laundry at the foot of the bed hurriedly. He had forgotten about that.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He hadn't lied. It was tiny. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The door slide shut behind them, bringing with it a sort of finality that said she made her bed. Well, more that choli had made her decision. There was a little bit of a rush. This was the first time that she'd seen any of the single cabins. It was small, but practical. Rather bare bones but as comfortable as one might expect. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Stepping inside, mild surprise rose as she caught sight of the recessed bed. There was a viewport right beside it, allowing a full length view of the streaking tunnel of hyperspace. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You have a [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]viewport[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] by your bed?!” She cried in disbelief, moving to take a closer look. Not that there was anywhere else but the floor to sit at. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“We don't even have that in mine.” Her knee sank by the bed, kneeling down a bit to look. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh,” he said, sounding a bit guilty. Her looking through the portal was preferable to paying attention to him rapidly stuffing the laundry into a small drawer. He hadn't come onto the ship with many sets of clothes. His robes, his armour and combat gear and a spare tee. They weren't supposed to be on this pickup so he guessed he would have to find out where they got clothes washed. Or get some spare clothes from the ship.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Still bigger than the tent we shared,” he said as he sat on the far end of the bed from her. “Not that I was intended we were going to share again!” He added quickly. He smiled briefly and turned his head away. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Would you rather one of these or the shared cabins?” He asked. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“That's like asking if you rather sleep in your own room or share with five other people.” Mirth rose back up within her eyes, her head turning to face him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“The answer fairly evident,” a half chuckle and she pulled back from the viewport, right leg folding underneath her as she said down. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Must be nice.” She added, sweeping her gaze around the small cabin. “Ours are a bit larger but split into two bunks along each wall.” Her hand rose to gesture as an example. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yes, I guess so,” he said with a shrug. He undid his laces and tugged off his boots. Choli was better off here for now. One of the Scarred was current in the bunk below hers and she wasn't alone. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan pulled a pillow upright behind his back and shuffled back against it. He kept one foot on the floor and tucked the other leg up onto the bed. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Surely you get your own room on the bigger carriers? Or at least on a ground base?” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan could face her more comfortably sat like this. She looked nice in the soft cabin lighting and blue hue from hyperspace. The lines of her face and shape of her eyes was quite uncommon, striking even. She said she liked it when he smiled. He smiled.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli did. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There was a slight pleasant flutter at seeing Trextan smile, it distracted her from answering his question for a few seconds. Her hand rose, fingers brushing the wayward strands of hair away from her face, the fingertips trailing around the shell of her ear as she tucked them behind. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“No,” Choli began, “ Not really. Not even for a Lieutenant Commander. I share with one other officer back on Sullust.” Rank had its privksbges, but Choli wasn't a Captain yet and her funds weren't spent on housing off of base. There was little incentive to spend it when she could just be assigned a room by base housing. It just made more sense. Besides, the Lieutenant Commander she shared a room with rarely was there as they had different rotations ever since Kaeshana. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“How about you? Do you get your own room at the Temple?” Actually, Choli never asked him if he was assigned to a specific temple. Sullust wasn't the only one. By all accounts they had met by chance at the medical facility on Polis Massa. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Normally, yes,” Trextan replied. “When I got back from Tatooine I was at Sullust for a while and we were sharing rooms. That was after the attack.” The Justicar knew that he wouldn't have been able to help. Jacen had said they hadn't been able to do much more than start to organise a defence when the dome came down and the droids stopped. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I have my own on Coruscant though. The temple there is brand new.” Trextan looked puzzled for a moment. “I do own an apartment there it's just... well...I haven't really considered moving back into it.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He looked up and around the little recess the bed was built into. The tent they had shared in the desert had barely been bigger than it. At least here they had comfortable air conditioning. Even in those conditions it hadn't been all that bad. It had been quite pleasant to drift to sleep with her warmth resting against him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You have an apartment?” That was a surprise. It took her a bit to put two and two together from what he'd told her about Coruscant back on Tatooine. At the time, he'd called it a flat. Her face went through a variety of expressions, from mild confusion until dawning realization hit her. It likely had to do with his parents. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well… you don't need to if you're already getting free room and board.” If he wasn't keen on having it, he could also just sell it, but he likely didn't want to hear that. Coruscant might have only been a few years back, but considering how he spoke of his mother and the fact he still harbored a bit of tension with his father, it was all still pretty fresh. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Are they just like this?” She gestured to the sardine can. Shifting on the bed, Choli adjusted herself so she could also lean back again the bulkhead. This was a lot more intimate, but nice. Slowly, Choli found herself relaxing a bit. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He was about to try and muddle through an explanation when she managed to make it clear that she had read between the lines. She then moved the subject on and he was grateful. That apartment was a personal battle for another day. A link to a childhood that had been taken from him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Not quite as compact,” he said, taking a moment to look around the room. “They have enough room that you can stand and move around a little on the floor,” he said. “Mine is quite high up so it had a nice view. Really nice actually.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He gave her thigh a gentle nudge with his foot. “You can put your feet up if you want. Take your boots off,” he suggested. What he didn't have in the room was an offering of food. Even after the victory pudding she probably would have liked something. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli felt a rush of warmth at the suggestion. Not because she was embarrassed but mostly because it felt it was quite evident that this was new to her. New as in, alone in a room with a guy. Well, not like she hadn't shared a tent with him but -- the more she thought about it the more heat rose on her cheeks. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Umm, okay,” she said, head falling forward as she slid her leg out from under her. A sense of awkwardness came back. This wasn't like the hospital or their tent. At those times there was always someone else, either a nurse or in the latter case, Arr Four and Vee three. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Her braid went sliding forward and along her right shoulder. The next few minutes were spent with Choli removing her boots. She left them neatly on the floor. Trextan hadn't removed his own yet. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli brought her legs up then, knees close to her chest then. This was a bit more comfortable. One bare foot encased in a sock went reaching over to poke his calf. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So you're based off Coruscant then?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli wasn't the only one who wasn't quite sure of decorum in the situation. He was aware that she had chosen to take the foot of the bed. He wanted to be sitting beside her rather than opposite but also knew that moving down that way now would look like a statement of intent. She was more naive than anyone in the crew knew, plucked from a very different life and deposited in this one. As blunt as she could be he just didn't want to make her uncomfortable and ruin what still felt like stolen time.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yeah. Sullust is...well the temple above ground is still being cleared away. The padawans have all been moved out to Coruscant until they can finish clearing it up.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The temple had survived several attacks during its short life yet it had been too easy in the end. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Rather than a full frontal assault they managed to slice the maintenance droids and bring it down before they could be stopped,” he added softly. With a twitch of amusement that seemed a rather quick switch he put his calf over her ankle and pinned the foot that had nudged him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli had heard of the attack on Sullust. What she hadn't been briefed on was what exactly happened as whom was responsible. The thought that a terrorists group of some sort had managed to slice into the various droids to do that much damage was alarming. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Just about when she was going to inquire more about it, Trextan had acted with speed. When his calf swung over to pin her ankle Choli’s eyes went narrowing at his direction. Well good thing she had another foot, which promptly swung up to plop over his calf as if to say, sorry still winning. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was a rather silly response but just as automatic. A superfluous challenge and the innate desire to rise to the occasion. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]She made a half noise of amusement, not quite a laugh but a sort of muffled snort chuckle. Her right eyebrow rose, the light painting her face in that pale blue color. With her legs now extended, her hands came to rest just on top of her thighs. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan grinned and considered what to do with his remaining leg. He raised it up, threatening to complete the tower. Unless she had a spare leg victory would be his. Instead he just placed it beside theirs. The intertwined legs were silly, but not actually uncomfortable. Another one would have tipped that balance and been too much weight in her poor trapped leg. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So they said it's tomorrow they'll make a pick up, then a one day return. Guess one more evening then,” he said. To cheer himself up at that notion he formed a new plan. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He drew up his right knee. He pointed out his toes. Then he attacked the sole of her foot trapped at the bottom by trying to tickle it with his toes. When was it appropriate to go and kiss her? Would it be easier just to be up front? Assure her that it wasn't as if he'd lured her here but it really would be nice to spend an hour just kissing please? He couldn't think of a way to word it that didn't sound ridiculous. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yeah, then --Hey!” Choli immediately broke off, the brief skim of his toe over the bottom of her foot prompting a ticklish sensation and the sudden jerk away of her foot. Well, an attempt to, seeing how Trextan had trapped her ankle under his calf. At the onslaught she reacted by lifting her other foot and pushing his right foot away from the other, a half snort giggle escaping for the moment. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]This was completely and utterly silly of them. Playing footsies in a mock battle at an attempt to keep him from tickling her foot. Her sock almost half slid off in the minor struggle, hands coming back down to her sides to latch on the bed for better leverage and balance. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Meanwhile, choli was also caught up in her own sense of awkwardness on just what to do. This mild distraction served to at least break a bit of the tension and the proverbial ice, but that didn’t really solve the issue on just what were they going to do now? Well, not like talking was bad. It was nice. However, it was evident that both parties were rather hesitant and unsure on just how to proceed. Choli didn’t typically go into another crew members quarters unless it was to briefly deposit their inebriated selves onto their bunk. Even then, that was just a quick in and out. Nothing she even worried over about. This was different and it made it all the more frustratingly silly.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]“Hmm,” he went. The tone just underlined that he was in the same place as her. It was made even more clear when he met her gaze and then looked down in embarrassment. He sighed. He gave her intervening foot one final toe poke and stopped the game. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]When he looked back up there was a new expression. His pupils were dilated and even to the young pilot she would see the longing there. It was in the way his gaze latched onto hers before leaving just far enough to sweep the line of her face caught by the light through the window. The way he swallowed when he looked to her lips. It wasn't something to learn. It was instinct. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Erm, you were saying 'then’...” He promoted. There was no apology for the silly distraction. [/SIZE]

 

[Choli Vyn]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli found herself biting the edge of her lip. It was troubling. Her own eyes melted into a canvas of gold flecked viridian, a mass of indecision, confusing, and as the gray green darkened to a deeper hue, Choli's chest also rose and fell. Her cheeks blew out, hot air puffing them out. Part of her had told herself that she would try to keep to herself. That it was evident that not only she was still figuring things out, but Trextan was also just as concerned about disappointing his Master. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Were things always this strange and awkward? Will they continue to be? It was funny but thinking back, Janes, Tela, and Omar made it seem so easy. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yeah, just that things change so we will see.” She gave his calf a brief poke. One hand came up, moving to play with the end of her braid. Funny, how Omar's jokes and the rest of the crew could have them both hesitant to do anything for fear that it might be taken out of context. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Frustration lined her face, lips twisting. Well, fiddling around here wasn't going to do them both any good. This was all still new to Choli, so she tried to think of what would be the best way to move forward. Part of her wanted to kiss him again and another told her she was silly. Maybe if I just say something...[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]But what she intended versus what came out, were two entirely different things. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So you going to kiss me or not?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]As soon as she said it she flushed. Well, at this point what did it matter? Much like when Trextan had rallied his own courage earlier, so did Choli. She wasn't one for vacillating too long on decisions. It was just a waste of time. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Besides, if they only had today and a little bit of tomorrow, what was some stolen time kissing? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Before he could answer, Choli drew herself up a bit, moving in a half crawl toward Trextan until she plopped herself right in front of him. One knee along his left thigh and the other by the right. She was half up on her knees, peering down at him, her braid swinging over her right shoulder and down her chest. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]That's when she half lost her courage, what with seeing the widening of his eyes. Well guess why it's a good thing she could just close her own and just go for it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]So she did. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Thankfully her aim this time was better, the Rogue angling down to kiss Trextan in a closed mouth peck. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Many of the same thoughts were going through his own mind. Perhaps not in the same order, but in an equally confused mess that was only stirred up with heightened emotion. It made it hard to think of what to do or say next. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]When would they be like one of those couples that seemed to know each other’s thoughts? Would they even get there? There were plenty of skills he had learned over the years where he would wonder what it would take to make progress. None of those had required another person having to learn something that took two. And none of them had made his heart beat quite like this every time he considered trying to learn more.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh,” he went as she asked her question. “[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Oh.[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]” He added as she crawled over. He had been thinking of asking if she would let him. Better this way, he decided, for her to make the first move in his room. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]As she loomed over him no other person or responsibility was afforded the tiniest part of his mind. There was just her. The confusion she too felt was played out across her eyes. The swirling confusion slowing to galvanise with her resolve. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]She kissed him and he closed her eyes and met her lips. His hands stayed at his side, as lame as her leg had been after he zapped it. There was so much to work out: where to touch and hold her, how to do so, when was okay. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He thought of saying something romantic or funny. In the end he said nothing and that was probably for the best. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan took a breath. His left hand came up to hold the side of her neck as he tilted to the right to kiss her back. His right slipped around her waist just above the hip.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was easier this time around. Well the kissing part. For a while Choli wasn't sure if Trextan was going to respond; he kinda sat there numbly as if uncertain of the situation. Almost immediately Choli felt a wedge of self doubt rise, only to wane when Trextan's hand came up to cradle her neck to kiss her back. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Okay, so not totally against this particular move, she thought to herself with a little relief. It didn't halt the other gut twisting anxiety of it all if she did the right thing or not. Part of her vaguely recalled previous conversations by Tela and Asmus that would suggest that anyone could get a reaction just by being forward, but it wasn't quite what Choli was aiming for. She just wanted to get past that awkward stage of uncertainty. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Much like Trextan, half hovering in front of him to lean down and kiss him meant that her own hands would have to find a perch to maintain balance. It was a rather natural drift that set them to rest on top of his shoulders, providing not only a method of balance but helping sate that little guilty pleasure of being able to touch him on her own accord. Silly that shoulders could be such a thing of interest but it was with great delight that her fingers went curling against the fabric of his outer robes right over their lanky breadth to draw him just a little bit closer. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]As it was, the switch of the angle of his face encouraged the Rogue to do so as well, building up to a little sharp intake of breath and the deepening of the kiss, her mouth parting to move and explore just a little bit more. Practice did make things better, and this time, there were no bumping noses to fluster her. Although there was a whole lot of fluttering of her heart and a feth ton of nervousness. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]As the seconds went ticking passed and instinct took over, mild pleasure overtook all the worries and Choli felt herself getting lost in the kiss. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Granted here's hoping she didn't arch a little bit higher or else she'd risk a very embarrassing smack at the top of her head on the overhead bulkhead of the recessed bed. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Not that it might stop them from kissing that is. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Anyone seen Choli?” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A pilot on a top bunk peered over the top of a tablet she'd been reading from. “Probably down in engineering. She's often down there late.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Someone in a deep green engineering coverall was arranging her belongings in the drawer under her bed. There weren't enough female pilots on the Subversion right now for the entire room. “Saving us time again. If only more pilots got their hands dirty instead of…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There was a general clamour of disagreement at this. A sock was thrown. The door opened and Ro’venna stepped in. There was a chorus of 'ma’am’. The twi'lek had a room adjoining theirs that she shared with her Sullustan wingman. The idea was to keep the junior officers in line. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What if she's with her Jedi?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Her [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]what?[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Did Omar not tell you this?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“No!” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Ro’venna cleared her throat. Silence followed. Another day and they might have been chastised for gossip but her eyes were fixed on a rather lumpy shape under Hyler’s sheets. She raised her boot and trod on it. “Excuse me?” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A pair of sheepish faces were revealed beneath them. The man had artificial eyes. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Is this your cabin?” She asked. Before an answer could be give she bundled up the clothes at the side of the bed and carried them to the door and tossed them out into the corridor. “Out.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The solder slid out from the sheets under the weight of the twi'lek's stare and made for the door. There was a quip of “ooo free show.” Several sets of eyes followed his retreat. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“If you must,” Ro'venna stated, “not outside my door.” One day she would find a carrier where the pilots didn't act like a gaggle of frat girls. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli would feel his lips stiffen into a smile even as he kissed her back fervently. His fingers left her neck to encircle the tight braid falling over her shoulder. He followed the braid all the way down and tugged the binds free. They were tossed away and he indulged in stroking her hair from the back of her head all the way to the tips. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]His heart was hammering in his chest as he stroked his tongue across her own. Again he was conscious of all the little mistakes they'd made doing such a simple act, not least the attempt to kiss a little too deeply on an hour or two ago.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]She had a grip on his shoulders. He noticed that his real one was more sensitive to the touch. Was that a change in him from the intimacy or just the prosthetic lacking sensors there? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]They'd both spent a lot of time not doing very much with their hands as they kissed in awkward positions but now they were starting to explore touch more. He let his right hand reach up as far as her shoulders before running back down her back. It felt natural, it felt good. His mind started to go a little fuzzy.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Just like that, Trextan freed her hair from its binds, as if the single act took with it any remnants of hesitation. The thick strands slid free from its plait, urged by Trextan’s fingers as they went snaking through its length. Strands of dark hair fell forward, providing a half shroud that framed the pair just as Choli found herself shivering at the spine tingling feeling of the warmth of his hands traveling from nape to the small of her back. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It made Choli scrunch the fabric of his robe by his shoulders tighter, pressing herself against him until he sank back against the bulkhead, half hovering slightly over him and half pressing herself chest to chest. Already her heart was beating a dozen parsecs per second, and through half slit eyes, smoldering indigo circlets locked on brown in between breaths of air. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was strange. It was wonderful. It was nerve wracking, and [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]oh did I want to keep kissing him. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Cast in the half light of hyperspace beside them, the little recessed bed gave more than just a passing ambiance to the intimate setting. It colored this specific moment, this present time, in such a dizzying display of dancing nerves, longing, and again, that guilty pleasure. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Because oh did it ever feel good to be kissing him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Soon enough, it wasnt just Trextan’s hands that began a tentative wander. Fingers unfurled their hold and then fell flat, smoothing down his shoulders, feeling the heat radiated off his clothes. They went sliding just over his biceps and then back up again, a sort of of indulgent and wicked satisfaction at being able to touch him. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Would it always feel like this? [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]It was confusing as it was heady, as if she’d drank too much Lum juice and the alcohol got to her head. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Maybe that was too much reflection, as a small humming noise came reverberating up her throat and into his mouth. It was a high as close to flying at breakneck speeds and just as intoxicating as the adrenaline rush that came with it. So just like she did in the cockpit of her starfighter, the first time she nervously sank into the Force to guide her steps, Choli sank into that belly twisting sea and lost herself in it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The guilt was gone. There was no longer any block because he might have thought what they were doing was wrong. There was just the electrifying nervous excitement. The next few minutes were spent in quiet discovery. Or at least mostly quiet. He gasped between breaths, she softly moaned and urged him on. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was if a contract had been made in silence. That both had agreed to relinquish personal space they had held onto for so long to allow some tentative exploration. Neither had touched it been touched like this. It was entirely new, as exhilarating as it was different to everything that has come before. It had been there, simmering just beneath the surface for some time now. Ever since that awkward kiss in Tatooine. Either restrained by their situation, or their own nerves. It was natural. Neither had been here before. They knew as much about the physical cues to read in another as they did to actually now they had arrived.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was just a person, some voice whispered. Just flesh and bone like him. Under the fabric of her flight suit she was warm, soft. The shape of her body was different to his and in subtle ways that weren’t apparently to his eyes. Her shoulder blades were smaller than his, despite being a slender build she was still softer to touch. There was no rush, despite the way his heart thudded inside his chest. For once they had time, they had privacy. Another voice whispered more salacious thoughts: that it would be an even greater experience to explore her without the heavy flight suit between them. He shifted where he placed his hands several times: holding her waist with both, before very carefully and deliberately avoiding her chest as he cupped her cheeks with them. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He broke his lips from hers, not knowing how much time had passed. In his mind it felt like it had been a long time, yet paradoxically almost none at all. Both breathed heavily with the other. She saturated every sense he had. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]No words came to mind. He smiled. When her eyes opened he almost lost himself in those indigo eyes. The closest thing he had seen to them were the deep, star forming nebulae of the inner rim. Trextan took a deep breath, lifting her whole upper body. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]No, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]he realised. He didn’t want to be further away. His lungs hadn’t really been filled with enough air, his heart hadn’t slowed at all but he pulled her back and kissed her even more passionately, as if just that brief moment apart had been torture. Hands left her cheeks, so warm to the touch, and moved to her shoulders and down to stop at the small of her back. They lingered there for only a second before venturing further south until he cupped her rear with both hands. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]This couldn’t be real, he thought to himself. How could he have found anyone who wanted to take this journey with him?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was so easy to lose track of time. They could have been kissing for five minutes, ten, an hour, Choli has no idea. When they finally break it was only to a find herself breathless as if she’d ran a mile. Those fleeting seconds when he stared up at her with those half hooded chocolate eyes, tousled hair hanging over his forehead. There was a flip flop of her heart, a brief realization of his drifting hands, and then sudden the sudden darkening fire in his eyes that made Choli feel gooey inside and on fire in the next. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There wasn’t time to catch a breath, not with the way she felt the strength of muscle and prosthetics combined pull her right against him. Alarm rose for a fleeting second, coupled by a strange thrilling rush that Choli was at odds with. Now bruised lips are locked with his, and a thrill runs through the Rogue. Crushed this close made her feel just how his own heart was hammering much like her own, feel the bunching of his muscles and the strain therein under his robes as he held her close to him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Pulling him against her, Choli’s arms drew him closer, fingers kneading up and down his shoulders, drawing rather boldly over his upper back, and then, sinfully, diving into the dark whorls of hair right at the nape of his neck. There the warmth of the brief patch of skin and the silk of his hair drew a low hum of pleasure in the act. Touching. All this touching and hands seemed to go just [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]everywhere. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Choli was heady of it, ecstatic at the freedom of it. Who knew it would feel like this? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Their kiss was deep - but not too deep - passionate and full of need that Choli forgot where she was and she could feel it down to her toes. She almost didn’t register Trextan’s hands drifting low, holding the curve of her rear over the baggy coveralls, the act pressing her against him just that much closer. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The hum of the air recycler could barely be heard above the sound of their kissing, but it wasn’t cool enough to soak the heat the close proximity of their bodies seemed to ignite. Her olive face was already flushed, but feeling him grab her [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]there[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] made her vacillate between how good it felt and feeling embarrassed. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]That split second of indecision came and went when Choli found herself tugging him closer by the nape of his neck. Her fingers fisted in his hair, a mirror of what he had once done to her, slightly pulling his head back to kiss him a little more fervent than before. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A silly little thought came came to her then, prompting the half curve of her mouth. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Practice. Practice would make it better.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Sure, her lips were already half way swollen, bruised, and sensitive to the touch after all of this. However, on the other hand, as the flat of her tongue swept against his a little bit more courageously, Choli had to agree with the sentiment. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Practice most [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]certainly[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] made this [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]better[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

[SIZE=9pt]His mind would have been utterly silent were it not for that little voice on anxiety that needed to provide comment on unfolding events. For the most part Trextan just absorbed everything. Feeling her, but also submerged in what that evoked. There was just nothing to compare it to. It was excitement to the point that it was almost unbearable. Even with her pressed to him so he shouldn't have been so warm. That other little voice pointed out that she hadn't told him off for where he'd put his hands. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The way she held his neck before grabbing his hair sent electric shivers running down his spine. Tingles of pleasure at the act were followed by an erotic surge. He murmured into her mouth, hips tilting upwards just a fraction before he gathered his self control. The fingers of his left hand squeezed lightly whilst his right followed the curve of her hip end ran up the side of her thigh. He wished he could acquaint himself with every inch of her at the same time. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The bridge pecks when he was younger and the very brief kiss from the sith acolyte had been exciting, but they had left him wondering why so much fuss was made. He saw other couples cradled in each other's arms and ignorant of everything else in the world. They had eyes just for each other and kept affectionately touched. Trextan had always felt a slight longing to have such a connection, but he had also never been sure what the fuss was for. Now he knew. He felt as if he could be locked in here with Choli for days and would want for nothing else. And for once, he didn't even worry about what she was thinking about him. Right now they just [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]were.[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] They offered themselves to each other and just indulged in this time that was just for them and then alone. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]With the shifting swirls of hyperspace behind her Choli was almost a silhouette. But he could see her eyes. He could see the way she looked at him, like no one ever had before. Lying on their sides he just had the one hand free, which idly twisted a lock of her hair. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Kissing her neck had perhaps been the point where they had both decided they needed to slow things down. Trextan wasn't sure if rolling her off towards the window had been a deliberate move so that she was penned in by him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]His heart still hadn't even started to slow down. He grabbed the front of his robes and shook them lightly. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Got a bit warm in here…” he sighed.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Hotter than Tatooine?” The husky rasp came floating from the Rogue, slowly blinking in between her own struggle for breath and the calming of her heart. Even now, her lips felt an odd mix of gooey and tingly. There was a dire need to press her fingers up against her lips, as if the mere act could help her wrap around the idea of just what they’d been doing not five minutes prior. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Of course, if Choli was looking for a tangible connection, there was no looking further than seeing Trextan laying down beside her. His face was half cast in blue light while the other was shadowed. The dark mop of his hair clung to his forehead, damp spots of perspiration from the rousing heat of tight spaces and near endless kisses that had begun at her lips and ended just behind the shell of her ear.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli blushed. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Swallowing hard, there came the attempt of a small joke, adding, “Even the Sand people don’t wear as many robes as you Jedi do.” Inner tunic, inner robe, outer robe, cloak. In some instances she was sure there were six layers of fabric. A quick glance at his direction and she caught that he had dropped his finger play with the lock of her hair he had captured earlier. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Pity[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The hand wasn't gone for long, but it didn't come back to her hair. He just let it rest comfortably in the groove of her waist. He couldn't tell that she was blushing with the light. They had both started warm and scarlet cheeked. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Not that hot, no.” He gave a brief shake of his head. “I still can't imagine ever getting used to that heat. You know, going there, I hadn't really just how much I needed a guide out there. Thank you for coming with me,” he said. It wasn't the first time he'd said it. “I'm so glad I met you.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Another sigh heralded the start of a more relaxed breathing pattern. His heart was finally starting to slow down. The exhilaration had peaked when he had kissed her neck, tasted her soft skin. His imagination had run wild. Kissing her and holding her tight had been so different to his expectations. How would it have felt to go all the way with her? He'd watched the act, she'd damn well caught him doing so in that hospital. But what would it actually feel like?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Now the fire coursing through his veins was slowly dying out. His gaze didn't leave hers as he spoke. In fact, perhaps to her delight, he brushed the hair from the side of her faces and resumed curling a lock around his fingers. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Guess that answered the question,” he said with an arch of his eyebrows.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]For a moment, Choli felt her mouth go dry. Under Trextan’s appraisal she felt herself flushing more. Didn’t help matters that seeing him arch his brows so and return to curling a lock of her hair around his finger brought a wave of images that likely were anything but lacking any heat. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]She was flustered enough to go, “What question?” Wait, did he mean about what I said about Tatooine? Now she felt a little bit like a fool. Never mind the fluttering pleasure she felt at hearing him say that he was glad he met her and that she’d gone to Tatooine with him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yeah. Me too.” She might come off as jumping from topic to topic but she was just going along with what came up in her mind. Now it was a little [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]too[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] warm again. Flopping along to her back, Choli settled against her pilfered pillow. Trextan had two, so she absconded with one. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Wouldn’t have been there at Polis Massa if Kaeshana…” she trailed off a bit, her expression becoming pensive. The thought that she wouldn’t have met him if it hadnt been for Kaeshana came to the fore again. Strange how the galaxy worked. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It would be a lie to say it didn’t bother her. That month missing from her memory. It did. It likely always would. She’d been angry. She’d been more than a little scared. The unknown did that. It always did. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There was no shame or embarrassment in the grin that spread across his face when she expressed that she shared the sentiment. At least until he realised how ridiculous it probably was and tried to rein it back into just a smile. It finished receding completely when she spoke about Kaeshana. He almost said that perhaps the Force took us down difficult paths for a reason, but that would have seemed like cheapening what she had gone through. He didn’t know what to say so he kissed her on the cheek before leaning back away. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Oh[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] the question, you asked me if we were going to kiss or not,” he explained. Trextan took her point and rolled back and hefted himself up to sit on the edge of the bed. Under tunic, over tunic, tabard, heavy belt. At least he didn’t have the heavy robes over the top. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It is too many layers,” he said. Hopefully she realised he wasn’t about to do something foolish and strip right down. He slid off his layers until he was down to the thin under tunic. “Sometimes I have to train and fight in all that,” he said as he laid back down. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He hesitated as he reached out, spreading the fingers of his hand. He settled it across her belly, slightly fearful that it would be a step of intimacy too far in the situation. His thumb stroked up and down and he moved close enough to lean his head against her shoulder. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Have you ever taken a lightsaber into a real fight?” he asked. How the evening had started had almost entirely left his mind.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Umm…. technically,” Choli’s eyes went wide, watching Trextan move to sit up. “I asked if [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]you[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] were going to kiss me or not.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]In the end, it had been Choli. Not that it mattered with what came afterward. And to be honest, her mind was on other matters now -- like tracing the movements his hands made under the glow of hyperspace that went for his belt. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan might not have noticed it - or maybe he had - but Choli couldn’t help but avert her eyes the moment that Trextan sat up and began to quietly pull back the layers of clothing she’d just been teasing him about. A disquiet sense went washing over her, and she felt almost uncomfortable in being present in the act, heat flushing her face and making her swallow hard. Her eyes swung to the viewport, which didn’t do so well when the faint reflection of Trextan shrugging off his tabard and over tunic followed her still. So she settled with the bulkhead, focusing on a small scuff there. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It wasn’t due to Trextan’s fears of that he might strip down. No, it was the intimate act within a small room. The physical presence of being with another and how it rang a little too close to another ceremony and rite. Coming of Age ceremony and the Marriage Rites usually went hand in hand, and in that instance, both bride and groom would be able to finally undress in front of their blood mate. One of a handful of times that it would ever be allowed for another to see them without their robes. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Swallowing hard, there was a little bit of relief when she saw that Trextan kept his undertunic, but even if he had done the same during their sparring session, having the bed sink as he came back to lay beside her was, well, enough to tie her in knots. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Maybe he felt the same, because she could see the battle within his eyes and the warring indecision before a tentative hand came to rest over her belly. There was no hiding the faint quiver there, or the hitch of her breath, but feeling him snuggle up beside her, with strange of his hair tickling just along her chin managed to draw her anxieties away. Plus the question he asked also helped. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“And no, I haven’t. Never really had a need to.” She didn’t. Her Gaffi stick and then the martial arts Chloe had taught her had done her well. Not to mention she could handle herself with a sniper rifle when required. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Why?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He thought about the question. The answer wasn’t obvious to him. He did notice the shift in her demeanour, the way she appeared to be settling down after a small shock. It was silly that he had been too nervous to be clear that he was just taking off his outer layers. He could understand why it would catch her off guard. Trextan heard enough stories about men taking things too far when it wasn’t wanted. She spent enough time around the pilots and their apparently hedonistic ways. He reminded himself that despite how easily they could get caught up in each other that he shouldn’t take advantage. Choli was still naive for all her bluster, that this was new to them both. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I guess...it’s silly but I was thinking of you getting captured. A lightsaber probably wouldn’t have helped. Just been a beacon to bring them to you more quickly. Sometimes…” his voice wavered a little now. Just because she could be brutally honest it didn’t mean that it was right to tell her everything. “...I imagine that I met you earlier. On Kaeshana. That I rescued you and didn’t lose my arm. That even in a different time and place we still ended up together. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He tucked his chin down just a fraction so that it would be slightly harder for her to see his expression. That had been a really silly thing to say, he told himself. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Truthfully, it was sweet to hear him say that. Yet even then, Choli didn’t know what to say or how to reply to that. It wasn’t to say she was of the mind that things happen for a reason; although her time with the Tusken Raiders had given her a semblance of faith. It was hard though, to process how things could have been different. The many flavors of what ifs and maybes. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well,” she finally began, voice cracking a bit. She shifted her head, the strands of dark hair spread against his pillow, some of it caught under his head. A spare finger came up turning to idly play with a lock of his own. Funny how the more they were together, the more she just wanted to touch him. Even if it was just that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Can’t catch me all the time.” It was a mild attempt at joke, something to break the tension. Looking out towards the viewport, Choli gave a slight frown. Her chest rose as she took a deep breath, lifting Trextan a bit as she did so. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Maybe. But then you wouldn't have found the Scarred.” She began, recalling the bits and pieces he’d managed to tell her of what happened with him that day.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“And if you hadn’t lost your arm, you might have lost your father’s life.” She meant Master Voidstalker of course. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Things happen. I won’t say they happen for a reason, because I don’t know if they do. “ her forefinger gave a little twirl, playing with his hair again. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I guess what ends up mattering is what happens afterward.” A pause. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“At Kaeshana, some choices were made for me. I was shot down. What happened afterward…” a grimace. “ well, I guess I didn’t take it too well.” Her voice fell an octave, along with a deep sigh. Certainly not when she’d jerked those IV lines out of her arms. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The dark slash of her brows drew forward. A thought percolated and then her brow smoothed with a decision made. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“But you made it a little bit better.” And she was grateful for that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I…” He took his hand from her, but not as a sign of backing away. He caught her hand and brought it down to his cheek. Trextan turned into it. He kissed her palm and then settled his head against her once more. Even after the shower there was a slight metallic taste to her hand. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I’m glad,” he said. The emotional rollercoaster was not yet done for the evening. A turbulent swell of feelings tried to drag him under. They spent so much time trying to teach him to keep his emotions in check. He was told that he lacked control and that there would always be the temptation of the dark side waiting for him. But he spent so much time keeping them forced down that he could become sullen and broody. It seemed that after everything that had happened to him that he wasn’t always the most emotionally rounded person. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I think you make me a little better,” he replied in a hoarse whisper. Boldly had she assaulted the little mental prison he had made for himself. Choli wasn’t one to suffer his bullshit and it had forced him to reappraise a lot of things. And when he was with her he was happy. Genuinely happy. He smiled and he laughed and he talked and he was better for it. It was obvious to him now that he thought about it. If she looked down she would catch just a brief reflection of hyperspace light in the corners of his eyes before he quickly wiped them. His hand returned to her waist and he looked up at her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I’ll keep trying to catch you,” he said. His voice was more clear, his tone betrayed the double meaning in his words. “And sometimes I guess events roll our way.” [/SIZE]

 

[Choli Vyn]

[SIZE=9pt]Truth be told, Choli wasn't quite sure if he meant literally or if there was a double meaning to Trextan’s words. Some sayings were still confusing to her. Didn’t mean that she didn’t understand the sentiment behind it. There was a wealth of emotion that flowed in just his last, and hearing it nonetheless coaxed a half smile from the brunette. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“That might require you learning to fly.” It was a mild joke, a twist of her lips into a wry grin. An attempt at some level of lightheartedness while they went wading through this particular tumulus nebula. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There wasn’t much more to say. At least in this moment. While fingers idly went shifting through strands of his hair, Choli found herself mulling through the conversation. The Rogue appreciated the sentiment, but they both had their responsibilities. Even in their young age, many were dependent on them and their choices. In their leadership. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli took another breath. The lingering warmth from their entangled embrace had all but waned. Now it was a more of a content lull. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan had seen plenty in his young life. Choli understood that. She didn’t judge him for it, but knew that life had a way of sending things down a spiral. He was a force to be reckoned with, there was no lie about that. Even she could feel it, charging and pulsing under a thin veneer of of barely contained walls. The young woman had no point of reference or clue towards the amount of suffering and emotional upheaval the loss of his parents, his home, and the subsequent rolling anger he felt towards his biological father gave. He spent so much time drawing himself in that it likely had been tearing him apart from within. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Do I help in making him a little better?[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Honestly, Choli wasn’t sure. There are more than one cause for the state of being where Trextan is now. With how brief their interactions are, one might be able to argue that was just an emotional confession brought on by a skewed emotion driven perspective. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]However, wherever that truth may lay, Choli did know one thing. He was smiling more. Laughing. Perhaps, in the end, all that mattered was that.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]For once, he realised that it was one of those times where if he said anything else it was just going to spoil the moment. They came from very different places and had follow paths that were worlds apart. She had grown up in a nomadic life on the desert wastelands. A culture that hadn’t much changed in tens of thousands of years. He’d lived in a tower that broke the clouds with twenty thousand other people who hailed from all corners of the Galaxy. Explorers who followed their hearts to do the right thing had introduced Choli to the Force. Wicked men with black hearts who only followed power had mouldered him to their own ends. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Whilst they could be tentative around each other and both were obviously battling nerves and [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]other [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]urges it seemed they’d found their own little connection. Regardless of their pasts they both felt slightly out of place where they were. Trextan found that bothered him far less when he was with her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]They talked for a while. Trextan reaffirmed his promise of three courses and probably some more food and visits to some of Coruscant’s cultural centres if she could get the time off. Both expressed dismay that this time could only last another day, but they didn’t linger on the subject. They displayed affection quietly and once more with fervour. Clothes were crumpled under grasping hands and soft murmurs filled the small cabin. But in the end the evening could not last and Choli had to return to her own quarters. And Trextan were stare out into hyperspace imagining what was still to come and enjoying the fact that his pillow still smelled of her hair.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan was sat on his own in the mess the following morning. The Scarred seemed to have gone en masse to the gym to show off to the crew leaving him alone. The pilots he could hear coming from a distance. He raised his head expextently and then lowered it back down, planning to make eye contact more subtly if she was there.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]This time around, it wasn’t Omar, thankfully. Instead it was Choli and Tela from Rogue. Right behind them was Captain Janes and Ro’venna of Wraith. One the one hand, it wasn’t the wise cracking Zeltron. On the other, Trextan wasn’t quite familiar with Tela or Ro’venna. Captain Janes on the other hand…[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Well this might get interesting. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli’s eyes felt as if magnetized, drawing across the mess to see Trextan’s familiar lanky form already in the mess and sitting by himself. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So, you’ll be returning to full duty soon?” Tela inquired, her short, spiky red hair gelled high. With the swagger of confidence, the Rogue made chit chat, her own attention surveying the scene. Unlike Choli’s small half grin, Tela instead arched a red brow and then gave a smirk. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“In a few weeks.” That’s what they told her at least. It was exciting as well as nerve wracking to go back. Part of her wasn’t sure how everyone felt about Kaeshana and then Mustafar. There were only few Rogues left that she knew. Who would she meet?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So, is he the real deal?’ And it starts, Tela’s wide grin splitting her pixie face. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What is that supposed to mean?” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well, you weren’t at the cabin until real late.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A roll of Choli’s eyes but her blushing face was enough of an answer. Enter Tela’s boisterous laugh and nudging of her elbow. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]So it begins. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Asmus let this go for the time being. The squadron was never going to stop its banter when times were quiet. There were, however, lines that shouldn't be crossed. In his position as a naval officer yesterday was the first time he had been forced to drag someone back over it. It hadn't been fun. Asmus wasn't one of those who sought conflict and it had taken him a few minutes after receiving the news to gather the courage to go and reprimand the Zeltron.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Ooo exciting: reheated protein cubes,” Asmus declared sarcastically. The serving droid fixed him with a flat stare. It was quite impressive how it managed to convey its attitude without the ability to change its expression. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Asmus collected more than his fair share of food and a mug of caf. He was at the front of the line to be served and once his tray was full he turned and headed directly for the table where Trextan was [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]sitting.[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] There was a chance this was going to catch Choli by surprise but he'd decided it was time they got over their childishness and talked to him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Asmus sat opposite the Jedi with a pleasant: “good morning.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan looked up, looked to Choli and looked back to the pilot. “Morning,” he said before gathering another spoon of oats. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Didn't think we would get to meet after talking to you on the comm.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“No…” Trextan replied. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]What is Janes doing?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Part of Choli held [member="Asmus Janes"] in high regard and trusted him impeccably. However, another recent voice birthed and tempered under Omar’s lovely little side commentary was also wary of the beeline the Wraith Captain made to sit by Trextan. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Of course, Tela and Ro’venna followed in pursuit. Only that they delightfully sat on opposite sides of the Jedi, their plates making a light clatter as they flanked him, knowing glances and an arch of brows in devilry. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]This is going to go well.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]On one hand, it was Janes, Ro’venna, and Tela. Comparatively speaking in terms of banter, relatively tame compared to Omar, Wilson, and Locke. On the other hand, it was still Janes, Ro’venna, and [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Tela.[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Considering the stories all three could give, at best, Choli could only hope that she wouldn’t get [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]that[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] embarrassed. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“He wasn't the only one! Although if we’d known you were this much of a looker I wouldn't have minded taking some of those comms myself,” Tela’s eyes gave a twinkle, flashing a wink at Choli's direction. Tela was baiting. Thankfully, Ro’venna shot the redhead a glare -- although that paled in comparison to the darkening copper of annoyance from Choli that glared daggers at Tela. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“That would require you spending [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]less[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] time at the cantina. I doubt it,” Choli shot back, resigned to the fact that she couldn’t leave them alone with Trextan. With an apologetic look at the Jedi, she sat herself down beside Asmus, almost directly across from Trextan. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Well this was exciting, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]in no small amount of sarcasm did that thought race through her mind. As if remembering her manners, Choli gave a small gesture as if to indicate introductions. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“This is Jedi Knight Trextan Voidstalker.” how odd that would sound. Introductions. “ Lieutenant Commander Ro’venna, Lieutenant Tela Uolmi, and well, Captain Janes.” although Trextan [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]already[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] knew that. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

[SIZE=9pt]“Nice to meet you all,” Trextan replied. There was a dynamic here. One that had formed over time and settled. He could almost sense it in the Force. Just like when he used his abilities, he had disturbed that by being here. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Why had Asmus decided to come here? He was the one who had made Omar apologise for his behaviour the previous day. It didn't make any sense to put them in a position that was just going to encourage them further. Though if the worst they were going to come out with was compliments on his looks today he supposed to could live with it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The twi'lek seemed to have a stern demeanour. Trextan could sense the glimmer of annoyance at Tela’s comment. He didn't understand the background: that Ro'venna had a particular bee in her bonnet about pilots acting like college students still. In that respect Choli was probably one of her favourites. She was hardworking, got her hands dirty and didn't take the banter too far. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It wouldn't require that if you brought Trextan [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]to [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]the cantina now would it?” Tela continued. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Will this...go on long?” Trextan asked Asmus after giving Choli a brief shrug and smile.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Not long I expect,” Asmus replied. “Better they get it out of their systems.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan felt he had a bit more of a handle on the situation now. Perhaps the pilots wouldn't go too far mocking Choli if they knew him rather than just being a name.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Is this the part where you do a big 'hurt one of ours and we break your legs’ Asmus? Because I think Choli can handle herself…” Ro'venna chuckled.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What's wrong? Don't have the stamina?” It might earn Tela a subsequent glare but Trextan set himself up by asking if it would ‘go on long’ and then Janes following up with, ‘ not long I expect.’ [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Pity[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt],” that snicker earned a quick kick to Tela’s shin, courtesy of Choli herself. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Ow! Hey!” [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] The Redhead Rogue cried out, leg flinching as her face went twisting in a grimace. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You still have steeltoes on! Those hurt!”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli's smile was sickly sweet,”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Pity[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt].”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Ro’venna couldn't help her had grin, her Lekku quivering in amusement. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble, Uolmi.” The Wraith said in a dry tone. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yeah, well I've haven't had complaints about my use of it,” innuendo to the max. Add in the sly wink she shot Trextan and it was all Choli could do to not stuff her mouth with something else to keep her quiet. It was such a sudden irrational thought that took hold. Nope, she did not care for how Tela was acting around the Jedi. Not one bit. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Maybe just because it at least keeps you quiet for a while,” Trextan murmured. There was a conspiratorial glance towards Choli from under his shaggy hair. It was said with absolutely no emotion or malice. It took Tela a moment to realise what had been said.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh! Are you even allowed to say something like that!?” she asked.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Probably not,” Trextan said with a wince. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“A Jedi that can talk dirty? [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Well…[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan didn’t care for the way Tela was acting around him either. He sighed and shook his head. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Simulations or mechanical work today then?” Trextan asked Choli. Tela made a small nasal noise of annoyance at being ignored.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Her olive face flamed. Choli could practically feel the blood pulse along her cheeks and at the shells of her ears. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Stupid, Tela. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Of course, her sense of embarrassment oddly clashed against the small sense of pride at how Trextan had been able to quip back. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Granted, the end result with Tela making suggestive undertones about Trextan and dirty talking, well -- only prompted another wave of heat on her cheeks. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Mainly because she distinctly remembered that there was a lack of whatever Tela might consider dirty talking the day before. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“A Sim,” she cut in before Tela would make another commentary. Janes, amused, took a stab at his protein cubes, sighed rather dejectedly, then ate it. What he would give for a freshly grilled Nerf steak, pan fried with a little Eriaduian garlic and --[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“They need to pass the test that I’m still able to fly.” Not that she couldn't, “A starfighter that is.” For clarification. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh? Who is going to supervise?” Ro’venna asked, eating her meal.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Eyes wide, Choli gave a small shrug. “I dont know. They haven’t disclosed that to me yet.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Max is observing,” Asmus said. “I've got get prepped for an extraction. If you're cleared Choli you'll probably be on alert on the deck with the others.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Anywhere interesting?” Trextan asked, trying to stay in the conversation[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Literally can't tell you,” Asmus laughed. “Don't even have the clearance to know myself. I have to be given an exception form.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan looked a little embarrassed. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What we do…” Asmus continued to keep the Jedi engaged. “...is drop all power output and revert to realspace a long way from the target. I take a shuttle with a civilian ID and merge in with the regular traffic and go and get the asset. All goes well I leave quietly and rejoin the ship. If it goes badly then I might need some cover.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh,” Trextan looked to Choli. If she launched was he going to be waiting to find out if she was coming back? They had their roles. His nerves had just been frayed by Mustafar. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So is seeing a pilot everything you hoped it could be?” Tela took the opportunity to interrupt again. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan raised his gaze and looked towards Choli. “It's great,” he said boldly. Then he planned around the Tela. He could already see another question forming. “But is between us. Do you have any fighters you can fly on the ship Choli?” He asked.[/SIZE]

 

[Choli Vyn]

[SIZE=9pt]Once again, a deep red glow went blooming across Choli’s face. Tela rolled her eyes. Ro’venna gave a chuckle. Asmus stabbed at another protein cube amused, but his own scoundrel grin crept over his face. At least the Jedi boy seemed to hold his own. If he could handle Tela, maybe it wouldn't be so bad at all. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Not assigned, no. They’ll likely rotate one out for me once I pass all qualifiers.” She’d lost her starfighter back on Kaeshana and honestly, she didn't know if any of it had been recovered. Likely not. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I was Rogue Seven then. Don’t know what I’ll be now.” There was no ignoring the colorful shift in blue green in Choli’s eyes with the pleasure she felt at how Trextan had shut off Tela’s probing. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Tela, not to be shoved off to the side for too long, followed up with, “Yes, back to extended missions, distant shore leaves, and all the fresh faced academy pilots unloading from every port.” Tela gave a smirk. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“All of them giddy for new experiences and a bit of company.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]If Tela wasn’t going to get any attention from Trextan, she was going to make her own. The pilot wasn’t used to not being the center of attention and there was just something [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]thrilling[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] of finding out just what made the Jedi tick. It was all in good fun. Not like she was going to pull an Omar. Everyone already heard about [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]She managed to find a nerve eventually. Not in the attempts at innuendo without a hint of subtlety, but in the scenario she managed to conjure. Choli could be sent away on long tours. He'd seen first hand the easy going attitude to relationships the pilots seemed to have. What if she missed him too much? Choli might get lonely and get just enough attention from some of the young recruits. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“We'll see where we go I suppose,” Trextan replied bravely. “But we both happened to end up here for now which had been a nice surprise.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I guess that was good luck,” Asmus replied. “Galaxy is a big place to find someone by accident.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Ro'venna perked up, pretending to check around the table. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It's alright!” Tela said. She reached across Trextan to place a reassuring hand on the twi'lek's arm. “I can't see any whiskey.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]haha[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt],” asmus said. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan was sat back bolt upright in his chair trying to avoid any contact with Choli's squadron mate.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What is that all about?” Tela cried out, amused and perhaps a little bit insulted with how the Jedi had stretched himself back to avoid even the slightest graze. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What? You can’t touch a woman?” those wide blue eyes swinging from Trextan and then to Choli,”Well… guess that answers [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]that [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]question.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli’s face flamed. This time, the annoyance was visible on her face. Before she could say anything, Ro’venna piped in. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Don’t you have a shift coming up Tela?” There was a pointed glance at the spiky redhead. Asmus jabbed at another protein cube. He was never one for confrontation, and dealing with Omar was about as far as he’d ever had to really take the role of supervision. Compared to Omar, Tela was relatively harmless. However, even he could see that Choli was getting more annoyed by the second and wouldn’t put it past her to actually act upon it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Better hurry. You don’t have me to wave off your hungover tardies anymore.” the Rogue Squadron Commander was a bit more strict. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan started to reach across the table towards Choli before he remembered himself. It was quite obvious that there were other couples on the ship but there seemed a specific protocol to it. They definitely sat together in the mess, but they didn't hold hands or anything more intimate. But even in the day he'd been aboard he'd spotted them slinking into the quieter areas of the ship together. Asmus had seen the gesture and chuckled. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Can if I choose to,” Trextan countered. “But if you jump into my personal space again I'll reach into your mind and evict your libido.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]would [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]make her more productive…” Ro'venna mused. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Asmus didn't laugh. Some of the colour left his cheeks. Tela wasn't particularly convinced. She reached out and poked him on the cheek. Trextan gave her a bemused look and Tela just laughed. He decided he didn't like the way she did so. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]This was just one pilot. Was this excruciating procedure going to be followed with each of the others to get them to calm down?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well, guess you won’t have to worry about that with Smalls.” Seeing as she wasn’t going to have her fun, Tela rose to her feet. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It is hard enough getting her to drink, let alone…” she let the rest wane, but the devilry in her eyes was clear as day. Picking up her tray, the rascal pilot took her leave. Although not before doing so with a salacious chuckle. They had to have some form of fun while being out here. Poking fun at the Jedi monk was just a collateral sideeffect. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Remind me next time to let Tela drown in her whiskey.” Choli uttered under her breath, shaking her head, the tips of her olive ears a bright rouge color compared to the loss that Asmus had. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well, if anything,” the Twi’lek Wraith spoke, “If you can survive Owen or Uolbi, Jedi, then it can’t get any worse.” While she wasn’t thrilled with the teenage antics some of the crew were still determined to do, she could show some semblance of amusement at the Jedi Knight having some bite. Who would have thought?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I don’t think Trextan could even make Tela productive even if he did that.” A sudden frown, twisting over to the lightly blushing knight.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Can[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] you do that?” Play with someone's mind? Remove things? Had that happened to me?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What? What I threatened to do? No, not at all. I can manage simple mind tricks.” Trextan looked contemplative and put his spoon back in his bowl as he thought about how to explain. They were all SIS pilots so he assumed it was a fairly safe place to discuss what he could do. What he didn't want to do was remind Choli that he had distracted some of the staff when they had been stealing puddings. Not in front of anyone else anyway. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I can influence someone a little bit. I could...make a guard interested in something in the other direction. Make someone think about the oven they left on. I can't make someone do something they are strongly opposed to. That kind of brutal work on a mind is of the dark side.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan looked after Tela and shook is head. “Is that it over for now? With those two done do I have to sit through the others taking pot shots as a group to get it over with?” He sighed. “Did I make things worse?” This time the question was directly squarely at Choli, not Asmus.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Worse or better? It was all relative. Honestly Choli didn't know. In her eyes lay the swirling confusion and anxiety of silver flecked green eyes. Was she supposed to reassure him when she couldn't rightfully answer. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Mouth working, choli drew a breath. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It's fine,” this time it was Ro’venna who interrupted. “They'll get their laughs and then at the next unloading of Troops they'll find something else to fix their attention. “[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The Wraith shot the pair an amused glance from her periphery, coming to a stop on Asmus. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You sure there Janes you didn't sneak a bottle? Looking a little piqued there. Unless you are just reving up to blend into the role of scoundrel shuttle pilot.” A switch in topics at the expense of Asmus. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli in the meantime gave Trextan an encouraging smile. Underneath the table, her right foot went reaching out to lightly rub against his shin. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was as close to satisfying the urge to touch as they were going to get. [/SIZE]

Trextan gave her an appreciative smile. He realised he had sounded a touch pathetic with that last question. It was better facing it together than alone. Probably.

[SIZE=9pt]“Once had a run in with one of those dark side types who don't mind that kind of brutal work,” Asmus said. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Ro'venna gave him a nod and left it at that. The fact that Asmus wasn't trying to spin it into a lengthy tale was enough of a sign for her to move on.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Of course when you [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]do [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]get drinking it does kind of undermine your position when you try and discipline them for their behaviour…” Ro'venna started. Asmus rolled his eyes. This seemed like an ongoing battle.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“They know when I'm telling them to straighten out and…” Asmus started.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“And when you're encouraging them and I have to interject.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh it's never…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Like the time in cargo bay two where I found…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Asmus coughed to interrupt Ro'venna. “I don't think we need to go into that here,” he said looking to Trextan and Choli. He looked half embarrassed and half pleased with himself.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Quite,” Ro'venna replied and she tilted her head to one side. Asmus was taken aside a few spaces down for a quiet sidebar on the mattter. Choli and Trextan were left in relative peace.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]When asmus had blocked him from finding out more about Choli Trextan had felt a little swell of contempt for him. He didn't hate him now. If anything there was a little jealousy. He was young, successful, easygoing and - frankly - exceptionally handsome. He worried that Choli was going to spend her time around such men with loose moral standards. She didn't want him to be like that did she? [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]No,[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]he told himself. That was just a silly thought.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“That was delightful,” he said to Choli. He managed a chuckle. “You should know…” he said in a hushed tone. He wasn't certain how to word this. “Just, well, we take things at our own pace and that's fine.” It echoed a statement he'd tried to make the previous day. “Don't know why she feels the need to mark us as prudish.” It was that comment about Choli that had annoyed him a little. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I know.” Choli said in a soft reply, her voice falling an octave as they were left to their own privacy for the present time. A rare event indeed. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Her eyes fell to her meal, which surprisingly enough, she had yet to really touch. Normally she’d be halfway done with it by now. Protein cubes weren’t bad to her. She’d often had protein slices and instabread, and even those weren’t too bad at all. She happily at them. Dealing with Tela and how she’d reacted around Trextan had an effect in her appetite. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was funny, concerns about relationships, their woes, and the jealousies, insecurities, and all that came in between was such a foreign concept for the Rogue. Her world view was defined by set ceremonies, expectations, and the knowledge that once one came of age, they were bonded to a bloodmate. That was it. There was no other venue or path unless one lost their Bantha. It was just something hard to imagine when the person that was to be your mate you’ve never even seen out of their clothes until the wedding night. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Before, when such things came up during her time with the Rogues among the others, she’d always watched with mild bemused curiosity. How they could act so, from one extreme to the next. Even then, there really wasn’t anything one might consider a consistent modern relationship while on the ship. There were fare more hook ups and ring around the cabins than she’d like to admit. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“And well.. I guess it is the whole Jedi thing.. And the fact I never really went along with their games.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well we don't have to be like them,” Trextan said. What he was really saying was 'you don't have to be like them’ or perhaps 'please don't end up like them.’[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I think I might like Tela even less than Omar you know,” Trextan said. There had been something in the way she looked at him that made him feel deeply uncomfortable. His mother had left Jacen because he didn't spare the time for his family. That was because he was at war. Like he was, like Choli was. That train of thought would have continued but for Choli's demeanour. She hadn't even touched her food. For the first time since Polis Massa she looked vulnerable. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He put his hand flat on the table and slid it close enough that the tips of their little fingers touched. It was as much affection as he could show here but he felt the need to show some. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Hey, think I can observe your sim later?” he asked. He tried to give her a warm smile. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was funny how just the little brush of his pinky against her own made her feel a little better. Strange how that little action meant so much. That physical contact could impact her such such strength. Choli had never been one to really place much stock on physical contact, what with the bulk of her life being behind the desert bindings and breathing mask used to keep her skin out of the sun and her lungs with moisture. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Now the mere act of pinkies touching was all the more important to her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Umm, not sure.” She answered honestly, taking a deep breath. Off to the side she could see Ro’venna and Asmus having their own conversation. LIkely having to do with the Twi’lek accidentally coming up on the Captain in a rather delicate situation. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Not much different than what happened with Lucy when Trextan and I were at the maintenance bay.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Ears grew pink again. With her hair swept back in the typical braid, it was easy to pick up even against her dusky skin. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Depends on the Flight Commander. “ meaning Max. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You could ask..” she bit her lower lip, mulling this over. There shouldn't be too much of an issue, but it was the sim she needed to pass in order to get back on duty with Rogue Squadron again. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan decided that the last of his oats were cold now anyway and abandoned his spoon to the bowl. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“And with…!” Trextan heard from their right. He turned and his gaze met Ro’venna’s. It looked like the discussion had become heated. The Twi’lek cleared her throat and returned to her hushed tone. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan returned his attention to Choli. It seemed the idea didn’t quite sit right with her and he could imagine why. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It’s not an issue if you’d rather I didn’t,” he offered. “Might just be best if I come and watch a sim [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]after[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] you’ve been cleared for active duty again. “I’ve got some reading to do anyway. I should be studying some texts on the Force, but I’ll probably get stuck into something more interesting while we’re just passengers.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan wasn’t the only one who managed to catch the heightened tone from the Twi’lek, her head turning to watch the pair curiously. Likely having to do with how Asmus was handling command. He always had one or two superior officers pull him to the side back in Rogue to discuss his choices in life. Well, not really his choices as much as how he should likely act like a Commander and do as I do, and not just as I say.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“That might work,” Choli replied, returning her attention to Trextan. “I just know they aren’t really particular about letting anyone review the Sim.” a pause. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“But maybe If you ask, could work. The Flight Commander isn’t too bad. Actually,” she gave a slight cant of her head. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I don’t think he’s more than a couple of years older than me.” Max recently came out of the Academy. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh. Should he be like...in his forties?” Trextan asked. The idea of someone so young being in charge of all the fighters on even a small military ship seemed strange. Them again he was becoming more accustomed to older soldiers looking towards him in the field. It wasn't that long ago that he had been crawling through the mud in confusion. The Sith had always told him that battle was glorious. It was anything but that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You've barely touched your delicious protein cubes…and they look so appealing,” Trextan observed. He hoped that she wasn't going to call his bluff and offer them to him. She probably wouldn't give up food she had already claimed as her own though. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]At his taunt, the Rogue lowered her gaze, observing the chunks of protein cubes in thick gravy. Not really appetizing to say the least, but she had worse. In both taste and quality. However, seeing as how he had wanted to point out about her lack of appetite…[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Taking her fork, Choli began, “Hmm.. I don’t know. I mean, if you think so, maybe you should have some.” with a stab of the tines into an inch square, she dredged it along the thick gravy and then held it up in the air for him to take. Thick globs of reddish brown savory sauce would drip from the edges, the young woman arching her left brow in a silent dare.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Here. Eat your fill.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh no,” Trextan said with a shake of his head. “That looks far too nice to be [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]sharing[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] it.” He tried to keep his expression as stoic as possible, but the corner of his mouth kept trying to betray him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He didn't want the situation to be a distraction when she had such an important test ahead that day. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I'm sorry,” he said suddenly, “if you needed to prep last night and I took up your time.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Popping it into her mouth, Choli gave a half grin. Her demeanor brightened. With Tela no longer there, it was evident that the young woman certainly seemed a bit more cheery. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]At his apology, Choli gave a shake of her head. Her eyes even gave a slight flash of indigo, following a deepening red wash over her dusky features. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“No. Don't apologize.” She replied quietly, setting down her fork. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I enjoyed it.” There was no need to explain further. Her lids fell, staring at her food. There was a sense of embarrassment, but also genuine honesty. She had enjoyed their time together. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I was just worried…” Trextan trailed off. She knew what he had meant. There was no reason to explain any further. That would just seem silly. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Me too,” he said. He had thought she had, but it was nice to hear it so he replied in kind. There had been that little splash of indigo in her eyes as she'd thought back. He was coming to know what that meant. Being around him and the pilots seemed to get her a little defensive. Tela and Omar did at least. R4’s comments made a little more sense now. He was probably just keeping up a routine he'd been observing the other pilots go through. It stood to reason that if they were so...prolific and Choli was not that news of someone calling after her so determinedly had spread. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Is R4 around here?” He asked suddenly. He felt bad for not having asked after the silly little ball earlier.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yeah, but mostly stays at the hangar.” With Lucy and everyone else. If Trextan wasn't here, Choli would have spent more time there herself. Although to be honest, the time spent with Trextan, stolen time, was all the more worth it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What will you be up to? Does you're master have you doing anything?” She wasn't sure what time as a Jedi would entail. At least while they were here on the ship. At least it was a few hours before she had to complete the sim.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I am supposed to be fairly self sufficient in my studies now. At least for just a couple of days like this. Well, she hasn't given me anything to do but can - and [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]will[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] - without any warning.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan screwed up his face in concentration. “I wonder if she says taking some lessons with you as my task for the trip. Probably.” But then what would she be judging? His technical teaching skills or his ability to separate his personal feelings from his duties. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What's it like flying a sim?” He asked. “Does it [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]feel[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] like flying? I'm justing thinking of how you use the Force.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Lessons with [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]me?”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Choli gave a scrunch of her face, as if the thought was absurd. What could Trextan gain from what she normally would train in? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Sorry, didn’t mean it that way. Just from all the tales Jan gave me, I thought a Jedi’s training regimen was rather strict and revolved around your area of focus.” Actually, Choli wasn’t quite sure what [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]was[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Trextan’s area of focus. He had spoken about the Justicars, which upon reflection seemed to be more of a police force reminiscent of CorSec — just with Jedi. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I mean, what could you learn with me here?” Her hand gave a small gesture as if to signify the entire ship. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“The Sim… no — not really. Doesn’t feel like flying. You go through the motions and go through missions and work through probabilities — but it never is the same.” Omar would say that a sim is as much as flying as pretending a holo sim is the same thing as sex. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Not quite as fulfilling. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“But it allows us to track how we are doing and react to various situations. Not sure honestly how the Force reacts in that way — I don’t really get a sense of danger much in the same way as I do when I’m out there.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan nodded his head slowly. “Sort of what I expected really. I've done some 'simulated’ training with the marines and it was just a clever game of laser tag with droids. Danger sense still works a little when a droid is about to give you a sting in the back.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Several more people in flight suits walked past. Trextan recognised Omar, but not Chad or Wilson. Odennus was with them too. He felt their eyes pass over them and then to the commander of the SIS wing. Beyond his range of hearing they discussed whether to interrupt their conversation, risk Asmus and Ro'venna being on an important subject or just take another table. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I'm sure you'll do great,” he said. His shin brushed against hers and he tried to give a reassuring smile. He realised he hadn't really done this before: try and give someone a confidence boost before a difficult trial. Even when he had been given early exams his head had been down working on his own revision. That was his father's upbringing: he had to put himself first to be successful in life. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I think, in some way, they see teaching me to [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]teach[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] as important for my development. I'm not sure why yet.” The other thought that occurred to him was that Yvette was building on that moment on Mentina station. She had obviously sensed the conflict when he had realised Choli was in danger. It could be a lesson in separating his duties and personal feelings. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“No, that makes sense.” Choli replied, allowing a slight graze back of her own shin against his. It still felt a bit off. Not in a bad way, just different. Everything was different when it came in comparision to her life back on Tatooine. Just took a bit of patience and observation. Although physical contact was new, it certainly wasn’t unwanted. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli also caught a passing glance from Odennus. Omar was the one who was avidly trying to avoid being caught watching them. Likely due to the fact that Asmus and Ro’venna were nearby still going over their private conversation, although this time, Janes had a rather satisfied expression on his face while Ro’venna glowered disapprovingly. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was steadily getting more crowded by the minute. Choli felt the dire need to make a quick exit. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Are you done with your meal?” she inquired, only to flush a bit at how fast she had said that. Maybe it was rather obvious she rather leave before anyone else decided to be brave enough to sit by them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“No I'm...[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]oh.[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]” Trextan looked up and was able to read the situation. In part that was because he could sense the attention that was starting to fall upon them. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He gave a curt nod and stepped away from the table and picked up his tray. There was a little food left but he could always snack later. There wasn't much time that could pass in a day if he was training before he got hungry again. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“They said I'd need less calories without this arm,” he reflected as he turned towards a trolley for trays. His brow furrowed in confusion. Mostly at why he had just decided to say that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Preparation for you now?’ he asked. For him it would probably be some quiet study and trying to keep focus, preventing her from dominating his thoughts again. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yeah. I should probably get some hours in before the real review,” [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]however, I’d prefer being able to spend more time with you. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Funny thought that, the Rogue giving a slight perturbed frown and a bit of her lip in the slight mull. Likely not something she should be considering as a Lt. Commander. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Responsibilities and all. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So who else is with you? I mean, besides Master Yvette?” He’d mentioned the soldiers but she only knew a little bit. The brutality that they saw at Kaeshana yes, but not who they were. Trextan got a full introduction to the Rogues and their personalities. Were they keeping to themselves at Besh Deck?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was small talk while Choli set her tray away. A method of at least being able to be in Trextan’s company before she had to go do a few sets. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Maybe a walk over to the holodeck won’t be so bad?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Are they as bad as my Squadron?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan took a moment to consider the question. He followed her out of the mess and turned after her without thinking. “In some ways. I would...say they're more crude whilst being less intrusive.” As soon as he said it he wished he hadn't. Just please don't ask how, he thought in Choli's direction.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It's just a six man team with us. The youngest is barely older than me, but most of them have been soldiers for a long time. Three of them supporting a Jedi can...well I guess you got a brief glimpse on that station.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Duty and emotion had clashed briefly. After what Choli had been through it had shaken him to know that the mercenaries had been trying to take back the hangar she had been in. But she would be in danger, as would he, many more times in situations the other had no control over. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan glanced about briefly, realising that he'd followed her without a thought of where she was going. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yeah, I did.” Choli admitted, thinking back on their mission and how that had all panned out. It had been striking to see Trextan and his Master move the way they did. It both impressed her as much as brought a flare of concern within the Rogue. That was something she was still coming to terms over. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Worrying about someone else. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Seeing Trextan stop and shuffle awkwardly prompted Choli to slow to a halt as well. After a moment she gave a half chuckle and shook her head. They were being rather silly weren’t they?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well I guess you can’t really follow me into the sim.” she added, crossing her arms over her chest. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What’s your plan for the rest of the day?”[/SIZE]

Placing his hands on his hips Trextan looked up and down the corridor. It wasn’t a very large ship but it was a tight maze of narrow corridors and crawl spaces. “I have no idea where I am,” he whispered. “I’ll head back the same way.

[SIZE=9pt]“No, having me crammed into the cockpit offering motivational comments probably wouldn’t help much at all,” he said. Trextan wasn’t often aware of how much more conversational he was with Choli than just about anyone else. There were a few he had grown close to within the Jedi Order but they had a habit of coming and going too quickly for him to make genuine connections. Two stints in hospital with no one else for company and their trip into the wastes had done a great to strengthen the ties he felt to the pilot and his behaviour had slowly shifted accordingly. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Jacen had said that she seemed a good influence on him. Trextan had muttered something under his breath and found things to do to avoid his father when he was in one of those chatty moods. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I don’t actually have much of one to be honest. We weren’t supposed to be staying long term but the ship had to go and the shuttles took some damage. Gym? Maybe the observation deck. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Good luck today, though you won’t need it.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He wanted to do [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]something [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]to show some physical affection, but there were crew members marching up and down on business and it didn’t seem appropriate. His hands found each other and clasped together to avoid the temptation. “I’ll find you later?”[/SIZE]

 

[Choli Vyn]

[SIZE=9pt]A half choked giggle snort managed to escape Choli’s lips at Trextan’s confession that he had no clue where on the [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Subversion[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] he was at right now. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What happened to that Jedi ability for situational awareness?” okay, Choli couldn’t quite help teasing him for that. Banter was easy, all the more when Trextan set it up for her to simply give a quick quip. Hands crossed over her chest, Choli went leaning slightly to the right, her hip cocking in the same direction. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well…” [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]if he didn’t have a plan per se, then maybe…[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] A thought came to Choli. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“If I don’t end up making a fool of myself with the test, I’ll have some free time after.” she began, a little bit uncertain. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“That is, if you are still interested in learning how to study something faster than normal.” Choli only knew a few things, but absorbing knowledge at a quick rate was one of them. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I also borrowed an item from Chloe…” ah, but that would require Trextan coming to [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]her[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] room. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You'll be fine! That will be great,” Trextan said in a one-two punch. He positively beamed. Just the act of smiling seemed to make him feel lighter. It hadn't been a common expression for years for the Jedi. Enthusiasm that seemed to be for the technique was really just at the idea of spending more time. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It did sound like an incredibly useful skill though. The amount of time he had to spend learning these days was a great deal. It seemed as if he was pushed towards the library and training grounds every time he wasn't on a mission. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan realised that there was no one within view down either direction of the corridor. He reached out and gave her hand a little squeeze as he said: “good luck!” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was quickly snatched back at the sound of approaching footsteps as two mechanics approached from the right. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Is it a book?” He asked, if only so he had something innocent to say as the pair of sullustans passed them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Just like that, the brief hand contact was gone. However, the encouragement lingered as did the warmth of Trextan’s hand when it had squeezed hers. Not a few seconds later, a few of the engineering crew went walking past them. Choli gave then brief nods of greeting as they passed. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“No, not a book.” the Rogue gave a cock of her hip to the right, her hand coming to rest above the subtle, athletic curve hidden under her baggy coveralls. A quick toss of her head and wayward strands of hair were flicked to the side of her temple. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“A holocron. She has an extensive archive of holocrons and datacrons from her travels. When I go visit her, she lets me borrow one to look over and study. Says that while nothing is a better teacher than going out into the ‘verse to poke their brains, a holocron makes it a little easier on the travel part.” Chloe always had an interesting way of speaking with her drawl and colloquial terms. It was always nice to catch up with her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]His eyes widened at the mention of holocrons. They have followed her hand downwards briefly. She didn't need more than athletic curves to drew his attention with the pose. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]They had only started to discover physical affection during their time on Tatooine. The attentions of the crew, their hushed whispers - and their surprisingly direct comments - were enough to keep his discipline. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Those aren't exactly common,” he chuckled. The teenager didn't laugh that often. Even a quiet one in surprise was quite rare. “She takes a collection around with her?” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan had never been much of an archivist. He barely paid attention to the lessons on Jedi history. In truth the sith had been more interesting. Great warriors and magicians who had crushed their enemies. Getting to investigate a holocron with Choli certainly gave him something to look forward to. Each of them tended to have their own view of skills and events depending on the creator. Through the dark times most of them had been scattered. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Sorry, you have your tests to focus on,” he apologised. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It’s fine,” Choli replied with the faintest edge of amusement. Her head gave a slight tilt to the right, watching the way that Trextan chuckled. He was doing it more. There was less of the broody chip on the shoulder and more of — well, the real Trextan? It was an odd thought but at the very least the Rogue considered it a good thing. Besides, when he managed to smile and laugh, Choli couldn’t help but stare at him. It was nice. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“But she has a few of them with her from time to time. Depends. Her ship is her home, so I guess she does?” Which is why during that first year she spent with Jan and Chloe, Choli managed to ease her way a bit more easily. If she’d had any other experience, well, maybe things might have been different. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It’s the Jedaii codex actually,” that might spark some recognition if Trextan knew about the Jedaii. If not, well then all the better for them to find out more together. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“A few? Oh, the Order only has a few old ones. Jacen said he took some of them before the collapse of the Republic.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Those were some of the times he actually listened to Jacen. At least he did now. Of the last battles as a rearguard action right before ether Republic collapsed. The sinking of the floating city, the raising of Selvaris, the people who had died to turned to the dark side in that desperate struggle. He knew there was an ulterior motive behind them: to show him all the terrible things the Sith had done. Trextan just preferred it to questions about how he was doing or moral lessons. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]At first he considered trying to pass off sage wisdom about the holocron. Then asking Yvette about it whilst she was on the simulator. However not only was Choli quite adept at seeing through him but that plan would also lead to questions from the Falleen master.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He was already half way through his first nod when he turned it into a shake. “I don't know what's on that. But it sounds impressive.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It’s odd. But curious,” Choli has little reference to the Jedi Order beyond what Jan and Chloe had taught her. Although her training had been more on the job. Jan at the time had been wrecked with terrible Force visions, so he didn’t really have a chance to properly relay as much as he could. Maybe that’s why Choli hadn’t acted any differently when Trextan went on his earlier moods; she’d already experienced the rollercoaster of emotions Jan had felt back then. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“But the gatekeeper can be interesting.” A small beep from her chrono, and Choli flicked her gaze down. It was time to go. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]An apologetic expression swung over to Trextan. “Sorry, have to head out,” It was equal parts anxious as it was excited. At least it was Odennus. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Try to keep out of trouble while I’m gone,” she began to take backward steps towards the door, still facing the Jedi. A spark of sarcasm shone green in her eyes as she added with a mildly annoyed expression,”this place is so small I’ll hear about it!”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yes, sorry, of course,” he said in quick succession as he realised he had been keeping her. It wasn't like he was keeping her from PT or some planning. These were the tests to get her active again. Having seen her fly he was confident on her behalf, without any actual foundations for that feeling. He wasn't a pilot himself. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I'll do my best, see you later,” he said. The way he shifted his balance made it clear he'd intended to move closer before thinking the better of it and stepping away. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Good luck!” He called again over his shoulder as he walked away. The two engineers looked back in their direction and muttered something. That was the problem with being here: it was small. Last time they had been together they had been afforded as much space as they could have. Now they were under the microscope, not just in view of a rude little pebbledrone. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan got lost on the way back to his room down the narrow passages that all looked the same. Rather than meditate he went for the gym. His powers were still not fully under control. If his focus was elsewhere there was a chance he could end up touching her mind. Or worse, appearing before her again. Not what she needed.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh Trextan, the children's weights are down that end!”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Brilliant. The Zeltron was here. Had he not been suitably humbled that he could keep himself to himself? It turned out not to be Omar’s voice, though he was with the small group of pilots congregated around a weights bench. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Lieutenant Commander Vyn, good to see you.” Flight Commander Flight Max Odennus greeted the Rogue pilot with a warm, wide smile, extending his hand for a firm shake. Most said that Max was too young for his position, but the SIS didnt always get to hand pick from the GADF. He is open and honest and has a good relationship when it came to his pilots, who often look out for him in return.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He also reminded Choli of a younger version of Janes save for the shorter haircut and a great deal less of a desire to flirt with anything that came his way. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Sir,” Choli replied, offering the strong shake in turn. While still a bit nervous, Odennus was favorable in terms of overseeing her sim flight. He wouldn’t be out to rig her flight and just observe with a few comments of encouragement. He was professional as he was well meaning, which came off with a genuineness most didn’t see regularly. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“We’ll just go over the briefing and then get you started.” He explained, leaning Choli down towards a small briefing room. From here, he’ll go over her files and review the medical sign off. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Sitting down, Choli couldn’t help but wonder about Trextan and just what he’d be up to right now. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Maybe meditating. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He wasn't meditating. He was trying to resist the call of the Dark Side. Trextan was running at almost a sprint on a treadmill but aiming to reach ten kilometres. He didn't have the musculature the older pilots around the gym had, but Jedi training meant he could cross a lot of ground.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Over on a weights bench Omar’s spotter was not paying attention. He was instead watching one of the female engineers running on the treadmill next to him. Omar was shaking and Trextan was trying very hard not to give a gentle press down on the bar. Not enough to hurt him, just enough to make it collapse down to his chest in an embarrassing fashion.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Just run. One foot in front of the other.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He could feel the smooth bar through the Force. The way it trembled as it inches up.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Keep running, eyes forward. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He could wrap the Force around the bar. Hold it still and stop it rising up. Just a few kilos of downward pressure. After what he had suggested to Choli it was the least….[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Be a grown up. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The weight suddenly lessened as Trextan pulled upwards and Omar took a breath.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Chad![/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh sorry.” The bar went back on the rack and Trextan couldn't decide if he felt good about it or not.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli never thought she’d be flying one of the metal containers that she’d seen now and then flying overhead on Tatooine. At the most, her interactions were with the Jawa migrating clans, trading and bartering with their mobile bazaars in their mini city sandcrawlers thar they called home. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Of course, that didn’t stop her own curious mind. Prone to investigating and trying to pick apart what relics left behind in the desert was enough to let her know there was more out there than the dune seas and her Bantha. Although any outsider technology was more often than not approached with wariness and distaste. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]To a degree, Choli didn’t have much of a choice when it came to picking things apart. The Force came to her naturally in those aspects. Where Trextan excelled at a large Force potential, Choli was a more subtle and refined focus. If it had some mechanical ability, she could quickly pick it apart on how it functioned and worked. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Flying took a bit more work and a lot more trust. Not just in her own skills but trusting in the Force. One might say after a few crashes Choli finally managed to get it right. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Good thing she could fix her own starfighter. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Odennus went over her briefing, asked if she had any questions. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli shook her head, saying,” I’m good, sir.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Max, much like the rest of the crew was aware of the gossip. However, unlike Janes or Omar, he stuck to conversation dealing with her recertification. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]One of the few blessings and Choli was grateful for that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]She was probably flying now, he realised. Trextan was almost alone in the gym now. For obvious reasons he had decided to go and do some weights after the pilots had gone. He didn’t want to give them reason to engage in conversation between sets and he didn’t want to be anywhere near the shower block at the same time. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]We didn’t decide where to meet.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The thought struck him suddenly. He could not go walking around C deck looking for her bunk. The last thing he needed was that rumour going around, even if he stayed stood in the corridor outside. She knew where his room was, perhaps it would be best to stay there. If he concentrated he could probably find her, but then there was still a chance that his control would slip and he would distract her. That would be a last resort. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan put the weights back where he had found them. They were actually quite small, but the artificial gravity had been turned up slightly in the area. That was the ship was carrying less unnecessary mass. He wondered how tight the parameters had to for them to work out a way to shave 100kg or so off the gym. There was a mirror. Even with his slender, teenage build, the work out had left his shoulders and arms slightly swollen. He had never been particularly vain; his unruly mop of hair attested to that. But he did wonder if Choli would notice.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]For Choli to notice if Trextan’s send and shoulders were particularly swollen would require for an increased lack of clothing to make any visual comparison. The state of undress that the Rogue was still not comfortable with. Even that brief moment in his room while he was removing his outer robe had prompted the young woman to cast her eyes aside; even if the small voice of incessant curiosity wanted to catch what she could from her periphery. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Then there was all the close contact and how they’d laid on his bed for what seemed to be endless minutes. Time hadn’t passed as fast as it had then. It was a strange experience to say the least but a curiously exhilarating one at that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Some might say that the young woman still seemed to do her best to keep to herself. While they had open showers, Choli chose hours that wouldn’t coincide with a higher attendance from the rest of the crew. Even then, while the Subversion had water showers, it was still a very strange use of resource. Sonics were quick plus could clean off her clothing while she wore them if she wanted them too. Taking a water shower was more often than naught a guilty indulgence. One that was frustratingly increasingly ended with a wandering mind and hand. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Back in the sim, Choli was already buckled up and helmet snugly fitted. It was a standard mission sim, with a flight of bogies they were supposed to intercept. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Seemed almost a lifetime ago she first sat down in the cockpit of a starfighter back on Sullust. The One Sith attack of Sullust was were it first began. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

[SIZE=9pt]“See something you like?” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan froze quite still. He knew that voice. With a grimace plastered firmly on his face he turned slowly to see the redhead laying out a towel on a machine just a few metres away.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I wasn't…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh please. When the jocks are in they spend all day flexing there,” Lucy laughed. She had hardly even noticed. “Just don't use them as your role models.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan wasn't really sure how to deal with this. Lucy was either trying to dispense advice or mock him and he wasn't really sure which. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Alright. And no, no I don't think I will. Erm, will you…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Depends if it comes up that it will be funny to tell her you were doing that.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh.” Trextan felt relatively powerless to do anything about this. He wasn't sure how he would try and dissuade her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]She arched an eyebrow, waited a second and then said: “I'm… going to get on with my workout now.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He nodded, turned and left the gym. Yes, you did just stand there looking at her awkwardly, he realised as he left. That seemed like it would be worse if she told Choli. He hadn't been staring though. At least he thought it wouldn't come off that way. Hoped.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Recertification took on a series of tests. Not only to check her physical condition, but to evaluate Choli’s response time and ability to maintain focus under pressure. However, one might say that being in a sim was almost a bit like cheating for Choli. If she let the Force run through her, she would end up in tune with the programing and it’s variables. Maybe not fair, but also not the same as a real flight. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The entire test took about thirty minutes, with another thirty minute debrief and psych evaluation review. By and large, the Lieutenant Commander was fit for return for duty. However, even Flight Commander Odennus was a big staggered by the amount of missions, crashes and decorations the young teenager had. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He let his finger flick through the files, pausing to flick those deep green eyes of his over to Choli. She felt her lips tighten slightly as he observed her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Seems your last mission as a U-Wing pilot was successful in that station raid.” the very one that had brought to light that Trextan and his team would be shuttled by her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yes, Sir.” Choli replied. She wasn’t ever very talkative when it came to these conversations. Didn’t see a reason to be. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Captain Xerka commends your work. Says that you have been a vital support.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Another nod. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well, you passed your sim -- but I have to wonder.” He began, setting the datapad down.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“ You’ve done well as a U-Wing fighter and while Rogue Squadron would be glad to take you back -- our missions are increasingly getting more dangerous. We’ve gone through four Squad Leaders and …” far more pilots than Max would care to say. The Lieutenant Commander is seventeen; they’d told him he was young for his position but that was because there was no one else to take the post. He wanted Choli to have options.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Are you sure you want to come back to Rogue Squadron? “[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Meditation was not coming easily to the young Jedi. Adele had actually told him he was a better student than Jacen, at least on the days he chose to focus. His father - Dillon - had always told him that you had to work for your success. It had resonated with the way the Sith had taught as much as the Jedi. The Sith had taught that the pain, dedication and effort would pay off. That he would become powerful, respected. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Dillon had always taught him that whilst it was right to look after others, you had to look after yourself and your family first. It had been easy to agree with Jacen absent to fight a war he did not understand. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was not so easy to dedicate himself to the task right now. Even a basic control exercise with small blocks was proving taxing. Control was important. At certain moments he had carried out exceptional feats using the Force and he needed to learn to harness that more readily. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Despite his confidence in Choli, he found himself nervous on her behalf. After all she had been through what would it do for her if she stumbled at this relatively minor hurdle? It would have been easier to be back at the gym. Yet now he was also worried that Lucy would spin tails about him in front of the mirror and staring at her wearing...whatever you called those leggings girls wore to work out.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He sat at the edge of the bed and tapped his foot.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The question Flight Commander Odennus asked Choli would still echo in her mind after stepping out of the sim briefing room. He’d followed up with a few more questions, but ultimately told her she was fit for service. It was supposed to be good news. However, the probing question had left the young woman still mulling over it even after she left. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Odennus had told her it would take a day or so for paperwork to be routed, but in that time, he wanted her to think about what career path she would like to take. To return to Rogue Squadron or continue on with one of the U-Wing units in more of a support role. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was an option Choli had never really considered having. She sort of just fell into the Rogue Squadron role; Lieutenant Loske Matson needed bodies to fly and Choli had happened to be at the right place at the right time. Or more aptly, there had been no other options then. The impromptu stop at Sullust with the Aurora Hawk had turned into Choli’s first foray in a starfighter. It had only been Chloe’s pilot training and pure luck that had managed to prevent the teenager from being shot down within the first few minutes of the interaction. That and the skill of the Rogue pilots that had flown with her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Walking along the corridor, Choli’s expression shifted into one full of pensive thoughts. The young woman wasn’t sure what to think, her mind racing from one thing to the next. One variable to another. Options. Choli never really had the ability to make options. She just did what had to be done. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A deep breath lifted her shoulders and those chromatic shifting eyes of her went up. There were a few crew members going back and forth along this time. As the Subversion was running dark, it would be days if not weeks before a report would be related over to Rogue Squadron about her status. She’ll have enough time to make a proper decision before then. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He finally found his centre, established some focus and immersed himself in the Force. The first thing his subconscious did was reach out to find her. She would feel something akin to a breath against the back of her neck as he found her.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]His concentration collapsed in on itself and he snapped back to the present. She had finished. She was walking down one of the ship's corridors. Her oddly opaque mental walls ensured he was none the wiser as to how the tests had gone. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Giving up on his meditation and unable to trust his own subconscious he found a book to read whilst he waited.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The tiny hairs at the nape of Choli’s neck stood on end, bringing a shiver down her spine and an alertness that hadn’t been there. Drawn from her thoughts, the girl gave a pause, automatically bringing her hand up to rub at the nap of her neck. The sensation had felt as if air had been blown across her skin, as if she’d stood under an air duct and the circulation puffing out at her. It was a strange feeling; one that made her feel equal parts uncomfortable as it felt slightly familiar. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Getting used to Trextan stretching out his senses through the Force to Choli was something that the Rogue had difficulty getting used to. Mainly because the bulk of her life had been spent locking everything out. Not that she did it on purposes but more that it was her natural state of mind. Not to mention no one in particular had ever felt so inclined to attempt a method of reaching out to the Force with her. Had Trextan tried anything telepathically or to skim her mind for her thoughts, he’d have found nothing but a blank void. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Didn’t mean that the Jedi couldn’t manipulate the environment around Choli; which was the bit that required her getting used to. Much like with Trextan, the block worked both ways. Unless it was an external method of application, Choli couldn’t read Trextan’s emotions or thoughts. Instead, it was all just tiny little flutters; a gut sense if one might call it. No different than the danger sense she’d get when something was amiss.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]She also came to the realization that they hadn’t quite clarified where they would meet. It wasn’t like she could comm him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Annoyance colored her eyes in flecks of copper. Now what? Either she could brave going to B deck or some how figure out a way to get in contact with him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]With a few hours to spend, it was a decision the Rogue would have to make quickly. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Why did things have to get more complicated? Choli mused to herself. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]With how everyone in the Subversion had been acting, the young woman had become more conscious of her actions. Even something as simple as walking on that deck would prompt another flurry of gossip. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He didn't know where she bunked. He knew which deck but that one was a lepi warren of corridors and rooms. The very last thing he wanted to do was go from room to room asking. He could reach out again and get a rough fix on her but he wasn't a skilled tracker who could hone in on a target like that.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Stupid. She had probably told him the plan before the sim and he had gone and forgotten because he was distracted by having to maintain decorum on a working vessel. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]If he appeared before her he didn't know if he had the control to maintain that apparition or keep it from being seen by others entirely. Didn't need official reports of Force ghosts being conjured to spook the crew. Nor did he wish to remind her of the time she had lost her temper at him for putting himself at risk on Tatooine despite her warnings.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He placed for a couple of minutes. If he had thought clearly he would have realised the alliance terminal on his desk had a messaging account he could actually address Choli on. It sat untouched.[/SIZE]

 

[Choli Vyn]

[SIZE=9pt]It wasn’t as if Choli could go asking around to the Jedi Master to please tell Trextan to come meet up with her. Even then, where else would they be meeting up?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Then there was the entire possibility that Trextan wasn’t even in his room. He could be anywhere on the ship. At the mess hall. At the gym. The showers…[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was a quick snap of her mind that the Rogue shut down any wandering thoughts. That was the last thing she needed. Her annoyance grew, and all she did was wander down the corridor. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]I did tell him that I had that holocron,[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] which was currently stashed and locked up in her locker. The crystal lattice was rather delicate, and the last thing Choli needed was for the holocron to break. Even if she knew where to go meet up with Trextan, the young woman still had to go back to her room to get it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Deciding that she might as well do that, the Rogue adjusted her course to head towards the deck where the rest of the officers were bunked. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]One of the good things about being in a ship this size is that there weren’t that many people. It was also one of the bad things of being in a crew of this small size. There was little sense of privacy. This particular ship had a lower rate of what one could qualify as the female of the species; bringing to the conclusion why there was such interest on just what was available. Not that many were particular on the gender of their choice for any kind of play. Omar and Janes were particularly vocal with that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]That was another introduction that Choli hadn’t quite been able to reconcile in her mind. Relations within the same gender, let alone cross species didn’t do anything in regards to the ultimate goal — that is having children. For the Sand People, that was just a natural expectation of life. Your Coming of Age ritual often coincided with ones’ marriage, and typically that began at age fifteen. By Tuskan Raider standards, Choli was already behind. What she had come to expect had not come to pass; neither in her Coming of Age ritual or in finding a Bloodmate. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Not that it would do her much good right now. By traditional standards, now that she no longer had B’rwrek, Choli was considered by all intents and purposes, would have been left to wander the desert alone. If B’rwrek’s spriit were to have wished that Choli might find a new Bantha, then she might be welcomed back into the fold. Even then, there were a wealth of intricacies and details that came along with it. The most prominent being that she had not been able to find her clan in every expedition she’d taken back on Tatooine. The world was fast, and the shifting deserts would reshape the landscape in such a way that even a professional tracker may not be able to track a single particular clan down. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Frustration grew within the Rogue. Hands came up and she shoved them into her coveralls pockets. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It wasn't long before his pacing took him out through his door and out into the ship. Taking the lift down to Deck B he marched with purpose down the length of the ship. He was trying not to appear to be searching for anything lest one of the crew assume he was lost and ask where he was trying to get. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Corridors ran down each side of the vessel with windows that gave a view of the cerulean swirls of a hyperspace tunnel. Choli had been surprised by the window in his own cabin and as he walked he could see how most of the crew quarters were on the inside of the corridor. There were six cabin rooms for junior officers and then even more cramped rooms where the enlisted had to hot bunk. Each little bunk had nothing more than a curtain as a privacy screen. From what he had gathered those little ripples stretches of grey fabric covered up many misdemeanors.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He didn't like her being on this ship, he decided. It was so cramped and full of bored crew members with little to do with their spare time but engage in hedonistic pursuits and then gossip about them. He did trust her though. Despite how well she camouflaged herself here he knew how long it had taken just to reconcile what their relationship meant. Choli had come from a culture where marriage was arranged young and fixed for life. On top of that she had always been honest with him. Brutally honest. He didn't really fear that she would get caught up in the lifestyle here, at least nothing more than idle jealousy. It just didn't feel right. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He was feeling quite embarrassment by his predicament and getting frustrated by his failure to find her. At some point he was going to break and ask someone. He turned as he realised all that was ahead of him was restricted. The missile bays and brig. He would try going back down the ship along the port corridor. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The Force likely took pity on them both. Either that or the Subversion was small enough that there was only so many corridors either could take before Trextan and Choli could come across from each other. In this case, the Jedis trot back from the missile bays and the brig would bring him along just in time to catch the familiar dark braid that swung gently over the dull olive gray coveralls the Rogue had been seen wearing before. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]She’d had stepped out of the lift, turning towards the right that would head off towards the direction of her cabin. This is why she’d be seen walking about nine meters ahead of Trextan. She had her hands in her pockets and by the way her head was slightly inclined forward, deep in thought. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There were two other crew members here. No officers. Enlisted personnel were at the far end in tighter confines. Officers along the port side. They were from all aspects and specialization on the ship. From bridge crew, engineering, pilots, as well as logistics and supply. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli’s cabin was about three doors down. At this time everyone was out working, so poking her head inside to get her holocron wouldn’t be an issue. Just the waiting around afterward would. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He opened his mouth and got as far as “Ch…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The nearest crewman gave a nonchalant gave over his shoulder at the noise but Trextan didn’t meet his eyes. It would have been easy to shout out her name at finally finding her. Increasing his pace to ensure she didn’t vanish down a side corridor he closed enough to speak at a regular volume.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Hi,” Trextan said as he drew up alongside her. Whilst he wanted to talk about the confusion there was something more immediate to delve into.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“How did it go?” It was spoken in a lighthearted tone, as if he never expected the answer could be negative.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli wasn’t too deep in her thoughts that she didn’t catch Trextan’s initial call. While it may have been interrupted, sound had a way of carrying. Much like the other crew member, Choli had perked her head at the sound, swinging her head to turn towards the cry’s direction. Much to her surprise, it was Trextan — who was now shuffling [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]very[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] quickly over to her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There was surprise in her expression, the deep grooves on her forehead at her musing thoughts smoothing away as the Jedi finally neared. He was slightly breathless, more so anxious than out of actual breath. His eyes kept darting back and forth down the corridor, as if checking out of that other crew member had spotted them talking. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]While Choli was mildly relieved that she didn’t have to go wondering how to get in contact with Trextan, his inquiry made her furrowed her brows again in contemplation. The quick and short answer would be, “I passed.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Of course, it was a bit more complicated than that. Turning back to him, gray green eyes gave a quizzing arch of her brow at Trextan. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Were you just walking around or did you know I was heading to my cabin?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]His beaming smile was cut short by her expression. He had expected either contentment at a job well done, or at least a hint of joy. Instead she looked concerned at the answer. Perhaps she had not performed quite to the standards she set for herself.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A faint grimace of embarrassment crossed his face. “Wandering hoping to find you. Sorry.” He lowered his voice slightly. “I realised I didn’t know where your cabin was and didn’t want to go around asking people.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was an oversight on their part not to agree the details, but Trextan had been trying to at least seem to be keen to let her get on with her exams. Choli’s mind had been on matters important to her career. Fortunately it [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]was [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]a small ship. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Did you still have some time?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli wasn’t sure whether to take Trextan’s admission as a compliment, as a silly thing to do, or be somewhat impressed at his prerogative. A few seconds and she mentally summarized that he did what needed to he done. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yeah, would have helped to have come up with a plan where to meet before I left. Sorry, it slipped my mind.” Choli apologized, her turn to have a slight abashed half grin. The resulting inquiry reminded her what she had intended to do. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yeah, a couple of hours.” Then she had to get plenty of rest before her shift started. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Did you still want to study the holocron?” She asked, wondering. While she had yet to clean up, she doubted that Trextan would mind. A more pertinent question would be if he did want to, just where would they go? Back to his cabin? In the back of her mind, she realized that was a lot of moving parts already. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yes, yes I would,” he replied. Trextan again was put in a position where he want to express enthusiasm or affection and had to show restraint. It wasn’t a position he had been put in before. When he was young he had been in a “relationship” with a girl. They had held hands one day outside school and managed to exchange about six words before apparently breaking up. At least that was what her friend had told him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]With Choli, they had finally come to some mutual understanding on their relationship and started to express themselves more. Now he had to hold that back. It was strange, but it wasn’t as if he saw long term couples struggling to keep their hands off each other every minute of the day. It was all very new for him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You said the Gatekeeper was a bit strange didn’t you?” he asked.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“A bit,” well for Choli. Everything was in context; since Choli wasn’t raised or trained at the Jedi Temple, her experiences and world view were completely different than what Trextan would be used to. To add to that, the Jeedai weren’t quiet the sort of Jedi Order Trextan would be familiar with. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The Rogue swung towards the direction of her cabin. Lips gave a light twist in thought. “I can’t show you in my cabin.” Anyone of her roommates could come at anytime. Her eyes swung back at Trextan. He seemed to be a little on edge. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Was he okay? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It didn’t quite dawn on her that it was his desire to touch her that he was struggling with. While there was also a bit of that inkling with Choli, a lifetime of not having been used to such constant physical signs of affection made it easier for her to handle. Trextan has been the one spoiled and dotted by his mother. Signs of affection and constant touching were normal for him; perhaps, even [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]necessary[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] after the loss of his family. With only one sister left, and an estranged one at that, Trextan hadn’t had the ability to connect with someone like that. To have that opportunity. Now Choli was a part of the equation, and the desire to reflect it was there. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The only problem was that this was all still new to Choli and they were still so very much under the microscope here. That wasn’t to say that Choli didn’t enjoy being close to Trextan. She did. Perhaps a bit [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]too[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] much as experienced back in his cabin earlier. He made it easy to forget herself. Especially when he kissed her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Did other members of her tribe kiss? Did they do so with their blood mates, in the privacy of their [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]urtya?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There was still much Choli wondered but knew would not have the answers. Not yet. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I can grab it from my locker though.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]His misunderstood what she had meant. In his mind he heard her say that she couldn't show him into her cabin. He could understand that he supposed. He assumed it was a female only room. Assumed and hoped a little bit. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]Trextan was excited at the prospect of learning something new alongside Choli. It wasn't without reservation; the sting of her rebuttal for failing to follow instructions was still fresh in the mind. In an isolated ship with a holocron and some fairly passive techniques being exchanges he didn't see much of an opportunity for him to put himself at risk foolishly and provoke such an emotional response. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It had taken time for emotions to settle down back in that cave. When they eventually had he could appreciate their newfound understanding in each other, but the realisation that he had been so stupid as to make her want to be done with their journey stuck firmly in his conscience.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Let's do that and head to the observation deck?” He asked. Today he would be a particularly attentive student.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Oh, that was an idea. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]An option that would be relatively safer than any others. Well, they might still get Trextan’s Master walking in on them, but studying a holocron may not be considered anything bad. The Faleen Jedi might also even join them to study it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]At the very least, the observation room designated for the Jedi was less apt to have wandering eyes pop in. Or snide commentary. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Okay. I can meet you there in a few minutes then?” That way Trextan wasn’t just waiting awkwardly outside of her cabin. This was a high traffic area for shifting crews to get back to their bunks; any of which would be keen on poking fun at the Jedi with cat calls or curious quips if they saw him here. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You can bring the snacks.” She added, taking a step back. Her expression was discernibly brighter than the one Trextan had originally found her with, her eyes illuminating a pale green in mild amusement. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“That sounds like a fair deal!” He replied. Unlocking a rare holocron for snacks was an exceptionally good deal. Then she had also led him through the dangerous wastes for the prize crystal at the heart of his lightsaber for two nights board and food. He really needed to even this give and take out a little. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“And we both forgot to organise where and when to meet,” he added. She had apologised and it hadn't been just her fault. He should have corrected that at first but he felt even more out of place on this ship than he had done on Tatooine. And on that world he'd tried to pick fights with thieves, get his arm stolen and walked into a killer storm. At least he couldn't find such dangerous situations here. Not unless someone locked him in a room with that pilot that just looked [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]hungry[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] all the time. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Almost ten seconds after he turned and walked away he realised he had no clue where he was going to get snacks from. None whatsoever. He turned on the spot but Choli was gone. There was only one place he was aware he could get food from. Unless he went directly to the kitchens.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You can't take two.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan froze in place halfway down the food bar. In each hand was a small paper plate with a slice of cake. He looked up at the man behind the counter. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Sorry…” It was between meals. Just snacks and lots of mugs of caf being passed around.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It's fine. You didn't know. Just put one back.” The man's tone didn't suggest it was fine. Trextan felt very small. Where would he go now without tribute?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“We’re going to be up on the observation deck meditating through the day.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The man raised an eyebrow. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Who do we talk to about getting some packed food for…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You need to leave a message with the kitchen mailbox the day before if you're doing meetings or…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So sorry,” Trextan said. “I don't have a terminal.” It was a flat out lie, but he could tell from the shake of the head that it was easy to believe. Silly Jedi boy with no possessions. “Who can I go and talk to to…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“She's not in now but…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I can come and order later for tomorrow then? We can for food for today.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan could see the man sit on the edge of a decision. He didn't force the decision. It was just a gentle nudge through the Force in the right direction. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Pass those here and I'll get a few sandwiches and bits quickly.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]She would probably reach the observation deck ahead of him, but he arrived with a small metal tray with a selection of food for two under a wrap of film.[/SIZE]

 

[Choli Vyn]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli sat on the same couch that they had sat on before. Her legs were curled up under, sitting crossed legged with a small wooden box on her lap. It was a dark wood, weathered. Inconspicuous in sight and through the Force. The latter was due to the nullification resin Chloe had applied on the inside of the container for its protection. That way it would be difficult to discern the valuable holocron within. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]When Trextan appeared with a tray full of food, Choli couldn’t help but beam. A wry, wide grin broke her expression, the girl tapping an amused beat on the container with her fingertips. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well, look at that,” she sang, eyes dancing,” you managed to follow through after all.” Not that she thought otherwise, but Choli had been curious how he was going to pull it off. Immediately her attention was on what the tray contained, leaning forward for a better look as Trextan neared. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]of course...[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]a full offering of...oh no crisps.” It had been fun to fall into the silly routine that mirrored their time in the hospital. Where they had both started feeling like their worlds were crumbling and had ended with fluttery bellies and confusing emotions.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There were at least sandwiches, cake and dried fruit. All had come from frozen ingredients. It had surprised him that some of the vacuum sealed and frozen meals they served up were actually quite tasty here. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I'd go back, but I think I'd get banned from the officer's mess,” he joked. Trextan only wore a light, long sleeves Jedi undershirt. It was warm here. He might have just worn a short sleeved tee but for the fear of Lucy reporting in before he could find Choli. It was warm on the ship, perhaps a sign they were running as silently as possible.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The sudden contortion of Trextan’s face at the alarm at the knowledge that there weren’t any chips. She gave a half laugh, half snort, nonetheless lifting the box that she had between her legs to set it to the side. Uncrossing her legs, the young woman stood to reach out and help Trextan if he would let her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What? Are you saying a Jedi can’t sneak his way past a couple of mess cooks to get chips?’ Oh the laughter that shone in her jade green eyes then was enough for anyone to take as a challenge. If Trextan caught the daring arch of her brows then, he’d certainly might take it as such. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Not bad, Voidstalker, “ Choli added, her braid swaying at her back as she came to survey his bounty. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Not bad at all,” the corner of her lips went twisting up. It would have been a perfect moment for any other girl to have given their significant other a quick kiss as recompense. However, Choli wasn’t quite like other girls and she still was working through displays of affection, much the less public displays. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He wanted to kiss her, likely should have. It wasn't that displaying affection was difficult for his culture. Trextan was defeated by a mere moment of cowardice. It might have been a slight alteration to his mindsight from the earlier confusion. He was, however, quite clear in his mind that even though the holocron was of interest that he would rather spend the next two hours repeating the previous evening instead.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I will not fail you again!” He laughed his promise with a mock bow. Instead of a kiss she got a nudge of the elbow as he set the tray down next to where she had been sitting. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]His gaze lingered on her eyes a little longer than necessary. It was always tempting to just lose himself in those patterns and he was particularly fond of that shade of green. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Sitting down himself he unwrapped the platter. “So...you didn't sound entirely happy with the exam?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The tap of the elbow resulted in a reciprocating bump. They both sat, Choli sinking into the couch beside the wooden box along with her half of the take away container. It didn’t seem that the young woman was prone to sitting normally. If Trextan could recall from their previous get together, Choli had an affinity for sitting down crossed legged regardless of the medium be it the floor, a couch, or a bed. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]She did so and turned her torso so that she’d be facing the Jedi, balancing the food and the holocron box until they were both situated. The lengthy trade of glances continued for a few seconds, the pair juggling their desire for a connection as well as teenage awkwardness. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]At his inquiry, Choli’s eyes swam from that saturated mirth filled jade green to pensive smoky hue. The slash of her brows went jutting forward and she took a deep breath. Deciding that snacking on food was something productive, the young woman began to speak, “ It went well. I passed.” So that wasn’t the issue. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I can go back to Rogue Squadron if I like.” The way she phrased it was strange. It wasn’t until Choli elaborated a bit more that it became clear. “Fleet Commander Odennus asked me if I wanted to go back to Rogue Squadron or stay here as support with the U-Wing Squadron.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh I see,” he replied. Deciding that honesty seemed to be their foundation, or rather the one she had laid down for them both he continued.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I couldn't really think what could be off. Was a little worried but that makes sense.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He canted his head from side to side as he gave it some thought. The U-Wing had only just started being rolled out in large numbers so it didn't surprise him that they would be looking for more pilots. He thought briefly of the wings snapping free from her ship as he fought against the laws of physics for control. Of collapsing against the control console with her in his arms. Little flashes of memory came back from time to time, but that sequence of events was still murky in his mind.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Must have been so impressed he wants to steal you for his Flight?” Trextan suggested with a smile. The corner of his mouth twitched as the way he'd worded it brought an irrational pang of jealousy.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Maybe.” Choli began, unwrapping her sandwich. It was rather amazing just how much food the young woman was able to eat. She held no reservations when it came to food. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well, not really. He said that with the escalating war, Rogue missions are going to become more dangerous. So he wanted me to know that I have options.” To a degree, Choli wasn’t sure if she should feel insulted or complimented on the Flight Commanders concerns. The dark slash of her brows jutted forward again, the young woman pondering. She took a bite from her cold sandwich and began to chew thoughtfully. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]As if remembering the reason for this, Choli twisted her torso, moving to take the wooden box that contained the holocron. Fingers curled around it, coming back around to nudge at Trextan’s upper arm for him to take it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Hermph.” She said in a muffled half chew, trying to finish her bite. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan took the box, both hands wrapping around it carefully to keep it secure. His thumb slid against the edge of the box where it would open. They were such rare things. Thought the knowledge of how to create them lived on, most seemed to have survived through from before the dark times. Yet right now he couldn't quite take the time to appreciate it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli was clearly torn on this. He didn't need to be able to read even her surface emotions to tell that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It's good. That he's thinking about that, right? Some probably wouldn't.” There was a brief pause. He knew that he shouldn't ask the next question but his lips were forming the words already.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Would it? Be safer I mean.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli took another bite of her sandwich. It was pretty evident that Trextan’s question was only echoing what the Rogue was wondering herself. Or more aptly, just one part of the whole. It was a bit more complicated than that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A soft shrug and Choli went on to chew thoughtfully, tucking in her legs close to her body as she sat on the couch. The pink tip of her tongue went darting out to lick her lips and swallowing, she added, “With how things are progressing, I don’t think there is any place that is really any safer.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Her fingers gave a pensive tap against her sandwich, the young woman thinking a bit more and adding to her thoughts, “Take Skor or Mustafar for example. I was flying a U-Wing then.” And both instances ended with the young pilot having exciting landings. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“One you managed to save my life while the other left me chemical gas burns.” The First Order biochemical warfare grenades; the first time the Galactic Alliance had been exposed to such toxic technological advances. Many Jedi died during that exposure at the Mustafar Castle. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Perhaps he had expected a more positive answer, but she was right about the risks of the war. It gave him pause for thought. This had not been his war. It was Jacen's and now he was in the middle of it. He enjoyed doing the work with the Justicars. They tried to look after the people on the ground. Not town by town but problems that were beyond local law enforcement or Alliance diplomats. He was young for it and had a lot to learn. The more experienced Jedi could root out trouble, soothe a heated engagement, solve a dispute. He wanted to learn that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Yet so many of the soldiers on the front lines were barely older than him. He had seen the damage the First Order war machine could do. There was a great power within him and he needed to find the right direction for it. He had been led astray before. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Then who did he trust? Trextan looked up from the box and met her eyes. He trusted [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]her[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]. Back on Tatooine he had placed his safety into her hands alone.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]But this wasn't a discussion about his future. Too often he let his mind come around to himself when he was listening to other people. Yvette had told him it wasn't enough to listen with ears alone.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yes. I suppose you were. How did you end up staying with the Alliance? What did Chloe think of that?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli’s hazel eyes went darting over to latch on Trextan’s face, taking in the angular planes, the tousled mop of dark hair, and his pensive expression. For a second there, it appeared as if [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]he [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] was taking it a bit more seriously than the Rogue herself. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He caught her mid chew with his question, prompting the sudden swallow of her sandwich. The flat of her tongue went scraping across the roof of her mouth and her teeth, getting ready to answer without a mouthful of food. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh, it just.. happened. Sullust came under attack by the One Sith. I was there with Chloe and Jan when they went to conduct work at the Jedi Academy,” not to be confused with the Jedi Order. They were two completely different entities. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I was helping out at the Alliance base for mech work when it happened. By then, Lieutenant Matson had called for any able pilot to help out with the defense. I wasn’t sure what to do until she looked straight at me and asked if I was going to get in the starfighter or not. So I did.” Another shrug of her shoulder. It had happened so fast, there hadn’t been time to think. To process it all. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“By then Jan was already suffering with the visions and they were getting worse. He wasn’t able to stay anymore and Chloe had already been dropping me off on different planets to go find her old friends or hermits to find. Said I needed to experience it on my own. “ which involved ALOT of wandering open jungle, desert, and fields to find the illusive masters. They each held knowledge of a different philosophy, and Choli was sent to learn what she could from them. Gathering bits and pieces of information. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan had thought his life had lacked structure. Had her life in the desert been structured or had they just followed the wind? She had been plucked from the reality of her life twice. How could she be quite so adaptable? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Rather than give her any more questions he decided to eat something himself. He just took a small sandwich and chewed slowly. It wasn't particularly tasty, just some meat paste as far as he could tell. He chewed slowly and thought to himself as if he was going to have some great epiphany. He felt as if there was something just out of reach, something he would circle and never reach. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I guess it's a long way from jumping in a Starfighter to here.” Did she do what he did and keep re-evaluating? Probably not. “This time you have a choice,” he whispered. She hadn't been given them before and she had just got in with what the galaxy threw her way. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Not just between a pointy ship and a flat sweepy one. I guess it's completely different teams you'd work with.” In his own sort of way he was trying to help. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It took her a second to realize what Trextan said. That he’d made a joke. Choli’s face twisted in mild confusion only to cant her face up to look at him. Her eyes lightened to a brighter green. The corner of her mouth came up. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Is that how you call them? The ‘flat sweepy one’ or the ‘ pointy ship’”? He was likely joking, but it was amusing nonetheless. It also lightened the pensive tension. Choli had a choice, she just wasn’t sure what it would be yet. There were things to consider. Normally, she just did what had to be done. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Glancing over at Trextan holding the container, she gave a nod of her chin, “Aren’t you going to open it up?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Stoic expression made a rearguard action before abandoning it's line and letting a smile take over. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“No…” he said, pretending to be embarrassed. “There is the flying door wedge, the silly cross thing, the tuning fork…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]As he trailed off he let his eyes fall upon the box. He took it for Choli wanted to change the subject as much as anything else and be followed the prompt. It wasn't a problem they were going to solve now. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Of course. Just wanted to…” his voice trailed off as he pulled back the lid. He had wanted to make sure she was okay first. Trextan's attention focussed on the holocron itself. A faint glow uplit his face as he reached down for the codex.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He always marvelled at how intricate the lattice arrangement was on them. Especially when it seemed that they held more depth than possible from the size of the shape.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli’s answer was a slight nudge of her elbow against his before he took the time to open the wooden container. She even took the time to pause to watch him open the lid, seeing his large hands gingerly lift it. The pale glow reflected off his face and dark eyes, bathing him in that warm, luminescent light. Choli found herself submitting to a guilty pleasure of merely being able to observe the Jedi in those moments. At any other time, she’d have not been allowed to look upon his face. Certainly not on Tatooine. But the mere act of it here made it all the more intimate. Perhaps, more than what they found themselves enjoying the night before. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]After a few seconds, Choli lowered her eyes, bringing them back to her sandwich. She took another bite, chewing quietly. There was history with this particular holocron. Chloe had told her how she’d came across it. A history stained in blood. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]What would Trextan do? Would he try to activate it and converse with the gatekeeper? Or would he inspect it further? In this instance, it was the Rogue who was enjoying watching the Jedi. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan took his time to just turn the holocron over in his hands. This was actually the very first time he had one in his hands. The Sith had kept them locked away well away from the grasp of ambitious novices. Their kind knew not to place knowledge in the hands of subordinates who would likely use it to move up the ladder the violent way. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]By contrast the Jedi typically made such treasures more available, relying on supervision or the sense of the gatekeeper. Their gatekeepers were less likely to mete out dangerous knowledge just to see what would happen. Recently however the Sith and other raiders had made careers stealing them. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He didn't stretch out towards the object with the Force. So far he had only read the theory on how to interact with them. Was he going to make an idiot of himself in front of her? It was a truly remarkable thing for Choli to have here and Chloe had several. He would have to ask Jacen if she could have access to a library card to reach the Great Holocron. It wasn't about impressing her in return. Mostly.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was only then that he looked back up at her and realised she was watching. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Can you tell me more about it?” He asked, stalling whilst he thought about what he would do next. [/SIZE]

 

[Choli Vyn]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli’s hazel eyes went darting back up towards Trextan, locking for a moment. Ah, this part, the young woman began to think to herself. It was evident by the shifting of her weight along with the slight grimace that crossed her expression that it wasn’t the most pleasant of stories.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Her dark head gave a nod, and she began to speak, “Yes,” she sat her sandwich down on top of her thigh, only to gesture at the holocron. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It is the Je’daii Codex.” depending on Trextan’s education, it might be familiar or it might not. “From an anicent Je’daii temple on Aurum.” it was a world in the Outer Rim, almost close to the Kathol Outback. Hard to get information on, harder still to navigate to. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“There were ruins there, from a sect of Je’daii who had left Tython to settle on Aurom.” Choli only knew a bit from what Chloe had told her. “Chloe first came to learn about it when Jorus Merrill sent a comm to Chloe for help.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The Rogue’s shoulder’s rose as she took a breath. “It seems that the small remnant of the Je’daii Order had managed to survive there, hidden away through the centuries. At least, until a Sith Master by the name of Circe Savan managed to find them.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]What came next was a bloodier story than most could stomach. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Chloe said she’d never forget the scent of burning flesh. They’d captured the padawans the knights… younglings, and nailed them to large crossed shaped wooden beams -- to the trees. She said that ash fell from the sky, and it wasn’t until later that she realized that it was the charred remains of bodies, the ashes funneling up from the facilities where their bodies were being burned by the hundreds.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It wasn’t the most pleasant of experiences. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Chloe had been tasked to try and save as much as she could from the temple. Jorus tried to save as many as he could -- but it was too late.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The Je’daii of the Temple of Aurum were no more. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“There were none left.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan had not expected that. Choli could paint a vivid picture with words but instead of left full of wonder he was aghast. The description dredged up the worst of what he had seen at Kaeshana. Bodies nailed to crosses. Fields of destruction carved into the landscape by artillery and TIE bombers. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He leaned away from her ever so slightly. His eyes widened a fraction before he blinked. Trextan looked down at the holocron with a new appreciation of what it meant. It could have been the last window in that ancient order of Force users. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]That name seemed familiar. Not the sith, but Jorus Merrill. The Mara corridor of course, named for his daughter. Her old tutor had a collection of holocrons in her ship and was directly contacted by Jorus Merrill for help. Trextan held a new appreciation for this traveller who had looked after Choli for several years. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What happened to this Circe Savan?” He asked. The holocron still waiting to dispense advice but this time he was not deliberately stalling. There was a pang of anger deep in his chest. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Not sure.” came Choli’s quiet reply, the young woman watching the tension rush through Trextan’s body. She caught the flex of his fingers on the wood, the white of his knuckles flashing for a moment before it relaxed. He was angry. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It was years ago.” she added, nudging him with her elbow again so as to get his attention. “They can’t feel anything anymore.” it might be a rather morbid method of attempting comfort, but it was all Choli could really say. There wasn’t a need to be angry over what had occured in the past. Much the less in actions in which there was no way either of them could have done anything. Not even Jorus or Chloe had been able to. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“But at least there is still this. So they still live on in a way.” much like the stories from the Storyteller. Only in this case, everything was passed on in a crystal lattice holocron. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He offered her a smile and a curt nod. How was it that she could tell such stories that conjured pictures of the past and also see through him and know just want to say? Was it because she was a girl? The most words he put together almost always were said to her now. And nearly every time he was left thinking about if he had expressed what he was really thinking it had just stumbled over his words. It was always easy to imagine that others didn't have the same struggles. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“That's...a nice way of putting it,’ he said. Again it wasn't quite what he felt he meant to say. Before she could pick another offering from the tray he set the holocron back in its box. His eyes darted to the door and back.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I forgot something,” he said. Without further warning he leaned across the food and placed a kiss on her cheek. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well done today,” he murmured just inches from her ear before he sat upright.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The warm contact of his lips upon her cheek sent a tingle down her spine. Choli could even feel the heat of his breath as he complimented her, sending the tiny hairs along her skin standing on end. For a moment, Choli’s mind went blank. Just as quickly as he moved towards her, Trextan returned to his position. His eyes seemed to awkwardly avoid hers for a moment, much like Choli as she tried to gather her thoughts. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]She hadn’t expected him to do that. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]I should, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] the Rogue thought, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]I did tell him to do so if he felt like it.[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Part of her was happy he had and the young teenager couldn’t help the mirroring ghost of a smile that found its way across her lips. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Thank you.” the compliment was genuine and it truly did feel nice to hear it. Fleet Commander Odennus had told her she had done a great job, but when Trextan followed up with it, it felt -- special? Different? It was a different type of joy. Nothing like the respect Choli would have felt she’d earned had Janes said the same. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Her knee gave a small shift, and she ended up rubbing hers against his thigh. A small bit of contact that despite the layers of clothing, was nice to have. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Umm… so, do you want to talk to the gatekeeper?” her hand anxiously came up to tuck wayward strands back behind her ear. She was feeling a bit aware of Trextan again. Those hormones and the fluttery feelings were back. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It didn't come as a surprise that he could see her thinking about the kiss and what he had said. The insight into her younger years had helped understand why she could turn pensive when considering things he did or said. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He placed a hand on her knee. Then, worrying it was overly familiar right now, he took it back to cradle the box containing the holocron. It wasn't just Choli who was still working out how this all worked one bit at a time. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yes I suppose I should. Anything I know?” He was thinking that instead of studying they could move the platter onto the floor and lie down. He could pull her into his chest and stroke her hair and watch the view. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Thus he confused her again. One second placing his hand on top of her knee only to pull it away the next. There were an awkward couple of seconds as they both situated themselves, Trextan cradling the wooden container while Choli carefully wrapped the rest of the leftover sandwich to eat later. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Anything you know what?” A question answered with another question. There was a perplexed furrow of Choli’s brow. What did he mean by that? She told him as much.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What do you mean?” He’d have to be a bit more clear on what he meant. That was one positive with Choli; if she didn’t understand what he mean she’d ask Trextan to clarify it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]In this case, his question in regards to her own didn't make sense. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh. Right. I mean as in is there anything I should know about the gatekeeper,” Trextan replied. Why was it that Choli always had to straighten him out. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He looked down at the shape in his hands. A thought struck him. “Wait, they can’t hear us talking right now can they?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]That sudden question and the way alarm swept over Trextan’s expression prompted a half chuckle from the Rogue. Eyes shone blue green, a color reminiscent to the oceanic water on Dac. For someone who’d never been swimming in an ocean, one could certain find themselves lost in their vibrant blues.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I don’t know… why don’t you ask?” She suggested, nudging him along with her elbow. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was a rather silly interaction, but the pair found themselves in such a childish situation now and then. It wasn’t the first tim and likely wouldn’t be the last. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan took one hand from the box and scratched the back of his head. He didn’t want to seem completely inept by failing to take any action now. If he closed his eyes and tried to access the holocron and nothing happened then he was going to look even more ridiculous. She would probably say: why didn’t you ask?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I’ve not actually accessed one before directly. They say you’re supposed to only be able to open them with the Force?” he asked. He gave a sheepish shrug. Trextan hoped she didn’t find this particularly amusing. It was going to net him at least another gentle elbow nudge.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh,” Choli could at least appreciate his honesty. Truth be told, she could understand not quite having an idea on what to do. Chloe had to walk her through using the Force to activate the holocron herself. Otherwise, she figured that it would have taken a while before she finally managed to open it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Well, at least get the gatekeeper talking to her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yeah. Focus. Much like any other time you meditate. This container is lined with nullification resin, so you may not quite be able to feel the Force sweep through it. But if you pick it up with your hands.” Choli began to reach over, encouraging him to pick up the holocron. “You’ll immediately be able to feel a connection.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]She had at least. Choli might not have as much Force potential as Trextan, and the gatekeeper had only revealed so much to her, but even she had been able to touch the Force and feel the lingering remnants of power from the one who had crafted it to begin with. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Hold it like so,” her hands went sliding over his, guiding his motions over flesh, bone, and metal. An intimate brush of skin on skin contact that wouldn’t be missed by the Rogue.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“And focus.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The way they held the holocron together with such reverence heightened the intimacy of the moment. She was watching the holocron, he ended up watching her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]At least until he get a sense of the depth of the holocron through the Force. He had never held or studied one before and it felt like nothing else. The walls did not feel solid beneath his fingers. The faces were glass, yet opaque. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Patterns danced across the surface as he tried to peer through with the Force. It didn't resist, it just evaded him. Trextan settled his mind and felt his way around the problem. As soon as he felt the surface give something clicked. It wasn't something he felt through the Force, it genuinely went [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]click.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Several parts of the metal around the glowing lattice shifted. Corners opened and they were bathed in a soft glow. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Cholivyn. You brought a friend.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The gravelly voice belonged to the small Force projected form of a man wearing a thick fur coat, dressed warmly for cold weather. The face was weathered, and even through the projection one could catch the tan like consistency of the Je’daii Master’s skin. He had seen years out in the elements, deeply tanned and scored with wrinkles along the corner of his eyes and mouth. His long hair was long, tied back in a neat topknot of sorts in a set of intricate braids. While he wore a thick wolf skin pelt around his shoulders, could still catch the dark, geometric patterns of ink on his neck. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Master Tikanni, I would like you to meet Jedi Knight Trextan Voidstalker.” a mouthful to say the least, but it was done formally for a purpose. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“He belongs to the Jedi Order I had spoken to you about,” there were Orders a dime a dozen, each with their own worldviews and codes. That had confused Choli. Talking about the differences was interesting, especially when considering that the Je’daii were the origin point for such. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan noted the quick concatenation of her two names. Master Yvette had done the same the previous day, but he hadn’t thought about it at the time. He would likely forget before the end of the experience. He hadn’t expected the image of the gatekeeper to be garbed for particular conditions, but perhaps at the time they had thought it was the best representation of the man who had collated the knowledge and sealed it within the holocron itself. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“A pleasure to meet you Master Tikanni,” Trextan replied with a bow of his head. The tempo of his voice followed on from Choli’s with barely a break. A little voice in the back of his mind pointed out that he was bowing to the apparition of a long dead master sealed within a device. That didn’t preclude him from showing respect there was just something that struck him as odd. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Jedi Knight Trextan Voidstalker,” Tikanni repeated in greeting. “From within the confines of this codex I felt a new presence fumble with its workings.” There was distinctive accent Trextan couldn’t place and a formal clip to his speech. Yet it also felt as if he had just been insulted. The gatekeeper then fell silent and Trextan wasn’t sure what to say next and his eyes flicked towards Choli.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You can ask him questions you know.” The blank searching expression Trextan shot at Choli’s direction prompted the young woman to respond in a matter of fact way. For Choli, she didn’t have the same kind of reverence to a holocron as Trextan likely did. In her experience, the Storytellers of the tribe were what ensured that their history lived on. They were flesh and bone, the vessel by which an oral history could be passed down from the generations. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]In each tribe, a small number of individuals would be trained from birth to become Storytellers, orally learning the tales of their ancestry with perfect accuracy. This tradition was such a large part of Tusken culture that Storytellers were considered the most important members of a tribe. On the other hand, written communication was believed to cheapen the value of Tusken history, and was therefore shunned.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There was only one accepted history across the many Tusken tribes, and if someone questioned or spoke even a single word of the histories incorrectly, it was considered a blasphemy punishable by death. Thus, Tusken history was passed down orally from generation to generation with almost no alterations in the material. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]If the Storyteller of a tribe died before the training of their apprentice was complete, the tribe was considered to be unworthy of existence and would quickly destroy itself through infighting. In rare circumstances, those that proved themselves worthy, such as great warriors, were also permitted to listen to the teachings of the Storyteller.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]So for Choli, just being able to listen to any teachings from the holocron held the same manner of honor as that of a warrior granted an audience. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Much of Choli’s interactions with Master Tikanni had simply been to listen to whatever he so wished to tell her. There was no prodding of specific information. No hidden agenda. Just the mere enjoyment of being able to listen to what the codex had to say. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]When Trextan's eyes returned to the gatekeeper he was given the distinct impression that he was under intense scrutiny. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Think nothing of it, young Knight Voidstalker,” Tikanna replied. “You may ask away, but how will you judge my answers?” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]This caught Trextan slightly off guard. “You… ask questions too?” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Indeed. I was quite the listener in my time. But unfortunately it is no longer for my own benefit. I am the gatekeeper of this knowledge Knight Voidstalker. The Codex of the Je’edai Order. No knowledge can be stolen from this holocron without my consent and it is my duty to understand what it is best for you to learn.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh.” Trextan furrowed his brows. “I don't know. I didn't really think about it being incorrect or a lie?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Have you been lied to before?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan's expression darkened. “Yes.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“By who?” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“The Sith.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Indeed. I could tell. And now you are a Jedi of the Light. And you are told the truth. And there was no truth in what the Dark had to say. Better to put it from your mind.” The gatekeeper applied no sarcasm to his voice, didn't even change pitch to ask a question. Yet Trextan felt he was being judged. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Are you...testing me before you want to teach?” Trextan asked slowly.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Master Tikanni let out a soft laugh. “I was not aware... that the teaching had not begun.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan felt a flush of embarrassment, eyes flicking towards Choli again to see what he could read from her reaction.[/SIZE]

 

[Choli Vyn]

[SIZE=9pt]In Choli’s expression, Trextan would find no judgement there. Instead she made herself comfortable, listening in to the interaction. For her, this was just any other conversation. Every lesson was in every action and every word. Maybe Trextan didn’t understand that?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“He’s no different than talking to me Trextan.” Choli said, hoping to encourage him a bit. “Well, maybe a little bit different. There are some subjects I still do not understand so I keep asking more questions or ask for an example or a story to help in clarifying.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Maybe if I explain what I already know? Choli wondered. Or should she clarify what she believed Master Tikanni meant?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I don’t know much about the Sith… or the Jedi. But I doubt that there are absolutes when it comes to either. I don’t know if the Sith lie… or if the Jedi do the same. I know that people are people and we may be placed into situations where we need to lie and when we need to tell the truth.” For Choli, it was about survival in that aspect. She learned all about lying when she had to learn about bartering and haggling down price. The same when it came to interacting with criminals and smugglers. Her robes and her mask made her appear genderless, her height allowing her for others to assume she was a man. It was just safer that way. It wasn’t about morals or ethics then. Not in the way the Sith and the Jedi seemed to think of it at least. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]That was a very [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Choli[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] answer. Master Tikanni turned his gaze back to Trextan without offering any comment on what she had said. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]What would be a very [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Trextan [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]answer? He thought to himself. He didn't know his own mind on the subject. That was slightly frightening when he pulled out that aspect of his life and examined it quickly. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“They didn't lie when they told me how my parents died,” he said quietly. They hadn't. They had just twisted the truth to their own ends. Even Jacen had been unable to refute that they had died to a misplaced Alliance bomb. “How do I tell…” his voice trailed off as he contemplated the question.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Exactly young Knight. I am neither Sith, nor Jedi. How do you tell if I lie or not? Or if my truth aligns to your other truths. How do you decide what are your truths?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I don't…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Good. That is for you to decide.” Master Tikanni smiled and turned from one to the other. “I diverted you from your questions, I apologise. My own Order is not so common anymore and you might have to indulge me in imparting some of our own views when the opportunity comes. It is a lesson I will give freely to anyone. Don't hide from knowledge, make up your own mind. And come to know your own mind. I sense you do not, but you are young. Cholivyn here sometimes knows her own too well.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]This was one of the most surreal experiences of his life. “I didn't not realise a holocron was so perceptive.” As he said it he regretted it. The gatekeeper merely nodded.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I am the gatekeeper. I decide what knowledge to provide and how. You unlock the holocron through the Force but that also unlocks a little of you to me. From what I have come to understand I am more likely to dispense what I know than a Jedi holocron, but also less likely to twist my words turn you to my way than a Sith holocron. Again, I have gone on too long. You have questions.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan tried to soak this up and get back to where he had started. Was it this interactive with Choli or did she managed to get the gatekeeper around to the point before listening quietly, he wondered. But the gatekeeper had already told him that this was about his own mind and way of learning. In its own way it had set him thinking in a way he might not have.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“There is a technique to use the Force itself to learn more quickly, do you hold any information on this?” Trextan asked. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]That inquiry prompted a half amused twist of Choli’s lips. All due in part because [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]she[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] had told Trextan that she’d be happy to go over the skill. That his first inquiry revolves around a particular area Choli was trained in made her wonder if she should feel insulted by it. In the end, she chose to mentally shrug and see what Master Tikanni had to say. If Trextan wanted to learn more about it from the holocron then that was his decision. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“There are ways to utilize the Force to clear the mind and allow an increase in concentration and speeding the process of learning. However, to do so makes you vulnerable as it requires immense energy and a suitable time to process. Going beyond what would be your capabilities may result in a painful headache and confusion at the rush of information that your brain is trying to make sense of. The Force may make it easier and faster to learn, but it is not a replacement for xtraditional methods as practice. “[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan got the sense that the Holocron wasn’t keen of going further into that area. It suggested to him that perhaps this wasn’t where Choli had learned the skill from. Perhaps it was, but she had just listened carefully to the downsides. Tikanni had almost dodged the question. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Tell me about your own Order please?” Trextan asked. “What lessons do you think they have that someone like me would benefit from the most?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]His gaze flicked across to Choli and then back down to the gatekeeper. She was quietly paying attention, but he could have sworn there was a slight twinkle in the eyes of Master Tikanni.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The gatekeeper did not ask the question. It’s immediate concern was that the impressionable young Knight was searching for another dogma to follow. Master Tikanni decided to incite discussion instead of provide answers.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Cholivyn, what do you believe about the nature of the Force? Do you subscribe to the views of my Order or Knight Voidstalkers?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli could feel Trextan’s eyes shift over to her, expectation in his gaze. Now she was in the hot seat. It didn’t bother her. It was a fair question. The only issue being that she honestly didn’t know much about the Galactic Alliance Jedi Order and she’d only just begun to learn of the stories Master Tikanni had chosen to tell her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The young Rogue was quiet for a moment, musing how to respond, until finally she said, “I think that both are no different that mirages in the desert. You can see an oasis from the distance but unless you know how to survive in a desert, you won’t find the water you need to survive.” Such a [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Choli [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]answer in utilizing what she knew to reference the Masters inquiry. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“There are many mirages. But how you discern which is real and which is just a trick of the light is dependent on the individual.” She gave a soft shrug of her shoulder. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I do not know much on either, I only know what skills I have can help me do what I need to. The Storytellers tell of demons with power. They also tell of visions and what a hunter must do to gain prowess and the ability to be granted audience with the Storyteller. But what is the Force at its nature? Perhaps, exactly that. Nature. Everything and anything. Life, death, and whatever is between.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“How do you manage such beautifully worded answers to such simple questions?” Trextan asked. He ignored the gatekeeper slightly entranced by her reply. It struck a chord too. When they had restored the water he had sensed a shift in the Force. Balance restored.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So the Jedi permit emotional attachment now?” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan switched his gaze back to Master Tikanni sharply.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What? I mean…” The Je’edai master gave him a look that suggested any denial was pointless. Just how perceptive could a holocron be exactly? “Sometimes. I think.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“That is progress at least. I apologise for the interjection but having heard what happened to the sanctuary on Aurum and having met many Jedi over the years...well, I like to see balance in all things. Avoiding emotion to keep away the temptation of the dark is like burning out your own eyes so you don't see the shadows.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan shuffled awkwardly where he sat. Everyone seemed to be more eloquent than he was. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Now it was Choli’s turn to feel embarrassed by Trextan’s compliment and then Master Tikanni’s obvious inquiry towards the Jedi’s sentiments. Heat flooded her olive face for a few moments. She hadn’t intended her answer to be eloquent or stand out in any manner. She was simply trying to answer to the best of her ability. Perhaps what Choli did not realize yet that Master Tikanni had is that Trextan was very much at an impressionable moment of his life. This was especially sensitive in his emotional ties. Did the young man believe Choli’s answer to be impressive on its own merit or was it swayed by his sentiment towards the Rogue pilot?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Was Trextan entranced because he concurred with the observation or because of his impressionable nature with the young woman he managed to make the closest connection since his mother’s death?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]In some instances, Choli’s already had a foundation for her morals, thoughts, and ethics. It was her worldview constructed by her experience with the Sand People, then with Chloe and Jan, and finally with the Alliance. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Where did Trextan stand? What was his foundation? His base? Or was he merely attempting to latch on another much like he did with the Sith?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]To move things on, and because she was honestly curious herself, Choli asked,”Why would emotional attachment not be permitted? “. Trextan had spoken about this a bit before, but since Master Tikanni brought it up…[/SIZE]