Have we met...

[Talon Vosra]

Sitting at a tap-caf alone at a table for two sounded a lot like the beginning of some tragic story, but the man looked anything other than tragic. Sunlight, gently lit the street as he sat. A small cup of unsweetened tea rested on a saucer alongside another plate of lightly salted cucumbers.

His bright emerald eyes scanned the words of a holobook on his datapad as he idly sipped his tea. He looked more like a vacationing tourists than a Jedi master, with his loose button down white shirt and dark blue cargo shorts. There was no lightsabers, nor blasters hanging from his belt but either could have easily been in the cloth backpack that sat by his bare feet.

A now lightly tanned hand flicked a thumb on the darapad screen and turned the page of his holocopy of a local news report. He had skimmed the headlines as usual and was reading the comic section as he considered what he would do now that he had left the Order. He took a bite of the sliced zelosian cucumber then a sip of tea. It was a good start for the day he thought.

 

[Nemesis Cabeiri]

A soft, pleasured sigh slipped past her lips, eyes closing as she tipped her face up into the warmth of the sign. It had been far too long since she'd taken any personal time, where the only thing she scheduled was the occasional dinner reservation. She gave it a moment's thought as she paused her steps, and a brief moue of distaste marred her features. It had been fourteen years since the last time she'd taken anything resembling a vacation. When she was still in the midst of her busy medical practice on Atrisia, training the young interns that had ended up taking it over from her earlier that year.

Nemesis continued down the bustling street, slipping effortlessly through the throngs of tourists that were beginning to emerge from the hotels that lined the broad avenue on either side. Shops, boutiques, and tap cafés were also beginning to open up, most of them setting tables and wares out onto the sidewalk to take advantage of the exquisite weather and wandering crowds.

Slender fingers smoothed out her softly fitted top as she paused once more, cerulean gaze roving over the shimmering display of jewelry in a shop window. While she did entertain the thought of stepping inside to make a purchase, the scent of warm baked goods and freshly brewed tea drew her to the tap café next door. While she did not need the sustenance as most sentients did, it was still a pleasurable way to indulge herself, especially so with the tea.

Pushing her sunglasses up into her hair, Nemesis stepped onto the tap cafe's patio and smiled softly at the handsome, emerald-eyed gentleman who had taken up residence at a table for two. One of the servers waved to her from inside, indicating that she would be right out as she bustled about the busy interior space. Glancing back over at the gentleman, she took a step closer, closing to a polite distance before speaking.

"Terribly sorry to intrude on your solitude, but that blend of tea smells absolutely wonderful. Might I ask which it is?" she asked quietly in Basic, her voice carrying a soft accent.

~ [member="Talon Vosra"] ~​

 

[Talon Vosra]

[member="Nemesis Cabeiri"]

Talon saw her from the corner of his eye as she stood admiring the jewelry in the shop next door. Her slender hands smoothed he top and he couldn't help but admire the simple grace in the movement. She was lovely, her dark hair and tan skin. He was not one to simply throw himself at a pretty woman, though he did a fair job of acting that way when it suited him best. He caught himself watching as she pushed up her sunglasses and the sun lit her face. The hopeless romantic in him said It was one of those moments, that you only experience once, but the practical side said that those only happen in vids. He was still watching her when she looked over and smiled. He was wrong, she was not lovely, she was ethereal in beauty. He smiled back calmly though he could feel his pulse increase. He went back to his reading and was content to let the moment pass as another pleasant experience. His luck with women seemed to be the exact opposite of good, but he would have been lying if he said the thought of speaking to the woman didn't immediately enter his thoughts.

He took another sip and continued to read as he felt the woman draw near. His skin tingled lightly as he could feel her eyes on him and he looked up as she spoke. He smiled and set down his datapad.

"Kopi," He said as he admired her azure eyes, "Kopi tea.....would you like to sit while you wait miss?"

 

[Nemesis Cabeiri]

Her cheeks warmed slightly as he gazed at her, finding herself rather enchanted by the emerald shade of his eyes. She fell silent for a few moments, simply appreciating the visage he presented, his smile adding to the charm of his handsome features. Nemesis smiled softly in response, and did her level best to ignore the way her hear quickened its pace within her chest. She was reminded of the stories her mother had once told to her and her sisters, of knights in shining armor and princesses in flowing gowns, of handsome kings and beautiful queens. Stories to fill a young child's mind with antiquated notions of romance and once-in-a-lifetime moments; stories that those little girls would one day outgrow.

Nemesis had once believed she'd never outgrow them, choosing to believe that she'd someday find such happiness - but over five hundred years of a solitary reality had taken their toll on even her indomitable heart. Strange, then, how a pair of emerald eyes in a handsome, smiling face made her think of those stories once more.

"That would be lovely, thank you." she said softly, lowering her cerulean gaze as she realized how long she had been staring and remained silent. A smile played about her lips as she sat in the chair opposite him, setting her purse beside her. Legs crossed demurely at her ankles, she lifted her eyes to meet his once more as she extended a graceful hand towards him.

"My name is Nemesis...might I have yours?"

| [member="Talon Vosra"] |​

 

[Talon Vosra]

He couldn't help but hold her gaze as she stood silent for a moment longer than some would have considered necessary, however as we must truly know Talon, didn't notice. His pulse was quickened by a glance and a gentle stare was not unwelcomed in the least. Always a lover of beauty and in general considered to have an excellent eye in that regard his quick mind wasted no time in confirming his previous thought of her having descended from some celestial palace and he a simple exiled rogue was likely as anything in the company of a queen. His smile remained as she sat and he observed her manner. The simple grace of movement the delicate play at a smile on her lips he could not help but admire her.

What harm could come from general hospitality and quiet admiration of her natural charm and grace. He hand extended toward his, gently breaking him from his silent appraisal of both his good fortune in her company and her general agreeableness. Her delicate hand in the space between them sat not long alone as he reached forward with his own and took it gently and kindly and held it for a moment.

"Talon" he said his roguish smile reappearing with not a pause, "A pleasure to meet you Nemesis."

He perhaps had more warmth than may have been intended in the subtle expression of his eyes and the gentleness with which he held her hand, but he for his part would have held it longer still had not propriety deemed it required he let go at all. He ordered tea for her and looked to her again.

"I have to say you have the most striking eyes." he said leaning forward slightly to look into them unashamedly.

[member="Nemesis Cabeiri"]​

 

[Nemesis Cabeiri]

The touch of his fingertips sent a most pleasurable warmth coursing through her senses, which lingered and brightened as he gently held her hand. It felt as if she recognized his presence on a level she could not yet name, and her analytical, eidetic mind was quite uncertain what to do about it. With reluctance, she set her hand back in her lap, folding it demurely with the other after he'd let it go.

"Talon..." she echoed softly, the name rolling off her tongue with a soft accent. "...the pleasure is certainly mutual."

Head canted to the side, cerulean eyes lifting to see the server's approach. With Talon's chivalrous gesture seeing to her tea, she asked only that the server bring a plate of freshly baked rolls and herbed butter to accompany them.

Cerulean eyes dipped as she smiled and her cheeks flushed with warmth, the way they hadn't in a very long time. One hand rose, fingertips brushing the warm skin, while her gaze lifted to meet his through her lashes. A touch of flirtation could hardly be harmful, after all.

"I will only permit you to say if I am allowed to do the same in return, Talon." she said, her voice warm as her hand lowered to rest on the table top, leaning forward even as he did the same. Cerulean met emerald and there they were content to remain, fingertips absently tracing the pattern etched into the metal surface of the table.

| [member="Talon Vosra"] |​

 

[Talon Vosra]

[member="Nemesis Cabeiri"]

Talon couldn't hide a blush of green as his blood rose to his cheeks. He looked down briefly then returned to her cerulean gaze. Her accent lingered in his ears as she spoke. His hands flanked the tea cup as she traced the etching of the table. He wasn't sure what to say. He smiled at his own thoughts as he began playing out what he would say and how she would react.

"My eyes won't mind you saying whatever you feel like." He said grinning, "There to happy to notice anyway."

'Cheesy Talon, real smooth.' He thought to himself.

Talon looked back into her eyes and decided he couldn't let the hour pass without finding out more about this beauty.

"So, Nemisis, who or what do I thank for having the good luck of meeting you today?" He asked resisting the urge to slide his hand toward hers.

 

[Nemesis Cabeiri]

Fingertips traced the floral pattern embossed onto the table, committing the delicate texture and repetition of it to memory. It would make a lovely sketch for her collection, she mused absently, before losing herself to the warmth of Talon's gaze once more. Blood rose to warm his cheeks in an enchanting shade of viridian that she only barely resisted the urge to explore with her fingertips. Her own blush was simply a rush of warmth that brushed itself across her own delicate features.

Her laugh was soft and a touch melodic as he spoke, cerulean orbs tracing the way his lips turned up into his smile. It warmed his features and reached into his emerald gaze, so much so that she couldn't look away though her modesty might have wished her to. "Then I shall happily compliment them until they tire of hearing it." Nemesis added after a moment's thought, wondering at herself for it distantly. She barely noticed as the server brought an extra teacup, a fresh pot of tea, and the warm, fresh rolls she'd requested.

"You may thank either providence or perhaps the Force, as I have been learning to do as of late. This is my first official vacation day in a...very long time. And I have met you...what would you call it?" Nemesis asked as she canted her head to the side, resting her chin in her hand.

| [member="Talon Vosra"] |​

 

[Talon Vosra]

[member="Nemesis Cabeiri"]

He looked at her with open warmth in his eyes as she traced the pattern on the table idly. Her long slender fingers, delicate hand, and wrist the picture of feminine charm and grace. Zelosians were know for their appreciation of natural beauty and Talon found himself to be no exception as his eyes took her in. His color deepened by a shade as she spoke in her light accent that he couldn't help but find all the more attractive.

"And they'll keep enjoying you." He said softly. Was it odd he felt so drawn to someone he had just met? Did it matter? After all he had been through, loss of many, twice tortured, and tormented by the Sith Oracle. Maybe, maybe the force found him due for a little deep happiness.

She spoke again her cerulean gaze like twin oceans calling him to explore their depths. He found his gaze drift to her cheekbones and down to her full lips as she spoke. He felt the warmth that had lessened in his cheeks return as he caught himself thinking of those lips against his own and was nearly oblivious to the tea being brought. His eyes flicked to the server briefly as he offered a thank you. His hand extended and slid along the table top toward hers unsure of whether he was being too forward and a part of him knowing that on Zelos II he would be in the right. He gently took her hand and lifted it as if inspecting a work of art. His eyes memorizing the soft skin and subtle features before he rubbed his thumb on the back of her hand and set it down again.

He reached now and poured her tea with a ceremonial air, as if tea were a formal occasion. A smile over took him as he looked up at her through the steam of the hot liquid. He set the pot down lightly and returned his hand to hers.

"It seems we're both due for a relaxing day, miss Nemesis." He said holding her hand without thoughts of embarrassment anything near his mind, "it must be destiny....how would you like to spend a day of idleness with a man you've only nust met? I promise to be good...ish."

 

[Nemesis Cabeiri]

Words failed her for several moments, phrases examined and discarded in the span of seconds. Nemesis was speechless for perhaps the first time in her existence, which given the span of her life thus far was...quite a feat. Bright cerulean eyes watched Talon take gentle hold of her hand, his thumb tracing the back as he examined it intently. She almost withdrew her fingers from his grasp, unaccustomed as she was to such intimacy, but a part of her refused to do without the warmth of his touch all the same.

She sighed softly as he set her hand down to pour her a cup of tea, watching him through the whorls of steam that rose from its amber surface. Cheeks still flushed with warmth, her fingers would have sought out his this time had he not returned to hold her hand upon putting the teapot down. A soft exhalation, akin to a faint sigh of pleasure, passed her lips, slender fingers happily and warmly entwined with his.

Nemesis paused for a moment, gaze falling half lidded as she lifted her cup to partake of the scent of tea that had drawn her to his table...well, that had helped draw her there. If she were to be honest with herself, or even able to think past the moment, she'd be forced to admit that the tea was just a convenient excuse.

She took a small sip, finding the taste as delightful as the scent. Another sip followed, and a moment was spent savoring the tea as she set the delicate cup down upon its saucer.

"Nothing would please me more than to spend the day with you, Talon...and I shall have to endeavor to somehow thank destiny for putting you in my path." she added softly, cerulean lost in emerald for several long moments. A touch of mischief found it's way to her features, leading her to dip her head and smile even as she gazed up at him through her lashes. "Well...as long as it's only good-ish...purely good simply wouldn't be any fun."

| [member="Talon Vosra"] |​

 

[Talon Vosra]

[member="Nemesis Cabeiri"]

Her voice like music was his delight as she agreed to a quiet day alone. Her eyes like azure jewels on pillows of white shimmersilk. She was beyond beauty so far beyond that he simply was awe stricken. He slowly stood his sandled feet sliding across the smooth stone patio of the shop. His hand outstreched fingers slightly cupped and ready to receive hers although within himself it still felt as if a dream had taken him away. He smiled kindly as he looked down at her and her soft features.

'If this is not real' he thought again, 'may death find me in my sleep.'

He would wait there calmly for her and then they could walk together wherever their feet chose to take them.

 

[Nemesis Cabeiri]

| [member="Talon Vosra"] |​

It was as if everything else had slowed down and stopped, in favor of giving her the time to truly notice what was happening. Background noises faded to a murmur, and even colors seemed to dull, simply to make Talon that much more prominent in her awareness.

As if she needed that help...Nemesis couldn't see anyone else.

She found her fingers twining gently with his, and her frame rising from her seat. Her free hand took hold of her bag and slipped the strap on her shoulder as they wound their way through the café tables and out onto the broad sidewalk. There was a comfortable silence between them, the warmth of the sun eclipsed by the warmth of his hand against hers.