Private I Can't Get Started

[Judah Dashiell]

"Very cheery. Just love the idea of having you vaporized to mist."

Always a real concern. Now the concern was more or less in the Core, most of the galaxy content to watch the battle play out and profit from the fallout.

Starters arrived along with two small plates so they could mix and match between them. Grabbing one of those spicy tuna squares, he changed the subject.

"I am considering building my own private hyperlane. A master plan I am working on, boring but just know it's extensive."

A pause.

"You're a good navigator, do you think its possible? I want to pick up at the end of the Braxant Run all the way to the end of the Tingel Arm."

 

[Azula Tindara]

Azula offered a little apologetic shrug. She had not meant to put that thought into either of their minds. She would normally slip into the flow of a conversation so easily.

"Imperials tend to like lingering around Bastion. I would find out who is claiming that space first."

She glanced around them. Even at such a fine establishment, such conversation could be too easily overheard.

"I think you could pull it off," she said optimistically. "There are so many old routes that haven't been found since the Gulag plague."

"Must have a big team on it," she said before tucking in to some food.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Is Bastion really that important?"

Judah didn't know. There were a few territories he could rattle off the top of his head and who they belonged to. It was important and it wasn't important to him - if that made any sense. He was going to say more but he got the sense from Azula Tindara that she didn't want to say much more. It was understandable, as far as he could tell she worked for various clients and small corporations.

Fork speared one of the little fried vegetables she ordered, listening to her response to his hyperlane idea.

"Not sure yet. I'll be meeting with the Starchaser family to get it done. Contracting this out, its not in my wheelhouse. Long term it will be nice to have and use."

He paused, realizing something.

"Sorry, talking about work again....er.....what are we supposed to be discussing? Or is this just a get together so you can see this scruffy face again."

 

[Azula Tindara]

"It's okay to talk about work," she said. "Especially when it's such a grand undertaking. Bastion is where the Imperials always seem to retreat to when they get kicked out of the core. So it could be a problem for people if they have a fleet of angry star destroyers where your hyoerlane meets the Braxtan Run. But anyway... "

Azula gesticulated with her fork before realising it had to come across as a touch rude. Despite her conversational mishaps, she realised that she was starting to feel relaxed. She took that as a good sign.

"I believe we had a meeting of no fixed agenda," she said. A quick smirk as her gaze returned to her food.

"It's good to see you again. Scruffy face and all. But I was hoping that after all that's being going on, we might try doing this again? Soon?"

It was a bit of a jump to the end of the 'no fixed agenda' but she wanted to check that they were still on the same page. That this was the first of a few meetings to see where things would develop.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Oh, just making sure. I've been told I talk too much about work and not much else. I mean...its a big part of my life."

To be fair, he tried not to, just being involved in the day-to-day meant he had a lot to speak about regarding it. It was his life, when it was boiled down to the basics, for better or for worse. He thought it was at least less insufferable than speaking about cigars or expensive vacations or politics. All those seemed worse than talking about the business.

"It's good to see you again too."

Right, no fixed agenda. Which was true, but obviously they would have to touch on a few points together.

"I'd love to see you again, what kind of question is that?" He was teasing her ever so slightly. "You're the one with the important trading lane, hyperspace navigating job. Just tell me how soon. Maybe something near Bastion? Or you want me to come pick you up and we..."

Shoulders shrugged, having a few ideas but nothing concrete. Something told him Azula wouldn't appreciate a deep sea ocean fishing expedition.

"...spend some time together? Maybe more than one dinner?"

Azula Tindara

 

[Azula Tindara]

She didn't mind the work talk. Azula felt that such complaints were from people who were young who hated their work lives. A job and accomplishments were a part of a person's life.

"I'd love to see you again, what kind of question is that?"

Azula smiled when he said that. It was a coy smile that she tried to stifle. It touched her more than she wanted to show that he felt so strongly.

"...spend some time together? Maybe more than one dinner?"

"Why don't we stay at the bar after our meal and go skimming the holonet for some ideas?"

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Why don't we stay at the bar after our meal and go skimming the holonet for some ideas?"

"So you want to get me drunk so I'll agree to anything, is that it? I'm not that naive. You'll have to get up sooner than that to fool me Azula Tindara ."

Judah took another spicy tuna thing, watching her expression. For him, it didn't quite matter what they did. Accompanying her on her trading route job would be equally fine with him, there was no set agenda in his life at the moment. Of course, there was salvage but it seemed many of the social events had been scaled back or stopped due to the war in the Core and the refugee crisis.

Which meant he had a good amount of free time.

"I think this might be better than our last go-around. You know I'm going to have to tell the kids. I don't want a repeat of the business expo, that's when all the trouble started in the first place."

 

[Azula Tindara]

"You have seen through my master plan. Pleasedrink more wine," she mused.

Her main was a slice of aged nerd rib along with celonslay three ways. It had sounded suitable foodie. Dishes that came with just a few ingredients done well had been her favourites on those occasions she had dined out at such nice restaurants.

They reached a topic of serious importance. That they wanted to meet again had been easily agreeable. How they went forwards was different.

"Yes. Yes I suppose we should. Are you just going to let them both know?"

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Drink more wine? I'm not really feeling this to be honest."

Judah subtly pushed it towards her if she wanted it. He picked up his water glass instead, content to go with that instead for now. This was his second attempt at wine and he wasn't enjoying this time around either. Hard liquor, spirits seemed fine with him. Wine? He would let Azula enjoy his glass that he barely took two sips from.

He went with a braised Shaak roast, a departure from his usual steak. While the evening was mellowing out, it didn't mean he still didn't have lingering nerves. That may not go away so easily. It was probably best to enjoy the nerf steak when he was relaxed.

"Yeah, nothing big. Just a quick note that we're seeing each other again...I won't go into detail. There's no need. Not when so much is still unknown. I think we will be okay on that front."

Azula Tindara

 

[Azula Tindara]

Azula took the glass and placed it on her side of the table. She felt a little guilt that it had come as a bottle. She was planning on enjoying it slowly through the meal.

"I'll ask the waiter nicely if I can take the last glass to the bar with us," she said.

Azula looked out across the city scape. The sun had dipped well below the horizon, but against the bright lights the stars were barely visible. Soft lights bathed the balcony in a warm glow.

"I imagine there is plenty to do here. I could always stay another day."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Oh, you don't have to drink it. It's not a big deal one way or another."

Shoulders shrugged. It was just one glass. Unfortunately he didn't think this was the type of place that would somehow allow them to take it to-go. If that was even possible with wine.

Doubtful? Makai had mentioned something about not re-corking it.

"Stay another day? You do want to spend time with me, hm? Quite the admission."

He was teasing her now, their mains arriving as he did so.

"I've been working in my room, so I can certainly. I can make another day happen."

Azula Tindara

 

[Azula Tindara]

"Quite the admission," she repeated.

She laughed quietly as she sat back and let the table be placed. Azula let out a sound of appreciation as the food was placed.

The restaurant was fancy enough to have a focus on presentation. It wasn't so conceited that each dish needed to come with a story.

"Why don't we get you away from your room? I don't know much about the world..."

That was a slight exaggeration. She researched everywhere she went. Every city and location. Old habits. She said it to keep the conversation going. Right now, it was feeling light. Almost blissfully normally. It was what she craved.

"... Any ideas what we could do in this city?"

 

[Judah Dashiell]

In the middle of tasting his deconstructed pot roast, Judah raised an eyebrow on her mention of getting him out of his room and finding something to do. She wanted to be seen in public? With him? Doing something normal? Was she sure about that?

"I can't say I am very knowledgeable about this planet. There's a few oceans, which comes with a beach or two. Can't say I brought any trunks."

Naturally, he didn't expect to stay on planet. Or to even have Azula Tindara bring up the idea of staying and doing something banal. Very surprising.

"University of Ketaris has an xenoarchaeology exhibit that's open to the public. Beyond those two things, I can't tell you anything normal about the planet. Business wise I can tell you it's a major trading hub in the region. I'm sure you knew that, given your consulting career."

 

[Azula Tindara]

Azula's eyes went wide as she chewed on her first bite of aged nerf rib. Not that she needed to chew, exactly. The meat fell off the bone and seemed to melt in her mouth.

"That's good. Is yours good?"

She looked out over the balcony. Azula wasn't sure if his surprise was a bad thing. Was her surprised that she still took an interest in him or was he worried this was too quick.

"There's a coastal town called Viskado a half hour by air speeded. I bet you could hire a boat. You could do some fishing and I would be quite happy lying in the sun."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Judah moved his plate closer to the center of the table in case she wanted to try the dish. It tasted amazing to him but he would let Azula Tindara judge for herself.

"I'm enjoying myself. I think it's one of those places where nothing is bad in the menu. It's just a hit every time."

He listened to her idea about chartering a boat and spending the day on the water. It wasn't a horrible one ; he didn't come quite prepared but that's what the concierge at the hotel was for.

"So you're ready to see the real Judah Dashiell. Where I ignore you while fishing and you're just sprawled out in the bow like boat candy?"

A small joke, but he could get absorbed in his hobby. It seemed Azula might be content to just relax and enjoy the day though. Fishing wasn't something he had time for, although in retrospect perhaps he should have spent some time on the open ocean during is sabbatical.

"Let's do it. I'm looking forward to spending a day on the water."

 

[Azula Tindara]

Azula reached across the table with a fork. Deconstructed meant that she needed to take a little sample of items and lead them on a precarious journey back over the table cloth to her mouth.

"Mhmmph," she went.

"You know I grew up in a difficult kind of place. At first I liked to think I was pretending to enjoy this kind of thing. I suppose I had to get over myself. This is amazing. Thank you."

"I'm guessing boat means 'rich man yacht'?"

---

Azula was lying down in absolute, perfect silence. A Togruta didn't tan quite like a human. Her colours would eventually take on a slightly deeper hue, but the reaction wasn't as visible.

She enjoyed this just for the heat on her skin. She took no responsibility for gloperating the boat, there was nothing to do. It was bliss.

Judah, she thought, had underestimated how his boring hobby was a chance for her to do absolutely nothing.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

​

To be fair, Judah had opted for the smaller yacht.

It was one of nicer ones with a droid brain that could navigate itself, perfect for when one wanted to fish and the other person was not exactly up for navigating or operating a vessel. Unlike Azula Tindara , Judah was not trying to tan. One of those lightweight longsleeved shirts that blocked the sun's rays, swim trunks, a ballcap and sunglasses completed his look. He was in complete fishing mode, working three lines as they drifted along at a snails pace.

He had just reset a line after releasing a smaller fish and took the opportunity to check on Azula, roasting away in the sun. They had barely spoken to one another, Azula drifting to the front of the boat to relax. Beyond several curses, he hadn't spoke, focused on his hobby. He grabbed a bottle of cold lager and cracked it as he drifted over to her.

"How's roasting and relaxing going?"

 

[Azula Tindara]

"Mmmn?"

Azula sat up a little sharply. She blinked her eyes against the bright sun.

"Oh. Think I drifted off," she admitted.

She pushed herself to her feet, stretching out towards the sky.

"You must be having a good time, you haven't cursed your luck for a few minutes!"

She looked over the bow at the waters. Once he had his lines up she was planning on going for a little swim to cool down.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Judah looked amused and apologetic all at once as Azula Tindara kept up at his question. He was certain the Togruta wasn't used to relaxing out in the open, wasn't used to not being on edge the entire time. She seemed okay when they shared the same bed but remained a light sleeper. Old habits tended to die hard.

“How do you know I haven't been cursing? You've been over here snoring away. So loud it's been scaring all the fish away.”

He grinned like an idiot at his teasing. He had ambled over to check on her because he hadn't heard a peep coming from her direction. Not that it was a bad thing, it meant she was relaxing. Judah just wanted to check in to see if she needed anything, not have her jump up.

“I am having fun though.” A nod at her swimming plans, although he inclined his head to the one side of the yacht. “I've got lines off the starboard. Don't get caught up.”

As he moved to pass her, hand playfully swatted her backside, shooting her an innocent look.

“What?! You told me to.”

 

[Azula Tindara]

"I'll allow that, even though you know that wasn't the context."

Azula gave a feigned warning as she looked over her shoulder at Judah. She was still waking up and a touch sluggish. She decided that she wouldn't have stopped him even if she had been alert.

She padded a few steps across the deck and cast her eyes over her fishing equipment. It certainly wasn't a sport that would be catching her interest any time soon.

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," she said honestly. A few more long strides and she wrapped her arms around Judah from behind. She rested her cheek on his shoulder.

"If I jump off will it scare away...whatever you're trying to catch?"