It Happened at Wine Tasting...

[Judah Lesan]

​

A wine tasting in a fancy show room was not the first place anyone would expect to find a pirate who was raised among nightsisters on Dathomir. Well, not unless that pirate was casing the place for a heist. The vineyard boasted a particular recipe that some were willing to pay handsomely to get, and Bryn was just the man to try and pull off that kind of job. Why? Simple, he needed the credits. Answers about who he really was were still out there, and credits always bought knowledge. Someone knew the story of his family, and why they had fled to Dathomir so long ago. Piracy may not be the best, or fastest way to gain the credits, but it sure as hell was fun.

"Right this way, sir," came the voice of a petite blonde woman.

She was dressed in a very form fitting white dress with a black buckle around her waist. Stiletto black heels were worn on her feet to make her taller than she was, and her hips swayed with an alluring cadence as she walked. Yes it was fun to play the part of a stuffy rich man in order to case the place and get the full tour, especially if it meant watching the sway of the woman's hips as he walked along.

"Thank you very much. You have no idea how far I have traveled for a sip of this wine. I hear it is the best."

Bryn smirked as he paid the proper compliments to the product. The woman worked for the vineyard, it was her job to make him feel at home. She would appreciate the fact Bryn was already beaming about the product before even tasting it. Her smile, genuine, was proof she had.

"It is the best, no doubt. Many patron travel from the other side of the galaxy just to have sip. Our Merlot is in more establishments than any other, and the recipe highly sought after. Before you ask, it is not for sale. We have exclusive rights to it."

"I do not doubt that," he stated simply, and tugged at the vest he was wearing.

The benefactor of this job had agreed to fund everything Bryn would need to pull the job off successfully. As a result, Bryn now had his own suit tailored to fit him exactly. This was a first for him, but ironically put him much closer to his origins than he knew. In fact, this entire job was going to lead to some form of the truth.

"Right this way, Mr. Vash"

[member="Kalina Volk"]

 

[Kalina Volk]

Kalina was not afraid to let herself indulge a little, and tonight would be a great time to do so. But growing up as a Nightsister, practicing in the dark arts, it was nothing that people liked to advertise when they went off planet. Kalina, however, was very proud of who she was, and what she stood for as far as her beliefs went. She was not the kind to keep slaves, at least, not as cruelly as some. She did believe that men had a place, but women did as well...yet Kalina still loved the idea of a strong man at hand.

Kalina was in one of the wine tasting rooms, since there were several with different people in them, but she was dressed a little more that her culture came from. She thought that she looked nice, but she wasn't here really to impress anyone. Kalina wasn't one to get into the high life like this, but she did allow herself to enjoy herself from time to time in situations like these, tonight seemed like a good day to do all of that.

She lifted a glass of a dark, red wine, and she smiled because of the earthy taste. It was exquisite to say the least, but then she noticed one of the owners escorting a man, most likely giving him an idea of the wine that they had here. Kalina couldn't help herself but to give him a little wink..he was cute, after all.

[member="Bryn Vash"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

Bryn was led down the corridor to the left and past several tasting rooms. His private tour afforded him a private room to himself, but very attractive brunette managed to catch his attention as he briefly gazed into the room to his right. Her dress had caused his eyes to linger, and her wink had captured his glance. His pause was ever so brief, but long enough to catch the designs of the dress, and the style it boasted. They were unmistakably inspired by Dathomir. Bryn now stopped.

"Excuse me a moment," Bryn said to his tour guide.

The blonde guide nodded as Bryn made his way into the tasting room, and had a glass of the dark colored beverage poured into a glass. He sniffed the bouquet before sampling it, not bothering to let it set on his tongue, and swallowing what little he was given.

"Thank you," he said to the attendant before turning his gaze back to the brunette who had caught his eye just moments before. "They do make an excellent wine, wouldn't you agree?"

Bryn extended his hand as he introduced himself. Of course he was acting the part of the rich and wealthy man he was portrayed to be by the benefactor who arranged the private tasting for him, but only because he was being watched. The deviation from the path was all the pirate. The woman was beautiful, boasted something of his home, and he was naturally attracted and curious both.

"Bryn Vash, and if I am not mistaken, your design is Dathomiri? I would be a very lucky man indeed if I could convince you to join me for a private tasting I have lined up. It is of the private reserve. Would you care to join me?"

[member="Kalina Volk"]

 

[Kalina Volk]

It was then that the man came up to her, and she had a little bit of pride tucked away for a situation just like this. She liked the attention, and she seemed to grab his as he did hers, the moment he walked in. He made the first comment, talking about the wine, and with that, Kalina gave him a nod in response. "You are right, I do agree with you. This wine is very good. However, honestly, I am not that good of a judge, I do not drink too often." But she did like the wine, it was very flavorful.

He put out his hand and offered a name, [member="Bryn Vash"] , and that allowed Kalina to put her hand out to him. "Kalina Volk." Was her response. He asked her about he choice of dress, which instinctively made her look down and then back up at him. "You would be correct. I was raised on Dathomir. You know your culture." Kalina was impressed, no doubt, which made her wonder where he was from.

"I suppose today is a luck day for a lucky man. I wouldn't mind joining you at all." This could be good, she would be able to experience the more private collection while in the company of a proper gentleman. There wasn't a downside to this just yet.

 

[Judah Lesan]

"I do know my culture," Bryn smiled at the compliment, "It is the culture I was raised in. My family settled near the deserts of Dathomir close to 800 years ago, and I later ventured into the forests and found myself among one of the nightsister clans, and wine is not my strong suit. I prefer rum."

It was an admission he have not have made had the woman not owned her own connection. Whether she would find it odd that he was no longer among them or not was a different matter, for now, his smile was in response to her affirmative response in joining him. His arm was offered in order to escort her to the back room with him. All he was doing was casing the place for later, there was no way this small little detour was providing a distraction from the job. In fact, it proved useful. Bryn noticed a side door to the room which seemed to lead back toward the offices he had seen earlier. Anywhere the secret recipe would kept was there. Bryn's smile widened.

"This way my dear," Bryn said as he led Kalina down the corridor he had come from two minutes ago.

The blonde looked at him with an expression that gave off she thought his actions were typical. Apparently Bryn was not the only wealthy man to see a pretty woman and invite her to a private tasting with him. Granted Bryn was not wealthy by any means, not yet anyway. He just had a wealthy benefactor bank rolling his operation. It was the only way to do work.

"I am truly sorry for the delay. It seems Kalina and I have something in common, something I suspected when I saw her dress. She will be joining us."

A nod was the only response the blonde gave. There was no inquiry as to what they had in common, which was likely for the best. Trying to come up with a story as to how a man was raised among nightsisters and left to find himself a fortune would be interesting to come up with, especially on the fly. Bryn could do it, but he preferred not to.

Light eyes scanned the tasting room as it opened. There was a small table in the center of the room containing a bottle of the sought after wine, and two glasses. It seemed they figured Bryn would find a companion along the way. Wine bottles filled the racks which were built into the two side walls and the far back wall. There was not a visible exit from the room other than the door they had just entered, but Bryn knew appearances were not always true. The bottle on the center table was opened for the two, and a small amount of wine was poured into each. A small bowl was off to the side as well for the contents of the wine to be spit out should they want to sample more. This was designed to keep them from getting drunk. A promised tour would follow.

Bryn smelled the bouquet and smiled. There was an obvious difference between this and the last he had sampled. He offered the glass to Kalina.

"You will find this to be much different, rather enjoyable. A fine wine for a fine woman."

[member="Kalina Volk"]

 

[Kalina Volk]

Bryn told her that he was raised in that culture, and immediately, she seemed rather interested in what he had to say to her. He explained that his family settled in the desserts of the planet long ago. She had this bit of a smile to her, happy that the man at least understood her culture a little more than the majority of the people, of the men that she met. Maybe that meant that she expected a little more out of him, but it meant that he would know how to treat a woman from the culture. Very impressed, she mused to herself about her feelings on the man.

"It is more of a pleasure to meet you, in that case." She told him, then Kalina decided to follow his lead. She took his arm as they walked, and they seemed to run into the guide again, and he even said her name aloud. "A gracious invitation, to say the least." She added to what he said to the blonde about her, and then she was lead towards the private assortment of the wines.

Kalina looked down at the bottle, and she gave him this little mysterious look in her eyes. "Were you maybe expecting someone else to join you? Or were you expecting to run into a beautiful woman from Dathomir?" She teased him just a little, but she was happy that he invited her.

[member="Bryn Vash"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"It's a smooth move if I do say so myself, and I wish I could say I had something to do with it, but I can't," Bryn answered honestly.

There was no sense in lying to a woman from Dathomir, well anymore than the show he was putting in did. At least he had never claimed to be wealthy, but the truth wasn't coming out of him just yet. The blonde guide was certain to toss him out if she knew he was just playing a part.

"Though, just as honestly as I can't claim this set up, I very much am glad there was an extra glass to share with a beautiful woman from Dathomir."

Picking up the other goblet he offered the woman a toast.

"To the beauty that is Dathomir, both landscape, and the woman standing in front of me."

The red liquid fell on his pallet, and as he set the glass down, Bryn swished it around a bit as he let the flavor caress his taste buds. When he was finished he let the contents out into the bowl provided for them to use, and looked to the blonde before looking back to Kalina as he stood to his full height once more. His hand naturally came to rest on the small of Kalina's back just above her waist as he looked into her mesmerizing dark eyes.

"Is there anything else here you wish to sample, or shall we see how this is all made? Naturally their recipe shall be kept a secret."

The blonde nodded when Bryn looked to her, affirming the winery was open for a private tour to them if they chose to take it. At some point though, Bryn would hope to steal a private moment or two to ensure Kalina had all her questions answered about how he managed to come to such a wealthy arrangement.

"Then afterward, I could offer you a ride back to wherever it is you might be staying?"

[member="Kalina Volk"]

 

[Kalina Volk]

"I appreciate your honesty." She told Bryn with a small smile, and then she looked at the glass of wine. Kalina might have to do this more often, get a better pallet for the finest food and drink. Kalina did like to travel, she enjoyed visiting other planets, but it also gave her a good idea of how the galaxy worked, and they weren't always pleasant, so tonight would be a night that she would enjoy for sure.

Kalina took the glass and raised it in a toast along with him. He toasted to the beauty of Dathomir, the landscape and the woman standing in front of him. She decided to add something to that. "And the handsome men." After a small clink of their glasses, she took a taste and enjoyed it. It was sweet, but naturally sweet, with a small bitter aftertaste. It was really delicious.

"It is perfect, but I wouldn't mind trying some more, we have quite a few options around. But to be honest, I am not really sure where I will be staying tonight, I have yet to rent a room for the night." Kalina finished the last little taste of her drink. "It is very impressive that you are able to get this private set up here...you must be a man of great importance."

[member="Bryn Vash"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"You could say that," Bryn said as he turned to look at what was on the wall. "It's more that I know people who are very important. If you understand me. I can explain later."

Bryn offered a small smile that let the woman know there was more to the story he could tell now. It wasn't that he wanted to lie per se, he just didn't want to get caught. His hand moved along the wine rack picking out a white wine this time. While he preferred the taste of a fine Merlot, certain foods paired well with white wine. It was clear Kalina was not an expert on wine after all. Bryn wasn't much either, but he knew enough to pull off the job. Like Kalina tasting the expensive stuff made him realize that's was something to the cultured life. Too bad he enjoyed being a pirate. He went places and saw things no one else could. Even cultured people could not boast the things Bryn could.

He motioned for the blonde as he pointed out the white he wanted to try. His eyes went back to Kalina.

"You haven't rented a room yet?"

Bryn's smirk betrayed the first thought which came to his mind, but he quickly wiped it off his face. There was nothing which would blow his cover quicker than if he let the pirate take over now. He had to be suave.

"I could make some suggestions?"

The wine was opened, and poured for them. This time Bryn raised the glass with a particular glint in his eye.

"Here's to finding you a room."

The blonde interuopted.

"It is time for the tour. I do have a schedule to keep."

[member="Kalina Volk"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

Double post

 

[Kalina Volk]

She could understand him wanting to explain later, which made her smile as she looked at the options of wine to try. She would wait until they had a moment alone before they indulged in each other's curious nature, but she knew that would all happen given the right moment. He questioned her room situation, and with that little glimmer in his eye, it just made her chuckle slightly.

"Not yet, but I'm sure it'll happen soon enough." She assured him, but at the mention of suggestions, she playfully, perhaps even flirtatiously, rolled her eyes a little bit. "Anything to get me to come back with you, hm? Get the cultured girl drunk on foreign wines and bring her back to your place. I see right though you." She was, of course, joking with him, putting things in a light and happy mood for the two of them.

"To finding me a room." Kalina couldn't help but to grin, but when the blonde interrupted, Kalina glanced back at her, not extraordinarily happy with her at the moment. "I think we can show ourselves around. We wouldn't want to mess with your...schedule. Kalina said with a little distaste.

"What do you think, Bryn?"

[member="Bryn Vash"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"But that is not part of the itinerary at all. I can't simply let you walk about unattended.... it just is not..."

Bryn raised a hand and cut her off.

"Miss Sanduval, I appreciate your enthusiasm to stay with your schedule, but the lady and I were having a moment. In fact we were just discussing how she will be spending the evening in my hotel room this evening," Bryn turned to Kalina with a wink fully understanding her humor earlier. "While I am sure you have never had guests give themselves the tour, I am more than certain the sum of credits my employer arranged for this tasting allows me some flexibility in this matter. We shall see ourselves through the winery from here on out. I am certain we can find the exit when we're ready to leave."

Bryn turned his attention back to Kalina as the blonde woman revealed a hidden door along the left wall. Bryn made note of this for later as well. Certainly there were several places the ingredient cards were kept. Now if only he could spot a terminal he could slice and the deal was golden. Without taking his gaze off of Kalina, Bryn motioned to the blonde.

"The Merlot, package it up for me. I have a feeling I am going to need it later."

Offering his arm once more, Bryn led Kalina through the doorway and down a long corridor. The sound of machinery filled the walkway, enough so any microphones designed to detect speech would not work. This was as good a time as any to confess to the woman his intentions.

"With Miss Sanduval out of the way, I am finally free to tell you. I am working for a wealthy benefactor who wants me to get my hands on the recipe for their Merlot. He can't compete, and wants to. So I do know a very important person, I'm just here for more than a simple tasting."

Bryn smiled, the pirate look in his eye. Even though he was cultured, he was still a crook.

"Now, that's enough about me for now. How about yourself. What took you away from Dathomir?"

[member="Kalina Volk"]

 

[Kalina Volk]

Kalina did hope that Bryn would agree, so that they could have a moment alone. However, it wasn't until she objected did he show his importance in a place like this. Immediately, she wanted to know what kind of pull he had around here, not to benefit her in any way, but out of her own natural curiosity. She wanted to hear about the work he did and the people he knew, but he, no doubt, would be colored impressed by Kalina. With this grin on her face, she took another sip of the wine as she looked at the blonde, that smug little grin on her face while she waited for Bryn to finish.

Perfect.

"How I will be spending the evening in your hotel, hm? Along with the finest bottle of Marlot from the private collection? You really do like to woo the woman, do you not?" She chuckled slightly, and felt a little more relieved now that she was not in the way. It was then that Bryn explained his intentions, which mattered little to her, but satisfied that curiosity. "You seem exciting. Professional, and I like that."

He asked her then what took her away from Dathomir, and Kalina shook her head a little. "Nothing, if I am honest. I love my home planet, and I will forever practice in their ways, however I know that there is a big galaxy out there for me to explore and learn other ways of life. Being confined to Dathomir seems almost cruel. I will return one day, perhaps if I ever have children, I will return back to my planet. But that is far in the distance."

[member="Bryn Vash"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"An alluring woman such as yourself is meant to be wooed, and I would just as soon succeed without too much wine. I may have been raised among nightsisters, but I was never truly one of their kind. I find the chase makes the outcome of the capture much more..... rewarding"

It did not hurt matters to be forthright in the fact he did find the brunette attractive, he also could not hurt matters by expressing his intent to woo her. She had already observed as much, and Bryn could not lie to a nightsister. He simply did not have it in him to do so. The fact she did not flinch at his answer was a good sign. She either didn't care, or she was intrigued. Bryn could not tell which at the moment. She called him professional. This was a first. While the technicality of it was true, he did captain his own crew, and his livelihood depended on this work, Bryn had never considered himself to be a professional. He had a long way to go.

"This life is exciting. I never know who I will be next. Today it is purchaser of wine for a very wealthy client. Two weeks ago I was a card dealer. A month ago I was learning how to install scramblers onto ships to keep their codes from giving them away. There is a great deal of excitement and freshness to what I do."

He listened to her talk about home as they exited the long corridor and into the the winery. The process to make the wine was simple, and straight forward, but his eyes were on the mixers. His photographic mind took note of what they were mixing, how much of it, and where they were putting the ingredient cards when they were finished with them. Finally, he had seen what he needed to. All without losing a single word of what Kalina had said.

"Confinement is cruel, but I suppose there are those who do not mind staying there. There are certain aspects of my life, questions I have, that staying could never give me the answers to. Information is expensive. Allowing whatever children I may have someday to experience the beauty of the world is something I will do. I suppose I will have to settle down before I have children though..."

Bryn smirked and offered his arm once more. It was time to leave the winery.

"Shall we get our wine, and see about finding you a bed for tonight?"

[member="Kalina Volk"]

 

[Kalina Volk]

"If I am honest with you, Bryn. I find it...very brave of you that you admitted to me that the life is not for you. Perhaps it is because I felt the same way, to a certain extent. I will always love Dathomir, and cherish my culture as a Nightsister. I will always practice the same teachings, channel the Force through the same rituals, but I feel that I have a lot more to experience. Many people, especially men, they do not understand this. A lot of people hear Nightsisters and believe they will be taken as slaves, but that is not the case with a lot of us. We just decide to channel the dark side of the Force through our own practices."

It could be a hard concept for some people to understand, and she believed that she was not the only one that felt that way, but a lot were different from her. "I think, a night as tonight, is a good example of what I would be missing if I were still on Dathomir, meeting yet another that is from there. It is a pleasure to meet someone else from the planet, but I do admire you for being honest, and living life to your fullest extent, whatever that entails for you, and you alone." Kalina gave him another smile, and she started to lean in a little to him, maybe being a little flirtatious, but that was in her nature to do so.

"I believe that finding me a bed tonight sounds like a perfect idea."

[member="Bryn Vash"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"My conscience wouldn't allow me to," he simply answered. "It is not often I find anyone who can relate to the life I had and the one I wish to lead. You said it yourself, an experience such as this would not happen were we still among the nightsisters. There would be certain.... expectations... about this meeting between us to begin with."

It was true. Thus far Bryn had been pursuant of her, where on Dathomir, he would be out of place to even suggest she return with him to the room he had rented for the evening. No, Kalina was correct, this would never have happened on Dathomir, but here, tonight it was happening. This was the freedom he had as a man who traveled among the stars. It was a life he would be reluctant to give up, one he would fight to keep.

His arm wrapped around her waist as she leaned in to him. His smirk widened as his mouth moved just inches from her ear. His words left heated breath against the lobe of her ear as he whispered into it.

"Perhaps mine would be suitable after all?"

It was bold, but he had been nothing but since meeting this one. Bryn knew if he did not venture to have her, he would regret not trying. If she was to be the one who got away, it would not be for a lack of effort on his part.

[member="Kalina Volk"]

 

[Kalina Volk]

She did agree with him, it wasn't often that she would find someone off of Dathomir that understood her, and how she used to live. If she told others of her daily life, they would think that she was some kind of religious nutcase who got painted up, chanted to an unknown God and Goddess and connected with the force in a way that some would considering ridiculous.

But now, in the real galaxy, so to speak, she found someone else that could understand and connect to her in a certain light. "You are right, they would be expecting us in a much different way, and meeting would also be expected, however I admit that I enjoy this. It seems a lot more, natural when it all comes down to it. I appreciate your kindness." And she also liked handsome and suave he could be, but just the look in her eyes would tell him that.

When she leaned in closer, he wrapped his hand around her waist and he was very close to her, even leaned into her and whispered against her ear. "Perhaps." She replied back, a sultry tone and a seductive look in her eyes.

"Tell me, do you take me for the kind of girl that will go into your bed so shortly after meeting you?"

[member="Bryn Vash"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Yes, it would be unheard of for a man to pursue a woman, just to make one observation, as is the case with this meeting..."

Everything about her body language told Bryn that she definitely wanted to enjoy the company of the Dathomiri Pirate. The way she looked at him told him she was attracted to his demeanor. The tone of her voice, and the seduction in her eyes played at the pirate who had gained everything he needed from his little foray into the world of fancy wines. Even the suit was his to keep as it had been tailored for him specifically. Her question played at him though. Was she really the type of girl to simply jump into his bad after a chance meeting? Kalina was teasing him, he was certain.

Bryn turned to face her, his arm not once leaving her waist. His smirk still remained glued to his face as he searched her demeanor for the answer. There was only one he had, and it was not meant to be stereotypical of a nightsister, but based on what he had already learned about the woman based their conversation. He had not only been listening, but paying attention to her as well. She had captured his full undivided attention from the moment she winked at him.

"You are a woman that will do whatever it pleases you to do," he returned in his own suave tone. "The real question is, do you think I have what it takes to please you..."

His smirk played at the corner of his mouth as he held the seductive gaze of the woman. The look in his eyes seeking the answer he had asked for.

[member="Kalina Volk"]

 

[Kalina Volk]

Kalina watched him, just as he was watching her. She was most definitely teasing him, curious is to what he would say, in a way, she considered it to be a test of a certain kind. But what followed, his response, would weigh on her heavily, because she wanted to see what kind of statement that followed. But to her happy surprise, he said something that she really didn't think about, but was true in ever manner of speaking...she was the kind of girl to do whatever pleased her, but the question hung now, was he that something that pleased her?

Kalina stared at him for a moment, hungry eyes looking into his, all until she used her hands to grab him by the collar, and she moved her face very close to his. Maybe, even close enough for her to kiss him, but instead, she looked as though she hesitated before she whispered to him. "I suppose, we will just need to go back to your place, and see if you have what I find pleasing.."

[member="Bryn Vash"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

Bryn grinned like a chesire cat. Did he have what she would find pleasing, he hoped so, was confident so. The man had been raised among nightsisters, and as the woman had pointed out, he was handsome. As such, considering the culture, Bryn had been taken to several nightsister tents and given a full education in what it was to truly please a woman. Bryn wasn't cocky, he was just realistic. She could have kissed him, he could have kissed her. Instead they teased each other. Bryn stepped back, took her hand, and kissed the top of it.

"Well then, my dear, let's see to our wine, and then I shall see to pleasing you thoroughly."

Why didn't he kiss her? It was all about the anticipation. When he did finally kiss her, it would be because she wanted to taste his lips. Offering his arm once more, he led Kalina toward the gift shop to pay for, and pick up, the wine. With the bottle secured, he led the brunette to his speeder, it was a rental, but a limousine style. The drive opened the back for them, and Kalina was let in first. Bryn followed behind and spoke to the driver as he did so.

"The Grand," he said before turning his attention to Kalina. "There are some glasses next to you... perhaps a toast to our evening is in order..."

[member="Kalina Volk"]