Last Call

[Corvus Dravere]

Zeltros
1300 Local
Southern Province Municipal Starport

No one really knew what to make of the group. There were 12 of them - well, 24 total - but 12 had on flight jackets with the Coffin Jockey emblem displayed proudly over the breast and back. There were a few men, a few women, but in some ways it was a cross section of the galaxy with regards to species. They were predominantly human, with a Rodian, Twi'lek, Shistavanen and, somewhere in the back, a rather cranky looking Duro.

"Where's your plus one, Colonel?" Skral asked, his ovoid eyes wide and unblinking.

Corvus turned, leaning an arm on the back of his seat. Everyone was standing, waiting for the shuttle door to open to let them out onto the tarmac and then out of the damn starport. Despite his grumpy look, Corvus knew that, much like with himself, Skral was almost giddy on the inside.

It was the pheromones, he'd been told. Zeltros had pheromones like habitable planets had atmosphere and water. "She'll be meeting us here, in the starport. Should have landed before us."

Somewhere behind him, the Rodian began to chortle. He knew there was a bet as to who that plus-one would be, but he knew Skral would win it.

For a moment, as he heard the hatch open at the front of the shuttle and people began to disembark, he almost fancied that Skral was smiling when he asked, "Is she able to distract you with a nice rack?"

Corvus simply rolled his eyes, hefting his carryon as he worked his way down through the seats. "You're insufferable, Skral."

"It's why you pay me so well."

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

It had been a few months since she last saw Corvus. Her team and her had managed to get out of that war-ridden planet thanks to his help and that allowed her to get back to tending to the many issues that had accumulated in Kryss Industries during her absence. She had worked herself to exhaustion during several weeks until her responsibilities were cleared and went back to Vilosoria -sadly during the planet's warm season- to see the two hellions that were her beloved nephews. All the while, she had stayed in contact with the pilot and during the time they were away from each other and this had managed to help her develop further trust in him. Vela would have been lying if she said she didn't miss him.

Accounting for that, here she was, walking the streets of Zeltros on her way to the starport. She was feeling quite excited about meeting him again and of course, tried blame it all in the pheromones-infested air that, courtesy of her enhanced smell, were wreaking havoc in her system. Vela was naturally an easy-going, content person. Adding the euphoria inducing pheromones of the Zeltron species to that had her in a very, very good and bubbly mood and even if she had only been on the planet for a few hours, she was already having fun.

Soon enough she had arrived at the starport and started moving towards the bay Corvus told her the Coffin Jockeys would land in. Unlike the last time they had meet, Vela was wearing casual clothing and not clad in her working outfit. Since the warm season had ended and now Vilosoria was transitioning into the colder months, she was also a bit thinner, having lost the extra muscle mass that developed in her to support her 'summer strength'. Her blue-green eyes caught sight of individuals wearing jackets sporting the familiar emblem on them. A small smiled reached her lips as she watched them exit the shuttle, knowing the man she was so eager to see again would soon follow the rest.

[member="Corvus Dravere"]

 

[Corvus Dravere]

They were a large group. Between pilots and crewchiefs, they numbered a score and four, but when adding in significant others, friends, and guests, they were almost up to 50 people. Corvus came out in the middle of the group, clearly in the middle of a conversation with Skral. They all took in a deep breath of fresh air, and Corvus slung his bag over his shoulder while giving Skral a squeeze on the shoulder.

"I told you, old friend. It's going to be a good week."

"You always say that at these parties, and invariably, someone ends up drunk and puking in a sink."

Corvus couldn't help but bark a laugh. "That's the point!"

"Yeah, well, you aren't usually this verbose."

"And you aren't usually this surly."

Corvus stopped as he spied the woman he'd agreed to meet, and a wide smile split his face. He'd grown out his beard since last time, and tufts of gray added a distinguished air to his look. Skral looked between the two and rolled his eyes. Turning, the Duro looked to a Rodian, a Twi'lek and a Shistavanen, his hand coming up with his palm towards the sky so he could curl his fingers in the ancient gesture for 'give me.' They looked over to [member="Vela Kryss"] and then to Corvus, and then, with some reluctance, turned over some credit chits.

Taking a step forward, and with only one hand freed, he stopped just in front of her, that smile still plastered on his face. "I'm glad you could make it." He sized her up, "Are you alright?" He asks, "You seem to have lost some weight." Normally that was cause for celebration, but given the fact she was already a fit woman, the fact she'd lost any weight didn't bode well.

The group began filtering past him, not wanting to take up the tarmac for too long, and an orange and black Cathar leaned in, a smile on her face. Credits were still being exchanged all around them, as apparently everyone was in on the bet. "You really don't know how to talk to a woman, Colonel." With a chortle, she passed by, another female Cathar quick on her heels, their fingers entwined.

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

She hadn't expected them to be such a large contingent of people but realized she should have, given that everyone was expected to bring a plus one. Vela wasn't oblivious to the sudden credit exchange that took place between the Coffin Jockeys and one of her brows arched curiously, the smile on her lips turning into an amused one.

Of course, there was no way in which she could be sure of her guess but she believed she had a very clear idea of what was going on. She grew more confident in her assumption when she saw Skral being the victor of the bet. Vela found the fact they had bet on it very entertaining. However, her attention was now very occupied with something else, that being the man walking towards her. She took notice of the slight changes on him, especially the beard he had decided to let grow. It suited him, though in truth she couldn't imagine many thinks that wouldn't favor his looks.

His voice was a welcomed and missed sound, a bright smile stretching her lips as he greeted her. Apparently he had also been attentive to the changes in her and she was about to answer when a female Cathar leaned in, shortly addressing her Colonel. Her comment had the Vilosorian chuckling, her blue-green eyes settling upon Corvus' with deep amusement shining in them.

"I am okay, its normal for my kin to lose weight after the summer. I wouldn't even be surprised if I'm a bit shorter now." Her smooth, warm voice held clear tinges of happiness. Vela had missed him and so reuniting with him, combined with the cheer-inducing pheromones of the Zeltrons, had her beaming in a sweet, gleeful way. "I'm happy to see you again, Corvus."

 

[Corvus Dravere]

When [member="Vela Kryss"] chuckled, Corvus felt a hint of color rise in his cheeks. He was moments away from offering up a sincere apology when she mollified him with the knowledge that she had, in fact, changed. She seemed, somehow, more petite than when he had last laid eyes on her.

It wasn’t a complaint on his part, though. Her lack of stature just made her all the cuter. “Ah, the seasonal change.” He says.

Her smile remained plastered on her face, and he didn’t hide his own. Leaning down, he gave her a soft kiss and took her hand into his own, and the apparent scandal of seeing him with a woman caused a few cat-calls from their fellows. “Easy now.” He growls to the group, and their laughter - Corvus’ too - floated up into the afternoon air as they left the shuttle bay behind them.

“I am happy to see you again, too, Vela. We’re all staying nearby. A week for a retirement party is a bit much but... Fik insisted.”

From somewhere near the front, a gravelly voice yelled “DAMN RIGHT.”

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

Vela smiled into his kiss, returning it sweetly. It'd been long months and the comfort brought by his closeness had been dearly missed. However, the warm feelings inspired by him became flushed with a sudden shyness as her ears caught the cat-calling of his fellow pilots and crewmen. A deep blush spilled into her cheeks, the smile turning into a little, timid curve on her lips.

Soon enough, their laughter follow and Vela couldn't contain her own, joining them. Her fingers intertwined with his, her smaller hand finding it easy to fit into his. "They sure are a fun bunch," She commented, a friendly expression taking over her features as her eyes scanned through the group. They seemed happy, laid-back and certainly a much more enjoyable company than the sore, bitter executives she usually had to deal with. The more time she spent among company owners and directors, the less she wanted to become like them. Things worked differently in her head and she would make sure her own business didn't pick up on the traits of the ones surrounding it.

Her gaze settled on Corvus as he addressed her and now that she was walking by him she could notice more clearly their new difference in height. It wasn't overtly pronounced, but definitely visible. She was about to answer him when a stray voice resonated from the front of the group, his exclamation causing laughter to escape her again. "Well, if he convinced you I guess he deserves it." She said, smile bright and confident. Her voice then lowered a bit, the warm tone in it remaining the same. "And since it means I get to spend more time with you, I'm very glad he insisted."

 

[Corvus Dravere]

Corvus knew that while he enjoyed the companionship of his squadronmates, and considered all of them friends, they were unusually jovial right now. As they said, there was just something in the air on Zeltros - even if everyone knew what exactly it was. "He didn't have to convince me." He says, leaning down with a mischievous curl to the side of his lips. It was an altogether unfamiliar look for the usually guarded, dour man, and yet, somehow, it suited him - at least here, on the party planet.

"He just had to convince his wife!" Someone guffawed at his hand, and before long the group was laughing once more, even as Paradise rose in front of them. It was a long, squat building with palm trees and straw roofs, and behind it rose the majestic hotel for those who didn't wish to travel far from the bosom of Paradise.

He gave her hand a squeeze, the laughing lingering in his throat like the last ringings of a bell, and he took in a deep breath to sigh out with happiness, a smile permanently affixed to his weatherbeaten face. There was a moment, though, when she spoke, where his features fell and his face warmed, and he turned his eyes down to hers with a tender smile meant only for her to see. "I am glad you accepted." He admits, "I've missed your ebullient charm."

[member="Vela Kryss"]

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

The Vilosorian joined in the laughter of the Coffin Jockeys and their companions. She guessed she was not the only one tagging along with the group for the first time, a few other women and men had slightly shy or reserved looks morphing their expressions. It was easier to see them when she was a timid person herself, the difference being that she had learnt to battle the naturally shy side of her and so managed to feel comfortable enough among the pilots and crewmen. The fact they seemed to be so cheerful and that she was holding Corvus' hand, whom she most definitely enjoyed being around, helped a lot too.

As Paradise, the famous Zeltronian cantina owned by the Hutts, came into view, Vela allowed her eyes to roam it taking in the appearance of it. It looked like a fun and...enticing place, characteristics that could be given to most locations in Zeltros. She also could notice that the further they walked into the city, that cheerful, relaxed and carefree feeling that had nestled deep within her chest since her arrival seemed to grow. Her thumb leisurely caressed the back of Corvus' hand as they walked, her eyes seeking his once more when she heard him speak.

"You are lucky then!" She exclaimed, an amused look on her face. "I'm feeling particularly cheerful today." As she spoke, a couple of humans passed the group by, Zeltrons mingling among them and raucous laughter coming from all of them. "...I guess we all are." She added, chuckling. In truth, Vela would have been happier than usual even had they not chosen Zeltros for the retirement-party vacation, seeing him again was enough so set the Vilosorian in a particularly positive mood.

[member="Corvus Dravere"]

 

[Corvus Dravere]

He had come to much a similar conclusion she had - Paradise looked tailor made to entice, and that was the point of the whole planet, really. His eyes studied the people passing them by with curiosity. The Zeltrons, of course, were gorgeous, their natural charisma augmented by their pheromones. Whomever they were with, no matter their species, seemed to hang onto their every word and smile.

Many were still wet, clad in swimming shorts and bikinis, and he knew without a doubt that many an hour would be spent poolside, or at the nearby beach. [member="Vela Kryss"]’ sultry voice drew him back to the present.

He didn’t recall her voice being so seductive in the past, but now it seemed audible honey. “The luckiest.” He agrees, the words falling smoothly from his lips.

Nodding his agreement, he paused outside the hotel as some of the group made to go elsewhere, and others seemed intent on getting to their rooms - perhaps for some privacy before heading out later.

He decided dropping his bag off was likely the best move before doing anything else. “Cmon, let’s head to the room.” With her in hand, he stopped at the front desk long enough to check in and get their keys before taking her to a nearby lift. “Thirty third floor. Should have quite the view.” There was a pause, and he grinned. “Nothing to compete with you, though, or those eyes.”

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

His reply brought a fun, playful smile to her lips, the sound of his voice thoroughly enjoyed by her ears. As they entered Paradise the place seemed to become more and more beautiful and entertaining. If it was because of the well-designed architecture and activities going on, or because of the bigger quantity of Zeltrons in little clothing walking around she wasn't sure. She was most definitely not the partying type, but the party-planet did put her in a mood for it, at least far more so than she would be in any other place.

She stood by Corvus' side as he checked them in, noticing how the Zeltron woman at the front desk eyed them curiously. Vela found it amusing, and the look on her face made it known. Everything here was colorful and flashy, certainly more than enough to overwhelm a pair of eyes and there was so much to see that no one really seemed decide on where to look first. It felt like walking on a dreamland, a very euphoric one.

As soon as they entered the elevator and the doors closed behind them her lips met his in a happy, albeit somewhat short kiss. "Well, it will be a fun week, that we can be sure of." She said, referencing all that they had already seen in the short period of time that took them to move from the starport to Paradise. Her brows raised in curiosity as he mentioned they'd be staying at a thirty third floor, but the curious look was soon replaced by a sweet and timid one, she hadn't expected the smooth compliment. She kissed him again, gently. "I really missed you." Honesty and that warm tone that usually laced her voice resonating melodiously.

[member="Corvus Dravere"]

 

[Corvus Dravere]

Everything on Zeltros was designed, it seemed, not just for comfort but for luxury. Corvus had spent enough time around Hutts to know that the appearance of luxury did not always hide the rot that lay beneath, but here... here was an entire planet, turned over to the pursuit of all things pleasurable. From the small thimble of spiced cider to the great, gleaming sky palaces they called 'hotels.' He was stolen from his reverie by the soft kisses of [member="Vela Kryss"], and he turned his head to look down to her with a measured smile.

"And I, you." He whispers in reply, giving her hand a squeeze before lightly pressing his lips to her forehead. It was an affectionate, intimate gesture for him, rather than one born of the desire to simply taste her lips.

The lift came to a halt, and he stepped out, moving down the hall. He swiped his card over the sensor in the door and it slid open without a sound.

Stepping into the room, he set his bag onto the floor, even as a drum chandelier snapped on, hanging just inside the entryway. Ahead of them lay a sofa and a half-wall, upon which sat a holovid screen. To their right was a pair of richly upholstered chairs set around a small table that no doubt was used for card or board games. Through an open door just to the left of that half-wall, the glimmer of a mirror told him a sizeable bathroom was attached, and as he released her hand and moved to circle that half-wall they'd set near the middle of the room, he found the bed on the other side. Like many hotels, it was likely too soft, with more pillows than were truly feasible, but it was blocked from view of the doorway by that wall, and faced out the window and onto the cityscape.

He sized up the city, from the starport that dominated the southern end, to the inky blackness of the sea under moonlight off to the east. It wasn't the best view, nor the best room, but it had still cost him more than he'd have liked. But this was Zeltros, and he had Vela with him, so he figured a bit of splurging wasn't out of the question. "Welcome to your home for the week." He says with a wry smile.

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

As his lips touched her forehead a very gentle and content look adorned her features. Vela often came out as someone confident, easy-going and, for all practical purposes, a 'social butterfly' as some called them. However, not many got to see that after the outer layers of her built character were removed, she was in essence a sweet and calm person, a lot shyer than she cared to admit. Because of this, those affectionate gestures, meant simply to convey comfort or appreciation for the other were often her favorite ones.

Finally they entered the room, and her eyes were immediately caught up in the task of exploring their new surroundings. It was ample and open, and given the very simple decorations she was accustomed to, quite elegant-looking. It didn't really matter to her, all she needed was a bed, a bathroom and somewhere where to cook for herself and she would have been more than pleased with it, but it was a welcomed change. It was certainly a pretty room, so she decided she'd take the chance and appreciate it while they stayed here.

The view was her favorite thing. Due to practicality, she often chose the lower floors of buildings and since every building nowadays had become a towering giant, that meant Vela rarely got the chance to have a view of anything but the street. She was pulled from her admiration by the voice of Corvus, and upon looking at him his contagious smile had her own lips responding with a similar curve. "Our home for the week." She corrected, looking at him sweetly.

 

[Corvus Dravere]

He stood there, silhouetted by the city lights, his head half-turned so he could view both the skyline and her. The inside of his brow furrowed for a moment, and his eyes softened as she spoke. His hands shifted, disappearing behind him to clasp together in the small of his back as he turned his head to the cityscape once more. Inhaling deeply, his broad chest swelling with air, he seemed to let out a breath heavy with all the accumulated stress in his mind.

It wasn't gone, but there was a moment of visible relaxation with that exhale.

"Our home." He whispers, head turning away from her to look towards the sea. His right hand came up, brushing his index finger over the glass where, no doubt, he was tracing the shoreline. "For a week." Wetting his lips, he turned back to her, arms coming up and around her shoulders to draw her in against his chest. Nothing was said by him them, but he cradled the back of her head in his palm and pressed a kiss to her hair. He had missed her, quite dearly.

But nothing quite imparted that longing for a beloved companion quite like a touch, or a smile. He couldn't help himself. He just hugged her to his chest, and seemed to drink in the fact he was holding her once more.

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

Her eyes remained focused on him. The scenery could wait, she'd have enough chances to gaze upon it throughout the week. Right now, she seemed more occupied finishing taking in those little changes in him. Many were almost invisible, but even if they were there she still arrived to the same conclusion. Corvus was a handsome man. The years had did him very well and that was not something time gifted to many people. A feeling of relaxation bloomed within her two. It felt good to be next to him again, comforting in many ways.

Then his hands unclasped from behind him and surrounded her, bringing her towards him. A sweet smile stretched her lips, eyes closed contentedly as her own arms snaked around his waist, her cheek resting against his upper chest. The warmth of his body and the familiar smell she had so missed enveloped her, causing a very faint rumbling sound to emit from her: purring. Vilosorians could emit a wide array of noises, yet Vela rarely did. This, however, was the most common one, for it was perfect to describe that state of peaceful happiness.

[member="Corvus Dravere"]

 

[Corvus Dravere]

He smiled, hearing her purr. It was odd, still, hearing it. It had always been odd, but only because he was used to hearing it from small feline companions around the homes of his friends. But it was a noise she made in comfort, and trust. It was something uniquely her and he would never make her feel poorly for it. Besides, were he honest with himself, it was disarmingly cute.

Cradling her head to his chest, he settled his cheek atop her head and closed his eyes, taking in the scent of her hair and the warmth of her body. "The plan was to go out for dinner and drinks tonight." He whispers softly, "But I would be perfectly fine staying in, with you, just catching up." Bed was calling him, primarily because he was exhausted, but he desired some privacy with her for a little, just to hear how she was, and what was new in her life. They'd kept up, of course, as best they could but there was always special about hearing it from her directly, in her voice.

There was poetry in her motion, and he'd be damned if he were to miss a line.

[member="Vela Kryss"]

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

Her thoughts were pulled from their peaceful drifting by the smooth sound of his whispering. Her eyelids opened, the glistening blue and green hued irises peeking from behind them. She could feel the tiredness in her body now that it had started to relax. Before now, she first had traveled to Zeltros, explored a few streets while she waited, met with Corvus at the spaceport and finally, found herself in their hotel room. Long hours had come and gone but her occupied mind had not allowed her to realize how exhausted she was.

But now, here with him and with both mind and body starting to relax, Vela was made aware of her tiredness. The idea of staying in was certainly a very attractive one, not only because a part of her groaned at the idea of more activity but also because she wanted to spend time with him. For a second she pondered on her answer. As much as she wanted to agree, the Jockeys had come here to celebrate and she didn't want to get in the middle of that. Then, when her eyes fell upon him and she saw he shared her weariness, she realized they actually had a whole week to go out. "Staying in does sound like a tempting idea." She said before reaching upwards to place a light kiss on his lips. "Plus, I'm actually more tired than I'd like to admit." The confession put a small, playful smile on her lips.

[member="Corvus Dravere"]

 

[Corvus Dravere]

Very tempting, he would admit. "I find myself in wholehearted agreement." He says with an equally playful smile, though for him it was more akin to a wry smirk. Flicking his gaze from the cityscape to the bed and then back to her, that smirk lingered upon his lips. "I don't think anyone will miss us. I guarantee most of them are going to be staying in sooner rather than later." After all, the potent chemical cocktail in the air on Zeltros was like getting drunk without the crash.

There were, really, very few inhibitions to be found around here.

Which might explain why he was suddenly possessed of a need to just... stare at her, and study her features. In fact, he did just that, eyes wandering over her nose and the pout of her lips, and then along the line of her jaw and the slope of her neck. He wasn't even conscious of the fact he was doing it. Thankfully, they were alone, or his embarrassment would be endless.

He did so hate being teased about his romantic streak.

[member="Vela Kryss"]