Look as Good as the Day I Met You

[Coren Starchaser]

They didn’t really need to go out of their way to impress anyone. It wasn’t like some group thing where it always seemed that it was time to impress others. Wasn’t that a song, somewhere, that one about that was what wild nights were calling about. He enjoyed just the company, the time pent, the drinks, and the dancing. Who knew where it would go once they got out there.

“Yeah, I’m not out trying to show the kids in the Coalition how to do it. Just enjoy the night.” He smiled as he helped her to her feet. Getting a cab was going to be no problem, not here, and he smiled as the cab door opened when Celeste arrived back. Dinner and drinks awaited. And the next day felt like it had potential for being fun. Right now it was just a matter of finding which place to go to. “Know anywhere we can reserve a boat, and where is the entertainment on this island?” The question was posed to the driver.

Quaint, really, having organics driving cabs on this world, meant tipping but it was worth it.

“Sure, we can do that first bit from a terminal, just swipe your resort card. And what kind of entertainment are you two looking for?” The Zeltron looked back at the two of them, smiling at Celeste’s comment.

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Crossing her legs, Celeste settled into the back seat with Coren. She sat quietly as Coren began to settle details with the driver, and her brows lofted as a question was posed back to them. She glanced to Coren and gave him a bit of a smile before turning forward to address the driver.

“Well,” She thought for a moment. “We'd like a bit of music and dancing. Something fun, but not too rowdy.” Celeste said.

And, the driver gave her a small wink and a nod to indicate that he knew just the place.

Celeste enjoyed the ride, taking in the sights as they sped by. With the sun going down, the shops, restaurants and nights spots began to light up all on the streets. This was not the sort of place that shut down at night, rather the opposite in fact. While the beach would soon be empty, all of the travelers would find their way to other entertainment.

When the cab stopped, Celeste glanced out at their destination.

It was lovely, with large trees and a wonderful view. It was quaint and a bit quiet, just what she was hoping for, really.

“It's a winery,” The driver explained. “There's a tasting room, live music every night – should be starting soon.”

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Draping an arm over her, Coren smiled. It was nice to be able to feel like a person again, not just a warrior. Celeste was a good influence on him, he felt. The kind of person who could slow him down. And that was what he needed. The wars were there. But he needed to remember why he fought. As she spoke, he grinned.

Not too rowdy. Just the right amount.

Having lived his youth between the stars and Corellia, he was used to seeing the lights and the sights. But on any new world they were always better, and different, and new. Spira was no different. It didnt take long for them to pull up, and as the door opened, he held out a hand for Celeste.

Looking to the Driver, he nodded. "Sounds like the perfect place for us."

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Celeste took hold of his hand and swung her legs out of the speeder. After setting her feet onto the pavement, she stood up and lingered at Coren's side as he bid farewell to their driver. She drew in a deep breath, the fresh coastal air was joined by the scent of citrus. And then, she saw the source – a line of fruit trees that stood nearby. The vineyard had sprawling fields that were just visible behind the building, too.

“This should be quite nice,” She said, smiling.

Already, she could hear the performers tuning their instruments in preparation for their nightly show. The crowd here was more their... speed. Not too young, yet not too old, either. The heavy doors of the winery were open, drawing people inside for the night.

Hands clasped, the two would follow after a few other couples. Inside, the winery was quite charming, complete with old-timey wine barrel décor. Tasting tables were set up, each boasting a different type of wine – made in house. And, the patio outside was ready to receive those that wished to sit and enjoy a light snack, wine, and music.

“What first?” She asked, glancing to Coren.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Helping her to her feet, the Jedi smiled as they looked out over the establishment. A quick thanks and tip to the driver and they were ready to go. Coastal air was good for both of them and really the whole feel of this trip was great. As they stood hand in hand, Starchaser couldn’t keep a smile from his face. This was a good feeling.

It would not help when the wars came but for now? It was fine.

The smell of the winery and the sound of commotion, from the band and the people made it feel like a regular evening out. Nothing too sterile, but nothing too crazy either. Smiling at Celeste, he grabbed her hand a bit tighter. “A bottle, the patio, and we’ll see where we go from there?”

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Of course, war was probably present in the back of his mind... it was there on her own. Celeste always had a small spot of worry for when he would be called away. In her heart, she knew it was coming. But, as she stood with Coren, she took comfort from his presence at her side. As his grip on her palm tightened, she gave his hand a squeeze, too.

“That sounds like a plan to me,” She said, smiling.

Outside, the band had just started to play. Approaching one of the tasting tables, she waved away a sample and asked the sommelier to suggest a bottle for them. He held out a bottle of house wine, a good place to start. Celeste accepted with a nod, pleased to hear that the winery would provide them with a small plate of bread and cheese to pair with their wine.


“Shall we?” She asked, giving Coren's hand a tug in the direction of the patio.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

It always was. There weren’t really days where he couldn’t worry about what was going on, with the galactic stage. He was a General, and a Jedi Master, one of the last remaining warriors of the Light, who struck out against the darkness before it could find him. But it didn’t mean he didn’t have a life of his own. Celeste was helping to prove that. Holding her hand, he smiled.

“Sounds like a plan. Dancing out there as well as inside.” He nodded, eager to enjoy the evening with her. It was the whole reason for being here today. This weekend, and just whenever, lately. Wars came and went but right now, he was enjoying this peace.

Smiling he followed her. “Lead on, toots.” He grinned as the pair stepped out onto the patio and were directed to a table, the wine placed and opened.

“It is a nice night, huh?”

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Hand in hand, she took the first step out onto the patio, where the Spira evening was already in full swing. The live music had started, and there were even other couples standing by the small stage and some just beginning to dance. Their table was set, the bottle of wine open and waiting. Celeste turned her gaze towards the stage.

“Mmm,” She said, affirming that it was, indeed, a nice night.

Sure, she could have taken her seat and tucked into the appetizers and wine. But, she grasped Coren's hand a bit tighter and brought him out towards the open space on the patio. Without a word, she stepped close to him and gently placed her arms around his shoulders. The night-sky above was already shifting, turning a delicate shade of dark gray.

The stars above were on display as well.

“This is much better than prom,” She said, smiling. “But, I did have fun that night, too.”

She lingered close to him, brown eyes met his icy blues.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

It definitely felt good to have Celeste in his life. This wouldn’t be a life he’d be living had the pair not started dating. That was definitely what this was, for sure. And he enjoyed it. Reminded him of a simpler time. And that was never a bad thing, but still, the Starchaser was really ingrained in a war, but Celeste was pulling him away from it.

For the better, absolutely.

Grabbing her hand tighter as she pulled him to the dance floor. He smiled, hands on his hips, before slipping comfortably around her waist. Pulling her closer, he gave her a quick peck on the lips.

“It is. I think its because we’re not in charge of anyone but ourselves tonight.” A bit of an inappropriate grab, and he whispered. “Though Prom’s after party was fun.” An easy smile followed as his hand moved back around her waist.

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Celeste matched Coren's smile, her lashes fluttered softly as he pulled her close and gave her a quick kiss. And, her smile only grew. She nodded, chaperoning was one thing, and being out and enjoying themselves was another. There were no members of the Order or the Coalition to see them tonight, no chance for gossip among their peers. The point hit home when she felt him grab her, and her cheeks promptly turned a rosy hue.

“It was,” She said, nodding.

The music was light upon the evening air, and the sky darkened all around them. The winery had strings of light to illuminate the stage and dance floor, lending a pleasant, dreamy quality. Celeste kept her arms around Coren as they danced; it had been so long since she danced like this. And, as the first song began to wind into the second, the tempo became a bit more... upbeat.

“I'm not sure I can keep up with this song,” She said. There was still a hint of a blush on her face as she started to move them towards the edge of the dance floor. "Time for a glass?" She nodded towards their table and the wine that waited there.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

The fact that they were able to be dancing all night, that was something that Coren was truly glad for. This type of break from the world was important, and he never truly realized why so many people would take leave. From the military, from the Jedi duties, from whatever they were doing that supported the galaxy. With the music and dinner set up for the night he was really ready to call everything off to be where they were.

And the point of the whole vacation was to enjoy each other. And when it came time to step off the dance floor, he was more than happy. A glass with Celeste would definitely lead to a few more, more dancing, and dinner.

What he did know was that some time during the night, they had dinner, more wine, and one of the pair called a cab. Now? Now there was a soft alarm going on. Rolling over, he wrapped his arm around Celeste and kissed her cheek. He didn’t know if she wanted to wake up for the sail, or if there were other plans.

Was the sun even up?

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Celeste's eyes fluttered open at the sound of a tone, some kind of melody. It took her a long moment to realize that it was their alarm. Her mind was still heavy, still carrying the weight of sleep, and it was more than tempting to just let it fall. And, when she felt Coren's warmth around her, the feeling only intensified.

A small groan escaped, along with the words: “Five more minutes.”

Though her eyes had closed again, a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. It was rather nice to wake up to Coren's presence, and the soft kiss he'd placed on her cheek. She gathered the sheets up, pulling them securely around the pair of them.

She definitely felt the effects of the wine, and her feet were a bit sore from all the dancing. But, she felt content with all of it. Finally, she rolled over to face Coren. “I didn't know you were such a good dancer,” She murmured, smiling drowsily.

Celeste gazed into his eyes, she was very fond of the icy color. She could have stared much longer, but she blinked. “Well, then,” She started. “Shall we go?”

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

This was not a bad way to wake up at all. He smiled as she slowly came to and put his arms around her. The normally Spartan style life of Starchaser was fine sometimes, but everyone had their own reasons for being, and he was starting to feel that maybe it involved Celeste more and more. The Force just seemed to flow between the two, and it made Coren feel even more comfortable with the closeness.

“Sure sure.” He said, kissing her cheek as he pulled her body closer to his. His mind was a bit swimming that morning, but it wasn’t a bad thing. He could pull the good memories out of the night and that really made the soreness in his legs go a lot further.

“Combat training, y’know? Its not … too far off.” He shrugged. Not that his combat was anything close to elegant that most figured was required for dancing. Looking at the clock, he wrapped his arms around her.

“We have a few minutes.” A grin on his face.

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Warm in Coren's embrace, Celeste smiled fondly. It was a safe feeling, being wrapped in his arms – it was something she'd come to crave whenever he was away. And, waking up together in such lavish accommodations only made it better. These moments were rare indeed. Celeste let him pull her in close, and she draped her arms around his shoulders.

Celeste merely stared for a long moment or two, her affection for him very clear in her soft gaze.

During the early years of their friendship, she had probably looked at him the same way... from afar. She'd been entirely too timid to ever approach him like that then. But, how she had longed to.

Her hand slid gently from his shoulder, up the curve of his neck until it rested against the side of his face. She drew a breath, taking in the moment of quiet and the way the force seemed to swirl around them in a continuous flow. Celeste's lips parted slightly, and the words simply rolled out.

“I love you.”

Words that she hadn't exactly planned on uttering, but it felt right. It might have been soon for most relationships, but... when it spanned such an amount of time as theirs, she wouldn't miss the opportunity again.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

These were the moments he fought for. Not just for himself, but for everyone. These, and with Celeste and her son. He went to war t provide the galaxy the ability to find their loved one, and hold them close. If it meant sometimes he had to risk his own happiness? Well, then so be it. The galaxy was better than what the Sith and even the Confederacy, for all they were not so bad, were throwing into it. And yes, he knew that there was the concern of hypocrisy from himself. But now? It didn’t matter.

It was worth it.

He smiled. The pair had come a long way, friends once upon a time, then going their own direction. But it seemed fate threw them together again. Smiling at her, he leaned in to kiss her as she spoke. He wasn’t expecting to hear that, but it was something he reciprocated, somewhere within his being.

“I love you too.” He didn’t even feel a need to change it. The pair had known each other long, and they were not exactly the typical pairing, even by Jedi standards.

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

There wasn't time for any sheepishness to set in, for Coren leaned with a smile and a kiss. Celeste returned each, kiss first and then a very bright smile. For the smallest instant, she wondered if there had been an inkling of worry – just skimming the surface. Would he return her sentiment?

The healer's smile only grew upon hearing his words.

Her dark gaze softened and she gazed at him very fondly. How precious moments like this were, she would keep them close. Lingering close to Coren, she kept her arms wound around his shoulders. Of course, the two of them could easily have stayed in bed all day. There were no pressing issues to see to, not here on Spira. But, there would be other days for lounging together – so she hoped.

As for exploring Spira, Celeste knew that they should make the best of it.

“I feel better,” She admitted, gently pulling away to sit up. “I've... been worrying the words might slip soon, anyway,” Celeste added with a small laugh.

“C' mon, now,” Celeste said, whipping the blankets away, smiling. “We should get going.”

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

There were times when they would know the peace, the lasting peace that the galaxy wanted them to have. Until then, it was stolen moments. The galaxy was turning. The war breaking out on the frontiers of the Silver space had given cause even to the Coalition to worry. They were not going to be diving into the depths of this war, but Coren was not the typical member. The Coalition was watching the galaxy, from the Rim. A mixture of the past and the present, and he was keeping the galaxy as his Ward. But today? Today his only ward was Celeste.

His only opponents, her clothes.

But the confirmation of feelings, that was something different and not entirely unexpected. He smiled a she kissed him, feeling the welcome warmth caused him a smile. Vacation could mean many things. Room service and time in bed, or exploring a tropical world, both having no destination and no time limit. The Corellian smiled at her.

"Shouldn't worry about what you say to me, Cel." He smiled as he looked at her. When she pulled the blankets, he grinned. "We have a few minutes, right?" A specific look in his eyes as he smiled at her.

[member="Celeste Rigel"]