Oblivious and Afraid

[Darlyn Excron]

"What's the worst they're gonna do, shoot me? Hasn't done anything of major significance yet. Besides, I'm too busy to do what I want to do. Namely fly right up to the border and say some sort of taunt on an open channel until I annoy one of them. That sounds like a good way to spend an afternoon honestly, take a break from serious work to taunt a few people who did me wrong." Was he being serious, even he didn't really know to be perfectly honest. On the one hand he wasn't that petty. On the other, he was that petty.

He listened to each fact she chose to give. Well, it was good she was gaining memory back, especially if it wasn't all dark and gloomy. Then there was the comment about no one searching for her, which very visibly made his eyes look away for a moment. That was something he felt guilty over, still. And he was too ashamed to admit that aloud, all that would come if he tried were what she'd doubtless see as excuses. They were, but any explanation was in part excuse, wasn't it?

When she moved onto coffee, at the least he was able to look back at her without giving the look a guilty child or animal would when they knew they did wrong. Well, it was a good thing to know what she liked in the mornings at least. He'd doubtless make use of that knowledge... he was more surprised she knew how to handle a droid however. That was a skill he'd never seen demonstrated, though perhaps simply because she never had need to do so. The last comment caused his lips to form a small grin however, as she chose instead to end on her more personal commentary.

The waiter's arrival interrupted for a while, forcing Darlyn to order what essentially amounted to a loaf of meat, slathered in sauce and served with more than a small amount of other essential foods, mostly plants. He waited patiently for Silfe to give her order, letting his leg brush up to the edge of her skirt, finally managing to speak after the waiter left with both orders. "You'll have to show me what you mean sometime. I can't imagine what this expensive wear of yours could look like.. perhaps In return i can make your coffee."

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

It was a mixed bag, her five facts, but she wanted to give him something different and he already knew so much about the state of her life before she came to Commenor. Her father had certainly shown him. The fact that she admitted she was still angry was not to blame him, though she did notice that he looked away a little ashamed. It was an honest fact and one she didn't like hiding even though it made others feel more comfortable if they never acknowledged it. She didn't say how little it made her feel, how unwanted, and how unnecessary her job had been that no one noticed or cared that she was missing. Cursery searches had been made and she couldn't fault them for leaving her to whatever fate she had. Commenor had enough to deal with that one person and a destroyed vessel was just not enough for them to go looking more than was strictly necessary. She hadn't been born on Commenor.

She gave her order to the waiter, a slab rather than a loaf of meat, an intricate salad and some kind of fruity concoction. When the waiter left, she took a sip of her wine and smiled. It was very good. "I am definitely wearing some. Right. Now." she said with a grin.

 

[Darlyn Excron]

Thank god he hadn't started drinking yet, or he might've choked on the wine. Just how forward was Silfe planning on being tonight? He hummed a bit, lifting up the cup to take a sip, and give himself time to think of a response. He never was fond of the taste of wine, to be perfectly honest, it was more something he had grown used to rather than grown fond of. But it wasn't bad, by any means. It was rather nice, while he had such sweet company to pair it with. The liquid in the glass stilled as he put it down, and he had a mischievous look in his eye as he returned her suggestive comment.

"Not for too much longer, I'd imagine." He rested his right elbow on the table, leaning his head against his fist and tilting his head a bit. Smile staying as straight faced as he could. "I do hope, by the way, you were planning on saving room for dessert. I know I planned on doing so, I've got quite the delightful treat i planned to bring back home."

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

She grinned wider, knowing he had not been expecting those words to come out of her mouth. Silfe wasn't sure if it was her time with Bradshaw, the fact that she had simply grown into her own, or she was feeling particularly bold because she wanted Darlyn to understand that this was real. "Do you mind that I am speaking what I think so much? I know I am not usually this way... I just ... I have had relationships and I have had flings and I prefer the former to the latter. I have felt very attracted to you for a while."

She sipped her wine and then leaned forward as she placed it on the table. "You don't remember, but back when we were in the hospital together you said something when you were medicated. You said you thought I was pretty and fun and you thought Shoden would try to set us up. You didn't mind this idea. Or at least it was what you said. I waited for a few months after leaving the hospital to approach you because, well," She paused and took a deep breath. "Well, I wanted to make sure I was definitely wanting you and not a replacement. And I wanted to see if you remembered. When it was obvious you didn't... I had to figure out how to pursue the idea. Thus the kiss."

Silfe blushed and looked down at her wine glass more than a little abashed at having admitted all that.

 

[Darlyn Excron]

That was like, six different bombshells right in a row. From her long term attraction to his apparent obliviousness to his own admissions. So, he sat quietly a while, letting each word she had given sink in, eyes locked on her. She wanted him to know it was real, she was.. blushing. This had to be real hard for her, and it almost made him feel something odd to think that she was doing her best to give him the full story. Something in his chest. He'd think on it later, for now, she deserved some honesty in turn. "I've... never dated. I've never had flings. I've never really had the desire to do so. No one stuck out, no one drew interest. Until you, today." He actually gave a little bit of an awkward laugh at that. "So yeah, I'm not quite.. used to everything. Not really.. used to wanting to be with you? If that makes sense." He wasn't saying everything, of course. About how afraid he was to let his feelings be apparent, and hurt either of them for it.

Fresh as they were, he was smart enough to be... cautious... "So.. hopefully you're more than a perfect first. So far, no complaints. I'm planning to keep it like that."

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

Silfe was surprised. She looked up into his eyes, determining the depth of the honesty he was giving her and found him to be genuine. He could always turn out to be a very good liar but even if he was, she didn't think he was lying about this, Most men found it necessary to elevate or escalate their sexual experience. Darlyn was doing the opposite. It was fascinating, that he had never really felt the urge to date others... be intimate with them, until her. She felt immeasurably flattered.

How best then to respond to his declaration. It was quite an admission and one that took quite a few moments of contemplation. Finally she said, "Oh please do not put me on a pedestal where I have to be perfect... or worse, more than perfect. I am only human and while i have a little more experience than you have, its not much more. Something tells me we will do just fine." She said with a smile.

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"I don't mean to imply I want you to be perfect, Silfe. I want you to be yourself. That's the person that got me interrested, not some perfect doll. If you were perfect, you'd be rather boring. If you can promise to just be you, I think we'll be doing better than anyone could imagine." A genuine little smile, not like his usual goofy, big face creasing grin. Just a sweet little thing she was seeing a lot of tonight. "Regardless. I've always enjoyed the chance to try something new, and I have the feeling that this all is just the start of some new, wild adventure. So I'm rather looking forward to seeing how we go along, ya dig?"

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

She laughed having never heard the term "ya dig" before and it made no sense to her. The waiter returned to their table with plates with artistically styled food on top. She sat back to allow him to place them before her and her date. The smell was amazing but she silently thanked the Gods that there wasn't so much here that she was in danger of overstuffing herself. The night was going as well as she had hoped and both she and Darlyn had an idea of how to spend the rest of their evening and it did not include laying on a couch moaning about how stuffed she was.

"I don't want to be anyone else by myself. It's challenging at times, but worth the work I think. I don't know that I could have imagined how my life has changed in the years since I came to Commenor as a dressed up Senator."

[member="Darlyn Excron"]

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"I could say the same about when I just happened to be in town after Kay came back from like, kidnapping thirty billion. Just happened to be here, got her to take me on as a bodyguard basically. And now I've too much money, a too nice of a place to stay, a daughter I adore, and I'm sitting here with a pretty former senator turned Lady of a country. Yeah I'd say it's worth being me too. Granted I don't get kidnapped, but i do get shot so, evens out?" He lifted his arm up so he could sit back for his own food. A massive plate of food in comparison to Silfe's, no less artsy in its layout but more, crowded.

Darlyn planned to empty the plate out by the time they got to leaving, probably wouldn't be too long either. He had manners but they weren't high class by any stretch of the imagination. Even when doing his best to make a better impression for Silfe tonight."But, I'd say you're far more worth the work you put in. The end result is quite, unique. The good kind of unique, where it only makes me curious to learn more." He was able to sound, sort of fancy, like he put on the voice of a more suave man. But it was, to be honest, fumbling, rambling attempts to make her smile.

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

She blushed as he referred to her as pretty. It was nice to be reassured of his interest, though his leg against hers probably was a good indicator that the night was going as well for him as it was for her. "Well, hopefully I will have ever only been kidnapped the once. And we all have a very good idea who arranged it." She rolled her eyes before taking a bite of the meat she had somehow cut with all the delicacy of a well practiced aristocrat. Darlyn never studied manners like he studied his lightsaber combat. For her, manners were a part of her every fiber even though she had a feisty streak a mile long when she wanted to.

The food was delicious and they both ate a bit before she decided she wanted to continue their conversation. She finished eating a few bites and cocked her head to one side, looking at him, interested. "Really? I never thought of myself as unique. What would you like to know?"

[member="Darlyn Excron"]

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"Frankly he's lucky you haven't asked me to make sure he regrets it. Considering how that first visit from him we had." He smirked a little, fully aware of what he was implying. He'd let her digest that a bit as he ate along with her, lacking the delicate nature of her practiced hands. At least he wasn't getting it everywhere, it was pretty evident that he was trying hard to not essentially shovel the food into his mouth. The manners of someone who rarely ate, to be fully honest. He could teach the finer points of how to handle a sword but this, ehhhh she was lucky he wasn't getting food all over her.

When she spoke up again, he smiled, seeing his words had worked well. "I suppose it'd be cliche to say everything. Perhaps we could start with favorites, color... food... genre of music. Historical period of art. The simple things."

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

She remembered when he had saved her from her father and had to smile about how nervous she was to be so close to him and so vulnerable. He had methodically and without any sign of attraction, bandaged the worst of her wounds from the shattered glass table. "If I recall, you told him if he ever hit me again, he would lose a hand... maybe both. He did just as he promised. He never came back to Commenor."

She grinned. "You already saw me half naked then, but you didnt actually notice me. Had I been who I am today, I might have gotten offended."

"Favorite color is blue-grey. Food is anything with meat and pasta. Music is epic scores, Art..." She shrugged. "I have no idea."


[member="Darlyn Excron"]

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"Oh thank the Force you didn't have an art period because I was going to be so out of luck if we started talking about that. I just thought it'd be a good way to conclude the list." He gave a genuine awkward laugh, like he'd dodged a social bullet. Had they gotten in depth there he'd probably have panicked and possibly tried something stupid, like running. And probably miss out on one of the better things to happen lately, best thing this month for sure.

"Oh? If you like we can pretend it's back then and I can notice it all for you. I'm sure I can find a suitable room for that in the palace." All these jokes, at least he was able to get the information he needed. Plans and plots could be made with what she was giving him, so that was very helpful of her. "Well lets seee... my favorite color is... blue. I like fruit and bread, quite a lot actually, and I listen to whatever gets my blood pumping the most. I know basically nothing of art. Hmmm... The food to your liking?" Couldn't just interrogate her the entire time.

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

She laughed, glad he was comfortable enough to admit he didnt know what he would do if she started talking on a subject to which he has no knowledge. Truthfully there were plenty of things in his life she didnt understand.

The idea that their interlude after her father had been carted off might have gotten more intense if he had realized his attraction. Earlier was a nice one that had her imagination. She smiled knowingly as her mind enjoyed those thoughts for a moment and then she made herself return to the conversation.

"The food is delicious." She said taking another bite. Her plate now on the side of empty. "What shade of blue?"

[member="Darlyn Excron"]

 

[Darlyn Excron]

Somehow, as if to defy all laws of logic and reason, Darlyn's plate too had somehow found itself dwindling in supplies. It was like some monstrous beast had gotten hold of it and took it for everything it was worth. To be fair that wasn't too unlike the truth, but the fact his plate was starting to empty out even remotely close to the same time as Silfe's begged the question, seriously where did he learn manners?

More on his mind however, was that he liked the sound of Silfe's laugh. In recent times he'd begun to realize he liked making other people happy, at least a few close individuals. Yasha, his adoptive something or other, Kay who was like a sister, Shoden. All their laughs made him feel, a bit prideful, happy he could bring levity to their day. And for Silfe, there was a bit of that starting to stir, not as fully formed but. Well, but he did find it pleasant. So he didn't filter his thoughts too greatly when she asked what shade of blue, responding without much hesitation. "Whatever the shade on the flag is, Commenori blue. First real place I've, well that I've been needed. Home, you know?" Maybe that was a bit much. Oh well he'd said it, and he couldn't blame painkillers, or alcohol.

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

She smiled wide and nodded emphatically. "I almost said that too. It's definitely the second favorite and for exactly that reason. Commenor was her home, her true home. She would ever live in service of this planet and it's people.

She sipped her wine and finished off the glass. "I am feeling ready for dessert," she said looking at him slyly. "You mentioned an after dinner surprise?"

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"It's... certainly a well picked shade." He smiled and similarly finished his food and drink, managing to catch a waiter's attention to pay for the food. Lady of a country or not, at the least he could do after so long making her wait was to pay for food. The waiter left with payment, and he turned to look back at her. "That, I did. A surprise I, thinking on it, doubt will surprise you too greatly. But first, we have to get to one of our homes. And seeing as we are not in Acuin... I'm willing to guess my place in the Palace will do?"

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

She nodded. "I think that will suffice." She found herself nervous as the waiter came back with the receipt and the stood to leave. Slipping her arm in his, she could hear her heartbeat pick up its pace. They walked back talking about mundane things, life at the palace, how much she missed it, how her office in the new House of Lords was coming along. But through it all, she worried a little bit. He had seen her before, mostly naked and had not felt anything. What if that happened this time? Was she pushing him too much? After all, she had just pushed him into acting on what he said at the hospital, but what he if had changed his mind. Or worse, what if he had decided that he liked her, but she was being too forward now. Would she drive him away? Would her scars scare him or make him too angry at her father to continue?

As he led her into his quarters at the Palace, she wondered what his home would be like and how it would reflect on him. He had said he didn't have a couch. Had he been joking? Maybe she was just being in her mind too much.

[member="Darlyn Excron"]

 

[Darlyn Excron]

The mundane, simple talk made the walk seem far shorter. Easier. And while her worry compounded, Darlyn felt more relaxed than ever as he took her through the palace, to his rebuilt quarters. After he put in the code to the door, it audibly unlocked, and he pushed it open. Whatever she was expecting, perhaps this wasn't it, as when the room was revealed it was, remarkably homely and... clean. It certainly looked the part of a Minister's room, but yet it lacked some sense of, ostentatious one would expect from him. Rather than art, weapons, or some sort of chaos to the room, there were a number of photos framed up, or resting on tables. Most depicted Shoden, or himself and Shoden, though some depicted him with guards, soldiers, members of the royal family. As though he only really cared to decorate the place with, memories.

"Welcome to my home, Silfe. Please feel free to take a seat." And if she would look clearly, she'd see a couch. Not one remotely suitable to sleep on, perhaps, but a couch. He thought a second, before stepping inside. Yes, tonight was going very well. Perhaps she'd forgive if he was, uncertain how to proceed. They didn't usually show more than the dinner in movies, at least the ones he cared to watch.

[member="Silfe Sosuri"]

 

[Silfe Sosuri]

When she walked into his room, she smiled. Glad that he wasn't a slob, she let her eyes wander over the darker color decor and the pictures he chose to decorate the space with. The fireplace was a lovely touch. The pictures retained her attention for a bit before she sat down on the couch. At least he had one, just not one that would enable someone to stretch out the length of a person's body.

"I thought you said you didn't have a couch." She said with a laugh. "Do you have any wine here, or something more hard."

It took a second and then Silfe realized what she had said could be construed... well, boldly, far more boldly than she had intended and she started to laugh.