One Night in Nar Shaddaa (Chiasa)

[Laira Darkhold]

She was passionate, and I could only return her passion. She was everything I wanted and more. She was all that I needed. When she moved fluidly into my lap, I would not resist. I had plans for the rest of the night, but this night was about her, and what she wanted. And i wanted her as much as she seemed to want me. Her kiss was perfect, filled with the fire that burned within her. I wrapped my arms around her waist and drew her tight, holding her as though she would fall if I did not. I could not let go or restrain myself to be as gentle as before.

She pulled away, only an inch and whispered, our thoughts combining for an instant. I could almost feel the gauntlets so similar to my own, taste the blood, and feel the coarse sand... it was almost too much for me that such a man still lived. Then she spoke, almost in tears. My heart sank seeing the golden stars that were her eyes filled with sadness, regret... fear. "Always mesh'ika. I will always care for you, always defend you. I will hold you in my heart until the last star burns out in the heavens. Until time is only a fleeting memory, I will love you. And I will never stop." They were only words, only words that carried with them every fiber of my heart and soul, every last ounce of love I had.

I pulled her closer, pressing her against my chest. I kissed her, nothing like before. Long, passionate, unrestrained. I would be whatever she needed me to be. A great shield against those that would harm her, a terrible dragon to those that defied her, and the man she could always count on to hold her when she needed me.
[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

Words that shouldn't have been believed. How could he love her? He barely knew her. Besides which she still did not understand what made her worth loving. Wanting and desiring yes, of course, but not loving. Yet how could she disbelieve when she could feel it? Feel him. It was still slow, earnest, gentle, but also unstoppable and implacable. Like continental drift. He was a force of nature in his own way, but if she was fire, he was earth.

A weight, a burden that had become so much a part of her she'd almost stopped being aware of it was lifted.

Not alone.

He would be the one being who saw her weakness yes, but he would also find in her an ally, a partner who would never desert him, who would reign fury down on any who opposed him. When Dragon and Starbird were joined what could hope to stand against them? She needed him, every fire needed a hearth and fuel or it would shortly be extinguished, but she would warm him in return, light the darkness.

It was fire and need she brought to him now. Heat and passion as he held her and then more. The production was forgotten, though it was certainly for the best he'd rented the box for all the showings so that none interrupted.

Only one word fell from her lips in that time, request, prayer and promise all in one.

"Draco."

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

She was fire and passion now. She nor I would be stopped. Not this time. Not tonight. Seconds of passion turned to minutes, which in turn became hours. She whispered my name on occasion, in response i would whisper back "Chiasa" as a simple promise. It would the last name i would say with passion, with love like this. We did not turn our attention from each other until the end of the last showing at the theater.

She was everything to me. The only thing I held in my mind tonight. My other plans, they were unimportant. My goals, they no longer mattered. The only thing that mattered was her.

When we separated, I was reluctant at first. No part of me wanted the night to end. More time with her in my arms. More time with her at all. That was all i wanted right now. Even still i realized how much time had passed. The last show of the night was ending and she may have been missed. "I think we need to relocate, mesh'ika. They are closing up.Your place then?" I asked, forgetting my surprise I had planned. It might just have to wait for another day.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"Mmm, otherwise you'll have to buy the whole theatre soon I suspect."

She teased, fingers tracing lazy tracks over his body.

"My place."

She agreed, not ready for him to leave yet. It was the work of a moment to make sure everything was in place and she was presentable. Once more, even after everything, he was a gentleman, escorting her back to the limo, though once within she stayed close to him, relishing in the physical contact. Firebird had played at being an Ice Queen for far too long to be sated so quickly.

Back at the hotel a slight part of her mask reasserted itself. The grin was tempered slightly, chin up, back straight. Still she stayed pressed against his side, arm wrapped around his. She had to be strong and in control here, for any who saw, but she would not give up her claim. Through the lobby to the staff elevator, up to the adjoined rooms she called her own.

She'd moved when she got her daughter back, this way was easier. The suite was nice, extravagant, but it did not look as if she'd changed or personalized it much.

"A moment."

She palmed open the door to the adjoining room, leaving it ajar. Within the togruta Henbeddestr sat snoring on the couch, a small orange infant, baby brightness just starting to fade into whatever she would eventually be asleep on his chest. Silently the Twi'lek glided over, lifting Maliha and bringing her over to the FAU-V1 who's gurney had been modified into a crib. Nose dipped to take in the powder sweet baby scent and a gentle kiss was left on her head before she was put down. A light blanket was thrown over the pilot before she slipped back into her own room, closing the door.

The FAU-V1 would send real time alerts to her wrist unit, but this way no noise would wake the child.

"Apologies, Henn is quite good with her but I like to check."

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Her touch was intoxicating, and I had no qualms of letting her take the lead. Her pride, her confident face and gait through the casino was one of the many things I was smitten with. She could control the loyalty and respect of those around her, and she could command a room with her mere presence.

She lead me through the casino, when we entered the turbo-lift I became affectionate again, but only slightly. I didn't want to overshadow her image. Her rooms were nice, though they were not yet a home. When we entered she excused herself to check on her infant child, taking her from the togruta. I didn't know the man, and I wasn't sure I was going to like him. I filled the doorway, watching Chiasa with a smile. She had changed from lover, to queen, to mother in only a few instants. There was something else I found intoxicating about her.

"She's beautiful Chiasa. She takes after her mother I can see." I said softly, moving out of her way so that we could continue our night. "There is nothing to apologize for. She is your child." I whispered.

That was over, and it was an adorable child, but I had not yet had enough of Chiasa for tonight. Gently, I picked her up, "Now mesh'ika, I have you too myself for a while. I intend to make the most of that time." I said softly staring into the bright stars of her shimmering eyes.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

His words pleased her for more than one reason. Maliha was beautiful, though Chiasa was admittedly biased. Still, she had her fears. Malihas lekku had taken so long to even start to bud she'd feared they never would. Her baby vibrancy, neon orange at birth was fading, but it was fading evenly. Her eyes were brown, liquid and deep, expressive though unlike her mothers. The FAU-V1s assured her there were no internal issues, which there could have been, crossbred as she was. And there was the other reason Chiasa was pleased. Her daughter. Took after her. Yes. Let her sire not come in to it. She had no father. Perhaps.. Perhaps she would come to. Perhaps Draco would fill that role. But until then she was Chiasas and Chiasas alone.

That Draco complimented her child, that he did not begrudge her the time she had to spend as a mother, that he did not even question the man asleep on the couch, all of this reinforced what he had already shown her. Of course Henns biometrics did not grant him access to her side. Still.

She grinned as he picked her up, her arms wrapping around his neck.

"I'm all yours.."

Her voice was a low throaty purr full of promise.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

She was mine, and I hers. A night filled with emotion had led us here, to her apartment. The passion and heat hadn't lessened or been depleted from her, and I did all I could to match her. Her voice a purr, inviting, and accepting of me.

The sun rose and peered through the blinds before we stopped. Even then I held her close to me. With my hands I gently massaged her lekku, something I was very well trained in until I could stay awake no longer. I rolled her over to face me, smiling at her, looking into her eyes as my own closed for the night.

My dreams were memories I had just lived today. Her eyes, her face, her laugh, her body. The memories of them flooded my dreams tonight. I slept soundly in her bed, a soft smile on my face until either she woke me or I awoke on my own.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

There was stamina and then there was Draco. Even after, he gently massaged her lekku in a way that just didn't occur to most humans. Unless you saw another Twi'lek for the most part it was just something you went without. Not with him. She was utterly relaxed, putty in his strong and gentle hands.

She didn't sleep, not with her Lesai habit, but she stayed curled up with him as he did. Watching as his grey eyes slowly grew heavy and closed, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest, the beat of his heart. An occasional night of idleness wouldn't bring her empire down. It was more her presence than her constant attention that it required.

She extricated herself only when Maliha awoke the next morning, leaving Draco to sleep. Henn muttered something unintelligible and staggered out. She generally never assigned him tasks before noon. Change and feed the baby. Talk to her, hold her close. She was lucky, she'd been blessed with one of the few children who rarely cried, Maliha was mostly quiet except for when she laughed, watching the world with solemn eyes.

Clean the room, set Maliha up with toys, start skimming through reports.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Around noon I awoke, Chiasa nowhere to be seen. For a moment my heart skipped, worried, nervous and anxious. Then I could hear the subtle noises of a baby and it's mother tending to it. I rolled from the bed, taking to the fresher before anything else, grabbing a swift shower. I threw on just the undershirt and shorts, not having a change of clothes for myself.

I walked from the bedroom to see Chiasa tending to her daughter Maliha, playing with the little orange babe. I smiled, the infant was as adorable as her mother was beautiful. I walked over and sat next Chiasa observing her with the small child. "Good morning mesh'ika. I didn't notice you wake up." I said remarking on her absence when I had woken. I was actually interested in her child more than knowing when she had left, it was just small talk.

I shot Henn a look. I had decided she trusted him, and it was good for her to have someone else she trusted. Even still I had also decided I didn't like him. it was mostly male jealousy brought on by testosterone. "She's beautiful." I said, returning my attention back to Chiasa and Maliha. Henn's presence was merely an annoyance not something to ruin our day over, even still I let those feelings seep into the Force along with my affection, joy, pleasure, and caring.

"What do you want to do with what is left of the day?" I asked, hoping she was not ready for me to leave. I wished to stay by her side for as long as she would let me.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"I do not sleep."

Came the answer with a slight smile, and hand moving to touch the distinctive purple stain in the hollow of her throat. Hopefully he would not disapprove, it was still an extremely addictive drug, if useful.

Dracos dirty look was met by one of Henns own. Still, the Togruta knew better than to question Chiasa, there was no point. With a nod to the Twi'lek he left. No point subjecting himself to a day of glowering at this new muscle bound gorilla. Another damned Mando at that apparently.

Chiasa for her part managed to keep a straight face throughout this, but between the glowering and Dracos slight jealousy in the Force she raised a hand to cover a smile as the door shut.

"My pilot. He has been with me.. Several years now. I will not lie to you, he cares for me, but he knows I do not feel the same."

She turned one hand sliding under his shirt to rest on his abs, getting closer to him, kissing his neck.

"I told you viyi'ee, I am yours."

This apparently met with approval from Maliha who shrieked with laughter, clapping chubby hands together before turning her attentions back to her toys.

"I'd not thought about it. I.. I suppose I thought you would need to leave. I'd like if you stayed though."

She couldn't say exactly why she'd been so certain that he would rise and leave, only that she had been. Possibly because he had so many things of his own to manage. If he could find more time for her though, she would take it.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

When she sent Henn away I felt a little ashamed of myself. She had promised me her loyalty. She had told me she was mine and the first chance I had gotten I had shown jealously. It wasn't that I didn't trust her, it was that I didn't know him, or what kind of influence he had over her. "I'm sorry. I trust you." I said leaning my head against hers putting and arm around her, pinning her against me. "I just-" I paused unsure of whether or not to keep speaking. No, honesty. Honesty and openness, she had granted me as much, I would do the same for her. "I just don't want to risk loosing you because he dislikes me." I said to her, turning my head slightly to kiss her on her forehead While she kissed my neck. Her affection caused me to blush slightly, get my blood pumping again. It was all I could do to restrain myself this time.

Maliha laughed and I smiled back at the infant. I hadn't had real exposure to small children in a long time but laughing was always a good sign. I wanted to do what ever it took to make Chiasa happy, I just wasn't sure what she wanted in regards to her child and me.

Then she told me she would like if I stayed. She had assumed I would need to leave and I had assumed she would need me to leave to maintain appearances. I had not expected her to want me to stay with her, and I wanted nothing more. "I need some clothes But I will stay as long as I can. My board of directors can handle the day to day operations for awhile." I responded softly, lifting her chin slightly with my other hand, kissing her softly.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

Eyes closed briefly as his head rested against hers. As she kissed him she felt the slight increase in heartbeat beneath her lips. When he spoke, she chuckled slightly at his concern.

"Ah, Henn will likely hate you. There is not much that can be done about this. It is not because of any failing on your part. I trust him to be loyal, to give his life for me or my daughter, and to fly my ships. I've even let him have fleet command on occasion. To make decisions regarding my personal life though? No."

The Togruta was too invested. Honestly it was something of a miracle it had never turned him bitter or against her. Nothing however, could make him like any of the men he saw in the role he wanted for himself. Perhaps it was cruel, keeping him this close, but she had never led him on, and his services had been far too valuable for her to discard. Not everyone got what they wanted and not every story had a happy ending. It was not ideal, but it was as it was.

In truth she didn't exactly.. disapprove of his jealousy. Or his concern. Certainly if roles had been reversed and Draco had some other woman sleeping in a room adjacent to his with his child.. She would not be impressed. Besides, it was flattering, in it's own way, particularly since he did not carry it to extremes.

"Clothes can be arranged, if you insist."

She teased, one hand sliding up from his knee, to his inner thigh, creeping up the leg of his shorts and stopping just shy of anything.. unseemly.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I let her speak about the togruta, and here reassurance comforted me greatly. I didn't really like him staying so close to her, but if he was loyal and she trusted him as much, I would not ask or force her to change the arrangement. If it suited her it was fine. In a moment of passion and honesty she had promised to be mine, and I hers, that would be enough to soothe my worry about him, for now at least. I kept my attention on Chiasa and her child, giggling at our displays of affection. Chiasa's own appetite seemed unsated, putting it mildly.

I could only respond to her affection, with affection of my own, her touch breaking down my willpower second by second. My hands found themselves in the small of her back and back of her neck, pulling her towards me, as I kissed her again, this time longer, more passionately. I started to lean backwards and pulling her so that she would be on top of me when Maliha laughed at us again, reminding me of her presence. "Ah, this probably isn't the best place for this Mesh'ika. Besides, I want to get to know you and Maliha more during the day." I said, sighing, but seeping affection and desire through the Force. This was not rejection, this was desire to be more personal, emotional in addition to our physical relationship. Most of my mind agreed, but not my body. Even still it was a difficult thing to do.

"What do you want to do with the time we have together?" I asked her, knowing at least one answer she might give. I was prepared for anything, and I knew she must be busy. My own board of directors wouldn't bother me until after a few days. They were used to me running off and being lost in the wind, so unless they needed something the girls would be fine on their own.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

Though she'd teased him Chiasa hadn't really intended to start things up again, it wasn't really the best time and place, particularly now that her babysitter was off sulking, probably with hookers and spice. Still, she'd never been good at not doing what she wanted, and with his hands on her, pulling her in towards him and his lips on hers.. She might have stopped him, eventually, but instead he put the brakes on himself and this was.. Surprising. In character for him, but still far enough removed from what she was used to that it wasn't expected.

"Mmm, you are right."

She agreed, reluctant but pleased. If he'd been thinking only of himself, of right now, he would not have stopped.

What did she want to do? Head cocked ever so slightly as she considered this. She knew quite well what she wanted to do at this exact moment, was in fact on top of him, but that having been nixed, an alternative would be found. She supposed if he wanted to get to know both her and her daughter, than an activity for her si'hlirkuru was in order. The truth of the matter was that Chiasa was not a very good mother. She tried, but quite frankly had no real idea of what she was doing. This had not been covered in any of her training, and she had no mother or other family to depend upon. She loved Maliha, but when it came to picking activities an infant would enjoy..

Though one possibility did present itself, and with Draco there it ought to be safe enough.

"Perhaps the garden biospheres? Between here, Antecedent and the ship, she has not had the chance to feel earth or see growing things."

That was probably important for development, right? Maliha crawled welled enough, and since the majority of the biospheres were kept carefully free of any contaminant or dangerous plants, it should be all right. Chiasa, daughter of the desert, felt no particular affinity for grass and trees, but it seemed like some exposure to nature, even nature carefully tamed and replicated was probably good.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

"I don't mean to spoil your fun." I said, smiling as I started to stand up, extracting her hands from my clothes gently and holding them for a moment. She looked adorable with her head slightly cocked. If she had not relenquished I would not have been able to resist her a second time. I was finding it hard to do so now, even with a moment of separation. Her fire burned through me, warming me with her presence. She was perfect to me, I could not find a flaw within her, and her beauty was beyond comparison. "A garden Biosphere sounds nice. I could do for some fresh air, especially after last night." I responded to her suggestion, trying to flirt with her as well. I didn't spend much time enjoying nature, that wasn't exactly my thing, but I wanted to bond with Chiasa and her child. It was important that her child and I bond if Chiasa and I were to have any kind of future together, and a future was what I desired.

"What should I wear?" I asked, having only a suit that was slightly torn and had several buttons missing and my armor back on my ship. "All I have is this and my armor on my shuttle, but I don't know how fashion works, so I'll let you dress me." I said with a smirk. I glanced back at the small child in the floor, crawling around, playing with toys and watching us in between what ever thoughts the infant was having. "Also, could-" I paused nervous about asking the next question. I wasn't sure how Chiasa or Maliha would react to it. "Could I carry her?" I asked tentatively. I liked children, or rather in my experience children had always enjoyed me. Even still, this could be an exception, or Chiasa may not be willing to let anyone outside of her very close knit allies even touch the little orange infant.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"There will be more fun later I am sure, and it is still enjoyable, you are still here."

The first was purred, teasing, the second had a slight formality to the phrasing though the tone was light enough, the result of Basic being a second language that showed very rarely, and in this case because it was still hard, alien to admit to wanting or needing to have another being around when not in a moment of passion of one kind or another. Obligingly she stood when he began to move, allowing him to rise. When she stood Maliha raised one chubby baby hand on the air, opening and closing it. Absent mindedly the Twi'lek reached down and picked her up, balancing her on one hip. She grinned at his next statement, drawing close again, free hand resting on his chest.

"Oh dae? Need to clear your head? Lucky for you I'm no Zeltron or Falleen."

She teased.

When he offered to let her dress him, a slight gleam entered her eyes. That was fun. Though it rose, she squelched the desire to really amuse herself dressing him in high fashion. As much as she'd enjoyed him in a suit, and could likely up his game.. She had suggested a garden. With an infant. Besides, she didn't have a feel for his own style yet, and she didn't want him to be uncomfortable.

When he asked to hold Maliha.. Again it surprised her slightly. She'd not been like most mothers after all, showing off her daughter to the world, having all those around her coo over the child. She'd hidden the pregnancy, hidden the child, and only very few even knew of her existence. There had been a solemnity, an understanding that they were being trusted with something to guard, to defend. There was love and affection certainly, but no one had ever just wanted to hold her daughter before.

"I-. Yes. It would be helpful, thank you."

She gingerly handed the girl over to Draco, praying that there was no sudden explosion of tears or any other bodily fluid. It appeared however, that Malihas sunny nature was holding true. Hands free, the Twi'lek quickly keyed commands into her wrist unit.

Putting in both the requisition for Draco's clothes as well as sending her rough plans to Declan for securities sake. He fussed otherwise. When the clothes did arrive, which they would in short order, they'd not be quite custom fitted, there hadn't been time for that, but close. The security scanners for the casinos were top notch, and particularly when the staff had any reason to take note of an individual, the readings and reports that could be pulled were very nearly scary. No surprise that Declan would have seen to it anyone allowed as close access to Chiasa as Draco was had as many of his biometric readings and stats were on file as possible. Particularly after how the situation with Emberli had played out.

Unknown to the Twi'lek, because she hadn't asked since it would not have made much difference to her anyway, Declan actually largely approved of Draco. He knew about his past, but the Ravens were an organization of criminals. A man having a record was hardly shocking here. What was important was what he'd done with himself afterwards. As far as Declan could tell, the only business Emberli owned was one Chiasa had given him. He had no other record of employment. He didn't seem to do anything, except apparently start fights and beat women. So as much as the Mandalorian connection made him uneasy, he saw Draco as a significant step up.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

When she gingerly handed me the child I reached out and took the infant smiling, holding her against my chest with one arm under her, holding her up and letting her play with my other hand. "I've always liked kids." I told Chiasa, playing with Maliha with my hand, keeping her occupied. The little infant giggled and squealed playfully as she gripped my fingers with her little hands.

When the clothes arrived I swiftly changed into them and then picked up the infant again, "Hey Maliha, do you wanna go play in the garden?" I asked, my voice a little higher than normal and playful. I was a bit surprised that she had been able to have clothes, albeit not necessarily my style, sent right away. My style was armor. I was a mandalorian, and had always admired the culture from childhood, but I understood this was a date, or we were going out together. I was sure she would have guards nearby, and I would have my knife, pistol, and shield with me as always, but still part of me wanted to go with my second skin.

The trip to one of the biospheres was short and sweet. I didn't let go of the infant unless Chiasa took her back, and I did my best to stay attached to Chiasa hip. Her closeness warmed me, filled me with her trust, her affection. The beautiful orange baby girl and her gorgeous mother traveling with a man like me. It would have turned heads and made people question if there had been people to see us. I smiled walking through the gardens. "This makes me happy. I could do this for a long time with you two." I said softly to Chiasa, leaning my head to the side, towards her.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

She watched him with Maliha, and a slight gentle smile spread over her face, though she was unaware of it.

"I did not intend to have any. The Ravens were the only children I thought would ever be mine to mind. Even with the bounty dropped it is.. it is dangerous. That aside, the odds of conceiving unless it was with another of my own kind.."

She shook her head once. It had been like a cruel joke fate had played on her. She did not remember the time, had seen the memories removed from her mind, but knew herself, and piecing things together had come fairly easily. For the most part. Some parts she still didn't understand. Like how she'd come to lie with Garrett in the first place. She couldn't imagine it had been willingly. But she had, one way or the other. Against all odds, her daughter had been conceived. When one of the highest bounties in the galaxy had been in place in her highly recognizable head, as if leading a criminal organization did not make you target enough. Part of her had always wanted a family of her own, though she hardly understood what that meant, but she was pragmatic. She'd recognized it as impossible, and resigned herself to doing without. And then she'd found herself pregnant.

"Still, I do not regret it. I only fear that harm will come to her because of me."

For a moment her brows drew together slightly and her jaw tensed, a cloud passing over her face as she faced the thought of any hurt being inflicted upon her daughter. It was any mothers fear, but she had more reason for it then most. The cloud passed, and her face cleared, she offered him another smile.

"But, it is safe now, and I have done all I can to ensure it will continue to be so. We may as well enjoy the day and the gardens."

Half the reason Chiasa had chosen the outfit for him that she had was because it would be fairly easy for him to conceal his gear. She did not expect, nor did she want, him to go completely unarmed. A dragon needed fang and scale to be properly fearsome, though he was not fearsome to her or her daughter who seemed quite taken with him. This wasn't to say Declan wasn't likely already paying for and clearing out the bioshpere, or that there wouldn't be both security on the ground out of sight, and more than likely one or more of their ships unseen in orbit above.

It was.. odd, being out in very nearly public with both Draco and Maliha. Like they were one of the many family units likely enjoying a day out. Like they had been together yesterday and would be again tomorrow. This was still all moving quite fast, and the Twi'lek was putting no money on forever yet, she'd seen too many loyalties change and suffered too many betrayals for that but.. It felt good. It felt right. A small fraction of her hyper-vigilance was relaxed. She felt.. What? It took her a moment to identify the emotion. Content. Normally she was in the moment yes, but she was also thinking ahead, planning, schemeing, anticipating. At this exact moment, there were no plans. If this was all tomorrow, and the days after that held.. That might be enough. And that thought was surprising in and of itself.

A smile lit her face when Draco spoke again. While she'd analysed to identify her feelings, he'd been thinking somewhere along the same lines, and was able to easily and succinctly communicate it.

"Me too. Do bayid dor na'es ar o'hkaban yeu cit aku deo, sei viyi'ee. May there be many days like this."

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I walked calmly beside her, as close as I could without throwing either of us off balance. My hands and arms were occupied with Maliha, otherwise they would be around her. When she spoke I listened, at first I didn't know what to think, but when she spoke about harm coming to her or her daughter my heart froze. I had not considered that she had a ridiculous amount of enemies. I remembered the bounty, back when I was still with the Republic. It had seemed more like a personal grudge than an actual bounty. That was probably why no one had taken it seriously at the time. But she did still have enemies, "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to either of you. Not while I'm around at least." I said, nudging Chiasa playfully. I was serious, however. I couldn't imagine what I would do if something happened. I just didn't even want to think about that. Not in the slightest. The thought made a shiver run down my spine, so I shoved it back, deeper into my mind, away where it couldn't do any harm.

I stopped and let Maliha on the ground, sitting down with the infant at a grassy spot with a few flowers springing up in it. She started grabbing the flowers, smelling them, feeling them. She wanted to taste them, but I was there, shepparding that urge from her, keeping her focus changing when she seemed like she was going to stick them in her mouth. She was a cute child, and she was mild mannered, and like most children, albeit very few, I had spent time with she seemed to like me well enough. "I've not spent a lot of time thinking about the future. I've always been fighting, or getting ready to fight. Even still, whenever I've imagined myself truly happy, I've always wanted a few children, just one or two, and a beautiful woman. One who would grow more beautiful each time I looked at her." I looked away from the child for a moment, looking up at Chiasa, "Someone fiery and hot tempered, strong, independent, willing to take charge, willing to be lead by the right hand, loving, passionate, and protective. Someone who cared more for others than she let on or would like people to believe." I let the words hang there, smiling up at here, looking her in her eyes, keeping my Force Sense expanded, keeping track of the infant. I had described Chiasa fairly well, but I didn't know if it was too forward, or if I should be more specific.

She spoke about spending many days, just the three of us. That thought made me happy. As far as I could tell, that was as close to my imaginary happiness as I could get. It was more than I wanted, and much more than I deserved, but I certainly could for see myself doing just that. Lazing around with Her and Maliha. "As many as we can manage..." I paused the cold reality that I would have to leave eventually and she would be needed eventually sinking in. "But I will always comeback to you. Not the gates of heaven, nor the dregs of hell will keep me from finding my way back to you Mesh'ika. I promise."

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"Then I suppose I shall have to keep you around Viyi'ee."

She teased him back, eyes laughing. There came a point after all, where you had to accept that you'd done the best you could, and while you could still be wary, there was no point in being actively afraid. Subconsciously certainly, but not actively. The life she'd made for herself was dangerous. She mitigated it as well as she could. This was all she could do, so it had to be enough.

When he started speaking of the future, at the same time as he entertained and guarded her daughter, she had to look away, blood rising in her cheeks. She was filled with want, with yearning. This was something she had always wanted, but had never thought was within her reach. And the way he described her.. Was that what he truly thought of her? It was accurate but.. She would not have been as kind, in her own heart of hearts. His hand could be the right hand. She would follow him, if he asked her to. That he saw through her so easily. How many of her own people, so quick to switch sides, understood that she would not only kill, she would die for them? Understood the absolute dedication, loyalty and in her own abstract way love she bore for them? Likely none. But Draco saw it, and he had known her for a shorter time than most of them.

He sees things truly.

That thought was immediate, and it made her reevaluate. For all that she was vain and prone to preening, she did not in fact think nearly as highly of herself as it seemed. But he did. Even allowing that he saw what he wanted to see, if his vision was true elsewhere, perhaps it was here as well. To some degree at least.

She settled onto the grass beside him, tucking herself in against him, drawing comfort and reassurance from his strong solid presence, both physically and in the Force.

"I never thought of the future. Not my future in any case. None of the things I am or have been lend themselves to a long life. Female Twi'lek, dancer and slave, then crime lord. For a time I could feel my own death looming. Not the possibility. The certainty. I could feel it approaching through the force. It was fact. The only future I concerned myself with was ensuring the Ravens were safe, would continue to function when I was gone. And then.. I don't know. Something changed. Perhaps I did something, perhaps someone else did, but the countdown was gone. The odds still say I will die younger rather than older, but it is a gamble again, not a certainty, and I am a good gambler."

The first she struggled to express. It was hard to understand and she had been the one living it. She still wondered some days what had happened to throw fate off course. The last was said with some of the tricksters fire and amusement she was often seen with.

"Still, I had not.. I had not thought about a future for me."

She had started to think of Maliha of course. Had began and hidden multiple accounts for the child. Had bought and hidden lands and properties on worlds where no one would think to look. For the future. So her daughter would never be without funds or a home. Would never be desperate. Again though, in a way she had only been preparing for when she was no longer there. Even without the force premonition, the idea of a life where she got to live some fashion of happily ever after was utterly alien. But at the same time..

"I'd not thought of it but.. this does not mean I have not dreamt."

Her hand found his, and her eyes moved from Maliha back to Draco. When he spoke again, his voice intense, the slumbering but always present coals of her soul ignited.

"When I am awake I do not think of it, and perhaps this is one of the reasons I do not sleep any more but.. Some days I woke with longing so fierce, so heavy, so passionate it burns all of me. Consumed me whole with homesickness for a place I have never been. I think.. I think I have found it in you. If anything did stop you.. I would collapse skies with grounds, suns with moons, I would give birth to earthquakes, exhale forest fires and destroy galaxies to bring you back. Cea y Do l'ihcah. San tarhan San anan dan."

For a fraction of a moment she reached out through the force and gave him just a taste, a measure of the ferocity and determination that was her love. For this there were no words. She had, at some point unnoticed, already reached and past the place where she could easily and painlessly pull away from him. This was in a way, the last warning to him. If he could not handle this intensity, which she could not help but bring, this was his last chance to leave and have her just let him go.

[member="Draco Vereen"]