Pampering a Doctor

[John Ash]

Alderaan. It was a planet with a rich culture and long history. It had past through many hands, been destroyed, put back together again, and then changed hands yet again. It was currently acting as a sovereign system while being in Mandalorian space, and was beginning to push its sphere of influence. It was also where [member="Rashae"] was born and raised. The doctor had been disowned following her troubles, yet it was clear to anyone who got to know her a bit that she still cared for the planet of her birth as well as enjoyed the luxurious comforts of her home. And it was for these reasons John had come to the planet to meet with the young doctor.

John's ship landed at the port in New Aldera, the capital city of Alderaan. He had sent Rashae a message to meet him here at the port because he had something to bring up with her. That something was related to how the two had gotten to know each other, in many ways. She had tried to get a hold of him in the days since she had left his house, but he had not been able to answer those calls. Building a company up from scratch took a lot of time and effort, and could be very dangerous if someone took the route he had. He also wasn't sure if it would be smart to talk to her after everything. She was a magnet for trouble it seemed and he wasn't sure if he wanted to get involved with that. In the end though he knew that didn't really matter and he was more torn on his own feelings at the time. He came to a few revelations, and with it came the knowledge that he should just stop trying to deny he wanted to help the woman out.

So John took care of everything he needed to at the port authority then walked into the waiting area. He had come dressed in a way he was not use to. He was dressed up in a suit. It made him feel exposed and open to attack. He always wore his duster armor or a set of leathers that could provide minimal protection. He would rather be wearing those leathers right now in fact to this tie that felt like it was trying to strangle him every other moment. But he needed to look good for this meeting. It was important that he look presentable for once. He just hoped it was worth it when the doctor showed up to meet with him.

OOC: This is what John is wearing.

Spoiler

 

[Rashae]

After their rocky reunion, she acquiesced to the circumstances. There was a lot of mitigation in regards to communication mishaps on both parts. It did come as a surprise when she got the message that John wanted to meet up with her about something, at Alderaan of all places. It was in the elegant and prestigious part of New Aldera. What was he up to? This was not usual John type stuff. He was rough around the edges and scruffy. Simple and uncomplicated. Actually she sort of found the roughened thing appealing in a way, but that had to be pushed aside for this set of unusual circumstances.

Once they got over the communication fiasco argument, he asked a lot of questions regarding her supplies. None of them had the usual corporate stamp mark or bio company insignias. They had none. They spoke off and on while she was on Pii IV and then Pii III after that personally handling the medical efforts. She checked herself in the mirror several times while shuttling down to the surface. She was dressed for the occasion in a blue form fitting dress that was all business. It appreciated her curves as well. She left her hair down as not to appear too stuffy. Her walk was purposeful and the staccato of her heels announced her approach. Rashae didn't smell like antiseptics but of a blended perfume containing musk, ylangylang and amber. It was sultry and alluring.

Heads turned as she walked by. In heels, one walks a bit different. The walk on your toes in heels and use your hips. This isn't a walk that was quick by any means. In this circumstances, it was appropriate to take one's time. This creates a bit of a figure eight side to side kind of movement. Rashae smiled as she came up to John with that entrance. She extended her hand towards the man who was dressed surprisingly quite dashing. The delicate eyebrow arched up.

“Hello, John. I didn't expect the ruffian to be in a suit. Will wonders never cease. “ She said in a low velvet voice. It was indeed a pleasant surprise. Not that she minded the ruffian at all. It was quite invigorating to say the least.


The Outfit

[member="John Ash"]

 

[John Ash]

Too many well dressed individuals past by as John waited. Women in dresses both modest and showy. Men in suits of all kinds and colors. He was beginning to feel out of place in his fairly simple gray and black suit. He wasn't use to this. He was use to armorweave and flexarmor and leather. It was what he was use to seeing, and what he was use to wearing. The silk and velvet and cashmere was just too decadent for his taste. It felt like wealthy individuals were looking to show off and separate themselves even further from the common folk like John. Why did he even think this was a good idea?

Then the answer walked up to John. In a dress meant for business but expressed pleasure was [member="Rashae"] before him. She had extended a hand out towards him with a smile on her face. He was taken by surprise with everything. If she had been a thermal, he would be dead right now. The dress she wore showed off her figure while matching her eyes. She was giving him a smile when he expected an icy stare. It was just not something he was entirely prepared for. He took her hand as she spoke and gave her a knuckles a kiss. It was an action he had seen done plenty on jobs when higher society people were involved, and it just felt right for this one. The woman just oozed higher society after all and was from a planet known for it as well.

" Rashae. You look amazing." John said as he held onto her hand still. He looked her over slowly as he went on, " Thank you for meeting with me today. How are you? Those shoes aren't hurting your legs are they?"

 

[Rashae]

The expression on the doctor's face when he kissed her hand softened. The effect of such charms and attentions made her eyes gleam just a little. Rashae knew john was not used to high society. As he spoke her smile was light and elegant. There was a soft chuckle escaped as he remarked on her shoes.

“Thank you, John. I look forward to dinner. " She inclined her hand towards her shoes. " I am not running a marathon, John. A woman has to have her secrets though. In truth walking in heels is an art form. You walk on your toes, not the heel. “ She turned her hips a quarter turn one way then the other way on her toes as if to demonstrate. Her voice remained low and subtle. One did not yell and carry on in an uncouth manner.

“Where are we going for dinner?” She asked quietly as she stepped closer to the man. This subtly created a bubble so to speak. Rashae was well aware of the sidelong glances that came their way as John and herself spoke quietly.

As they walked towards their destination, Rashae provided very succinct advise with a slight smile. It was uncanny because she never lost that smile and it seemed she barely spoke. “smile a little, nod to others if needed. Walk a steady pace, don't go too fast. “ Her grip tightened on the his arm to reign his stride in.

John was in a whole other world here. Rashae knew how brutal these people could be and it would do well that the bounty hunter learn these unspoken rules. One never knows who becomes the next client. As John was in close proximity, the exotic fragrance of her perfume would waft up gently like ghostly fingers ensnaring the senses.


[member="John Ash"]

 

[John Ash]

John listened to everything that [member="Rashae"] had to say to him as she did her little turns with her hips. What he should have noticed was the way she stood on her toes during it all, but what he noticed was her hips. He needed to get his mind off of her body. He was starting to forget why he had invited her here for a moment, but he was still caught off balance here. Between the suit, the people passing by giving him odd looks, and the way Rashae was dressed so perfectly for things, he just hadn't had a chance to get a sense of direction. It was as if he was trying to swimming in a sea of formality after being spun around blind folded then being dumped into its depths. No, he needed to get a feeling of the situation and his surroundings soon.

That is what began to happen after John offered his arm to the young doctor. They began to walk together out of the port entrance with her whispering instructions into his ear about how to behave. He was told to smile, but didn't. He was told to offer a small nod if needed, and ended up doing it to everyone who's gaze he caught. He was told to walk slower, so he just matched her pace. This was just unnatural. Smiling was for when you were happy or trying to throw someone off guard not for just every single moment. The nodding was getting annoying as well. Why couldn't he just ignore everyone like he did on Nar Shaddaa? And the moving slowly was irritating to say the least. He had somewhere to go and something to do. Why was he wasting time taking things slowly when he could stride there easier? Well Rashae was in heels so he was going to be making sure to stay with her anyways, so perhaps that was not as big of an issue. It was still all unnecessary.

As John began to feel more comfortable with his irritation, he said in a voice matching the softness of her's, " A very fancy place. Very formal as well. Why I am in this suit."

John was a little proud of the fact he had found a place he thought she might like. Rashae seemed like the kind of woman who wanted pampered. Actually it was less wanted to be and more needed to be. Her stay at his house had taught him that with all of her demands for nicer things than he owned, her always asking where the droid servants were at, and just her general behavior. She was a spoiled rich girl growing up and never did drop her old habits. So he had made sure to cater to that side of her here. It was important she felt comfortable and in her element tonight. He had some plans and they hinged on her mood.

" So I asked you here for an important matter." John said as they got outside and he called a taxi speeder over. He opened up the door for her and went on, " I wanted to talk with you about it over dinner. It can wait until after if you would rather not chat there."

 

[Rashae]

Rashae wished he was a bit more amicable to this, but he as stiff and a little awkward. She didn't let on though she was enjoying the fact that John wanted to take her out somewhere nice. He did stay with her stride as a gentleman would do. There was one thing you couldn't fake, she felt safe with him. Always did. That in itself was gold. No amount of credits could pay for that feeling. It drew her to him even if she was reluctant to get too close.

“I cant wait. It sounds lovely. “ The doctor said to his response to where they were going to eat.

When John had asked if she wanted to know what he wanted to talk about or wait. Her brow furrowed curiously. He wanted to talk? Well a good conversation she wasn't going to turn down. “A good conversation over dinner is quite enjoyable. I look forward to having more of a discourse then we did when we first met.” She said with a smile as she got into the taxi with him. Rashae crossed her ankles politely and properly. The heels extended her shapely calves just nicely.

Her knees turned towards John as they road. Rashae looked into his eyes as her attention to detail noted little signs on his face that he was thinking deeply about things. “You been busy then since we last met.” She said more than asked artfully as little things were starting to add up in her head as the mystery deepened.

She then changed subjects as she leaned into him slightly but not overtly as she pointed at one location or site and gave a brief explanation of what it was till they came to their location. When she saw the location she looked at John as she was very pleasantly surprised. This restaurant was quite exclusive and expensive. The curiosity of the doctor was indeed peeked.

[member="John Ash"]

 

[John Ash]

John couldn't say what it was exactly that [member="Rashae"] was doing after she got into the taxi, but he was enjoying it. Her legs were crossed but her calves were shown off in those heels. She spoke with him after he joined her in the taxi and he gave the driver the address to the place. It was pleasant as she just made some small talk and looked into his eyes. He wasn't sure what she was searching for as she studied him over but she seemed to find it. Then she leaned into him ever so slightly and it just got his attention in much the way that her legs did while her knees were pointed to him. His hand found itself resting on her thigh near her knee as he just studied the blue of her eyes. What was it about what this woman was doing that just caught his attention? It wasn't large movements or sudden movements, but rather movements with just enough effort to entice interest. Where all higher society women like this? He hoped not or else there would be no hope for him if he ever had to deal with them in the future.

The last comment was what got John's attention the most. He had been busy and she seemed to notice. He wasn't sure how she noticed it but she had. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep he got or the shade of his skin. There was certainly some indicator she was picking up on. He just looked at her for a moment as he decided how exactly to go about this. He settled upon it quickly and said, " As you know, I came into a comfortable amount of credits thanks to that bounty. I decided to start up my own company with it instead of sitting on it. Salvage and some production. Nothing too fancy."

John decided to take this chance to discuss his matter with her. He said, " Speaking of investing credits into things. What are your plans Rashae? You were black listed by that company so you can't work for anyone else. Do you plan to try to figure out a different career path or is your heart set on genetics?" It was some loaded questions for her, but he needed to ask them. He needed to have her answer for the reason why he had asked her to this dinner...although he was already beginning to think it would be better to have the dinner for a different reason.

 

[Rashae]

John was acting in a curious way. All she was doing was being a lady paying attention to her date. Rashae was interested in him and to see him go through this effort touched a part of her that made her smile. The little things she did was not overt and was polite. Some women in this class of people while in public was unapproachable, come unglued in private. Pretenders for the most part. Nothing was ever what it appeared to be.

Rashae listened to what he had to say. She remembered him saying something about a large bounty. He had money now. Enough for a number of people to take notice, if he played the part. John didn't play that part. It wasnt in his nature to do so. Maybe that was what she was attracted to. Most of what she was used to was fake. It was a skin, a facade you had to navigate and figure out. Rashae didn't have to do that with John. That became most astute and prevalent as she thought of things things as he spoke.

“I am glad you took my advice in getting a banker. Keep that amount of money working for you. “ Her dad used to say don't work for money, have money work for you. Easier to say that when you have it. “Did you find you a business to buy then?”

Her duties with the Republic had her a bit busy, but now she had processes and personnel in place where she could supervise and not be on top of everything. Rashae reviewed things, but was not on the front end. Being head of Medical and Research, she rather have her hands directly on research.

“Well, Master Thorne has me heading up the Medical and Research of our settlements on Pii. The villagers are benefiting too. Its taking time but its getting there. I still have Research on the medical ship in orbit over Pii IV. “ It was no small thing she was doing. It had its noble deeds. She wasn't making much credits, but she was working. Some of her little tweaks here and there had saved a lot of time and resources with how they were settling on Pii. “Not sure how long it will be till forty two finds me again or … Xander. “

The good mood she was in kind of went down a little. She swallowed as she fidgeted with her hands a little. It was only a matter of time and it loomed over her like a time bomb. John had gotten her storm a lot more in depth over the few times they had met up when they reunited after the Pii conflict. “I don't know John. I guess keep on doing what I have been doing. " She turned towards him. "You are best at what you do, right?" she asked succinctly. "Transgenics and genetic fusions are what i am the best at. Its like." she looked up a moment to gather her words. You can see multiple wheels turning in her head. "It's like when you have your speeder at the perfect configuration and its humming just right. When i create something from genetics and see it working live, it is the most incredible thing. "

[member="John Ash"]

 

[John Ash]

The young doctor's mood soured as the subject of what she had to deal with recently. John knew this would happen when he got to the subject, but it still got a bit of a frown from him as she was not in as good of a mood. She began to explain her thoughts on what she would do in the future when she had been discussing what she had been up to currently before. It seemed her plan was mostly to just continue aiding the Republic until her past caught up to her again. The Republic of all places for her to be. That was not safe for her. The Republic was nothing like it use to be. It was not able to protect Coruscant, its own capital, from the Sith. It was not able to protect his father, his mother, or even him. No, the Republic could protect nothing and that was the entire reason it had collapsed. It ended up killing itself it was so weak. Now [member="Rashae"] was apart of a splinter of this same weak state.....

John needed to get back on subject. Thinking of the past was not going to help him here. It would just hold him back. He squeezed her knee lightly to remind her he was still here as her mood had soured a bit. He said as he did, " So you love what you use to do, but you aren't able to get hired by anyone due to your circumstances. Why don't you just start up your own company centered around transgenics and genetic fusion?"

John knew what she was going to say in response to his question. He paused just long enough for her to answer him, no matter what it was, and then said, " This is just speculation, but how much do you think it would cost you to start up your own company? Roughly how much do you think you would need?" He then waited for her to figure it all out in her head and give him her reply. She was brilliant. She would be able to do it all in her head he was sure. It was strange for him to think of someone in that way, but she was the smartest person he had met.

 

[Rashae]

Rashae straightened herself in her seat. She stared at the back of the droid driver deep in thought as he asked her rather direct and serious questions. They were not the usual questions one has on a date. No, these had substance and meaning. Substance during a date was almost unheard of. Usually it was a game of guessing what facade was what and if you could live with it. Maybe that was what she liked about John. There was no false pretenses she had to guard against.

He asked her why not start her own company. “John, I work for the Republic. Not exactly a lot of credits there. A bio tech start up company takes millions of credits. “ It was an obvious question. It seemed he was ready for it.

Rashae looked at him with a curious and no small amount of surprise as he wanted h er to entertain the speculation. Was he being cruel and dangling something in front of her that wasn't going to happen? Yes the data scrolled through her head rather strongly as all the necessary components waltzed across her mind like a parade.

“Research and development alone would be around 4 to 5 million credits. The equipment is expensive as well as good testing protocols. Add in fields for production and Factory production. “ She paused a moment and her eyes darted this way and that around the ceiling of the taxi as she was calculating an approximate amount. “Advertising, marketing, work force, six months overhead, initial supply, land, distribution, lot of security. “ She emphasized security. “10 to 12 million credits. “ She said flatly. It was a fair figure and safe figure. Not like she expected 12 million credits to drop in her lap. Her hand smoothed out the skirt part of her dress over her thighs as the mood definitely changed.


[member="John Ash"]

 

[John Ash]

The mood had definitely changed in the taxi, which was not unexpected. The date had turned into a business meeting after all, but that didn't mean it couldn't all change later. For now it was better that the mood be how it was. John was sort of leading [member="Rashae"] in a certain direction after all, and she didn't look as if she was enjoying it. As she began to do her calculations in her head, John just wanted her body language. Some minor movements and inward directed focus. Then she gave him her thoughts on things. 10 to 12 million to get a company started up from scratch. That was a lot of credits. It was certainly more credits than John thought it would take, but that was not odd. He had no idea about the details of her area of business. It might have been expensive for starting up a company but John wouldn't have too many issues fronting the credits if he wanted to. He did want to.

John smirked a bit as he said to her, " Twelve million it is then. Pick a location and tell me what else I can do to help get your new company going."

John squeezed her knee after he spoke and smiled to her. He said after a moment, " Congratulations Rashae. You are going to be a company owner."

Another squeeze of her knee happened as John waited for her to respond to what he had just said. He wasn't sure if she would even be able to process what he had just told her. She was smart though so he figured she would get it. For now he just needed to wait on her while they were not much further from the restaurant that turned out to be further away than John had thought it would be. The traffic was also not helping either as they moved at a leisurely pace, but that might have just been the way that such a higher society city like the capital of Alderaan was. It was all certainly new for John as he had never been involved in this aspect of wealthy life.

 

[Rashae]

John said it so out of hand and so matter of factly that yes she questioned it. How could she absorb it. Why would anyone just hand over 12 million credits just like that on a huge risk. Rashae's mind on the other hand raced as the possibilities started festering some long forgotten hope. Hope was sometimes like a zit to her. It built up and built up and then something exploded it as it goes everywhere. It seemed to go into nothing. Her perception is skewed though. As the woman looked for the other shoe to drop only to be told again, she was a company owner.

“John..” What words could follow that? Those icy blues that held a carefully veiled fiery passion looked him right in the eyes. This had better not be some kind of sick joke.

But no, John wasn't like that. He was direct and was one to mean what he said. The bounty hunter walked the talk, not just say the words. “Well, it seems I need to make a lot of plans then.” She said experimentally as they reached their destination. Her heart thudded in an excitement. It was like if you just cracked a window to a new discovery. A company? Of her own? This was madness. This was absolutely the most insane notion she ever heard. It was a genius move. No one would ever suspect. Not one single person.

“John, you ever play chess?” She asked artfully as she looked at him with a renewed respect and there was something unreadable in her eyes as there was a depth to how she looked at him. She had hoped for a different kind of evening but this wasn't a bad second choice either. His squeeze of her knee was not unwelcome. The wheels in her head were turning and churning rapidly.

[member="John Ash"]

 

[John Ash]

The young doctor was not prepared for what she heard. John could see it in her face and her eyes as [member="Rashae"] was trying to come to grips with what he had said. It was kind of amusing for him after having gotten to know the doctor as well as he had. She usually kept such a cool, collected look on her face and yet right now she was in utter confusion. He smiled a bit as he just watched until she finally began to speak to him. He listened to her and almost chuckled as she mentioned needing to make plans. The woman did nothing but make plans all the time. Her question though threw him off a bit. He wasn't use to being asked something like that.

" No, I don't. Why do you ask?" John said as he began to slowly massage her leg. " Also there is something else I can do for you. If you set up your company in the Pii system then I can offer you the land you need. Very low cost, nearly free."

John wasn't sure if she would take up his offer. He was trying to make it as tempting as possible so that she could put more credits into the business itself as well as hopefully attract some people to the system. He had plans for it and this seemed like a good move for many reasons. The main one happened to be it was helpful to the young doctor. She would never know that, but it was still true. He just kept on rubbing her leg slowly, gently, as the taxi droid finally announced they had arrived at their destination.

The next few moments went by fair quickly. John paid the driver before getting out of the taxi on his side. Once out of the taxi he was struck by how posh the exterior of the place was. It looked like the kind of place a Nar Shaddaa street rat thought about living in one day once they made it big after getting off the moon. The people were no worse than the building either. Guests and employees both were dressed to the letter in the latest fashions made from the best materials. It made him feel completely out of place and he had to adjust to it while he stared before he could focus back on the task at hand.

John went around to the side of the taxi that Rashae was on after he had finally shaken his little moment of being overwhelmed. He opened up her door for her and offered her his hand so that she might get out of the taxi safely. Those heels she was wearing were dangerous still even if they made her legs and rear look at their best. He said as he waited for her to make her move, " Snow, you look amazing tonight. Care to go on a real date with me this evening? No more business. Just me and you enjoying a night out together."

 

[Rashae]

Rashae was still absorbing the reality that he was actually going to fund her company. All those ideas she had put on a back burner started surfacing. They could be a reality. If the big pharma companies realize her ingenuity, some may even partner with her or attempt to. Some may even try and take her over or run her out of business. These things started going through her head. Galactic corporate was ruthless. If she stayed small enough, streamlined enough for long enough... A graceful eyebrow arched slowly up.

“You should think about learning how to play it. You may not have any idea what this coup of a move is going to accomplish. “ She said in a very quiet voice. “Galactic Corporate will never anticipate this sort of move.” Neither would her father. The pain of her families exclusion of her due to embarrassment was acute. When she was no longer an embarrassment then what?

“Land? “ She pondered that. “Yes, Land will be needed. I prefer a secluded location. Something not expected but able to function never the less. Close enough to civilization though. “ She said in an offhand manner.

His tone then changed as he looked at her in a personal way. For a few moments she wondered if It was wise to mix business with pleasure. His strong eyes though erased that as he helped her out of the Taxi. “I thought we were on a date.” She said as she took his arm. Rashae ignored anything else. That was easy to do for her. “I would like that. Night life here has its.. entertainments. “ She had a wicked little smile as she chuckled softly.

[member="John Ash"]

 

[John Ash]

The touch of her hand made John's heart feel like it was about to skip a beat. He almost frowned as it happened, but still savored how smooth and warm her hand was. He was a teenager again right now. That wasn't good. He didn't like that. What was it with this woman and making him do things he wouldn't normally do? First there was him taking her back to his home when she was being followed even though it wasn't an official job or him get any kind of payment for it.... Actually he had received a sort of reward for it by the end. Another action that was unusual for him. He couldn't tell if it was a good or a bad thing that she made him unable to resist himself around her. Likely bad, but he would not be here on this date otherwise.

" We are without a doubt on a date now Snow." John said to her with a slight smile on his face. He raised a brow at her second comment. He added, " Better than the night life we had back on Nar Shaddaa together? Not sure it can be topped."

John had caught [member="Rashae"] meaning, but trading veiled messages was part of the game for the higher society types he had noticed. He was sure to escort her inside of the restaurant as he had escorted her earlier from the port lobby to the taxi. As they came in, John gave the host his name after they asked for it. They were directed towards a private room in the very back of the establishment. The interior of the restaurant could only be described as luxurious and refined. Great care had been taken to make it look as presentable as possible. The same was true for the waiting staff as they shuffled around effortlessly. Once they came into the room, John remembered something he had experienced before when working for a client. He walked over to the chair that Rashae was going to sit in and pulled it out for her.

John looked to the young doctor and said, " This is what I am suppose to do here right?"

 

[Rashae]

Only John could get away about joking about Nar Shadda. Actually she let John get away with a lot of things she would not tolerate from others. Rashae found herself excusing certain things about John that otherwise would have been dismissed entirely. The woman didn't quite no why. The Bounty Hunter did make her feel safe, that was for sure. That feeling she prized above a lot of others. He at least tried to be a gentleman. Rashae had to give credit to that. The detailed woman made a mental note to try and teach him a few things. Try being the operative word.

The smile became softer and warmer as they walked into the Luxurious establishment where the staff was attending and anticipating their needs. John pulled her chair out before an attendant or waiter did. This was actually most artful. The awkwardness of it would polish out with time.

“Yes, John. That was just about perfect. “ She crooned. The waiter snapped the napkin of a soft material out and laid it across her lap. Another waiter would do the same. With softened eyes towards John to let him know it was alright and it was suppose to happen. John wasn't used to such behavior. Rashae had no idea that the security risk of having absolute strangers do these things for you is inviting trouble. Rashae looked on it as a service and being pampered. The woman relaxed more and more as they talked and laughed. She was in a sort of heaven.


[member="John Ash"]

 

[John Ash]

The dinner went about how one would expect it to go with John being the date for it. He was not sure what was up with the whole napkin thing, but just went with it because of how relaxed, even natural, Rashae was about it. The next issue he had was over which piece of silverware to use when. There was several sets of forks and spoons. All of them slightly different in size and shape. They were practically the same if he hadn't been looking at them as closely as he had. What was the whole point of this? He couldn't wrap his mind around why someone would want to have so many different ones when all you needed was a single fork, a single spoon, and a single knife. But that wasn't how things were here and he had to have it explained to him by [member="Rashae"] as each new plate baring the meal of that section of the course was brought out. Soon enough they were through the meal and their last plate removed and left to enjoy their wine in peace.

John had enjoyed the evening so far, despite the weirdness of it all, and was smiling as he sat with the young doctor. He looked her over again as he refilled her glass of wine for her. Still as beautiful as before. No, she looked even better somehow. It was as if she was in her element. She felt right here and it just seemed to make her glow even more than she normally did. He didn't say it, but it was sort of making him feel more out of place. This was Alderaan, her birthplace and home, while John wasn't completely sure where he belonged. He had grown up for half of his life on Coruscant and the other half on Nar Shaddaa. Life was not the same in both places for him either. Where did someone like him even belong?

John shook off the thought as he finished pouring the wine. He set the bottle down then turned to look her in the eyes. He said as he took in her cool blues, " Fancy place right? Never been to one nearly as fancy as this one before."

A shuffling sounded as John got more comfortable in his extremely comfortable chair. He said after, " Did you enjoy your meal? Anything else you want to do while we are here? I don't know much about Alderaan or what there is to do here."

 

[Rashae]

Yes, Rashae had relaxed tremendously through out the meal. The lady actually enjoyed teaching John quietly and obliquely about the ins and outs of fine dining. There was something precise about fine dining. The high quality she expected out of herself and her work, she expects out of services such as a restaurant or cleaning services. Rashae had high expectations in a lot of areas. Rather John knew it or not, those other areas were quite fulfilling. He might be rough around the edges, but deep down Rashae saw something more if he only refined it.

Why was she trying to refine a bounty hunter? She couldn't answer that at the moment. Why did she care? She couldn't answer that either. He had a way of making her smile, feel safe and feel needed. Not as a doctor or someone who could provide answers to complex issues. Not someone who could fuse seemingly impossible combinations. It was as a woman. There was something deeply satisfying about being needed as a woman. That was safely and deeply tucked away carefully. She wasn't going to make the same mistakes as before. Who knew if John would rip the rug right out from under her? That was paranoia she told herself. Maybe it was, but it was a fear none the less.

Still the night was young and the date was going fantastic. “There is the aerial ballet, impressionist art exhibition, there is dancing, but I didn't bring my dancing shoes." She was eating the decadently rich deep dark chocolate desert with gold flakes on it by small bits on the fork. The high maintenance lady was enjoying each little morsel as she savored those little bits. One did not rush something this good. Those icy blues widened as she gasped. “I know. My favorite place in the city. “

They finished the meal. “The botanical gardens. “ She said as they got up from the table. She jittered and fidgeted the whole way there by taxi. Once there, even in heels she headed from the beautiful displays to a special section before she slowed down. “The absolutely best collection of rare orchids anywhere in the galaxy. “ She gushed as she looked at them with admiration and an odd softness. “Some take five years to bloom. This one is from dantooine. “ She could spend all day in here. If john recalls she has special cases with orchids. Not as rare as the ones in the botanical gardens but those were her babies.


[member="John Ash"]

 

[John Ash]

John had declined dessert when it came to that part of the meal. He wasn't much of a sweets person, but the look on [member="Rashae"] face made him glad they had some. She seemed to be unsure of what to do following the meal, but then she made a decision of where to go that was both a surprise and made sense. She wanted to go to the botanical gardens in the city. So since that is where she wanted to go, that is where they went after they finished their meals. It seemed as if the ride to the gardens went by much faster than the trip to the restaurant had taken. Maybe it was the location they were heading towards or maybe it was the driver being organic the second time instead of a droid. John couldn't say and it didn't matter so much in the end.

The gardens reminded John of a well organized jungle. He was not the most use to flora having grown up in Coruscant and Nar Shaddaa. The hutt controlled moon lacked any botanical gardens, since it was designed more for business and carnal pleasures. There was several of them on Coruscant, but he had never been to any of them. So this was the first time in his life he had found himself inside one. As he looked around idly, he noticed that the young doctor was enjoying her evening in this location far more than he could ever hope to. Her face made him feel this whole date was worth it.

After Rashae had finished speaking and pointed out the orchids, John looked to them. He said as he studied them over, " Is that right?" He took a sniff of the air then added, " Smells nice." He turned to look at Rashae after. He studied her over slowly as he took her in yet again. He didn't even remember how many times he had done so tonight. What was it about her this evening that just demanded his attention? He wondered though if she would look even better with the dress off than she did with it on right now.

" You work with orchids right? I remember you mentioning them before." John said as he looked back to the flowers. Pretty things. He lacked interest in them, but they were still pretty.

 

[Rashae]

Rashae nodded. “Orchids are amazing. Some of the most beautiful blooms yet they grow in the most horrid conditions. “ They meandered slowly as another display had a rather lovely blood red flower hanging upside down from tree roots. “This one is from Shrii.. oh what is it. Where the wookiees are from. Anyway, its arboreal. It attaches and lives with the trees of that world. Hanging upside down. It actually relies on the gundark to spread its seeds as Gundarks eat them. “ Rashae voice was silken and quiet.

She leaned into John's closeness as she put her head on his shoulder absently. It wasn't conscious or purposeful. It just seemed natural. “My collection is basic still they are nice. Some are used in perfumery. “ She said to him as she craned her head towards him. A waterfall that was meant to mimic a tropical type setting and provide the needed mist and moisture that some orchids required was along the path. Many may not have interest in them, but Rashae did have interest in them. Many of her ingredients come from the plant world. It was ripe with promise of even other finds still. Even with all their advances, there was still more to find.