Phoenix Rising

[Rhaegar Nemesis Dib]

Even as he utilized the force to refresh himself he felt the concern of his ... of Gin'ika stiffen somewhat. Not in a long time did he concern himself with the rules others governed themselves by, and yet now, he felt a modicum of empathy to her plight. Her people had rules that governed for usage on their planet of Mandalore. And so, out of respect for the woman laying in his arms he let the flow of the force ebb away as if on the tide. He would do nothing that would disturb this moment.

Her words acknowledged his own oath and intentions. He would continue on his path to seek the end of Darth Metus, but as she pointed out, he now had more options at his disposal. Which was the end result of his rituals with [member="Ginnie Verd"]. Yet the future had gotten convoluted. Quite unexpectedly were the turn of events.

Even as his eyes grew heavy once more he pulled her tighter into his embrace. Was it merely a reflex or something more? He didn't give it thought because he believed he knew the answer and the idea was baffling and worrisome. To have someone he actually cared about, was a weakness. One he would review once he was recuperated from the ordeal in the nether .... And the refresher unit.

He allowed his lips to quirk lightly at the corners as his hands roamed Gin'ika's body lightly in a caress. His ears perked at the words, "you have a companion now… A Mandalorian fights hardest when they’re protecting what’s theirs.” Sentiments he was loathe to admit, but refused to deny. Lids blinked heavily as he brought his lips to her ear.

"What's yours? Have you claimed me now cyar'ika? Am I beholden to you? And you to me?"

His lips brushed her ear in a gentle kiss as eyes closed. Gin'ika had said she was with him in his mission. But what was he to do now? A part of him resided within her, and he was loathe to risk the sultry woman now. Most assuredly because it would be himself he would be risking, but if he was to be honest it was a much deeper reason then just his own survival. He may not have known the word for darling, but he couldn't refute it. Even as he slipped into slumber he knew without doubt that Ginnie Verd was precious to him.

 

[Ginnie Dib]

The Force retracted and Ginnie wanted to say something, to thank him for his respect of the law. Although the two had known each other for both a short time and for an eternity, Gin felt the sincerity of the act. She knew it was a matter of note. She settled gladly in his arms.

“Hmmm.” Was this what becoming one was? A lingering sensation in the back of her spine, coated with the silk of his hand on her skin. Did she want this man? Once more the sounds of the Manda filled her consciousness. She rested within it. Her brother’s soul in the void struck across her bow. Metus was in dire need of a check. Clan Verd was barely Mandalorian as it was, and now? Nemesis committed atrocities and that Ginnie knew to be true. Did the end result justify it? Did Metus attempting to kill Rhae make good on killing his sister? His flesh and blood and bone?

One voice among the many rang out. In their small infinity, Rhaegar’s song. Lonely, ancient, the basso notes of darkness with so few punctuations of good. Yet the song continued, a new harmony sought out from the vast guilty deep.

Gin’ika peeked her head up to search [member="Rhaegar Nemesis Dib"]’s face. “You are beholden to me and I you. Yes. This is me claiming you. I’ve never... you’re the...”

Plunking her head onto Nemesis’ chest, Ginnie shook with a quiet laugh. “I’m hopeless. Trying to sweet talk my man and all I’ve got’s a wooden tongue.”

Maybe she didn’t need to fill the silence. Not all lack of noise needed to be filled. Nuzzling in, Gin pressed her lips against him and sighed. His lips brushed her flesh and Ginnie gasped as the feel of it radiated through her body.

“If I sleep now, will I wake up?” Gin muttered, although for the first time she realized someone cared enough to ensure she would.

 

[Rhaegar Nemesis Dib]

A low purr of satisfaction echoed in his chest at being called "her man". Even nearly asleep the words made him swell with an odd sensation. The words weren't able to be found which caused him an amount of mirth. He knew what she was trying to say, even as he sought to found words to explain how he felt. But seemingly words were not necessary between the two. The shared experiences and souls that were wound together echoed deeper then empty words. But even so, Gin'ika's search for words filled him with warmth.

"Your 'man' has to disagree. Your tongue is far from wooden."

His chest rose with a near silent laugh that snaked from him. An emotion that Nemesis would never convey, but one Rhaegar had no problem revealing to the woman in his arms. Fighting to stave off sleep just a few moments more, he allowed a genuine smile to cross his lips as he felt the weight of his woman against him. This was the true paradise, the one he had failed to obtain during his life. One he wasn't aware he was lacking. One that had never been sought. This joining between the two was not anticipated, but the exchange between the couple had brought about a change in him.

Shrugging against the onslaught of careful introspection he blinked against the stray rays of light invading from the windows. Even as he succumbed to the inevitable sleep, he managed one more line of coherent thought.

"If this is only a dream, then it is one shared. Then let this be what we hold to, and may we never wake to a different reality."

His lips sought and found Gin'ika's, a reassuring kiss, for [member="Ginnie Verd"], and for himself. That this was real, tangible, and wouldn't disappear as a whisp of smoke upon waking.