Roots

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

He had trouble speaking about his family. The most had been when it dealt with his biological father, Master Voidstalker. Then came with the tragedy of his stepfather and mother. To learn that had also happened to his sister, one of his sisters, and that there was still another living. One would believe this to be happy news, but he seemed perturbed over the matter.

"You should do that after this then," if he had the time, he might as well. Some things you shouldn't wait too long for, you never knew what could happen, especially in the field they were both in.

"I don't expect that they give Jedi plenty of shore leave. You guys seem to get as many missions as I do." she took another bite from the meat, the skewer cooled off enough for the girl to take another big chunk.

Quietly, she studied him some more, noticing his introspection. "Do you have any other family?"

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“None who I actually know,” he admitted. There were probably relations in any of the three sides of his family still around but either he hadn't met them or he didn't know them. His mother had such a spat with her sister that Trextan had barely heard her name mentioned.

Trextan decided to sink his teeth into the last piece of meat and ease it off the the skewer. It was nicely seasoned. Just a hint of heat in the spice, but it was well cooked.

He brought up his left hand to wipe his mouth and then cover it as he started to speak before finishing his mouthful. “You're right. I thin...I think maybe after a time i ended up putting it off not because it was difficult but because I would feel bad I hadn't done it sooner.”

His hand came away from his mouth and he regarded Choli seriously. There was a warm smile, almost embarrassed but not quite. He broke eye contact shortly and turned back to his food. It was almost like lifting a weight to have talked about everything. She listened to him and told him about herself candidly even though that was clearly difficult too. Eyes flicked up to hers and back down again quickly.

“Haven't checked out this speeder Kellan mentioned,” he said suddenly. It was the waning light that brought this to mind. He looked up to the sky and Choli would see his eyes widen in wonder. Coruscant didn't have stars like this.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[SIZE=9pt][member="Trextan Voidstalker"][/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Hearing him admit that he hadn’t made contact with his stepsister because he felt guilty he hadn’t done so earlier was telling. The more he spoke and opened up about his family, the easier it seemed to be for him. That wasn’t to say that he didn’t appear to struggle with it. He was rather introverted, Choli knew that already. It was also difficult for him to open much about his past. Trextan had a few demons he was grappling with; that much was evident back on Polis Massa. Choli might not be an empath, but she didn’t have to be one to tell that he was struggling with anger, confusion, and the predicament that came with the knowledge that he’d lost and arm and now had a cybernetic. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Granted, I wasn’t in the best place either…[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]No, Choli still struggled with having a chunk missing from her memory. The unknown bothered her. It scared her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I doubt your sister would mind that it’s been a while. Time seems to cease to be an issue when it’s been a while since you’ve seen each other.” the last piece of grilled meat went sliding off the skewer. At the mention of the speeder, Choli thought to herself thoughtfully.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Thank you for reminding me. I should inspect it before we head out tomorrow.” wouldn’t be great to be ready to head out into the desert and the speeder wasn't up to snuff. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]As one who was quick to do things once she put her mind to it, Choli came to her feet. In her hand, she took the skewer and the pair of empty bottles.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Where is it?”[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“I suppose,” Trextan replied. The thought seemed to take some of the stress from his expression. He looked distant for a few moments as he considered the possibility. She hadn't made contact with him yet, but then how would she have gone about doing so? “I should have done so before,” he added. His tone was touched with guilt. There was of course nothing to be done now. He didn't want to send a message and then vanish into the desert for a week.

Trextan chewed thoughtfully on his food. It was much better than a packet of chips. Choli seemed to be enjoying hers too. Sat in a nice quiet spot and almost alone. Talking about deeply personal matters. This was a very long way from Trextan's usual day. This was truly sharing his time with another person, not just existing alongside others in isolation.

He took the rack the skewers had been on in one hand and kept his skewer in the other. How she had already put the entire meal away he wasn't sure.

“Don't know,” he replied with a shrug. “Let's go ask him. Maybe grab some juice actually.”

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]“Beer too much for you to handle already?” he might have kissed her and made her feel a bit senseless, but her quick wit and tendency to tease him didn’t waver. “Two bottles and you already needing juice to clear your head?” While she didn’t intend it to be much of a challenge, Trextan might take it as that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The girl also didn’t miss the pointed and puzzled expression that Trextan shot at her and her empty skewer. “What? Is something wrong with my skewer?” she managed to wave the pointed stick over at his direction. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Or are you trying to say something with that look you are giving me?” a glance over at her empty bottles and she began to move around the table to head for the door. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Yeah, we can. Rather check it now.”[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan laughed. It seemed easy to swing between light-hearted comments and serious conversation with her. In fact the easy chat was probably necessary to break up the more personal matters and stop him from getting wound up in himself.

“When I take you out for a meal I'm just not going to share my fries with you! And we can have more beers. Depends what time you're thinking of heading out.”

They went down the stairs towards the kitchen entrance. Kellan's voice met them half way.

“So seventeen eighty for table four?”

A series of whistles in return. [Yes. How many numbers can you actually keep in your head?]

“Dunno. A few?”

[Not even a thousand?]

“No. Not even a thousand,” Kellan laughed.

Trextan pushed open the door with his foot and set down the stand for the skewers. “That was great thanks. The speeder you…” he started. He was then rudely interrupted by a series of beeps and whistles.

[Kiss him yet?]

“Mind your manners,” Kellan told the droid curtly, giving R4 a nudge as he walked past to take the glasses from Choli.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]


[SIZE=9pt]If Trextan wasn’t able to pick up that the little astromech droid was taking pot shots at Choli, then he was far more oblivious than one could give him credit for. The Rogue’s face was aflame, her olive skin turning into a deep coral hue. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“None of your business, Arr Four.” as Kellan had nudged the droid with his foot, so did Choli, forcing the little droid to roll a few feet back. Choli’s face switched from embarrassment to mild annoyance, the girl moving to place her empty skewers and beer bottles where ever Kellan may need them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Where should these go?” she asked, hoping to distract from her flushed face towards a few more productive endeavors. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh, right here,” he gestured. Using the opportunity to switch the attention off of her, Choli gave a small thanks, adding, “And yeah, would like to take a look at that speeder if possible. Just want to inspect it to make sure it can weather the Wastes.” a tell on what direction they’d be heading off to.[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“Is he being rude again?” Trextan asked Kellan. “Because if he is we might forget to bring his oil out in the sandy, sandy desert.”

R4 made a little parp noise but there was no more dissent for the moment. All three of the humans were hanging up on him now. Maybe it was time to save the sass for when he had allies. Like Asmus and Omar.

“Round the left side of the house there's a little shelter for it. It ain't pretty but it's weathered a lot. Just close the induction grills and oil up the seals if you need to leave it in a sandstorm,” he suggested. As Choli turned away he gave Trextan a subtle look that tried to convey I approve.

With an example to set Trextan followed to clear away the rack before biting off the last chunk of meat to put the skewer in the sonic dishwasher. Still chewing the mouthful that was rather too big he followed Choli towards the speeder. Wouldn't be much use but he didn't want to hang around the kitchen.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]“Among other things,” Choli added, keeping her answer at that when it involved the Pebbledrone and his quips about Trextan and where his lips had been traversing upon. With both the apple of her cheeks a bright red, Choli gave a nod. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Thank you, we appreciate it.” having a speeder would make their travels through the Wastes all the more easier. The faster that they could travel across the hot expanse and cover ground the better. More so if they were being chased out by anything out to to dismount them either as food or easy pickings. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Kellan gave a small nod, although the knowing expression he shot over to Trextan was lost on Choli as she headed towards the exit. The heavy scent of grilling meat along with the sizzle of fat falling upon a hot rack of wood coals came wafting over the pair. Smoke blew thick, but would filter out towards a small chimney the blew the bulk of the smoke out of the cafe. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The murmur of dining patrons along with the chit chat of the bazaar outside joined the cacophony, and it was easy to notice the slight ripple of tension that ran over Choli. Her gait slightly changed, a bit more wary, observant. Coming to a slight pause, those color shifting eyes of her ran down the length of the exit out towards the marketplace. There were a few stalls open, a mixture of hanging lamps and torchlight illuminating the stalls and the pourstone stores. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Turning to Trextan, Choli gave him an expectant look, as if waiting for him to catch up and walk along with her. It served a number of purposes. Keeping him close for an extra pair of eyes and well.. Keeping him close. The latter wouldn’t be said aloud, but the girl was enjoying spending time with him. It was nice to talk without having it divulge into a crude vortex of who Omar and Asmus managed to get into trouble with. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So you haven’t been back to Coruscant then?” the thought was rather curious to her. Choli made this assumption that since he said he hadn’t visited his sister since that he had not returned to the Jewel of the Core Worlds since then. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan shifted uncomfortably at the question. His shoulders drew together and he grimaced. “Yeah...I actually have a few.times.” His lips screwed together and it was abundantly clear that this now made him feel quite bad. Trextan gave little nods of his head and with each some of the tension left his expression. “I'll go there after this. It's just...not been easy. Haven't even been able to go inside the flat they left me.”

Choli might catch his eyes flicking to their surroundings. Whilst he didn't know the dangers of tatooine like Choli their earlier forays into the markets and port had been enough of an experience to make him wary when out in the streets. It wasn't the jawas that concerned him as much as the well armed groups of heavies and the thieves. The night air tasted different to the day. On Coruscant it was almost always the same. It was a city that never slept, stretched over an entire world. Over and over in fifty layers.

They moved off the main alley down the side of the domed house. Trextan made a bemused murmur when he said the width of the extension that formed the garage. It didn't look very wide. As they approached a small light above the doors turned green and the door rolled up. As they stepped inside a small light flickered on. There was an oily tool box against one gently sloping wall. A thick green sheet was draped over the speeder. He grasped it with his prosthetic hand and tugged it off.

“Oh,” went Trextan. That wasn't quite what he had expected. Then a small grin grew and he gave Choli a pointed sideways glance accompanied by an arch of one eyebrow. “R4 is going to love being strapped to the side of this.”

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli had an inkling that the small stature that lay under the green covering was not going to be a speeder. Well, not in the semblance that both had considered using. Instead of an airspeeder it was a speeder bike. Both brows shot up and her mouth twisted into a contemplative pout, the momentary break of inquiry into Trextan’s homeworld and his visitation coming to a pause. A momentary lapse that Trextan likely appreciated; Choli had caught the deepening expressions of guilt and uneasiness when he answered her earlier question. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]I’ll drop it for now[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt], Choli told herself, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. It was curious to hear that Trextan had already traveled to Coruscant, but unable to see his sister. There was no judgment in her expression; one didn't have to be an empath or a Lorrdian to pick up that he already felt bad about it. She briefly tucked away the knowledge that there was something about a ‘flat.’ Choli was unaware that it meant something along the lines of an apartment but didn't want to bother an already uncomfortable Trextan with more questions. At least now they had to focus on the speeder bike. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well… not quite what I was expecting,” she added, blowing a puff of hot air from her mouth, tossing locks of dark strands of hair away from her face. “[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Tch[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt],” Her tongue gave a small clicking sound, popping against her cheek in thought. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Wouldn’t be the first time I've strapped him to the side of a speeder bike,” Jakku had been an interesting endeavour when she went to study under Master Jeevu. Crouching down, the Rogue gave a furrow of her brow, inspecting the bike. “Maybe find some binding straps that could work…” if they didn't then they would have to leave the Pebbledrone behind. A scenario that wouldn't sit well with R4. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Plus the thought of being alone with Trextan for five days was unsettling. Her mind was already drifting to silly things that made her feel both embarrassed and excited. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Like when he ran his fingers through my hair...[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well it’s a two seater,” a small cough came, hand combing up to cover her mouth and hide the deepening hue of her face. Good thing the green light overhead neutralized red. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“We may need to slim down on what we’ll take with us...” that didn’t sit right with Choli, but she could stick to the essentials. Thing was, someone would have to drive and the other would have to hold one. The corner of her mouth twitched. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Hope you have practice at not falling off the back.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Yup, she was the one who would be driving. That left Trextan to sit in the back. The thought was a little bit amusing.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Maybe strap Arr-Four to you for company.” [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“Oh he would love that I’m sure,” Trextan replied. He passed his eyes over the bike. It wasn’t a skinny little model like the swoop he’d ridden on Lohopa to catch a gang. It was a large, industrial looking machine. It also had no handles for the second rider. It had taken a surge of courage to place a hand on Choli’s waist and now it seemed he would have to do so for long periods at a time to stop himself from falling into the dunes. But it wasn’t the same, he told himself. Like being in a small shelter tucked up beside her. Not the same, he told the little flutter inside himself.

He nearly jumped when the shutters started rolling down, but the light stayed on. Likely on a time to keep them from being accidentally left open. “We’d best ask Kellan how to unlock it if we’re leaving before light. Never ridden with someone before, but I don’t mind riding if you want to swap for a time.” That thought conjured an overly romantic notion of Choli turning her head to tuck in against his back, arms tight around him as they rode towards the sunset.

He dropped onto his haunches and looked at the underside of the bike. Whilst he could have stepped aside and left Choli to do her thing he didn’t want to seem entirely useless for the trip. The deal had involved food, but really that seemed an exchange that was very much in his own favour. He also didn’t want to further the perception of him not being any help. Who would want someone useless?

The underside clearly had some additional fuel tanks bolted on. A closer inspection revealed three parts. The fuel tank was split into two sections with only the read having a fuel intake. The front section had an outlet at the bottom. Trextan ran his finger over it.

“Water tank,” he murmured. Maybe it was blended into the fuel tank because the water was more valuable? Either way they could take it back to the ship and fill it up. What confused him was the intake on the front of the water tank. Choli might have recognised it as a moisture gatherer. Similar to those seen on farms, but it relied on the heat of the engine and air flow to top up the water tank when the bike was in motion.

“We could try the market quickly now for some webbing?” he ventured. “I could go and look around whilst you give this a once over. Might end up paying a little over the odds but I promise not to make any trouble!”

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]“Like I said, wouldn't be the first time he’s had to be strapped to the side of a vehicle. Did it on Jakku.” She added, the brunette moving along to inspect the chassis. The sudden sound of the security gate rolling shut gave her a brief start, her eyes wide with one hand reaching for her hip until she realized what was going on. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A sheepish expression would bathe her face, and she managed to slide her hand away from her hip. Mildly embarrassing, but rather be overly cautious than not. Before the gate slid completely shut, Choli took the few bounding steps over to inspect if there was a way to unlock it from the inside and open it back up. The last thing they needed was to be locked inside a tiny garage by themselves until Kellan came to…[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Oh[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was silly, really, how the realization that they were essentially by themselves now in a tiny little garage. In any other situation, Choli wouldn't have thought anything of it. Now she did. Stop being stupid, she told herself, nothing is even going on. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Of course, Asmus in this situation would see it a a quality time to take full advantage of the situation. The differences between the Captain and the Lieutenant Commander to say the least. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Then Trextan had the blind idiocy to say a phrase that could be sooo easily twisted, that Choli battled with her nervous self to NOT make a quip about ‘never riding with someone else before,’ and how he “ wouldn’t mind swapping out riding for a time.’[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]That brought far too many images in her mind colored by Omar’s lewd quips for her to not say in a choked voice, “Umm, yeah, we’ll figure it out.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Just, don’t say it. Don’t say it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Anyways,” the girl came to a stop in front of a small black console with an active blinking green light. There was a small panel with a clip to allow entry. With her knack with electronics, she figured she could handle opening it from the inside. There was plenty of security to ensure none would get in, but there should also be security features to ensure no one gets accidentally locked in. Well, at least Choli hoped so. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Sure you want to wander the market alone?’ Okay, she could tease him about that. Certainly safer than making ‘riding’ jokes. Oh damn it, just stop it with the mental pictures already![/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]How Asmus, Allyson, and Omar were able to say such things without feeling a sense of shame was beyond her. It was certainly easier to say it when it didn't mean anything. The brief memory of when Trextan had kissed her and the sensation of his hands along her hair and her waist made it all too real. For one who had barely been able to step out of a culture that kept themselves draped in desert robes from head to foot save for only specific interactions, it was all a rather heady experience for Choli to work through. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The open showers had been an experience to say the least. One of the reasons she went out of her way to go when there was less traffic. There were still some things that were hard to get out of the habit of. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well, if you want to try and see if you can find some webbing, should be quick enough. I can check the fuel and the water moisture collector to make sure it is working properly. The lock shouldn’t be an issue on this gate, I can open it back up.” Turning to him, she saw him hovering alongside the latter. Another toss of her head sent her hair away from her eyes. Alongside her, the gate gave a low groan as it slid shut, locking in place. Just like that, Tatooine became just a little bit smaller. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh, you found it. How does it look?”[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan looked over at Choli and then back at the tank again. He hadn’t missed the little flecks in her eyes, nor the way she seemed to be keeping a smile at bay. That meant he’d either done or said something that had tickled her and she was trying not to make a comment.

“Well, I hadn’t realised that was actually a moisture collector on the front, but the water and fuel tanks and lines all seem good.” Trextan’s lips gave a little twist in mild embarrassment that he didn’t know more. He could ride a bike quite well, but just as he had explained earlier not that many people actually owned an airspeeder in most of the more densely populated parts of coruscant. Private airspeeder traffic tended to stick to the tallest spires where the very most wealthy lived. And Trextan’s family had been distinctly middle class.

Now what had she wanted to make a joke about? He mused. He surmised that he would never know. Could have been something he’d said or done, or just a thought that had popped into her head. She likely didn’t realise that the longer they were together the more she wore her heart on her sleeve. Whilst her mind was remarkably closed off to him he was slowly recognising the colours in her eyes. Not that she spent a lot of time keeping her thoughts to herself. At least that was what Trextan thought; he would have been surprised to realise just how much her mind could anxiously swing between thoughts as much as his own.

Trextan shook his head in bemusement and took a step towards her. The first step was quick, but seeing her tense a fraction and those colours go for a little dance the next two were quite slow. Both hands came to settle on each side of her waist, but he made no move to bring her any closer. It occurred to him that this was a much more comfortable place to try and kiss someone from than awkwardly leaning forwards from a chair.

“I’d rather not go alone, no. Probably end up down an arm for a bag of webbing too,” he looked off to one side. “I wonder if they do soundproof containers…anyway. I quite like riding bikes so I can stay and help and learn. Then we can go out to the market and - oh it was the riding remark you were trying not to giggle about!” There was a mock hint of accusation as he realised what had set her off.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]


[SIZE=9pt]Choli’s mouth fell open and shut, the brief fluttery sensation at the pit of her stomach shifting quickly into one of mortification. First instinct was to deflect. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I wasn’t giggling!” Came her soft outcry, face flaming under the green tint of the overhead light. It cast deep shadows across her olive face and Trextan's own, that mop of tousled hair of his falling over his forehead, too short to do anything with it and too long for the shaggy bits to make itself a constant hindrance. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli brought her hand down from the console, half turning towards Trextan. She could feel the slight flex of his fingers over her poncho at the line of her waist. Nerves ablaze, the Rogue attempted to backtrack a bit, only to realize that she might as well have owned up to it halfway through.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Point Trextan for getting her back on her earlier Pink Twi’lek comment. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You are hearing things.” Such a pitiful excuse, Choli’s face contorting in an amusing array of facial expressions. From surprise, to embarrassment, then to awkwardness and mild defiance. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Her chin rose a bit, halfway feeling she had to say something to get the upper hand again. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Why do you want to know about soundproofing anyways?” Not the best redirection. Of course what her mouth ende dup saying next likely wasn’t any better. A token remembrance on a passing quip by a fellow rogue commenting about the double bunking situation and the lack of privacy therein back at the ship. “Planning on doing anything loud?’[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Asmus would be proud. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“No…” he replied with amusement clear on his face. For a fraction of a second he’d considered saying ‘we’ll see’ before his courage had broken. She likely would have seen that just as easily as he'd seen her avoiding the comment on riding before. He shifted his weight from foot to foot and his grip gave her a gentle tug back and forth with him. “I was thinking of putting R4 in a bag so we didn’t have to hear him complaining and commentating from the side the entire time.” He obviously wouldn't so such a thing, but he was considering making the threat if the little ball kept trying to upset her.

As her chin rose to meet his gaze defiantly he lowered his own face until they were closer to eye level. He racked his brain for a retort he had the courage to come out with. His mouth opened and closed a couple of times. There was a mock pout as he realised he wasn't going to find anything.

“You win that round,” he admitted. A gentle tug and she was even closer. His kept his eyes on hers as his expression softened into one that hung between amusement and embarrassment. He could still feel the faint tingle across his lips where she had kissed him back before. In a way he hadn't really thought about placing his hands on her waist but it did now. There was a subtle line it seemed. Practicality or spontaneity lived on one side. On the other was heightened awareness, intimacy and taking pleasure in just the lightest of touches.

“Guess I have to kiss you then…” he offered. The bike and market could wait for just a minute couldn't they?

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]My face cannot possibly be any more red right now[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]…It was a strained train of thought as the dawning realization that Trextan had meant compartments as in, small compartments for the speeder rather than, say, the garage they were in. She might have won that round, but it didn’t feel like it, as this time it had been her own mind that had sunk into bawdy territory. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Of course, with the way that the Rogue’s eyes swept over Trextan’s face as he leaned in closer, Choli managed to also pick up how he struggled to hold back whatever had come to mind to him then. What had he been thinking? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Don’t be dense, Choli[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“He'd find a way anyways,” she added, her throat feeling a bit tight and again, weight shifting when her drew her closer, bringing a shuffling of feet until they were barely a foot away. Hands. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Where do hands go again? Wait, did he just say he was going to have to kiss me again?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli opened her mouth only to close it. Just what does one say in response to that? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Her fingers gave a slight curl into tiny fists, breath hitching for a moment before continuing. Should I bring my hands up? They fiddled a bit before lightly coming to rest upon his hips as well, mimicking his actions, a brief flutter of fingers that fanned along the loops of his belt. Nervousness returned, and her voice fell an octave, going, “Is that because you can’t stuff me in a soundproof container to shut up?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was as much of a teasing quip as one fed on shot nerves. How the others managed to do this was startling for her. There were no courtship rituals with the Tusken Raider culture. One simply matured through their coming of age ceremony and were bound by marriage to a blood mate chosen for a prosperous union. What that meant in definition could be anything from ensuring the survival of the clan, treaties, or based on good omens that dictate it so. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Flirting, touching, kissing, all of these things were not what Choli had come to expect to be her lot in life. Well, not really. Face aflame, Choli mentally acknowledged that she knew what came after exchanging blood vows with her bloodmate. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli would also be lying to herself if she’d said anything that would suggest that she would rather he do otherwise. Sitting down and kissing him had been an awkward affair. Bumping knees, the strain of their backs, and the whole getting caught in the act. Here, however, the difference in environment made the young Rogue come to terms with a few notable differences. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He was taller than her. Choli knew that already, but she was fairly tall to begin with. With him standing over her, Choli realized she had to tip her head back to look up at his face. That it was an entirely different body standing in front of her, tugging her in, pressing just a bit close past the personal barriers that she hadn’t really cared about before. Back at Polis Massa, Choli had been able to simply reach out and inspect Trextan's cybernetic arm for an entirely different purpose, ignoring that he was almost a man and his close proximity and instead be fully engrossed at the intricacies of metal, wire, and electronic design. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Now that arm came along with an entire body that took in air to breathe, had blood rushing through his veins, and dark brown eyes that were studying her intently, if a bit unsure himself, struggling with one desire and the next. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Oh just do it, Choli! Something that Asmus likely would have said, tossing his arms in the air in frustration. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli’s lips gave a small purse, before relaxing, adding, “Because you don’t need an excuse to kiss me if that’s what you want to do.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Well, as bluntly, or awkwardly spoken really. Choli never was the sort to play games; she didn't understand them. Was she new at this? Yes. Did it make her nervous? Damn straight. Would she tell him to stop if he went too far? Definitely. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]But kissing so far seemed alright to her and frankly, two beers in and a rush of emotions tossed into that plus the funny way Trextan looking at her made her feel had the Rogue considering that a bit more kissing wasn’t anything to complain about at all. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A bit more breathlessly she added with a nervous crack in her voice, “As long as you don’t mind it from me.”[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan made no comment as the Rogue fidgeted with her hands before coming to tentatively place them on his hips. He lacked the extreme examples of courtship that Choli happened to be surrounded with from day to day. The Jedi temple certainly wasn’t a GADF carrier. A few hundred young military personnel of different species and sexes tended to lead to stories of romps hidden by sheets alone and room lists checked off in twisted games of cabin bingo.

Yet he still saw examples of couples every day who were comfortable in showing their affection for one another. Some went for rather gratuitous public displays of affection, others were content just to hold hands in the gardens of the sullust temple. Trextan was jealous of that. He wanted it too. It was that shared affection the Justicar wanted. There was just as many teenage hormones coursing through his veins as the next youth, just as many visual fantasies played out in a day. It wasn't what he craved the most. But the sudden spike in his heart rate made him think that the journey to finding that place would be an exciting journey of its own.

They would find out where they would end up together. They had a lot to work out and their lives would cruelly deny them all the time they would wish for to do it and the absences would be keenly felt. But they had this moment. This precious moment to add to a string of memories that would all go towards shaping their relationship and the way they acted towards each other. This evening was already as different from the previous day as Polis Massa had been from Skor.

Fingers gave a subtle flex against her sides and her comments brought out another little smile. He didn’t reply, just gave a slight shake of the head to let her know that he wouldn’t mind it, not at all. His hands flattened against her sides pushing forth to reach further around to find leverage to tug her closer - as if there had been much space between them left anyway. She wasn’t curvy, but his attention was still drawn to the way her waist met her hips that was so different from his own shape.

He closed the gap in two parts. When there were just inches between their lips he paused. Her breath was warm against his lips. Her own had parted in expectation.

“Right…” he murmured as he recalled which way he'd turned last time to avoid bumping noses. The tilt and lean down to meet her lips was so much easier than the strain whilst leaning forwards from their chairs. It was just a tentative kiss but it brought a surge of longing. His right hand moved to the middle of her back and more firmly drew her right into his chest. There she was captured, willingly his for this precious moment. And he hers. The journey as thrilling and character building as any foray into the tatooine wastelands.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]Some time later, Choli lay on top of her cot, quietly staring up into the ceiling, mine racing a parsec a second and not a wink of sleep in sight. It was late in the evening and the Rogue knew she should get some sleep. That later on early in the morning the trio would break for the first leg of the trip towards No Man’s Land and that she needed every wink of sleep she could muster. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]However, here she was, laying in the dark, feeling restless and unable to shut her eyes to rest. Instead, the young pilot found herself bringing her right hand up to her face. Ever so gingerly, Choli's fingers came up to hover over her mouth. There they gave a slight, slow fan, the girl able to feel the tiny ripples of air that went fanning over her lips. Then, ever so carefully, the slightest graze of a singular fingerpad came down and across her lower lip. Tiny sparks of lightning seemed to stretch from the single point of origin, making Choli catch her breath again at the awakening salaciousness of such an innocuous act. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He'd kissed her here. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Sensitized so, there was something unusually stimulating about just barely grazing the pad of her forefinger just over the fullness of her mouth. As if retracing the steps of a path of another's lips, not quite the same but the mind filled in the gaps and it only fed the imagination more. Part of her felt guilty. Another felt alive. It was wondrous and scary, and exhilarating as it was gut twisting in its restlessness. It made her feel as if her senses were buzzing, wide awake with a tingling rush that started at her belly and spread down to her toes and up to her head, making her all fuzzy. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was just some kissing[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt], choli told herself, only to recall how Trextan’s fingers had spread to smooth flat against the small of her back. How in the end her worry about where to place her own was for naught; by the time the minutes had passed by, nature had taken its exploratory course with finding their own grip against his shirt at his upper back. At that distance - or lack of more aptly - had the teenage pair fully revealing in the additional bonus of a lack of bumping knees and noses. Plus the very [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]real[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] reminder that Trextan was by all intents and purposes, almost a man grown. In his arms Choli was reminded that despite everything, she [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]is[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] a girl. Well, woman- with all the distinct differences that came with height, strength, scent, and well, as her face grew warm again, everything in between. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It hadn't lasted long, but it felt so for a bit. At the same time it didn't feel quite enough. Whether it was time or reason, eventually the pair had to pull away, out of breath, buzzing with excitement, and heady with hormones. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Straps.” Choli barely managed to say, the over head green light unable to perfectly reflect to darkening indigo of her half hooded eyes. At any other time, she might have realized that saying such a thing could so very easily be used against her, but she was trying to remind herself about the webbing they were supposed to get to secure the Pebbledrone. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Of course, breathless, and having just barely crossed into the curious realm of what Trextan tentatively did with his tongue as he kissed her had Choli anxious for more. Needless to say, she barely repeated it again in an incomprehensible murmur before reaching up to kiss him again. This time, attempting to mimic the Justicar when her mouth drew wider to attempt the same, pressing against his out of her own volition and desire as the Rogue had said she'd do before. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Cue another lost five minutes of heavy breathing, the tightening of his hands at her back, and remembering to breathe out of her nose…[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]However, even then they couldn't very well continue indefinitely when there was a purpose to coming down to the garage in the first place, with so much else left to do before the break of dawn. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Didn't mean that Choli would just stop thinking about it, hours later, fingertip tracing the line if her lips, with nothing but the shadows of her tiny room to witness the darkening sapphire of her eyes fluttering shut. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]No, it just seemed to make it [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]worse[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

The straps had, at least, placated a little ball of mischief who had been keen to point out that it had taken them a long time to give the bike a check over. Trextan had also held up the R4 sized bag of webbing with a smile and the pebbledrone and gone quiet for a while. But that wasn’t on his mind now.

He was lying on his artificial shoulder facing the wall. On the other side of that wall was Choli. As the slight euphoric high had waned he had found himself reviewing the evening in his mind. Every memory brought a heightened emotional response. The moment they had bumped noses had been a silly thing at the time, now it brought a surge of embarrassment. Not a warmth across the cheeks but a sinking in his gut. Then he thought of the moment she had stopped tentatively resting her hands and pulled herself tight and kissed him back. That brought a heady rush of feelings. There was no conflict in that mixture, just a fine balance of charged emotions.

He laid there, mind firing away instead of feeling the haze of sleep encroach. What was she thinking now? He wondered. His left hand took a firm grip of the sheets that were loosely draped over him. A chill had surprised him by starting to seep into the house and his room. He’d never been a physically affectionate person, but he wanted any form of physical contact again. Just brushing the back of her hand with his own to know she was there would have suffice.

It was just a simple pourstone wall but he gave it an accusing glare for separating them. He imagined her on the other side. Had she drifted off or was she lying there looking back at him? He could sense her presence at least, and that brought a measure of contentment, but he couldn't sense her thoughts or even determine if she was awake or not.

A brief mental chiding followed and he rolled to lie on his back. She had probably thought ahead to organise the next day and then got to sleep. Mental fantasy still followed him as he turned away. Various thoughts and images stayed with him. Nothing he hadn’t thought before but painted with a palette built now of experience. He could still taste her on his lips, conjure the sensation of her pressed against him.

Enough, he told himself. Tomorrow had dangers a plenty and he had promised to follow her lead. He rolled over again and checked his chrono. Was that her rolling over? He thought at a sound. It was late. The little device reported that it couldn't find any satellites to synchronise with but was still accurate to within a second.

The next morning she wouldn't find Trextan in his room. Instead he was perched on the table they had eaten at. The two sticks of wood laid out beside him. The gift of the flower had been packed away but they had entirely forgotten those. His legs were crossed, a hand placed on each knee. Trextan wasn’t fully asleep but his mind was finally at peace. Here he had sought sanctuary after fleeing his room in the night. Master Adonai would have found Trextan far more capable of dedicating himself to a task than his father and he had followed simple Jedi routines to clear his mind of thoughts and feelings that all clamoured for his attention instead of letting him find rest. Just two hours in silent meditation and his body and mind were nearly refreshed for the challenges ahead.