Private Something Beautiful Blooms

[Everest Vale]

Location: Room of a Thousand Fountains, Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Outfit: Spring Tunic
Equipment: Small backpack

The Room of a Thousand Foundations was a magnificent place to behold. Seven floors of greenhouses that featured an endless array of rare and flora from about the galaxy, surrounded by row after row of beautifully built water features and shallow waterfalls, the place was as hypnotising as it was relaxing. Everest loved coming here. It was a place that, to her, gave her some of the most intense level of peace and power that she had found since first coming to Coruscant, and helped to soothe the aching wounds that had scarred across her heart from her experiences on Jedha. Here, she found a much needed solace.

It was in this place where she had decided — mustering all the confidence she could manage — to invite a certain Recopian to meet her. Since their first meeting in the gardens, Eve's heart would race every time she thought about her fellow Padawan Tigris. That was some weeks ago now, and so much had happened since that sweet and innocent day. Eve's first mission had affected her deeply and she had changed irreversibly for it. But her new Master Valery Noble had been nothing but kind to her, and allowed her to begin to breathe once more. Slowly, the scar tissue was being replaced with the newfound strength of a passionate young woman. Slowly, Everest was healing, and today, she was... happy.

It was a simple enough exchange of messages via datapad. Eve was proud of herself for finally reaching out to Tigris, and the second a reply pinged back from her, it was all she was able to think about. Suddenly, the troubles that had plagued her of late melted into the background, replaced with youthful anticipation and nervousness.

~ Meet you at the entrance ~​

She dwelled a little on her last message. The Room had more than once entrance, would she know to go to the main one? Was the smiley face too goofy? Why did she say this place of all places? Should she have asked her if she wanted to go elsewhere? She shook her head a little and breathed before the jitters took hold of her.

Enough, Eve. It'll be okay. Trust yourself.

She adjusted her tunic needlessly, and run her open palm over her hair a few times, in case the gentle humidity had started to interfere.

It's not a date. It's just two gals hanging out. Right?

Maybe. A gentle blush came to her cheeks.

Tigris​

 

[Tigris]

​

Tigris was pleased when Eve contacted her. Though there was a bit of trepidation as well. Eve was the first of her peers to even attempt to get to know the tattooed padawan more than as the briefest acquaintance. Tigris understood, her social skills were lacking, her demeanor was a bit off putting, as she tended to lurk more than jump into the mix. Old habits were hard to break. Even though she had turned with full conviction from that past life as a darksider and an assassin, ridding herself of its effects would take some time.

But her uncertainty was not only because someone had been friendly. It was the fact that Eve and she had an almost immediate...thing. They were clearly opposite in lots of ways. But an attraction bloomed between them the first time the met in a class. Tigris had mulled over that unexpected attraction since their first meeting. She had little experience with true romance, it was just not a part of the life she had come from. But the image of the beauiful Echani's face and the soft, feminine sound of her voice manifested often in Tigris' thoughts.

So, when Everest asked to meet up, Tigris had a moment of decision. Politely refuse and play it safe, or accept and explore something totally new? She had stared at the message on the datapad for some time before finally typing in her response.

And, there Tigris was, approaching the main entrance to the Room of a Thousand Fountains. Even before getting there, the fresh scent of flora and the sound of water could be heard. She had worn a simple dark garment, typical for her level of comfort, but nice enough to meet her friend. It was a sleeveless, loose tunic that hung to her knees, slit up the sides. It bared her slender, muscular, tattooed legs and arms. Tigris felt uncomfortable in anything that didn't give her full freedom of movement. A simple sash was wrapped around her slender waist. Low, soft boots covered her feet and her long, midnight black hair was pulled back into a ponytail.

Nearing the entrance, she saw Everest. With porcelain skin, silvery eyes and hair, the girl looked like she glowed. Tigris cleared her throat, musted her courage, and walked up to Eve with a small smile.

"Hi Eve, its good to see you again." She started, making no further move, unsure of how to greet the girl she found so attractive.

Everest Vale

 

[Everest Vale]

The moment she saw her coming, Eve could feel the heat rush to her cheeks almost instantly as a tiny gasp escaped her. Her heart fluttered uncontrollably the moment their eyes locked from afar, as the memories of their first meeting — and all the innocent feelings it had enflamed within her — came flooding back in an instant. Her hands held themselves awkwardly, fingers twiddling along the opposite hand's knuckles out of the sudden onset of nervousness. But she persisted, and she breathed.

Tigris' smile pulled her directly into the moment, and as the gap between them closed and Tigris greeted her, Eve took a moment to catch her breath before finally being able to say something back, a soft, shy smile lighting up her face.
"H-hi," she said simply, her mind suddenly flustered. After an awkward moment or two, she finally managed a breathy "You too," as an innocent giggle escaped her involuntarily. Why was she always so flustered around Tigris?

She turned her attention to the magnificent place about them, looking for a way to move the moment forward, before remembering the idea she had when she first invited Tigris. She pointed to a sign to their right that read 'Botanics of the Deep Core'.
"I thought maybe we could try this exhibition out, i-if you'd like to that is. But we can do anything." Another smile came to her, this time with a newfound sudden surge of confidence that made her eyes sparkle like stars.

Tigris​

 

[Tigris]

​

The two women were clearly a bit uncomfortable, but in a good way. Eve was giddy, giggling, stumbling over words. Tigris was equally nervous, though it manifested more quietly, small smiles, slight shrugs, not knowing exactly how to behave in the situation. She had never pursued an attraction, or even felt the sort of things she felt for the docile Echani. She felt off-balance, and it disquieted the former assassin.

Get a hold. A voice sounded in her head, it was almost like the sound of Chag'ta, her Seyugi trainer from so long ago. The one that taught her control of her emotions. As if in response, Tigris cleared her throat again, straightened her spine and fixed her eyes upon Everest. She was older, after all, she should act like it.

"The exhibit would be great." Tigris responded with the confidence that typically defined her. She would help Eve get more comfortable, even if it meant making her a bit more uncomfortable at first. The fact was, Tigris liked her, and had decided she wanted to get closer. Moving beside the girl, Tigris snaked her tattooed arm around Eve's and gave a slight tug, smiling at the bright, beautiful girl.

"Come on, lead the way." Tigris encouraged, her eyes fixed again on those enchanting silver orbs, indulging in the visceral excitement she felt being so close to the Echani girl.

Everest Vale

 

[Everest Vale]

The sudden confident movement from Tigris made Eve blush in an instant as their arms locked comfortably. Eve was only a dash shorter than Tigris, and it wasn't a strain on her at all, but it still sent a shock through her that she was suddenly so close to her. She looked away for a moment, swallowed, steeled herself, and pulled her along to the exhibition entrance.

The exhibition itself boasted all manner of amazing floral specimens. It made Eve giddy just thinking of them. It opened with a wide selection of plants found on Tython, the Jedi holy world that the Order held so dear.
"Did you know," Eve started excitedly. "When the Jedi first formed on Tython, plants were an intrinsic part of their practice? It was a sort of medicine. Everything on Tython is so sensitive in the Force. It sounds wonderful, I hope I can go sometime..." Her thoughts drifted as they moved on to the next set of displays.

"Oooh~" The next display showed an assortment of strange-looking plants from the Sha Qarot system. A plague read 'Little has been explored of this mysterious system, but agricultural technicians in the Order have managed to gather these few specimens found on a variety of its planets. It has been discovered that some of these are Force sensitive.' The variety of plants themselves were certainly unusual; red and purple vines, flowers shaped in ways entirely unique and resembling the most obscure shapes, small saplings that seemed to bear something resembling razor blades for leaves. Eve looked at them with intense curiosity through the cases that held them, a fascinated sigh escaping her that left a small smudge of condensation along the glass.

But when they reached the next set of displays, an undeniable gasp came from her.
"Wwwoowww~" It was stored differently to the rest, encased in a much darker glass dome with soil filled to the top, cross-cut across the glass for people to see inside. Strange roots glowed and and twisted about of their own accord, seeming like fluorescent serpents. Below, the sign said: 'From the Wellspring of Life. These roots were taken from below the planet's surface and must be kept in a specialised condition at all times in order to survive. It is highly Force sensitive but has been encased in Force-nullification glass. However, please be careful of mechanical and electronic objects near to it.'
"I would have never expected this to be here." Eve was flustered. "Th-this is so special." She looked to Tigris, suddenly embarrassed how obsessed she had been behaving over the whole thing, and she blushed a little. "Sorry, I... I just really like plants, I guess."

Tigris​

 

[Tigris]

Tigris found it easier than expected to leave behind her typical sober demeanor with Everest on her arm. They entered the exhibit, an aesthetically pleasing display of flora, presented in a manner much more accessible and arranged than they would have appeared in nature. Tigris could almost feel Eve brighten even more as the path led them into the thick variety of foliage.

The pretty Echani began to narrate what they saw, affirming what Tigris already knew. Everest loved plant-life, and now her knowledge was proving it. Dark eyes glided over each plant, taking Eve's enthusiasm and letting herself appreciate each form. She had never really stopped to look at plants. She had never really stopped to appreciate anything as beautiful, until she met Everest.

Of course, she found an affinity the mysterious plants of the Sha Qarot system. They reminded Tigris of herself and how she felt in her 'new' galaxy. Strange, oddly shaped, even dangerous. But those plants were also beautiful. She never though of herself as such, though Everest's silvery eyes always seemed to say so when they peered at the tattooed padawan.

The next display elicited a gasp from Eve, and Tigris shot a glance at her, instinctively pulling her closer, protectively. Then Tigris saw where the Echani's gaze had fallen. The display was a remarkable thing. The awe in Everest's face made her seem even more endearing to the harder hearted Tigris. Then she too studied the Wellspring of Life roots. It truly was fascinating. Tigris had no idea a plant could possess such a connection to the Force. Everest's awestruck tone shifted to one almost apologetic as she made a rather understated comment.

"That is not hard to see, Eve." Tigris teased her, sparing a playful grin for the girl. Still arm in arm, Tigris felt a powerful urge to do something. It was both small, and to her very big. Her hand slid down Eve's slender, pale arm, until the palm of her hand pressed to the Echani's and she entwined her fingers with Everest's.

"Thanks for bringing me here, its... beautiful." Tigris realized she had probably never said that out loud about anything. Her dark gaze turned to Eve, her eyes saying more than her words had. How had this teen, timid and shy, so efficiently penetrate the hide that had been made so hard by Tigris' life?

Everest Vale

 

[Everest Vale]

Tigris' hand found hers, and heat rushed to her cheeks again. She could feel her warmth in her own hand, but nerves had taken her and she didn't move. A little embarrassed, she rubbed the back and side of her neck awkwardly, as she glanced back at her date. Those dark eyes ever captivated her, telling of so much of a life she had no concept of, yet held their own unique warmth that Eve felt was only for her and nobody else. It made her lip quiver, before he bit it lightly.

"I'm glad you like it," she said quietly, silver eyes sparkling against the light that shone through the greenhouse glass. "I always come here to think, e-especially lately." She found her thoughts again turn to Jedha, as her eyes seemed to look beyond the moment, lost temporarily in the memory, and she found herself opening up without necessarily planning to so soon.

"I— I didn't have a good time on Jedha. Th-this place, it gives me peace..." Her voice was suddenly sullen and dark. Memories of the days that followed came to her, those days where she was so lost, trapped in her own mind, and had locked herself away. Doubts had plagued her if she was really cut out to be a Jedi. But something had stirred in her to keep going, and it was her Master Valery Noble who had helped to pull her from the brink of abject despair.

"Master Noble... She's helped me a lot. I can't express how much I owe her." It was true. What her Master had given her was unlike anything else, and it paved a clear way for her to grow. She had been a mother to her, at a time she needed it the most in her life. Eve looked shyly to Tigris, her bright eyes wide and childlike, as if she was on the brink of crying. "I nearly left the Order, but... I'm glad she convinced me otherwise... because if I did... I wouldn't have ever been able to see you again." She was doing her utmost not to cry at the thought, and yet a single tear escaped her.

Tigris​