Private Staring Into The Abyss

[Aris Noble]

For having an Abyss named after it, Koboh was a rather non abyss like planet. Warm, hospitable. Aris smiled softly as the shuttle he'd borrowed settled down on the planet's surface. Cinder, as ever now, was perched on his shoulder, staring out the viewport before it's fiery wings flapped once and it took off for the opening dor. Aris just chuckled as he looked after it. It wanted to fly after being couped up for so long, and he didn't blame it in the slightest.

Feeling couped up was exactly how he felt.

A red tinge took over his cheeks as he moved to the down ramp himself, glancing only briefly over his shoulder to call out to the fellow Padawan who'd joined him. "We're here, Zaiya. I'm going to take a quick look around. Meet me when you're ready." He was quick to hop down then, scurrying practically to give her space. He still didn't know how to apologize for making it seem like her breath smelled bad. It was as simple as just saying it, he knew, but at the same time, he couldn't keep his mind focused when he talked to her anymore.

His heart just continued to pound more than he thought it would.

He'd figure it out, though. As he always did.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

"We're here, Zaiya. I'm going to take a quick look around. Meet me when you're ready."

"Okay! I'll just… be… a minute!" Zaiya's voice strained a little as she called back, darting back into the refresher in a blur.

Of course, she'd already brushed her teeth -- twice, actually. But here she was, furiously going over them with her sonic toothbrush for the third time. She leaned in close to the mirror, double checking that no sneaky bits of food clung to her teeth. All that shone back at her was a set of pearly whites, gleaming like polished armor. But still, her nerves simmered with a teenage panic, so she grabbed her travel pack and fished out a tiny bottle of mint mouthwash. A quick rinse, and she felt like her breath could practically freeze the air around her.

Breathing out into her cupped hand, she nodded in satisfaction. Perfect. Though now… Aris would probably pick up on the smell from a parsec away. Maybe it was too much?

She took a deep breath. They'd planned this trip since leaving Aldhani when they discovered the fist catalyst, so there was no backing out now. And she didn't want to back out. Not even a little. Zaiya wanted to help Aris with this -- and honestly, she was thrilled for an excuse to be alone with him. They'd always been best friends, but now, after so many flustered heart skipping moments and how that fluttery feeling that hit whenever he looked at her, she was finally admitting to herself what she'd been feeling all along.

She like-liked him. Like, not just a friend who's a boy. Like, as in… someone you want to be close to. To hold. To maybe, someday, if things ever went that far… to kiss --

"Gahhhh!" she squeaked, slapping her cheeks as they flushed in waves of coral, then faintly tinted with red streaks in a shimmer of excited blues edged with glowing golden bioluminescence.

None of which would happen if Aris still thought her breath stunk and that kissing was gross!

"Just breathe. It's fine. It's cool. You're just going to look for the catalyst, Zaiya. It's a mission. A mission. Focus!" She whispered a quick pep talk to her reflection, her hands still faintly tingling from the excitement she could barely contain. She'd brushed her teeth, her hair was nicely braided, and she definitely didn't stink. Hopefully, she wouldn't start sweating a storm once they began the climb or whatever they'd face… But still, she decided to keep a little space between them, just in case he thought she was still gross or something.

With one last deep breath, Zaiya looked herself in the mirror dead in the eyes.

"You can do this." Right. She slung her backpack over her shoulders, adjusting her woven white and blue robe, its loose cut leaving her arms bare to allow plenty of movement while allowing her the ability to show off color shifting. Blast! She definitely was nervous.

Stepping off the shuttle, Zaiya blinked against the bright light, eyes squinting at the dry, rugged landscape stretching out before her. The rocky cliffs and scattered trees painted a stark picture against the sky, and up above, she caught sight of the shattered moon. It reminded her a bit of Ashla over Tython, and just like that, a flood of memories from that battle surged in her mind.

Right. This was the mission. She could totally do this.

Steeling herself, Zaiya spotted Aris a few meters ahead, already looking around. Squaring her shoulders, she shut the shuttle hatch and made her way over, repeating her new mantra over and over.

Act natural. Just act normal. Don't look at him, don't --

She could feel her palms getting clammy, but she pushed forward, her voice only slightly wobbly as she asked, "So, umm… where to?" And she looked everywhere but at Aris, hoping her excitement -- and the subtle panic creeping up -- weren't as obvious as they felt.

 

[Aris Noble]

She was brushing her teeth again. And again. And again.

Oh gods what he done.

Every time he heard the sonic toothbrush flick on he buried his reddening face deeper and deeper into his hands. What else had he said before that left such a drastic impression on her? He scoured through his mind and- .. Oh god. Oh gods. Snippets of conversations past cracked through his mind like shards of pure embarrassment. He couldn't handle this. How was he supposed to handle this?

He could go back, right? It wasn't too late to forget what emotions were. He could go back to being a robot.

The moment Zaiya was on the ramp, though? No, no he couldn't go back. His embarrassed expression softened, though the red remained, as he smiled to her. There was no going back, was there? Just talk to her, huh? Jonyna Si had told him to. He sort of did, but his nerves caught up to him. Right now? No more hesitation. Just as Ko Vuto taught him. All in, one strike. No more after.

"I like you Zaiya. I like like you. I don't think your breath stinks at all, I don't think you're gross. You're Lovalla. We both know that means you'll form a bond that I won't feel, and when I'm away it'll hurt you. I refuse to hurt you like that. Help me figure out a way around that. I want to figure out a way around that. Maybe- like this bracer, something that can keep you connected without worry."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya took a deep breath. She could handle this. Just don't look at him. Just keep cool. Only -- wait, was he smiling? Oh stars. The fluttery, twisty feelings she'd been trying to push away bubbled up all over again, and she had to bite back a nervous, anxious silly smile, her cheeks tinting coral as she glanced away, desperate to focus on anything else.

Catalysts. Star maps. A totally random world full of --

But instead of directions or some clever remark, Aris's next words stopped her cold.

"I like you Zaiya. I like like you. I don't think your breath stinks at all, I don't think you're gross. You're Lovalla. We both know that means you'll form a bond that I won't feel, and when I'm away it'll hurt you. I refuse to hurt you like that. Help me figure out a way around that. I want to figure out a way around that. Maybe- like this bracer, something that can keep you connected without worry."

Wait… what?

Zaiya froze unable to move, to speak. Her senses clung to every detail around her: the dry, earthy scent of sagebrush, the heat of the sun overhead, the way her skin suddenly cooled before warming in a dizzying rush.

Her gaze fell to the ground, her eyes wide with shock, as her thoughts raced in a hundred different directions. But there was no hiding what her skin gave away, as her whole body lit up with an uncontrollable kaleidoscope of hues -- a wash of glowing coral and golden pinks, flashes of teal and shimmering stormy greys, all crashing and blending together in a riot of swirling emotions.

He liked her. Like-liked.

Did she...did she really... really hear him say that? Or was she imagining it?

Heat flooded Zaiya's face, her ears burning as she gripped the straps of her backpack so tightly her knuckles turned white. Heart pounding, she kept her gaze fixed firmly on the ground, barely able to get the words out.

"Umm… are… are you sure?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "I mean, umm -- "

Her fingers flexed and tightened on the straps again, resisting the overwhelming urge to reach out and touch his hand, to just confirm that this was real. Her mind raced with a thousand reasons why it couldn't be -- Aris was an Epicanthix, and she was still… just her. Not perfect, not fierce enough, not like Azurine with her effortless confidence and strength. Did he really understand what he was saying?

"Do you like-like me… in the way you want to… umm…" She could feel the coral blush deepen, spilling over with tiny sprays of gold bioluminescence. Even though he said he didn't think her breath stunk or that she was gross, hard to take it at face value when she had just been so anxious over it since that night, "To, like… kiss me? Or just... a best friend?"

She could barely get the words out, funneling herself deeper and deeper into a whirlpool of anxious, tangled thoughts.

"Because… because… I-I like you," she finally stammered, her voice so soft and raw with nerves that it was almost lost in the warm breeze, tiny flutters of crimson flickering over her mottled spots. "Like… like-like you. A lot. More than just --"

The words tumbled out awkwardly, and she stopped mid stammer. She still couldn't look up. Not just because she was afraid to see his reaction, but because she was terrified of what he might say next. She wanted to tell him more, to let him know he wasn't just her best friend but someone she wanted to be with, someone who made her heart race and her thoughts spin. But the words wouldn't come, sticking somewhere in her throat.

 

[Aris Noble]

She didn't believe him.

Crap crap crap.

Aris didn't have a follow up. He'd fully gone into Ko Vuto 's teachings here, not thinking of a follow up. He thought for sure he'd been clear enough that Zaiya wouldn't misunderstand. And yet, he didn't feel panicked at all. He just.. Smiled. Listening to her talk, listening to the bumbling nerves, he couldn't help but smile. He did reach up to scratch his cheek, his own flusteredness still there in the back of his mind.

"I want to kiss you, Zaiya."

He blinked. Then the red really spread over his face. The idly scratch on his cheek shifted to the back of his head as he looked away, the blush burning on his ears. "N.. Not like, right now. I mean, yes right now, but not randomly. Imean no, yes, I-" He took a breath, crouching down as he continued to rub at the back of his head. Maybe he should've put more thought in this than just saying it ah gods what was he doing.

"Special. I- want to make it special, that's what I mean. And- I want to figure out how it won't hurt you first. How to give that bond without needing me there. Despite the fact I can't feel it, you know? There's- so much more to figure out first, but, I like like you Zaiya. Not just as my best friend."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

"Wh-wait -- you do?!"

Zaiya's head snapped toward Aris, who by now had crouched down, his hand rubbing at the back of his head -- a nervous tick she was now starting to recognize. He'd turned his face away, silver hair glinting under the sun, but the bright red at the tips of his ears was unmistakable. He was embarrassed. Really, genuinely embarrassed.

Oh. My. Stars.

He meant it! He actually meant it! Her mouth opened, then shut again as a wave of emotions crashed over her and danced in a flurry of kaleidoscopic hues over her skin -- bewilderment, excitement, shock, and giddy embarrassment all tangled up together. Her heart was pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it, and a million thoughts flooded her mind, images of potential cutesy giddy scenes with what he'd just confessed -- that he wanted to kiss her, that he wanted it to be special. So that meant he really didn't think she was gross?! That it wouldn't be unsanitary to kiss her?!

She took a steadying breath, moving to crouch down in front of him, and reached out a hand, cupping his face gently to get him to look at her. The warmth of his skin under her fingertips made her own bioluminescence ripple, a sending luminous gold shimmer over her skin as she felt his emotions -- nervous and flustered, but so genuine, just like her own. For once, she didn't feel like hiding anything.

"Aris…" she began, trying to stay calm, though excitement bubbled dangerously close to the surface. She wanted to say so much, but words weren't coming. A swell rose within and she simply acted, adjusted her grip instead to wrap her arms around him, pulling him close, her hug as tight as she could manage.

"I like you too. More than just my best friend. More than anything." She rubbed her cheek against his, feeling his warmth and hiding her flaming face against his neck. The tension she'd felt earlier melted away, and it felt like a weight lifting from her heart.

"And I really want to figure it out... find a way to make the bond work. I don't want to block out what you're feeling when we touch. It feels so ...lonely," she whispered, feeling the truth of it resonate in her words. She wanted to hold him, to snuggle him, to feel every part of his emotions without guilt or restraint. There were other sensible questions to ask, too, like if this meant that she should still block her feelings for him until they found a way to make it work? Or what did it mean now that they told each other how they felt?

For now, though, she just let herself hold him tight, breathing in his familiar scent, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief and happiness wash over her. He didn't think her breath was gross. He actually really, really liked her too. And that was all she needed to know.

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris couldn't keep his blush down at all now. He near flinched as he felt Zaiya's touch, too stimulated by his own embarrassment and rush of emotions not to. And yet, he didn't hesitate to lean over into her hand once his brief flinch faded. They'd held hands for years now, let their emotions be shared through it all the while. But this was.. Different. It was way more different now. He reached a hand up to hold hers to his cheek.

Or would've. Surprise filled his gaze as Zaiya full on hugged him, going so far as to rub her cheek to his. The flustered feeling he felt? It only grew. He laughed, his hands finally moving to do something after falling uselessly by his sides. He hugged her. Wrapped his arms around her and squeezed as hard as he dared to. There was a relief in finally saying something, in finally clearing the air on how he felt, on how she felt.

"I don't want you to feel lonely. I- there's a lot to figure out, but- we will. I want to. I really, really want to. And- I'll stop fighting as much. I know you don't like seeing me fight."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with:

Hearing Aris laugh made Zaiya's heart do a happy flip, even as a flush of embarrassment and excitement raced through her. His laughter was soft, warm -- and the strength of his hug made everything feel more solid, more real. She clung to him a little tighter, feeling light and floaty, like everything confusing inside her had just settled into something sure.

He held her close and told her he didn't want her to feel lonely. It was the same thing he'd said when they first met; that she'd never be alone. But somehow, this time, it was different. Better. Whole. For so long, she'd been dizzy with doubt, wondering if everything she felt was just her own overthinking. Now, being here with him, she knew it wasn't onesided. He felt it too.

An now her own mind was racing on what they may need to research and find to make this work. There was so precious little information about Lovalla...and Zaiya herself wasn't sure how her bond with another worked.

But then Aris said something that made her pause, confusion washing over her face in soft, dove gray tones. She pulled back just enough to look at him.

Oh wait, his face was maybe a little too close. Her cheeks heated up, a coral gold blush highlighting her mottled spots, giving her skin a pastel shimmer.

"Wait, back up. Stop fighting as much?" Her voice came out a bit too high pitched, flustered but genuinely confused. Her brows drew together as she searched his face.

"Why do you think I don't like seeing you fight?" She asked, the thought spinning in her mind. Sure, Jedi didn't like to escalate fights unless necessary, but this was Aris. She knew he was skilled, that he fought to protect others.

"Oh, wait…you mean because I don't like seeing you get hurt?" Her voice softened as she assumed what he might be getting at. "Of course I don't want you hurt, Aris. I worry about you… but it doesn't mean I don't respect what you do to protect everyone."

Her gaze softened, and she gently brushed a strand of silver hair from his face, revealing more of those pretty green eyes of his. "I appreciate it more than you know."

 

[Aris Noble]

Oh they were really close. Aris's face was burning with just how close they were. If they weren't taking about something so serious, he might've actually pulled away just from the flustered feeling this brought to him. But, he didn't. Confusion won out instead. He knew she didn't like seeing him hurt. It was rare for him to be, but, that's not at all what he meant.

"I- no wait. When I-" For a moment his brain stopped as she brushed his hair aside. Did his heart skip a beat? Was that even possible for him, who didn't get tired except under overly extreme measures on his part to be? Yes. It only made him that much more confused, but still, he cleared his throat to continue. "When Azurine and I were fighting. You got green, and cold, and rushed away. I- was it not because of me fighting? I thought you got upset because of seeing me fight."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

It was a whirlwind of emotions; a strange, exhilarating, and slightly terrifying rush that had Zaiya's heart pounding against her ribs. She'd seen the flustered confusion and the awkward embarrassment on Aris's face, his cheeks bright red. That didn't help at all. Not with the way he cleared his throat, and the brief blank stare had only made him look more adorably lost, making it nearly impossible for her to focus.

It was but a fraction of a second before Zaiya was now the one furiously blushing, her own mottled spots deepening into vibrant, jewel like corals edged with glimmers of silvery light, pulsing like her racing heartbeat. Her face was so hot it was literally glowing.

"Oh… umm…" Zaiya stammered, feeling absolutely mortified. That whole mix up had been because she had been feeling jealous over how Aris seemed to be enjoying himself with Azurine Varek . She'd felt ridiculous for it, especially because she knew how much it meant for Aris to really enjoy himself, to let loose, even if it was in a fight with someone as skilled as Azurine.

Zaiya took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. She could feel his eyes on her, which only made it harder to think straight. She had to get this out there, even if it sounded stupid, even if her cheeks felt like they might catch fire.

"No, Aris. It wasn't… it wasn't because I was upset about you fighting," she began, her words coming slowly as she wrestled them out. "I actually… enjoyed it. Seeing you have fun, laughing and smiling -- it was… well, great to see you let go like that. I know how much it means to you to be able to do that."

Her mouth was running away with her now, but she didn't stop. Not this time. He had done the same confessing. It was only right for her to do it too.

"It's just…" She swallowed, eyes darting downward before she forced herself to look up, meeting his gaze. "I was… jealous. Of Azurine. Seeing you laugh and smile with her like that -- it just, I don't know… it did something weird to me." She laughed, but it was shaky, and she looked down, cheeks still blazing. "I know it's silly. You were just having an amazing fight with her, and that's… that's great."

Her voice softened, vulnerable now. "But yeah, it… it made me feel upset. Not with you -- mostly with myself, because… well, I knew how stupid it was to feel that way."

 

[Aris Noble]

Oh.

Aris blinked slowly before a soft smile did eventually take over. He had completely misunderstood. Jealous. After a moment he ended up laughing, once the thoughts in his head were sorted. She was jealous! Not horrified at him, but jealous! He should've known that at least, he should've recognized the colors. But here was, thinking he'd horrified her by what he could do.

He shook his head after a second before hugging her again. Really hugging her, squeezing without it being too hard just in case.

"Okay. Good. I was- so worried I'd scared you. That's- such a relief, honestly." Aris pulled away, smiling bright as ever. Really smiling, at that. He couldn't help himself now. With everything no longer being assumed on his part, with them knowing that they liked each other this way, he couldn't help but smile as bright as he was. "We'll figure out how we can fight like that too, then. So you don't feel jealous. Okay?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

It started with Aris shaking his head, and Zaiya's heart sank.

Oh no. He really does think I'm an idiot.

Then he started laughing -- really laughing, real laughter that made his shoulders shake. Zaiya's cheeks flamed, and she looked away, twisting her lips in a flustered pout, a ripple of glowing effects painting her skin. But then she felt his arms tighten around her, pulling her closer.

Wait… he wasn't laughing at her?

She stayed quiet, trying to keep her emotions steady despite the anxious flip in her stomach. Relief was radiating off him in waves now, washing over her.

He'd been worried. That made her feel both bad and a little embarrassed. But when she risked a glance back, Aris was smiling at her -- a huge, radiant smile that softened his whole face and made her heart skip.

And when he mentioned they'd figure out how to fight side by side, so she wouldn't feel jealous next time… her face grew impossibly hotter.

"Okay," she managed, looking down because he was so close, and she was so flustered, and everything felt heightened. She felt his relief, his lingering worry, and something else warm and steady, resonating between them.

"I… was going to anyways. To be the best Knight," she said quickly, trying to defend herself, though she knew it was only part of the story. Azurine had definitely been part of the reason she'd doubled down on her training.

There was a pause before she glanced back at him, meeting his gaze again.

"So… should I still…?" Her voice came out soft, hesitant, as she asked, "Should I keep my mental blocks down so we can, you know… not feel each other?"

It sounded silly, because right now they were already doing that, resonating through the Force like two currents weaving together. But still, she wanted to be sure. He had been worried about her bonding any further with him, on hurting her. And what if they didn't find a way at all? Now there were a lot more questions and it was a new thing that made her anxious.

 

[Aris Noble]

That's right, she said she'd be his Knight. As if he could smile any more than he already was. At least until her question. His smile dimmed a little as he hummed in thought. "I don't.. Know. Since I can't feel bonds like you can, I don't know if one is made. If leaving our barriers down means you bond and we haven't figured out what to do so you don't get hurt from it that'd just be- bad. So.. What do you think?"

Honestly if it wasn't something he was so sure they needed to be careful of, he'd of said no right away. Still, he was smiling. He took her hands in his, squeezing gently.

"We'll figure it out, okay?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

The thing was, Zaiya didn't actually know how her bonds worked. There was so little known about the Lovalla to begin with -- just a bit of research because Lovalla were so rare to begin with, their world out in the Unknown Regions, and even those didn't explain much about her bonds. And when you mixed in the Force? It became impossible to tell what came from her physiology, and what might be from the Force. Maybe both.

"I... I don't know," she admitted, nibbling her lower lip as a bit of worry crept in.

"There isn't much research on Lovalla," she continued, glancing down at their hands, where her fingers were now laced gently with Aris's. She could feel his warmth, solid and reassuring, but she also couldn't help playing with them as her mind raced at the possibilties and how she felt about all this. "It's hard to know what's because of that, or... what's the Force. Or both."

She squeezed his hand a little tighter as she thought aloud. "And... I know by now... I can be greedy. Selfish, even. I don't want to lose the connection we have, not ever. But at the same time, I want to respect what you're comfortable with." Her eyes lifted to his, the irridecent blue shimmering with a soft, worried glow.

"You're the most important person to me, Aris," she said, voice soft. "I don't want to lose you... but I can feel myself wanting to be near you, all the time. I can sense you when you near now -- it's almost on instinct. So... yes I struggle with it, because I'm feeling all sorts of things I'm not used to."

A pause.

"Maybe I can ask Dr. Izar if perhaps he knows of any other Lovalla in academia... maybe he knew someone my parents had contact with in the past."

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris squeezed her hand again. His gaze shifted to focus instead on how they were holding hands. How much smaller her hands were. That size would keep changing though. She wasn't going to get much taller, was she? Was it going to be difficult for them to hold hands when they were walking together? Those were the sort of thoughts going through his head, bleeding through their connection before he blinked.

She was already feeling it, then, wasn't she?

".. Yeah, I know the feeling. I don't- get a lot of what I'm feeling for you either. I just, want to be close. Let's- Yeah, ask Dr. Izar. Find what we can. I've been trying to read up on it but there's really not much out there."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with:

The wave of emotions coming from Aris -- the way his mind rolled over his thoughts, those fluttery, pensive feelings that seemed to ripple between them -- only made Zaiya's heart race faster. With every little pulse, her connection with him felt even more exhilarating, addictive, even. She felt her skin bloom in a warm blush, her patterns shifting to soft pinks and a brief flutter of crimson dapples, the colors somehow reflecting all the things she couldn't quite say.

Realizing she'd been holding her breath, Zaiya let it out in a rather awkward, sudden exhale, feeling the warmth in her cheeks grow. She caught herself staring at Aris as he played absently with her fingers, his focus shifting as his mind wandered. The sight made her pulse skip, and she fought the urge to just… stay like this, forever.

"Umm… okay," she murmured, trying to reel in her focus, her thoughts jumping. Why were they here again? Right -- the mission.

"Maybe… maybe I'll just… tone it down for a bit. For now." She swallowed, feeling a dull ache in her chest as she said it. It was the right thing to do, she knew, but just thinking about it hurt a little. She wondered if she could actually keep it up. Because, if she were honest…

"Otherwise… I might like it too much," she admitted softly, looking away, her face warm with color. "And want more."

The silence lingered between them, and she cleared her throat, her gaze drifting off into the distance. "Um… we should, uh, probably go. You know, check out where the star map's leading us?"

 

[Aris Noble]

"More?"

Aris spoke the question he'd normally keep in his own head. Something for him to mull over in quiet contemplation so he didn't say something aloud that could make a problem. The moment he realized it was actually aloud? His face lit up beat red. She'd already said one thing that was just as much on his mind. A kiss. He could melt into the ground just with how much his face was burning.

The only silver lining was Zaiya provided the ideal distraction in the frm of their actual reason for being here. He nodded quickly, suddenly shooting up to stand. Though he hadn't let go of her hand and sort of just pulled her with him as he looked around.

"R.. Right that's- what we're here for I- right."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

The more Aris uttered in query followed by the crash of realization, embarrassment, and flustered rush from him only made Zaiya’s glow intensify in embarrassment, this time silvery highlights of bioluminescence glinting off her skin.

Yeah. More. More hugging. Holding. Cuddling. Kis - -

The way Aris suddenly bolted up and agreed to move on jerked Zaiya’s hand up, causing her to have to be tugged up to her feet in a rush.

“I — oh!” She had to catch herself so she didn’t teeter, so her free hand came up to catch herself against his chest while her other hand was still entwined in his. Again the close proximity and sudden movement made her head feel fuzzy and she immediately brought her mental shields down to prevent the circular rush of flustered emotions from cycling back and forth.

“Sorry. Just getting my balance,” she murmured, cheeks a shimmering pastel pink carved with deep coral color tones.

“Okay. Star map. Let’s get that out. We have plenty of sunlight for now. Is it far where we need to go?”

And maybe this time it wouldn’t be underground but who knew - - everything for now was full of surprises.

A need to keep her hands busy resulted in Zaiya pulling her hands back, only to try and search where he might have stored the map. Maybe not the best idea in hindsight.

 

[Aris Noble]

Oh he made it worse.

Aris's flushed expression only reddened further, his blush spreading from his cheeks all the way to his ears as he sort of just, stopped functioning. She was so close again. He wasn't prepared for this, how could he be? And he could feel the rush of emotions through her mind before she put the barriers up. That was the smartest thing, before they ended up in such a loop.

His expression only turned a brighter red as he felt her suddenly looking for the orb. He rapidly pulled the device out from a pouch on his hip, letting it light up to point the way. And it did, off in the distance. A line as it always showed, toward the more jungled part of this planet.

"A- Ah, that way! That's- That's the way."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Now both Zaiya and Aris looked like they'd been dropped into a pit of molten lava on Mustafar, their faces blazing with embarrassment. Zaiya was painfully aware of her mortified attempt at fumbling for the starmap, only to realize just how flustered Aris had gotten in the process. Oh, right. Touching each other... How was this suddenly so-o complicated?

As she turned her head, waves of coral blush swept over her skin, sparkling with silvery edges that pulsed brighter with every heartbeat. She swallowed, forcing herself to focus, and pointed toward the glowing line the starmap had projected into the jungle.

"Yup! That is the way," she managed, her voice sounding too loud in her ears. Seriously? She'd done University presentations without stumbling over her words, and yet somehow, here she was, tripping over the most basic phrase.

Determined to fix this ridiculous atmosphere, Zaiya strode purposefully along the path, racking her mind for a safe topic of conversation. Anything but the stuff her mind was racing toward, like asking when he'd figured out he, well… like-liked her, or if he thought Azzie was pretty too.... Nope. Not those questions. So instead, she went for the practical -- something safe, she hoped.

"So, umm…" she began, and then quickly latched onto a better idea. "

"How are things wth your new Master? It's Master Jonyna Si right?" unaware that Aris had a recent conversation with his Master on how to tackle what he was feeling with Zaiya.

"Have you learned anything new from her?"

She glanced over at him, hoping her question wasn't as awkward as it felt and willing herself to keep her emotions -- and her skin -- under control.