Private Stars In Their Eyes

[Aris Noble]

Even without seeing how her colors shifted it was clear exactly how Zaiya felt. Just by her words alone, at that. Aris smiled softly as he listened, not interrupting, just listening before he reached out to take her hand in his. A gentle comfort, to get her focus back on the moment and not trying to dance around whether she'd said something incredibly selfish or not.

Even if it was selfish, Zaiya was allowed to be. This wasn't something they'd see much, after all.

So, while she mulled over whether it was alright to say she wanted to watch the Eye with him, he pulled her along. He wanted to watch it with her as much as she did, after all. The bracer would be there when the Eye was over. "We're going to miss it if you talk anymore, you know." Was he teasing her? Yes. A little. He smiled warmer before he lead them back out, back to the tents, hand still very much holding hers. Even stepping outside they could see it still, the dazzling lights above.

He didn't make it two steps before he stopped to watch it a little longer. Here was fine, by her. That's all he needed.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

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

Zaiya was still trying to make assurances to Aris that they could keep investigating when, every so quietly, with the softest smile on his face, took her hand with his and gently tugged her along. The flood of emotions was immediate at their resonance as the soft, steady warmth of his hand curled over hers -- comfort, reassurance, and a gentle tug to pull her from the whirlpool of Zaiya's self doubt. It was as if his touch said, it's okay.

The surge of reassurance melted into her, quieting her internal debate about whether wanting to watch the Eye with him was too much to ask. And even though he didn't voice it, Zaiya could feel how much his quiet excitement matched hers.

"Okay..." She replied, mirroring his smile, although when he teased her with a flash of his grin, Zaiya felt the playful affection ripple through him. It made the flutter in her heart skip a beat and send a warm flush over her face that was equally delighted as all of a sudden feeling incredibly shy.

By the time they reached the tent, Zaiya was once again swept up by the beautiful sight, with Aris's still holding hers like an anchor, grounding her to the moment. For a moment, the rush of emotions shifted -- contentment, awe, a quiet joy that flickered like starlight. They didn't need to be anywhere else. Right here was enough. And that simple truth settled over Zaiya like a balm, carried through the soft pulse of Aris' feelings, shared in the silence between them.

It was so-o pretty, and Zaiya felt that swell of warmth and awe fill her chest, blooming outward, sending a kaleidoscope of dancing colors and a soft ripple of bioluminescence over her face and down her arms. By now, the surge of meteors was starting to form the distinctive eye shape on the horizon, brightening the sky once more. It was surreal, beautiful, and just so awe-inspiring.

 

[Aris Noble]

"I'm happy you're here with me."

Aris spoke softly as he squeezed Zaiya's hand. Much softer this time as he looked up over the Eye and the display above. He was smiling, a genuine smile like before. This was what made it special. Being here with her. He blinked at that realization, letting his eyes fall to her as he had before. This just reinforced what he felt as he watched her.

There was a lot of problems there, he figured, with how he felt. But he wanted to solve them.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

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

Aris's gentle squeeze pulled Zaiya's attention away from the meteor shower and back to him. That little boyish smile of his -- glowing under the streaks of light dancing across the sky -- sent another wave of fluttering emotions through her. It wasn't just happiness; it was something deeper, warmer, more confusing. But she couldn't stop herself from feeling it, especially when he told her he was happy she was with him.

Her cheeks flushed, and a soft coral hue washed over her skin, mingling with a golden shimmer that danced along the edges of her mottled spots.

Oh, stars, it's warm. Zaiya swallowed hard, trying to steady the sudden racing of her heart.

"Me too, Aris," she murmured, her smile widening. There was a hint of pink, and even the slightest flicker of red joined the golden glow that radiated from her skin. She was happy. So-o happy. Light and effervecent, like she might just float away into the night sky.

But then, she felt something shift in him -- an odd, thoughtful resonance. Her eyes darted to their joined hands and realization hit. Oh. Right.

She was resonating with him again, sharing emotions without thinking. It was something that always slipped her mind when she got too close, too comfortable.

"Oh... sorry," Zaiya blurted, feeling a wave of awkwardness wash over her. "I didn't mean to -- I'll stop."

Her skin dimmed a little, the colors settling into something more neutral, but inside, her emotions still danced wildly, moving to put up the mental shields to stop the resonance. She hoped she hadn't made things weird between them. Not when everything had felt so-o… right.

 

[Aris Noble]

She pulled away, but for once Aris understood why. His expression though hadn't changed from the smile he had. If anything, he turned more to her, reaching up to take her hand again to hold it firmly. "It's alright." For now, it was alright. He'd figure something out to make it always alright, to make sure he didn't hurt her. There had to be something he could do. He'd figure it out.

He already had a couple ideas, but how to make it work he wasn't sure just yet. So, for now, this would have to be enough.

"Let's watch the stars till they fade. Like this."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

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

The way Aris turned to her and retook her hand made Zaiya freeze, her breath catching as she stared at him in a mix of surprise and confusion. His smile lingered, soft and steady, illuminated by the shimmering cascade of meteor showers overhead, streaks of blue, green, and yellow lighting up the sky.

The firm way he held her hand sent a jolt through her, like the feeling she got when he flicked her forehead when she was overthinking things. Was he thinking she was being silly? No, wait. She had felt him want to spend it with her, so maybe he just wanted to enjoy the moment as they had back at the gala? Her thoughts churned in a storm of uncertainty.

Was this one of those 'worry about it tomorrow' moments?

Zaiya swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. The internal conflict was written all over her, her bioluminescent spots shifting between anxious silver and warm, tender pinks. She took a deep breath, offering a small, tentative smile when Aris asked to watch the stars till they faded like this.

"Okay," she replied softly, her heart racing, emotions swirling inside her like a whirlwind. A part of her just wanted to soak this in, to stop overthinking everything and just be here -- with him.

She glanced up at the meteor shower again, trying to calm the fluttering, confusing feelings that tumbled through her. Aris was here, beside her, his hand in hers. Her hand flexed around his, tangible evidence that he wanted to hold it. That was enough, wasn't it?

Take advantage of these moments, she told herself. The ones where he was okay with this closeness. The ones where she didn't have to hide how much she liked it.

For now, she'd let herself savor it. Indulged in the guilty pleasure as the streaks of hundreds of meteors sailed through the sky and painted it in their brilliance.

How long they stood there, who knew -- but it was a moment Zaiya would never, ever forget.

 

[Aris Noble]

Without the barriers he could feel it. How much she wanted this moment to last, how much she just, felt the same as he did. his grip on her hand tightened just a little more as he looked up to the stars, to focus on this moment beside her. It was when they faded that he didn't let go of her hand, instead keeping his gaze up on the night sky above. He was being greedy now, he knew it. It showed on his ears as they shaded ever so faintly red.

"I'll find something that can keep you from getting hurt. I don't know what, but, your species needs to remain with someone, right? .. I'll find something."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

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

Zaiya kept quiet, not wanting to ruin the delicate moment they were sharing. The meteor shower had long since ended, but the night sky remained beautiful, the stars scattered across the deep indigo canvas above. She swallowed hard, torn between knowing Aris probably wanted to study the bracer and this selfish desire to stay here, just a little longer, with him. The longer she lingered in his presence, the more these strange, fluttering feelings grew, like vines creeping through her chest, wrapping tighter with each second.

Was it wrong to want more?

Her mind swirled in uncertainty. If he was also lingering, if he maybe felt something too, was it so bad?

When Aris finally spoke, his voice cutting through the quiet, Zaiya looked up at him, her opal blue eyes searching his face. But the shadows of the night made it hard to see, and she couldn't make out his expression. She missed the way his ears turned pink -- but she felt it.

The warmth spread through her cheeks again, lighting up her skin in shimmering coral and golden streaks. The bioluminescence flickered across her in the dark, broadcasting her emotions for anyone to see.

Great, she thought. Totally subtle, Zaiya.

"Umm, yeah, when we bond --" she started, but the words got stuck in her throat, her face glowing brighter as embarrassment set in. She didn't want to make things awkward. She didn't want to assume too much, or pressure him. Zaiya just wanted to be with him, to be near him.

"I know you'll never hurt me, Aris," she said softly, her voice full of quiet reassurance. She wanted him to know, in that simple, innocent way, that she didn't see him as a danger. He didn't need to worry.

The next words came out in a quiet rush, her heart beating wildly in her chest. "I... I just want to be with you. So... I'll take what I can get."

But deep down, Zaiya knew that wasn't the whole truth. She wanted more. More time. More moments like this. More chances to touch his hand, to see him smile, to hear him laugh. More of him.

"I... umm..." She ducked her head, feeling her face flush even more as she tucked a strand of her multicolored hair behind her ear.

"Do you... umm, want to look over the bracer?" she asked, her voice a little shaky, hoping to shift the conversation to something safer. But her heart was still racing, and she couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same strange pull she did.

 

[Aris Noble]

There was more to be said, and yet, he knew they couldn't properly talk about it now. She even stopped herself from bringing it up. The bond. It was dangerous, especially for Zaiya, until they had a better understanding on how to handle it. She brought up the bracer instead, and, well. He didn't have anything else to say with it. He smiled softly, nodding his head.

"Yeah, that seems like a good idea. You want to look it over with your drones first?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

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

"Yeah! That would work," Zaiya replied, her face lighting up. For a moment, she felt the pull to linger close to Aris again, to reach for his hand like she had before. But she knew that would be pushing it.

Instead, she redirected her attention, trying to focus on something that wasn't her racing heart or the blush that lingered on her softly glowing face, "So, are the Epicanthix known for creating bracers like this? I know it's a mixture of different cultures, and you did a lot of study on your history during training... does any of this sound familiar?" Zaiya asked, moving closer to the fire they had set up earlier. The embers still radiated a gentle warmth, but the flames had died down, leaving the camp in a soft glow.

She crouched down, gathering some of the kindling they colledted earlier, tossing it onto the embers. The fire crackled and came to life, orange flames licking on twigs as the heat and glow of the fire illuminated the camp. Zaiya watched them for a second, grateful for the distraction, not to mention for the excuse on why her face would be warm -- although the warmth of the fire wasn't quite enough to calm the flutter in her chest every time she glanced at Aris, especially after feeling those conflicted fuzzy emotions from him from earlier. Again, it made her wonder. Think.

She searched for a fuel stick they'd brought along, something to keep the fire going longer, while waiting for his reply. She settled down cross-legged in front of the fire to take the bracer out to study it and hold it to the light.

It had such an intricate but simple design; beautiful, really. The craftmanship was undeniable. The secure alcove that it had been placed in had kept it from tarnishing, looking as if it had just been crafted the day before. Was that on purpose or an effect of the design?

Would the Force react to it or would it only react to Aris's bloodline like the other sites they'd visited?

 

[Aris Noble]

"Bracers specifically are used for things like shields and the sort. When fighting hand to hand against blade, they were incredibly useful back in the old times before blaster technology." It wasn't unheard of for there to be bracers in the modern age either, but they usually had things like holoshields or even the sort of tech Zaiya herself used in her bangles. He stood preeetty close beside her now, looking over the bracer so he could study it alongside her.

And ignored his own fluttery feelings for the time being, as he focused on the bracer.

It was metal, though, through and through, no circuitry, nothing in particular that seemed to do.. Anything. Save for the odd sensation it gave off. It felt muted in the Force, almost as if it was trying to stop her from feeling it.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

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

Zaiya was trying her best to not focus too much on how close Aris was. Just a subtle motion would allow their shoulders to brush if she did so, allowing her to lean against him. Never had she been so grateful for the heat of the fire to excuse how warm it felt.

"Oh, not surprised then - beauty and functionality right?" She quipped out, flashing a half smile as she tried her best to see what she could pick up from the bracer. With a quick jingle of her own brackets, she activated one remote, sending the tiny sensor droid from her cuff up into the air. She held the bracer in the palm of her hand, allowing the faint green light to map and scan it.

"I can sort of feel the Force in it… but it's almost as if it is preventing me from doing so. Like a Force firewall." Intrigue picked up as the Lovalla furrowed her brows, the interest in how it worked and why it was muting itself so now becoming her focus.

She checked the scans, and nothing seemed off. In fact, it couldn't even detect what sort of material it was made out of.

"I have nothing. It is unlike anything I've ever seen…" Zaiya said apologetically, a ripple of thoughtful ambers and silvers rushing over her patterns. She couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty about the bracer, adding to the suspense of the situation.

"... Not sure if I want you touching it just yet... think it will react to a drop of your blood?" Zaiya suggested, a hint of concern in her voice. The thought was likely a gross one, but it was better than having the bracer react in a way they couldn't predict while he touched it, potentially putting them in danger.

 

[Aris Noble]

"There's nothing here I can bleed with."

He'd been beaten bloodied before, but, it wasn't technically even bleeding that time. Bruises and likely broken bones before his odd body healed itself, but no blood. Rupturing his ears had drawn blood. Not something he wanted to do. He glanced to the bracer before letting out a sigh and just took it. If it was going to react to him, the best way would be for him to take it, right?

It flared to life immediately. Metal shifted on it's own, seeming to crawl over his skin all at once on contact before it formed to his wrist, snugly wrapped there. Aris visibly flinched, though, there was no pain or the like. Just surprise that it moved as it did.

".. Okay. Well, there I guess?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

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

"Well, okay, valid point, but maybe we can still -- " Zaiya began, but before she could finish, Aris had already made his move.

Without warning, he took the bracer from her grasp, his expression one of calm, logical determination. It was the look of someone who just wanted to get the whole thing over with.

"Wait -- !" Zaiya's disbelieving cry barely escaped her lips before it was too late.

Just like she had theorized, the bracer reacted to Aris immediately. Much like the nanomachines she'd programmed to craft his Aural dampeners and helm, the bracer shifted, molded, and settled itself over his hand, snaking up to his wrist with eerie precision. In a matter of seconds, it clamped down, wrapping snugly around his arm, seamlessly fusing to his skin.

"Oh my stars, Aris!!" Zaiya gasped, darting forward to grab his forearm, tugging at the bracer in a panic, emotional resonance flaring with noticeable heat. No dice. There wasn't even a seam, nothing to pry it off. The thing had merged perfectly with his wrist, snug but comfortable -- still, tight enough that it wasn't coming off anytime soon.

"You should have waited!" she chided, her voice a mix of alarm and frustration. Her skin flashed in a chaotic storm of lavender, grey, and pale yellow, flickering over her like a strobe. She was panicking, and the colors made it clear. Her spots were pulsing like warning lights, her fear for Aris carving across her skin as vividly as if she'd shouted it out loud.

"Are you okay?!" she asked, frantic. Her hands hovered over his arm, torn between wanting to punch him for being so reckless and wanting to make sure he wasn't about to keel over into a pile of bones.

 

[Aris Noble]

"I'm fine as alwa-" He paused as he looked to Zaiya, watched the rippling colors. The frustration, the concern. His casual dismissal turned to a soft, calm smile as he raised his hand to idly shake his wrist. The bracer didn't move, but his hand was still freely capable of movement and control. "I'm alright, Zaiya. It doesn't feel any different, honestly. Or uncomfortable. It's like.. It's not even there?"

Which was a weird feeling, but, it wasn't bad. His brow furrowed after a moment as he touched it. It flared to life then. Ancient script scrawled over it, glowing ever so faintly. Aris felt nothing as it glowed. Zaiya would. The Force muted all around them, almost like a Ysalimari bubble. No, not around them, around Aris. It was as if he was removed from the Force entirely, separated by some invisible barrier.

".. Maybe it's supposed to be a flashlight?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

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

Relief washed over Zaiya in a wave of shimmering bronzes and calming blues, but it didn't last long. Frustration flared hot and sudden, sparking lavender streaks across her skin as she scowled at Aris, an expression she almost never wore. She shoved his shoulder hard in her exasperation, but it barely budged him, his strength maddeningly unaffected. Even if his voice and expression turned into a soft, calm smile in his attempts to provide reassurance, it still frustrated her.

"Don't do that again!" she snapped, her voice trembling with the fear she still felt.

"I was scared something could've happened to you!" Her skin pulsed with glowing silver beats, her emotions flashing brightly for him to see, even if her words didn't convey the full weight of her worry.

But just as quickly, her frustration morphed into alarm. The moment Aris touched the bracer, activating its ancient, glowing script, Zaiya froze. A muted, almost suffocating sensation swept over her, and the vibrant glow of her bioluminescence dimmed. It was as if the Force itself had gone quiet.

Her skin paled in shock, pewter arcs streaked with pale yellow flashing over her mottled spots. Her eyes widened, her usual spark of energy replaced by alarm.

"Aris..." she whispered, her voice trembling. Instinctively, she raised her hand, trying to summon a small orb of light like she always did. But... nothing. It was as if she was pushing against a wall, her connection to the Force feeling dull, almost... unreachable.

"I can't feel the Force. It's like... like I'm in a Ysalimari bubble," she said, her voice quiet but urgent, panic beginning to creep in. She shot a glance at the bracer wrapped around his wrist, the unease growing in her chest.

"I think the bracer's blocking the Force," she concluded, her pulse quickening. This wasn't just a relic anymore -- this was something far more dangerous.

"Can you still use your strength?" The Force ran differently for Aris, it was all internal, but with how it was smothered and without touching him, Zaiya had no clue to what extent this went.

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris blinked slowly as he looked back to Zaiya, then to the bracer. She couldn't feel the Force? He looked about, his brow suddenly focused as he reached over to pick up a stone. Like before, he closed his hand and the rock turned to dust without issue. So it didn't affect him at all? His brow furrowed as he tapped it again. It was a hope that it'd shut it down.

It did. Not because he tapped it, as he'd realize eventually. It reacted to his intention, his desires. He'd figure it out soon, but right now, he looked up to the frustrated Zaiya with a far more apologetic smile.

"I'll be safer next time, I promise."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

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

All it seem to take was a tap.

Zaiya barely had time to register the movement before the rush of the Force hit her like a sudden wave. It surged through her, igniting her senses and sparking the bioluminescent edges of her mottled spots and stripes. They glowed brighter than usual, like sun flares rippling across her rosy golden skin, casting a soft, shimmering light in all directions.

She gasped, startled, as the Force had returned to her all at once, filling the empty space it had left behind. Her skin shifted colors involuntarily, swirling in response to the intense sensation -- vibrant teals and deep blues pulsed, contrasting with a faint silvery tint that washed over her face. It was like the colors didn't know how to settle, reflecting her own inner confusion.

Zaiya blinked rapidly, trying to gather her bearings. "Okay... that... that felt weird," she murmured, her voice still shaky from the jolt. "Did tapping it make it do that?"

She glanced at the bracer in question, trying to make sense of what just happened.

 

[Aris Noble]

"Yeah, I think- .. No, wait I- .. I can feel it? It's-" His words were disjointed. As he wore it, his focus shifted from Zaiya and the world around them to just, it. It was connecting to him. Maybe literally, for all he knew, but there was understanding there, as if he was just attuning to it. Was that how those video games actually handled it? Just spend some time and you learn it by instinct?

"Okay- okay. It's telling me what it can do. Not literally, but, I can feel it. Like how we can feel each other sometimes. It's- .. This is really cool Zaiya."

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 studied Aris with a worried expression, her heart fluttering in her chest. She wasn't sure how this was going to end -- whether Aris would figure out the bracer or if something would go horribly wrong. As the moments stretched on, though, it seemed like he was starting to get the hang of it -- or at least, something was working. Maybe he was sensing something through the Force that she wasn't?

"I really hope you're not about to turn into a skeleton or something," Zaiya quipped nervously, her attempt at humor more a reflection of her anxiety than anything else. Her words were light, but her eyes were glued to him, ready to jump in if something went wrong.

But he didn't collapse. He didn't turn into a skeleton. Instead, he looked excited, even if his words didn't quite make sense. Relief washed over her in a shimmering ripple of soft blues and golds. When Aris mentioned that the bracer felt similar to when they resonated through the Force when they touched, a flicker of intrigued citrine hues spread over the mottled spots and stripes on her face, catching her by surprise.

"Wait… so it's resonating with you?" Her voice grew in pitch in curiousity. Zaiya's gaze sharpened, focusing on Aris. "What's it telling you?"