The Art of Discovery

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori couldn't believe it. Was this real? If it was a dream she didn't want to wake up and find out. She held onto the hand of [member="Zeke Tune"] as they left the club, letting him lead the wayto his gallery. Her energy level was high, moreso in eager anticipation of what artwork she was about to see. Now there was no loud music mute their voices. Now they could hear eachother loud and clear. "Is it a big gallery?
Or a small one? How many pieces of artwork are yours? All of them? Or just some? We have some artwork back at both of our homes." Oh! Maybe he could do a family portrait! That'd be a great way to introduce him to her family! Yeah!

Oh wait. She was getting ahead of herself again. Lori took in a deep breath and let it go slowly. She had to just focus on the moment, focus on tonight. Then they can focus on the next day after that. And the next day after that. Yeah.

Of course then there'd be the matter of each of their schedules. She had training to do with her Dad, plus she had to undertake jobs to pay for her ship and crew. Oh, but they'd work it out somehow, right?

Lori kept close to him as they walked, so that her arm was right against his. In a way that kept her warmer as the corridor of the station was cooler than the air in the club. She'll change later into something more comfortable once she got back to her ship. That'd be okay, right? To dress down a bit for a date? Hopefully it'd be okay. She was out of her element here.

 

[Zeke Tune]

[member="Loreena Arenais"] was amazing. It's all he could think. Beautiful, but so full of life and energy too. This wasn't one of those ladies where you had to dote on them constantly. She was a real person, she wanted to have adventures, get her hands dirty, get excited, you could hug and touch, and cuddle, without your head being ripped off. No one wanted high class girls except as status symbols. And that wasn't how Zeke operated. This one was different. As she stayed up against his arm, he did what felt natural. An arm snaked around her shoulders, to help keep her close, and warm.

Then she asked the million questions and his face lit up like it was a wondrous thing. He loved curiosity and energy. “Honestly, this one isn't mine. It's a fairly small gallery all things considered. There are about thirty to forty paintings on display. And a handful of statues, and a ceramic collection. Almost everything in it are official replicas. See, we create a singular original. That one is what sells for the most credits. But we may not WANT to sell it. And more people will want it than can afford it. I keep my own art work fairly limited in reprints and official copies. It keeps the value high and doesn't over saturate the market.” The man cuddled up closer to Lori, as he looked down at her. The girl had all his attention now. She was the only thing in the galaxy that mattered right now.

“Honestly much of the art work is mine. But not all. I donated many pieces so he could get started.” As they approached the block where it was, they could see the name Metal Edge Gallery, emblazoned in bright lights. He stopped outside, and faced Lori, with a smile. “Well, we are almost there. Any more questions before we enter?” He couldn't help himself. Zeke wanted to look into her eyes move. Hand reached up and brushed some hair from her face.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

As [member="Zeke Tune"] wrapped an arm around her shoulders, she wrapped her arm about his waist. She'd seen others do it countless times and now she knew how it felt. It was warm and protective at the same time. That was certainly something that she could get used to.

"Wow...only replicas?
You sure know your market. I haven't paid attention to the art industry so much. I've had so much other things that took over my time. But now you'll have to teach me all about it.
And then I can teach you how to tinker." Maybe he could build a jetpack like hers and they could soar the skies together. Oh that'd be wicked!

Lori stopped as he did, looking up at him as he once again studied her eyes. "No more questions, nope. I'm ready to see them." Ready to be amazed and in awe. For surely they had to be masterpieces for the artwork to be so sought after.

 

[Zeke Tune]

He rather enjoyed this. Arm around [member="Loreena Arenais"] , her arm around him, it made him feel like the king of the station right now. The man nodded. “I do know my markets. I have a degree in fine arts, and a minor in marketing, strangely enough. Always worked well to help me keep my head above the water of the art world.” His thumb gently rubbed at her back, and shoulder as he kept his hand there.

“I would love to teach you everything I know, and it would be amazing to learn tinkering from you. It sounds like a good use of time on later dates, or just hanging out.” Oh he wanted to do everything in the galaxy with her right now. The endorphins from all this were strong, making his mind go wild. Like this, arms wrapped around each other, he brought her into the art gallery. It was a medium sized room in the station, white walls, good lighting. One the walls were paintings. Many had brilliant colors, and were from a clearly dedicated artist, who know his trade. They would elicit strong emotions in the people who looked at them. Some were peaceful, some described anguish, and others happiness. Such a wide range of emotions and colors were present in the paintings. The subjects were all over, as if the artist struggled to keep to a single focus. The statues around the room were lifelike, and beautiful. The craftsmanship was second to none. While it was obvious these were replicas, even the replicas were well done.

Along stands in the middle of the room with the statues, many displays of fine pottery, brightly colored and well made stood. These were not replicas, but instead hand made by Zeke for this exhibit. There were a wide variety of other paintings as well, but, the crowds seemed to be gathered more around the initial ones.

A long thin alien man, a Woostoid, came up, and spread his arms wide. “By the logic, you are actually holding someone. Is the galaxy about to end? I've tried setting you up a million times! Where have you been keeping this beauty, Zeke!”

The artist rolled his eyes. “I don't really want to talk about it. She is great though, making sure I have a very good time. And I'm trying to do the same. She wanted to see the gallery, so I brought her.” As the man came up, Zeke pulled Lori tighter to him, protectively, or maybe a tad possessively, like he was afraid someone would try and steal her from his arms.

“Lori, meet Bzan Akida. An old friend of mine. Bzan, meet Lori.” Bzan bows to her. “A pleasure. Would you like the tour? You are with the featured artist after all, it would be fair.”

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori just smiled. So they'd get to just hang out too and not be under the constant pressure of a date? That was perfect! That meant that she didn't have to dress up all the time and more importantly, she would be comfortable. Now who could ask for anything more than that?

And she had plenty that she could teach him as well. They could have so many adventures. The possibilities seemed endless! It was fantastic, the very idea of it.

Walking into the gallery, Lori didn't expect to find a bunch of people. Perhaps it was true that Kwenn Station didn't sleep. Her eyes darted every which way, taking it all in at once, mapping out in her mind as to which area she wanted to focus on first, which route that she was going to take. But it was difficult to choose just where to begin. "Wow...it's all so...you made ALL of these?" As far as she was aware, most artists tended to stick to one kind of medium and yet [member="Zeke Tune"] seemed to work in all of them.

Her attention soon turned to who could only the owner of the gallery. And he was VERY quick to point out Lori. Her cheeks reddened slightly, but she didn't shy away. Yet still Zeke brought her closer to him, if such a thing was even possible. She smiled and bowed her head like her Mom taught her to do when she was introduced. "Nice to meet you Bzan. And yes, I'd love a tour.
I just don't know where to start..."

 

[Zeke Tune]

[member="Loreena Arenais"] was snuggled up tightly to him. This exactly what he wanted, and he had it. He would be happy to just have her around, for them to be comfortable, and warm, and just let them enjoy normal activities. He longed for it so much. He looked down at her and nodded. “I can draw, paint, sculpt, create pottery, and the like. I am not sure why, but I always picked it up really easily. I am also fairly good with musical instruments.” He was a savant when it came to these types of things. It just worked for him. And he enjoyed it. It's probably why he was so awkward getting close to another though.

“Yeah...these are mine.” His free hand extended and swept across the gallery. “Honestly, it's a small part of it.” Eyes sought out her eyes, to make sure she enjoyed herself. He was still nervous. And then Bzan grinned at them. “You two are adorable. Alright, over here.” The man smiled and gestured to the paintings. “This is Mr. Tune's newest painting, the Burning Man. The original sold for well over thirty million credits. However, this here is a replica. It sells for ten thousand credits. It expresses the artists burning passion at the state of the galaxy and its constant state of war.”

Zeke's eyes rolled and he hugged Lori. “Uhuh, is that what you tell people? I made it, because of a tragic accident where I watched a man get set on fire. I was the one who put him out, I then donated half the money to him and his family to pay for the treatments to get him better. It was just, something I couldn't get out of my head.”

Bzan's hand waved. “Shhhh, you are an amazing artist, but people want deeper meanings, and wild tales to tell one another when they buy the paintings. I know this, you know this!” Zeke's eyes narrowed. “Yeah well, I have no intention of having my girl being told all the dribble, I would rather her know the truth.” However, then his eyes went wide. Oh goodness, he just called her his girl....it was way to soon, his desires were spilling out.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

[member="Zeke Tune"] seemed to be an all around artistic type while Lori wasn't. Still, she loved taking things apart to see how they worked. It was how she learned to make her jetpack Ol' Sparky. And to know how to fix her training fighter as well as Jaster's Sparrow. She had a knack for figuring things out. It also made her pretty good at laying out traps.

Lori looked up at Zeke, holding his gaze for a moment. He was studying her again, almost as though he was trying to read her. Well he'd see nothing but excitement and envy reflected in her eyes. Zeke was almost too good to be true. Surely he had some faults, right? He couldn't be completely perfect. Maybe that fsult would be that he couldn't cook. Yeah, yeah that could be it.

Her attention turned to Bzan as he started to explain one of the paintings. It was then that she learned that his name wasn't Zeketune. It was Zeke Tune! Inside her mind, Lori gave herself a facepalm for being such an idiot. Not everyone hides themselves like she does.

The banter between the two of them made her snicker to herself. However it stopped when Zeke called her his girl. She looked up at him and saw the shock in his own eyes at the slip of the tongue. Oh boy. It didn't even look as though he expected himself to say that. Lori gave him a little squeeze of reassurance and then looked to Bzan. "Actually I like hearing both sides. Maybe I can come up with a third? Like...hmmm...One day he got stuck on Tatooine, with no water and no shade!
So he felt as though he was on fire with tje heat of the twin suns burning down on him. An hour felt like a hundred hours and when he felt as though he was going to be as dry as kindling, he was rescued by his old friend that had apparently lost track of the hour when he was browsing through the market. How's that?"

 

[Zeke Tune]

That squeeze was everything he needed, that reassurance. His eyes would tell her all she needed to know. He was enjoying having her here, and was terrified of losing it over being dumb, or moving to fast. Zeke was simply unsure how to proceed. He wasn't used to this either. As charming as he was, as confident and successful as he had been, right now, he had someone amazing in his arms, and the thought of losing her so soon after he had found her terrified him. A finger came up, and brushed her cheek again, as she spoke her own idea. But at that squeeze, she would see him relax considerably, like everything was okay. He was happy. He wanted her to be his girl, its why he took her on a date.

“I like it. Though...hmmm. Oh, I have an idea. If we take all of it together. I was sitting on tattooine, suffering a tragically timed speeder malfunction. In the hot baking sun, I sat, unable to find shelter or heat. I felt like I was on fire constantly. However, when the end felt near, when it was to much to take, a beautiful woman came, offering shelter, shade and water. She took me back to the city, where I got the care I needed. Hmmm....” Eyes glanced at Lori and he grinned. “Hey! Want to be a model for one of my paintings. If we used that story it would make sense to create something like the Lady of Shade, after words....Oh! I got it.” In that moment a switch flipped in his mind. Everyone else but Lori disappeared once more, and he just gushed out the creative idea he had in his mind, to her and her alone.

“I do a full portrait of you, but I then take a full copy of that, giving you the original, okay? Then, I begin to modify the copy, shading it in. It will be you, and your entire outline, for the woman, but completely shaded in like a shadow. In the background, trees, and an oasis in a sea of sand.....ah, that would be beautiful! What do you think?!”

Bzan grinned and leaned towards Lori's ear. Once there, he whispered.“He must be truly smitten with you. He never shares his process with anyone. You should feel honored. I've known him for ten years and never seen him cling to anyone the way he does you. It's clear you two are a new couple, but, good luck.” Then he stood up fully. “That is a lovely story, and with the sister painting in hand....why I do believe the owner of the Burning man, will have to have the Lady of Shade as well.”

[member="Loreena Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori grinned both at the fact that [member="Zeke Tune"] liked her idea, and also that he expanded on it. However asking her to be a model for him caught her by surprise. It shouldn't of though, since he had drawn a quick picture of her already. "Me? A model? Sure.
I mean...I've never done it before, but I could use it to practice meditation as well. I haven't really done that much."

It would be so strange to have something of her likeness to be sold and covetted. Even if what the public would see would be a shadow. But would Lori keep the original? That was hard to say. A part of her wanted Zeke to have it, that way when they were apart he could still see her. But then again, that's what holocalls and holomessages were for. Right?

As Bzan leaned in to whisper, she found herself just staring straight ahead. If he had been trying so hard to get Zeke to be with someone, it was clear that he wasn't a womanizer. Thank the Force for that! And yet for Zeke to want her to be a part of his creations...that made her feel all the more special. She hadn't been important to anyone in that way before.

"Sounds great to me.
It'd be a whole new nickname for me. Lady of Shade...Although no one would know but us, right? Like a secret identity." She grinned. Of course she knew all about hiding who she was. It was sometimes hard to do, but in her mind is was the best thing to do.

 

[Zeke Tune]

A gentle hand reached out to caress the face of [member="Loreena Arenais"] . He honestly seemed to love doing it. Over and over, he touched and traced it, so that it would be carved into his memory, so that his hands would feel the shape of it, even when she was not next to him. How easily he had become smitten with her, how desperately he wanted to make art with her. No, not in his normal ways either. Honest, genuine art, something beautiful, and precious. His heart beat so fast at the idea, being allowed to share this part of himself with her. To share the experience of it. Zeke did not know what to make of all of this. However, he didn't mind that fact either.

It was a strange uncertainty, a strange magic that she had over him. (Couldn't help myself). Zeke leaned close to her face and laughed. “Oh, I will allow you to practice meditation all you want them. Maybe I'll make an entire exhibition using you. But, we can also talk, go places and the like. See, I can do sketches, get inspiration, and you don't need to sit still for me to draw it. For instance, maybe I can watch you build something, and see what emotion that invokes. There are so many things we can do, and see, and still for me to paint. But....I wonder if you look peaceful when meditating.” Oh she was such a beautiful creature, and the idea she was a Jedi or something, actually made this more exciting? Why? He had no idea! But he thought it did anyway.

He twirled her around, so they were face to face, his hands rested on her sides. “Yes, a secret name for just the two of us. I like Shade, it's fun. What should mine be?” The alien laughed and grinned. Oh he would stay quiet. He had no desire to sabotage Zeke. The Artistic Assassin....how long had he hoped for the man to go down the path of a normal life? Maybe this girl could be the start of it.

“Zeke....why don't you show her the rest? I have a few customers to go talk to.” As the other left, Zeke smiled and pulled her close to his front. “Right....So, this sculpture here.” His arm went out, and gestured. “It was created for the 100th birthday of a crime lord. However, after receiving it, he wept, and turned himself into the local authorities, he said, it had spoken to him, and shown him the errors of his ways. He then gave his wealth to various charities. Strangely, this is actually a true story. I'm not sure what happened. And I didn't know he was a crime lord when he commissioned me.” Oh, Zeke knew what happened. The drugs that had been laced in the original, and the micro comms around his room, that made the man feel he had been visited by the ghosts of those he had ordered to die.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori loved it when [member="Zeke Tune"] caressed her face so softly. There was just something so soothing about it. She could picture herself lying on the sofa, using his lap as a pillow while he memorized her face with his touch. Of course it could sooth her too much and she'd probably end up falling asleep. But that was okay!

She had no idea of how she looked while she was tinkering on this, that or whatever. What did her face look like when she was concentrating and super focused on something hard? Probably a bit goofy. She's always been that way. That could probably make for a very funny art piece.

Lori laughed a little as she was twirled, her drink from earlier causing her to get a little dizzy with the sudden movement. After regaining control of her balance, she tilted her head to the side a bit, squinting with one eye as she pondered on a nickname. "Hmmm....How about...no, no that wouldn't work...umm....Dash? Because you're so dashing? Or Dreamweaver...because you create works of art that people might only see in their dreams...Or is that too corny?"

She gave Bzan a small wave as he left them alone and then let Zeke continue with the tour. Her eyes studied the statue as she heard the tale. And of course she figured that it was fib, but then came the truth of it. "Wow...who knew that art could have such an impact on someone.
If only all crimelords were so easily swayed. My Mom had a statue of her made from lava crystals by a betrayer. She said that it was so lifelike that it creeped her out. Fortunately it was on Atrisia and not on Commenor. So when the Jedi and Galactic Alliance attacked the planet, the statue was destroyed along with the palace it resided in. I kinda wished that I could have seen it..." She was curious as to why it creeped her Mom out so much and why she was glad that it didn't exist anymore.

 

[Zeke Tune]

They had hit it off well. They seemed to enjoy the traits the other had, the differences and the similarities. Ah, he couldn't get enough. He needed to know more. As she spoke various names to call him, he thought about it. “Honestly, so long as it came from you, and it was something you actually enjoyed calling me, I wouldn't mind what it was....” When she called him dashing, he blushed a bit, and hugged her close to him. “And you are charming. Did you know that? Beautiful, charming, capable, amazing. And so much more.”

He reached up with one hand, since she seemed to enjoy the touch, and began to gently caress her hair. He brushed it out for her. Zeke's touch so so sweet, and gentle, so earnest in it's desire. This wasn't a womanizer, or someone who wanted her for her body. This was a man who was honestly and completely in awe of the woman that was in front of him, and each time he learned something new about her, that awe increased. Even for her, without a great understanding of the force, could feel this honest emotion that came from him.

As she spoke of the statue, it sounded like a story he was familiar with, but couldn't put his finger on. So, instead, he leaned forward, to rest his forehead against hers. He allowed their noses to gently touch. “Hey, this may be a weird question. But was your mom a Jedi?” Zeke's nose gently brushed hers, in little eskimo kisses before he pulled back, unless she looked like he wanted him to stay there, at which time he would.

“I'm not force sensitive. But my mother was. She practically sparkled to me. But sometimes, she acted in a way I couldn't understand. She was able to get to the heart of a situation in ways I couldn't even dream of.” Honestly, he was having trouble caring about the world around him. Zeke was simply into her, and for a man like him, that caused a powerful mental switch. He was able to hyper focus, and she was what he had chosen to hyper focus on.

[member="Loreena Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori wondered just what she would call him for a nickname. Her twin brother was Snotface, something that she greeted him with in every message and chance encounter. Of course with [member="Zeke Tune"] she wouldn't be so mean. Except for if it was to tease him.

She laughed a little at his remarks, returning the hug. Her? Charming and amazing? Ha! Lori had her faults and her shortcomings. But he'd learn about those later.

Ohhhhh...he touched her hair. As he brushed it with his fingers, she found herself melting into the touch. It was such a wonderful feeling. She could just curl up and sleep her life away if her hair was played with during that entire time.

Zeke leaned his head against hers. And their noses touched! Was that on purpose? Suddenly she felt her cheeks turn red. There were so many people here, so many witnesses, it was difficult to not feel shy. So she moved her head to rest against his shoulder.

His question about her Mom caught her by surprise, but then so did his statement afterwards. His Mom was Force sensitive? If he wasn't, then maybe that meant that his Dad wasn't either. Still, one didn't need to be Force sensitive to be talented at something.

"My Mom? No, I don't think so. At least she's never been a part of any Order or anything.
My Dad has been though and he wants me to be too. Though I'm not sure if I'd fit in. I don't quite know where I fit in yet. I'm just sort of...trying a bunch of different things to see which calls to me more." Some of her insecurities began to be brought out. But then everyone had them, didn't they?

 

[Zeke Tune]

Zeke finally noticed her nervousness, and looked around at the people in the gallery. While most were not giving them the time of day, some were. This made the man blush deeply. However, he didn't stop with his fingers. Instead, he just looked down at her, head rested on his shoulders. [member="Loreena Arenais"] had to be his, he needed this every day. But he had to earn it, and he knew it. “Ahhh, your father is trying to. Well, speaking of trying new things. Can you show me your ship?” The man smiled down at her, and nodded.

“I think um....I just want to spend time talking to you, without all these eyes. I didn't think about it. But I don't want us to end up on some tabloid.” And....he just wanted to be able to cuddle without a care about who watched. “I'll show you my own gallery later. Maybe I'll hire your ship to take me to Corellia and then back home to Melida/Daan. I have a large budget for travel.” The man blushed. Oh now he just created a reason to spent more time with her....Ahhhh, he felt like a teenager all over again, only a lot less conflict. He knew what he wanted this time.

“Shall we go there now?” His voice was gentle, kind, affectionate. It would be obvious to Lori, he was in the process of falling for her. It seemed like he was wanting to learn more, so he properly could. With a gentle lead, he tried to bring her towards the door, all while he attempted to keep her quite close to him still. So warm, so soft. And her hair! It was amazing to play with! He could imagine her head in his lap, one hand would run through her hair, and caress her face, while he created....oh, he had always wanted to finish that picture story for kids. That was an amazing image. "I admit, I don't know what it is like to try everything. But I would love to be at your side, helping you try these things, and to help you find the place you want to be at."

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori lifted up her head and nodded at the idea of going to her ship. She didn't exactly want to be on any tabloids either. It wasn't so much that she'd worry about being recognized by strangers, so much as worrying about being found out by her family. What would they think? Would they try to talk her out of this? She didn't want them too. Something told her that [member="Zeke Tune"] wouldn't want them to talk her out of this either.

The idea of him hiring her ship just thrilled her. Would it be with the rest of her crew? Or just them two? Zeke did say that he was a pilot as well....

"I'd love to take you where you'd need to go. For your galleries and...yeah. Whenever you'd like." Her Dad wasn't strict with her when it came to training. So maybe, just maybe, she'd be able to create her own schedule.

Again she nodded at the suggestion of them leaving the gallery now. "Yes, let's go." Zeke was blushing almost as much as she was. Lori took his arm and wrapped it around her shoulder again, like before as she walked with him out of the gallery. "You would? Even if it's dangerous?" Learning to fight with lightsabers and combating Sith wasn't exactly safe. Same goes with Imperials.

"Shall we have dinner in my ship? I've got a cozy lounge area, and of course a table."

 

[Zeke Tune]

He laid his head against hers, as she talked. There was this peaceful smile on his face. Her presence, it soothed him, for some reason. That anger, that pain, the obsession, it was driven out for a time. In it's place was....rest. He wondered if what he felt would last. However, honestly, he didn't mind if it didn't. Just the thought of these adventures with this girl was enough to drive him to towards this. Once more, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, as they walked. “Then, consider yourself hired. I think...it's a good way to get to know one another. If you are in close like that, working together, you get to see how you fit together, learn how to bend and work side by side. I've always liked working on ships you know. I used to work on a blockade runner, of all things. We used it to outrun pirates in wild space. Good times.”

When she mentioned danger, he looked down at her. His eyes showed he desired to say something, his mouth opened and then closed. “Lori. If I was by your side, I would fight the entire Sith armada, even if I had no chance of winning. I'm not afraid of danger. As I said, I used to work in pirate infested places, and I learned some....skills in my youth that have come in handy as I've gotten older. Now, I'm no Jedi. But I have beaten a Dark Jedi acolyte, once. Now, mind you, it was pure dumb luck, but I did manage. My shot totally missed, hit the support cable for a crane that was putting up a support beam on the ship, the beam and cable hit the guy, and totally crushed him. Not sure I could do it again, but hey. It's my main claim to fame.”

He grinned wide at her, and shrugged. “But, honestly....I want to see where you go, what you do. If it's dangerous, I want to be watching your back. I can't figure out why but I swear this feels like where I was meant to be. Everything is falling into places. I can't say what will happen tomorrow or the next day. But, I honestly feel like I just want to be next to you...especially if its dangerous.”

“As for your ship for food. Yes, that sounds lovely. I would love to have dinner with you, in a nice cozy lounge, cuddled up, chatting, and discussing everything under the sun, as we eat, and probably act like the dorks I think we both are....I mean I know I certainly am one at least.” They walked to the hangers, and soon found themselves there. “Which door is yours?” The man rambled a bit, but, it was good natured, and he simply tried to entertain [member="Loreena Arenais"] .

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Working together. She liked the sound of that. For now at least. Hopefully there wouldn't come a time where she'd get annoyed with him or even angry. But...there was never any guarantee of that.

Lori let [member="Zeke Tune"] set their pace, listening to his tales of thwarting pirates. Even of his tale of defeating a Sith! It was very impressive. Yet she had to worry about that as well. What if he had no chance of winning and he was killed trying to save her? How could she live with herself after that? The guilt might be too much to bear.

"It does feel as though we were supposed to meet. I don't know why and I wasn't wishing for it either. I was just...missing something and couldn't figure out what. I thought that it was because I was struggling to fit in anywhere. But I'm not so sure that it's that anymore."

The soon stepped into the hanger. Lori glanced around a bit, standing on her tippy toes until she spotted it. "There she is!
Right where I left her." Thankfully it wasn't stolen. She took his hand and walked quickly around some of the other ships until the Jaster's Sparrow came into view. With her free hand she dug into her handpurse and brought out her securi-key to unlock it. With a hiss the hydrolics kicked in and the ramp lowered, leading them straight to the cargo bay. It didn't contain much, just a couple of crates. Once Zeke and herself were inside she hit the button on the panel that lifted the ramp back up. Wasting no time, she slipped off her heels and then led him through to the lounge. "She's not much for some, but she's perfect for me. Nice and cozy, doesn't need a big crew to fly. I've got my own quarters which I sometimes share with [member="Daiya"] . She's younger than me and it's just a little bit safer for her that way, you know? Did you want a tour? Or would you rather just sit and relax? I'd kind of like to get changed first into something more comfortable than this dress."

 

[Zeke Tune]

He laid his head against [member="Loreena Arenais"] 's and just rested there as they walked. “I'm in the same boat. I have been having trouble getting the motivation to do my art. I lacked purpose, and drive, desire. I wasn't looking for anything when I went in there. Just hoping for someone to talk to, that a change of pace may help. I found you. And I can't think of any moment where I felt more like where I was supposed to be.” As they walked into the hanger, his eyes went wide.

The man whistled, and looked over the ship as they got close. “D5-Mantis Patrol craft. Lovely. Looks like it was retrofitted, built for speed from the looks of it. She is as beautiful as her captain.” His voice held a breathless awe as he looked over the ship. “Wish I had something like that. I admit it's mostly my own fault, but, that is a gorgeous ship, Lori.” As they walked in, he smiled at her, as she spoke about getting more comfortable. Of course his mind questioned what she meant, however, logical mind won out. “Of course, I always want you comfortable. I'm not looking for eye candy to be on my arm. I mean you are beautiful beyond belief, but, don't feel you have to impress me. You already got my attention. Just dress how you want. I tend to like to dress in a certain way. But it's from a personal choice.”

Hand went up to caress her face again. Just gently the back of his fingers stroked her cheek. “Go change Lori. I'll wait in the lounge for you. And if you want to take me for a tour, feel free. However, I'm also just fine with talking and relaxing. I've been setting the tone a lot, and I want to see what's in your mind too. I don't mind setting the tone, but, I'm in your home now.” He leaned over, and kissed her cheek. His lips were warm and soft, as they touched her cheek.

“Thank you for inviting me here. I am honestly honored. We seem to feel the same way about this situation, and it has me baffled. But I feel content. Like, for the first time in years, I'm actually having fun and getting a restful night. Thank you, Lori. Oh, but i'm holding you up. Go get changed. I'll wait....Ummm.” His eyes went down to her feet, and he smiled. He soon slipped out of his own shoes, and was just in his socks, and padded over to the lounge, and sat down. He wiggled his now free toes as he spoke. “Come back soon, and you can tell me all about Daiya, and your crew, and adventures. And we can eat dinner, and if you want, cuddle, and talk more. If we feel like it, we can go for a tour. There is just one rule, relax, and don't hold back. Do what you want to do. I won't judge you. I want to get to know YOU. I'll do my best to show you the real me too.”

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori smirked a little as [member="Zeke Tune"] seemed in awe of Jaster's Sparrow. Most people just thought it was old. But it wasn't! The ship was a year old. It was just created with an old design. The Mantis class was perfect for her. It could fulfill a variety of tasks without looking intimidating or would pose a threat. At least he wasn't making fun of it.

She blushed some as he continued to comment on her looks. She didn't really see herself in that way. She was always goofball Lori. Pretty enough to get by, but it wasn't as though she had to beat the boys off with a stick by any means.

"I won't be gone long.
Just have a seat and I'll be back in a jiffy." As Lori was about to leave he kissed her cheek. Her eyes widened, both in regards to what happened, but also to the fact that her cheek tingled where his lips had touched.

"I...I...yeah. Be back soon!" She turned and hurried up the stairs to her quarters as fast as her feet could carry her. She closed the door behind her and just stood there for a moment, catching her breath and trying to slow down her heart. Wow. Just....Wow.

Lori took out the drawing from her handpurse and placed it under her pillow for safekeeping. Then she hurried up to get changed, making a mess of things, but not too much. She put on a long sleeved top and pair of slacks and after a peek in the mirror, she left her quarters and headed downstairs.

Boy was she glad that she didn't have her crew on board just yet.

Lori grinned as she spotted him, sitting down with his feet propped up. She m

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori smirked a little as [member="Zeke Tune"] seemed in awe of Jaster's Sparrow. Most people just thought it was old. But it wasn't! The ship was a year old. It was just created with an old design. The Mantis class was perfect for her. It could fulfill a variety of tasks without looking intimidating or would pose a threat. At least he wasn't making fun of it.

She blushed some as he continued to comment on her looks. She didn't really see herself in that way. She was always goofball Lori. Pretty enough to get by, but it wasn't as though she had to beat the boys off with a stick by any means.

"I won't be gone long.
Just have a seat and I'll be back in a jiffy." As Lori was about to leave he kissed her cheek. Her eyes widened, both in regards to what happened, but also to the fact that her cheek tingled where his lips had touched.

"I...I...yeah. Be back soon!" She turned and hurried up the stairs to her quarters as fast as her feet could carry her. She closed the door behind her and just stood there for a moment, catching her breath and trying to slow down her heart. Wow. Just....Wow.

Lori took out the drawing from her handpurse and placed it under her pillow for safekeeping. Then she hurried up to get changed, making a mess of things, but not too much. She put on a long sleeved top and pair of slacks and after a peek in the mirror, she left her quarters and headed downstairs.

Boy was she glad that she didn't have her crew on board just yet.

Lori grinned as she spotted him, sitting down with his feet propped up. She moved to join him, nestling down right beside him. "I'm back. Did you miss me?"