Private The Depths Below

[Kyell Laysel]

Location: Jerrilek
Tag: Miri Nimdok

<It's true that I'm something of a thrillseeker, but there are far less dangerous things that can still excite me.>

Kyell smiled, <That makes two of us...> He didn't add anything to it and let the way his eyes met hers do the talking for him. Spending time with her was more exciting than anything he had ever done after all, and that included the artifact hunts and all the crazy adventures he was suddenly finding himself in.

<Not born Force-sensitive?> he asked, having never heard of it before. Not that it bothered him in any way, but he was clearly curious to learn more about her.

Kyell then agreed about how to handle Lula and gently patted the animal while they were heading for shore. But the closer they got, the more he noticed that Miri was a little upset about this likely being the last time they'd see their new friend. So to comfort her just a bit, he swam over and placed a hand on her shoulder.

<Maybe after we've dropped her off, we should see about getting a pet we can bring along more easily? A little friend.> He smiled and realized he said we. They weren't exactly living together yet, but it somehow still felt right? Either way, it seemed like a fun idea.

 

[Miri Nimdok]

Well, she’d opened up a can of worms by mentioning that she wasn’t born sensitive. Now Kyell was asking questions about it, and she felt like she owed him answers.

<It’s a long, complicated story,> she said, not sure where to begin. <When I was a little girl, I was kidnapped by a Sith Lord. He conducted strange experiments on me. My father rescued me, but I’ve had this artificial Force sensitivity ever since.>

It was unstable and seemed to come and go at random intervals. She wasn’t sure what the goal of the Sith had been in giving it to her—maybe just to prove that they could?

Exiting the ocean, she squeezed water from her braid and sighed, breathing in fresh air. Lula flopped onto the shore beside her, intelligent eyes looking around curiously. Kyell mentioned getting some pets.

“I already have two dogs,” she replied, speaking out loud just for the fun of being able to hear her own voice again and missing the implications of his words. But a few moments later, she turned toward him and smiled. “Should we get some more?”

Kyell Laysel​

 

[Kyell Laysel]

Location: Jerrilek
Tag: Miri Nimdok

The question seemed to bring up a story even more personal than he imagined, so for a moment, he remained quiet and just listened to her. It explained some of the unusual Force behavior he had noticed with her, but it was too awful of a story to really focus on that part. <I'm sorry for bringing it up. But it's amazing to see how potent you are despite it,>

With a soft smile, he exited the ocean with her and turned to Lula, who also understood this was going to be time to say goodbye. It was a little strange how easy it was to feel some attachment to an animal he just met, but they had gone through a lot.

<You should introduce me to them, and I'd be up for getting another pet together.> Last time they had been on his ship, so maybe this was a good opportunity to spend a day (and probably a night) at hers, especially if her dogs were there. <Not sure what kind of pet we should get though.>

<Another dog? A loth cat? Maybe a gigantic rat...?> he joked with the last one, but hey, they did have a lot of experience handling those now.

 

[Miri Nimdok]

<It's okay,> Miri said, slipping back into telepathy. Taking out her comm to call animal control, she gave Kyell a look of vague amusement. <You're stronger than I am in the Force even on a good day. I'd have to be having a really really good day to surpass you.>

Someone came out to have a look at Lula, and once everything seemed settled, Miri somewhat reluctantly started to pull away from the whale, taking Kyell with her by the hand. With her other hand, she waved goodbye.

<Well, the last couple times we visited my ship, I put them in another room so they wouldn't tackle you.> They could be a little excited when it came to strangers. <Their names are Cowboy and Samurai.>

She led the way back to her ship, lowering the ramp. <No giant rats. Maybe a little rat, though. I hear they're kinda cute…>

Sure enough, once they were aboard the Conestoga, two dogs came bounding out to greet them. Cowboy, a rust-colored mutt with floppy ears, sniffed Kyell curiously. Samurai, a black-furred hound, was more cautious.

Kyell Laysel​

 

[Kyell Laysel]

Location: Jerrilek
Tag: Miri Nimdok

He didn't seem to entirely agree with her statement about him being stronger in the Force — he had always felt that his connection was average at best, but weak compared to most. But considering the story she just told him about the nature of her own presence in the Force, he decided it was best not to argue it.

Besides, she had some very unique skills to make up for the more fickle connection.

<Cowboy and Samurai? I love it.> Kyell never had any pets himself because he lived on Jedi Temples, but the idea of having one was something he definitely felt open to.

<I was joking about the rat, but if that's what you want...> he trailed off and looked at her with a smirk. One that was quickly interrupted when the doors opened and her dogs came to meet them. They were likely excited to have Miri back with them, but for now, they were focused on the newcomer. Maybe even the intruder.

<Aww, you're so cute, just look at you...> he said playfully while he began patting the dogs, who of course couldn't hear him. So instead Miri was the recipient, which he realized quickly. <The dogs I meant... Well, not that you aren't cute but, you know... Yeah.> He just decided to shut up for a second.

<So... what about loth cat? Also cute and might be a better friend for the dogs.>

 

[Miri Nimdok]

The two dogs quickly warmed up to Kyell, enjoying the attention he gave them. They were well-trained, though Cowboy did rest his front paws against Kyell in order to lick his face.

Miri raised an eyebrow at the cute comment. <Why thank you, Mr. Laysel,> she replied. <You're pretty cute yourself. Although I think handsome is more applicable to you.>

What did she think of loth cats? <Better than a rat.> And what did the dogs think? "Would you mind a loth cat, gentlemen?"

Cowboy and Samurai barked in answer. Miri disappeared around the corner, and seconds later the sound of food hitting their bowls sent the pair of wagging tails running.

<I get to cook dinner this time,> Miri said, peeking out again. <Even though I'm exhausted. I'll just have to spend the rest of the week in bed to compensate…> She winked at Kyell. <Does fried nuna sound good?>

Kyell Laysel​

 

[Kyell Laysel]

Location: Jerrilek
Tag: Miri Nimdok

Kyell just closed his eyes and sat still while Cowboy licked his face. It was a new experience, but one he had to get used to if he was going to come over more often.

<Handsome, hm?> He smirked at that, and suddenly felt a lot less embarrassed about his awkward way of calling her cute. He could definitely live with that as a compliment from her.

<Better than a rat.>

That just about summed up his thoughts on the matter as well, and it seemed the dogs agreed. If he was interpreting their behavior correctly. Maybe they were just excited about the food Miri was preparing for them.

<Fine, fine, you can cook this time... but a whole week in bed?> he entered the kitchen area with her and stepped close, trapping her between him and the wall behind her for just a moment. <You sure that's going to help with the exhaustion? Or will it just make things worse...?" he winked, trailed off with his voice, and got even closer, but didn't quite touch her. He was getting better at this whole teasing and building up tension thing.

Or so he thought, anyway.

 

[Miri Nimdok]

<Terribly handsome. You must have girls falling for you all the time. I'm glad you chose me.>

She had turned away to start cooking when she felt his presence behind her. Whirling around, she found her back to the wall, pinned in place by him. Except he was doing it without touching her. Tease.

<I-I slept pretty well at your place.> The thought of him exhausting her was enough to make her stammer, her cheeks flushing scarlet. <In fact, I felt rather… refreshed.>

Kyell Laysel​

 

[Kyell Laysel]

Location: Jerrilek
Tag: Miri Nimdok

<You're actually only the second girl I've talked to for more than five minutes without me scaring them off. Was never good at it.> His hand slowly came up to brush some of her long hair behind her ear, while only his fingertips touched her skin to tease her until the last possible moment. Eventually, the palm of his hand settled against her cheek and he'd keep eye contact while she talked about how good the sleep was last time.

He was blushing himself but kept himself composed. Or well, he at least made sure he seemed calm and cool on the outside.

<I'm sure we'll both feel very... refreshed again,> The corners of his lips came up to form a smirk, and finally, he leaned in for a deep kiss against her lips, one hand on her cheek, the other at her waist, where it gently pushed her back against the wall. Kyell pulled back after a long moment and glanced to the side, where some cooking equipment was already set up. <I probably shouldn't distract you too much before we've eaten, huh?>

More teasing, of course, because he knew that this move only made it more difficult to want to focus on cooking.

 

[Miri Nimdok]

<Oh. Well… I’m glad you didn’t scare me off.>

Some last vestige of pride kept her from reaching for him on her own, though that resistance fell completely to the wayside as he pushed into her. She melted in his embrace, wrapping her arms around him.

Locked into the kiss, the world around her disappeared. When he pulled away, she looked a little lost. But her stomach growled, reminding her of her hunger.

<Right,> she said, straightening up. Red-cheeked and a bit breathless, she tried not to think about his tongue entwining with hers, or the sounds he had coaxed from her throat with it…

<Get out of the kitchen, you seducer.> She shooed him out.

Kyell Laysel​

 

[Kyell Laysel]

Location: Jerrilek
Tag: Miri Nimdok

<I was surprised you stayed after I choked you, for sure,> A final little joke before his eyes closed and the kiss took over his perception of time and the world around him. In her arms and with their lips locked, Kyell could forget about anything and just enjoy her gentle touch.

Or well, just her touch when it got less gentle and that fiery passionate side came out

When the kiss eventually broke and he hinted at their dinner, she agreed but he could tell that he had gotten to her. She had gotten in his mind just as much, of course, but he tried not to show it too much. Playing hard and tough was a fun game with someone as beautiful and feisty as her.

<Alright, alright,> he finally relented and after a wink, he left the kitchen and moved into the living area to sit down and entertain the dogs, who he hoped would get used to him quickly. Even if that meant more face-licking.

 

[Miri Nimdok]

While Cowboy was friendly and easygoing, Samurai seemed more distant and wary of the newcomer. Intelligent and dignified, he had been Professor Nimdok’s favorite. His nails clicked across the floor as he left the room in which Kyell had sequestered himself, only to return carrying a small rubber ball in his mouth. He dropped the ball into Kyell’s lap, then sat looking up at him expectantly.

While the dogs kept Kyell occupied, Miri shook off the lingering effects of Kyell's merciless teasing and got to work. Fried nuna was something she had made before, and she picked it mainly because she considered it quick and easy, without being too low effort.

After placing the nuna in the oil, she realized she was still wearing her polyweave “wetsuit”. A few seconds of concentration would amend that… or it would have, if her telepathy were working. Miri scowled as she reached out to the Force, but received no response. Hopefully her connection would come back soon, or she wouldn’t be able to get out of the wetsuit. And she definitely wanted to be able to take it off later… so that she could shower, of course.

"Food’s ready," she announced. The dogs stopped what they were doing as Miri entered the room and handed Kyell a plate. While they sat obediently at the feet of their masters, both Cowboy and Samurai stared at the fried nuna longingly.

"This is what I have to live with," Miri said. "They won’t try to take food without permission, but they know that if they sit here long enough and give me that look, I’ll give in and let them have some as a treat."

Kyell Laysel​

 

[Kyell Laysel]

Location: Jerrilek
Tag: Miri Nimdok

Why are they looking at me like that? I have no treats.

Then he noticed the ball and reached for it with a smirk - they wanted to play. So while Miri prepared some food, she'd likely hear the occasional noise of the dogs running through the hallways. But after a few minutes, Kyell realized he was still in the tight wetsuit again, and focused enough to shift it into a simple shirt and jeans look. Nothing too fancy, but they hugged his body somewhat tightly as well.

Definitely not more planned teasing.

<Food's ready,>

When he heard her voice, he looked up and smiled, <That smells amazing.> He took the plate and tried his first bite, which he clearly enjoyed judging by the way his expression changed. But the way the dogs were standing and looking at their meals was something he had picked up on as well.

<I can see why you'd give in to them, they're adorable.> He reached over and patted them both gently on the heads. <Oh and not sure if you noticed, but you still got the wetsuit thingy on. Not that it looks bad on you...> he flashed a smirk. It was hard enough to keep his eyes off of her, and a wetsuit definitely didn't help.

 

[Miri Nimdok]

As she sat down to eat, Miri caught Kyell looking at her the way he did when he was communicating telepathically, but she couldn’t “hear” what he was saying.

Trying not to panic, she focused on eating, hoping that he wasn’t telling her anything important…

He patted the dogs, then looked at her with a smirk. She followed his line of sight down to her wetsuit, but wasn’t sure whether he was smirking at her clothes or… something else.

Biting the bullet, she winced. “My connection to the Force is acting wonky again. I… haven’t heard a word you’ve said for the past few minutes.”

This was the worst her condition had been since she first met him. It was rarely this bad, but her embarrassment rapidly gave way to feelings of insecurity. Telepathy was Kyell’s main form of communication. What if he decided he didn’t want a girlfriend who might lose the ability to understand him at sudden, random intervals?

“It should come back soon,” she reassured him—or perhaps she was trying to reassure herself. “I just… don’t know when. And I’m stuck in this suit until then, because it won’t come off without telepathy to control it. You might have to help me with that tonight…”

Kyell Laysel​

 

[Kyell Laysel]

Location: Jerrilek
Tag: Miri Nimdok

"My connection to the Force is acting wonky again. I… haven't heard a word you've said for the past few minutes."

...and he had just been staring at her wetsuit. He felt himself blushing but set aside his own embarrassment when he noticed how it affected her. She was also embarrassed, but it was stronger and made her feel insecure about herself and her connection to the Force. So in response, he put his plate away for a moment and scooted over.

<It's alright,> he continued whether she could hear him or not. He tried his best to make his expression match what he was trying to convey, and when he was close enough, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and placed his free hand on top of the shoulder closest to him for comfort.

<I'll find a way to communicate when Telepathy fails us, and I'll help you with the wetsuit.> Maybe he should start carrying that datapad around again or learn sign language with her. But for now, he cared most about reassuring her that it was going to be alright.

This didn't change anything about their relationship as far as he was concerned.

 

[Miri Nimdok]

As Kyell moved to comfort her, Miri swallowed. She appreciated the gesture, but she wasn’t naïve enough to have her doubts so easily erased. Things might go wrong because of her problem.

Terribly wrong.

But what else could she do? She had to live. She couldn’t just give up.

Turning her body toward Kyell so that she could wrap her arms around his waist, Miri caught his eyes with her own. “You’re taking a chance on me, you know,” she whispered. “More than you realize.”

Her eyes dropped to his throat, where no voice lay. Leaning forward, she kissed him there softly.

Perhaps there were times where they were meant to enjoy the silence. Maybe this was one of those times.

Kyell Laysel​

 

[Kyell Laysel]

Location: Jerrilek
Tag: Miri Nimdok

<Life is all about taking chances, and I'd never forgive myself if I didn't take this one.>

He still wasn't sure if she could hear it, but he hoped that at least to some extent, she could feel that this is how he thought about it. There was no way he could give up on her — what would his life even be about if he always backed down when things got difficult or risky?

He then watched her lean in to press a kiss against his throat, and in return, he wrapped her arms around her for an embrace. Sometimes a hug was more appropriate than a kiss or other intimate moments — he could just hold her, enjoy the warmth, and comfort, and be with her in this brief moment of silence.

Finally, when he did pull back, he placed a kiss against her cheek.

<I'd take any risks to be with you.>