Private The Way of Water

[Rekha Kaarde]

"Oh you sly devil" she chuckled he had not given her an answer really it was more of a dodge or a ploy. So how would she deal with that.

"Well...you let me know when you've determined what is lightly. I will....order a bottle...we can sit on the balcony and watch the the world dance by." She thought to herself I wonder if he's a lightweight? Or is he concerned that he might drink too much and do something fool hearted.. ah questions she loved questions...sometimes, when she asked them.

"Well darlin let's go find that view shall we?"

Akabane Jarvik

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Akabane felt amused when she called him a 'sly devil'. He was beginning to think maybe there was a charm to his eyes, but he didn't want to give them too much credit yet. They had not helped him much in the past anyway. They tended to only bring on trouble for the young man. Now though, he tired to embrace them or ignore them in the least. Her eyes were beautiful on the other hand. Those were the kind that you would want to embrace without a second thought. He smiled, forgetting this whole time if he'd complimented her attire. Nonetheless he was going to pay more attention, and maybe give out that compliment momentarily.

Miss Rekha offered up a plan and it sounded like a blast to him. Drinking was a fun little social activity that he tended to spend alone more and more nowadays. He didn't trust strangers at the bar anymore but he figured she'd be pretty safe. She seemed pretty set on him choosing the alcohol so he grinned. "There's not much I can't handle, love. Well... mostly with booze and angry space wizards. You, I might have to watch." He gave her a wink an a smirk. "So do your worst. I'll be right behind you."

Rekha Kaarde

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

"Do my worst..." Yeah she could talk it big but she wasn't sure she had something that was her worst. "I can handle most drinks, can identify them too...a few I can't" She reached for his hand, and began to weave through the small gatherings of gamblers making her way outside.

There were the races but it was a cruel thing to watch, there were other things. She looked up, "Funny how stars are so pretty from down here but up there everything is so dark one wrong move...lost. But here" Rekha found an empty table without thought she reached up and touched his shoulder. She didn't know why it seemed the right thing to do.

"There are so many stars so many pinpoints of light on a dark background you forget you can't see them up there. Do you know any of their constellation names?" The pilot in her felt the pull of the need to travel, the other parts of her reminded her to stay put. She smiled though looking at Akabane.

She would order them a bottle of something.

For now all thoughts of space wizards, red pointy sticks, and darkness faded from her mind, she just wanted to be still...be here with him.


Akabane Jarvik

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

He followed his partner as they navigated the floor, hearing various conversations along the way. Although it was nowhere near as interesting as what he had in his grasp now, it was nice to hear stories from other people's lives. That was his favorite part of drinking after all. Well, waking up a prisoner was always a fan favorite of his too. Hopefully he could stay away from that trouble tonight. Usually things didn't go exactly as planned so he wasn't counting on such luxuries. For now though, he would offer his attention completely to the lady before him. She gave off that optimistic aura, and he wanted to return the favor.

Akabane didn't speak at all on their way outside and he kept his eyes on her without fail the entire duration. The incident earlier and her former lover too... he didn't want to see the worst come out of this place. No, not while he accompanying this angelic lady. The loss of her would surely bring the downfall of his sanity. Akabane appeared to have grown an attachment to Rekha quite quickly somehow. There was no shame in it, because above all she was her own unique person. He'd became fond of that one. Looking at her in this moment as she voiced her philosophy.. he wanted this forever.

A question preceding one of her delicate smiles. He was in no position to speak so friendly with someone of her stature. And yet... she allowed him. Akabane was flooded with happiness, perhaps he'd become weak emotionally. That was no way for a warrior to behave. Did he ever listen to the rules though? No. He smiled realizing the future stood right before him, the light. Akabane answered her question with ease. First however, he placed one arm around her lower back and held her head to his chest with the other hand if she didn't resist his gesture. Pulling her waist close to his and in a soft whisper, he would speak directly in her ear.

"There are so many stars up there darling... too many to remember with an old beat up brain like mine. So I tend to focus on the stars closer to me. Those are much easier to recall." A single peck on her head followed these words and then he returned back to talking so softly. "I think I've found one. It exceeds the beauty of all the stars combined and I cherish it more than any existence. I pledge my undying loyalty in this life to that star. I surrender my mind, body, and soul to it." Akabane let go of their warm embrace and knelt down, smirking slightly. His kneeling resembled the real thing, to that of knighting ceremonies. He looked up but remained in position, with that smirk sticking too.

It was a bold one but he was inspired. "When I served as a Prince this was the highest respect I could offer to those around me. But Miss Rekha, to you... I am offering everything. There is a catch though, as there always is." He was unsure if she would understand due to his randomness. Akabane stood up and held both of her hands, one in each of his while his gaze fell in her own. He smiled, "do you know what that might be, love?"

Rekha Kaarde

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

A simple walk, a gesture to have drinks, and an offer to stare at the stars. All the things she craved in life.

It was the smallest of gestures that he gently pulled her closer his hand rested easily upon the curve of her hip as if it had been placed there a thousand times.

She felt the lump growing in her throat she couldn't explain why. The soft whispers of the stars then the serious nature upon which all of this seemed to have been building to. What he offered....made her stop thinking, made her stare down at him.......and the fear within her began to rise. People around her died, people close to her died, people who cared anything for her died. For the briefest of moment she could see him lifeless his eyes staring up at her. Feth

Here he was offering her.....all that Knight could. It could take his life....words stuck in her throat. She knew if she tried to speak at this moment it would sound like the gurgling of water, plenty of movement but nothing that sounded like words.

She had to break her gaze she looked to her feet, tamping down her emotions reminding herself she was being silly about it all. The tremor that she felt within her frame slowly made its way to her shoulders. She managed to shake her head no...."No...." she smiled, at least she thought it was a smile, "what would that be Akabane?"

Akabane Jarvik

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

He too, had lost many friends and lovers. Sometimes it was because of work and others... well, they met a fate he wished to join one too many times. Every time.. it seemed as if that he managed to get off easy and just survive one way or the other. It wasn't his fault most times for their departure, but that brought no peace to the restless and broken mind that followed those incidents. Akabane was certainly a broken man through and through. Due to everything in the bigger picture and especially because of those past losses. But somehow, he found himself back on his feet time and time again. That's precisely why he was giving it up one final time. He wished for the happy ending this time and he was betting his existence on it. There was more meaning and emotion in his words, he thought so at least. It just felt so real.

Such things were hard to achieve in such a Chaos though. There was a problem in this wishful thinking of his and he suddenly realized something was bad wrong. The sith thrived off of deep emotional connections with the force. He could feel almost any open shift in human emotion, and it was happening. Akabane couldn't pinpoint what this emotion was but he knew it wasn't a positive one. His eyes lost their crimson hue and stopped glowing all together, reverting back to their original dark abyss. Mind and body just froze, momentarily, while he attempted to tap into that same feeling she felt.

"What is it....," he thought. It wasn't too long before he discovered the specific emotion, but he was unsure of why his little stunt invoked such behavior from her. Akabane experienced some trouble accessing his mind so carelessly during this little trip. Beginning to doubt everything, so many dark thoughts flooded his mind.





"Huh? Fear?"
"Oh... well that's pretty normal considering my stunts."

"Or maybe she hates me?"
"But why?"



​

"I swear I was joking earlier on the ship."
"And I know I'm a sith but...."

​

"So it was all pretend?"





​

"Maybe I deserve to be perceived this way - to be feared??"

​

"Am I evil?"
"No.."
"I'm not!"
​

"Yet why?"

"I need your light, love. Please don't leave."




"No.. please. It's always ended this way for me. Ever since I appeared."​

These thoughts spawned without a rational appearance. Something happened while he entered his own mental domain. It was a fight he hadn't prepared for before. Having not had to fight in this state at any point previously, he was struggling to realize just what was happening. By the end he slowly he began to grasp whatever sanity that was left residing within him. It may have only seemed like seconds in the physical realm but he experienced quite the lengthy break there. It all seemed pointless to remain there any longer once he gathered himself... whatever 'there' was anyway.

Akabane was hoping his appearance remained the same during that discovery but he didn't wait around to find out. With this new information he couldn't bring himself to answer the her question. Hell, he didn't know for sure what was causing her to be scared. His only assumption, after adjusting back to the now, was himself being the cause for such emotion. Miss Rekha's smile seemed conflicted too so he really had no faith in his dynamic eyes adding anything good to her state. It was unlike him to suddenly leave without logical reasoning so he had to make up an excuse quickly. He hated doing this to someone as lovely as her but he felt his presence was bothersome in the moment.

Slowly, he started letting go of her hands while returning a smile and brainstorming an excuse to leave for some time. He'd be back of course to see if that same energy radiated off of her. Akabane was simply thinking abnormally, really set on her fear deriving from his own self. He wished for a happy ending after all, so striking fear within her wasn't his goal. Even if he ended up unhappy. This wasn't one of his brightest moments, and out of all options he was choosing the worst. Perhaps he'd been bested by emotion too. "You may know the answer, so lets make it a game shall we? While you think..." One hand slipped away, and now the other attempting soon after. He turned his stance to start off walking back into the casino. "Uh... oh yes! That's right. My tie was loose and seemed to fall right off. Excuse me for a little while, love" Such a terrible excuse, considering the man clearly had a tie on. He was sure she'd not notice in the dim lights however. His actions were definitely enough to raise suspicion either way. Akabane took his first step towards the entrance his other hand following suit on losing its contact with hers.

He planned on apologizing when he made it back.

Rekha Kaarde

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She watched him turn she watched him going....the words...."I'm afraid."

Lord how she hated to admit that to anyone.....no one was looking yet...."I don't want you to die....I'm afraid......you will..."

Oh by the goddess how do you, "People die around me....a lot....no matter what the intent or...." She stared now at the floor. She wasn't going to cry she swore to herself she wouldn't cry...."It would it gut me....Akabane...." She whispered ever so slightly.

"this what you speak....says....to me...you offer it, your life.....to me....I don't deserve that........and I most certainly do not want to be the cause..." The tears were welling up she couldn't help it now.

She was exposed her emotions, her insecurity, and the fear that anyone who was close..

She hated herself at this moment for showing this weakness to anyone..and now...feth. "it's easy to risk my own life...my own.....being..." She didn't look up to see if he had stopped or if he kept going. He might be gone and might not have heard a single word. But she felt the words she felt them into the very fiber of her being.

She didn't care about the Sith part in reality, Jon had been a Sith....she didn't care about wealth or lack of it, she cared little for anything that one could sit down and put their hands upon. But emotions, the ones that bound lives together, that made friends, sisters, brothers, lovers...they entangled and weaved the hearts so close and losing one broke the strands and often could never be replaced.

If he had to go she understood...but he had to know why she reacted so..

Akabane Jarvik

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Life just seemed like a constant battle no matter which way you were thrown. Everyone one had their own set of problems among everything else. Emotions, actions, etc. There was so much to do and in the given amount of time each own individual possessed, you were expected to make the best of it. But no one really comprehended the hard truth - tragedy would always be around. Escaping death and misfortune was an impossible task to complete. Akabane remembered many mentors explaining that much. It was a sad truth but it was one he faced every time he opened his eyes, and even while closed. An end to everything, there is.

Despite of that, he wished to look beyond that reality and forge his own. There were many memories he lost due to his own will to leave stuff like that in the past but he couldn't ignore the darkness within himself. Along with the dark came even more tragedy but he didn't let it consume him. His blood had been tainted from birth and it'd be a cold day in hell before he'd see himself grow evil. Acknowledging the dark was one thing but embracing it too deeply was another. He knew exactly who he was. Akabane had no clue what his purpose was in the galaxy but he wanted to explore it in the most natural and authentic way possible. Needless to say, this was his start.



Akabane stopped moving, hearing her voice in his head like a celestial being. Sweet raw emotion, yet... somberly delivered and of low volume. As he heard these words he stood there still turned but holding on to her one hand ever-so slightly. As if he was attempting to comfort her while he received an explanation. It was a good one, he had to vouch on that. It gave him mixed emotions at first but he soon realized why... he realized why they met. There was a reason. One that he didn't know yet but it was hiding there somewhere. He had to remain there. Figure her out. Learn from her. Care for her. Fight for her.

"Ha. I've made up my mind." Akabane said this very clearly and confidently. He turned around and moved his one hand, still barely holding on to hers, to flip hers over laying flat on his. Thumb resting over top as if they were going to dance. Stepping closer, only a few inches away. He used his other hand to raise her chin up to make eye contact, if she allowed it. Resting that hand on her jawline and gently wiping her tears away, no matter how many were presented. Akabane smiled, genuinely satisfied and appreciative of her explanation. While doing this, he spoke.

"Love, I'm no people. I am a tough one to crack in most cases... you gotta see me fight drunk. It's a hell of a time but I know it's better for the entertainment industry than the soldiering." He chuckled and then returned back to a smile, trying to stare into her gorgeous irises. "Let me find out your worth, or what you deserve rather. I'm far from perfect myself I assure you so I'm sure we are alike in more ways than one in that category.." Akabane rested his head against hers if she allowed it, pulling her close to him from her lower back, taking his hand off of her face to complete that action. He spoke softly and in the most raw way possible. "Can we make a bet, as ironic as it is currently? Listen Miss Rekha, I'm here. Maybe not forever but I'm here in the now so don't be too sad. I won't leave you so easily. Us fighters... we get a glorious ending. Don't forget it. And for the bet.. lets see." He raised his head up straight off hers and took a moment to think. "How about this. Let's take a vacation to some place and if we come back alive, the both of us, then I'll..." He couldn't think of anything too good, maybe she would think go something.

Rekha Kaarde

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

And there it was she had bared her soul to him and he had turned and come back. That said something about him didn't it, volumes really, he wasn't going to go quietly, or quit easily. He would need that around her.

Vacation, lord when did she last take a vacation....she knew the answer...never. Everything movement had purpose every movement a direction.

Her eyes still wet from the tears she hated for anyone to see, she smiled, "ok cupcake...let's go on vacation.........where to?" There were dozens of spots but she had a feeling they needed a place neither had been and would present enough variety of things to do they didn't get bored.

Then she sighed, "thank you." she whispered, "for not leaving"

Her insides twisted and turned very rarely did she allow this much. If only he knew how hard it was for her to stay put like this, to admit her emotions....all while the little Rekha in her head wondered how long will it last? How do I protect him from me?

Akabane Jarvik

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

He had to come back. There was no way around that one, simply because of his upbringing. Many things were unclear and he knew at times he'd lose focus but it was all worth it. Akabane wouldn't have it any other way truly. The difficult ones were always fun to follow in life. It led to new mysteries and adventures. At this point in his life he wished to explore what was out there to be offered. Be it violent unsavory memories or happy sweet ones. He'd fought all this time for nothing, only to slip away from everyone's nose. It was most likely only a matter of time before that caught of to him. So a vacation was definitely overdue for him.

Now though... he had met someone to accompany him. Miss Rekha believed she was dangerous to be around but Akabane wouldn't have gotten so close to her if he remembered what he'd really done thus far. Of course his reset was done willingly but he forgot just how problematic things could get for her because of him. The two of them would eventually see each other's side however, all in due time. For now though, maybe things could be peaceful. Perhaps enough to take a vacation.

Miss Rekha seemed to already accept his invitation before he could finish thinking. He was given a new thought on top of that, and that being where they were headed for the getaway. Akabane was unsure because he had been alone all this time lately, choosing a system and getting into trouble one way or another.

She also thanked him. It wasn't so surprising but he wondered why it meant so much that he didn't run off. Her politeness, under normal circumstances where he didn't go all sith on her, was expected. Akabane had remained proper as long as he could remember and she presented herself quite nicely as well. It was like two people meeting and clicking right in the moment. Minus the deprivation of oxygen of course. He grinned, that was silly in a way. A very good memory. He showed himself to her that time so maybe this meant they were even. Maybe not. Either way he cocked his head for a moment trying to figure it out before brushing it off. He'd already pushed her this far already.

Akabane smiled in response to her gratitude. "I thought about it." He said this attempting to tease her. "But then you say such sweet and honest things that I love to hear. These words drew me in like I was hooked on a fishing rod. I couldn't resist." He was rambling on and on but it was all leading to a point. Akabane exhaled and took in a breath before finishing, moving his hands to rest on her shoulders. "Maybe I'm wrong love. Maybe I got it all wrong, but I believe I remained here because it felt like you wished for things to be that way. You can warn me about all of your enemies and how they won't hesitate to take me down for being around you. Say it as many times as you want... but the same part of you that doesn't want me get hurt is the same one wanting me to stay." Akabane went in for a hug. "I will walk with you, and even run with you if your friends ever want that playdate. But for now we're going to find some nice world to explore and enjoy the moment. How does that sound, darlin'?"

Bold until the end, that's how he spent his life.

Rekha Kaarde