Private The Weary World

[Ariel Yvarro]

Ariel for all the talents and wit she might possess could be terribly oblivious to this; such as a man stalking her on the metro. Thankfully she rather found it a delightful set of circumstances, one of which she'll realize not to do again. That is to assume no one would follow or stalk her, "good." Ariel rather pleased with the answer Djorn provided as she drank her ale. She agreed with the mask comment with a nod of acknowledgment, and looked over at the waitress, and asked for another ale. Ariel finished the one she had quickly. "How's the lager?"​

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A lighter chuckle than before, "I think so." Her answer to their 'date' question. ​

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"It's really odd though, this is definitely not something I thought was possible." Remarked Ariel just as their food arrived, "maybe we moved too fast, I'm not quite sure how this whole..." Her voice trailed off, "relationship, dating, quite works."​

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Thank the Balance food had arrived, "oh so here, is a really quick-up of a Kryiday Roast."​

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"Galidraan's Benduday Roast is certainly more, but Avalonia's a rather fast-moving city, so the more traditional roasts are done at home." Ariel was definitely ready to dig into the Northern Pudding. "Fairly certain we can find something to watch, after this." If she wasn't up all night wrapping the presents. "But, I am quite glad to have run into you on the metro of all places." Gears in her mind actually turned.​

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The second lager sat idle, the water was refilled after Ariel dug into the roast dinner which was certainly large enough for two.​

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Djorn Bline ​

 

[Djorn Bline]

S N A K E
AVALONIA
FOCUS | Ariel Yvarro

“It’s good,” he gave her answer on the lager right before taking another drink of it. He mostly favored liquors than beer archetype drinks, his favorite was always a glass of cognac on the rocks with a cigar to complement it. Ariel finished her ale before him as he was just enjoying the lager as much as he was enjoying his time with Ariel.

Drink away to repress their stress from the their duties. Djorn certainly found himself at the bottom of the bottle back in his younger years, before entering his thirties. Now? Almost second nature to him, he mostly worked around the clock to not fall into those distractions.

While Ariel did have past lovers as she told him in the garden, she never engaged in a serious relationship. Relationships were a blessing and curse for him as he, despite his hardiness, was somewhat an emotional man. Life did make him strong, but he always enjoyed those moments of having someone to lean on him and vice versa. He was about to comment until the roast was delivered to the couple. Both indulged in and while the roast wasn’t as impressive as a homemade one, it didn’t fail to deliver satisfaction to his buds.

“Well, we both know how you ran into me on the metro,” a chuckle to go with it. She was smart, and he wasn’t going to play dumb around her. She knew he followed her and he admitted that. Why? Well, to get where they are right now.

“I was looking forward to coming to Avalonia, for obvious reasons of course,” and gave a glance at Ariel before returning to his food. Was that revealing too much of his hand? She did say everything was going “fast” for them in this affair. Maybe not be too affectionate then?

“How’re things with your work? Everything going smoothly for the First Order?”

If there was one thing a man always knew, was to give attention to their woman and ask things about her. Make them know that they’re important with their passions and aspirations.

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

"Good, I'm glad," in reference to Djorn's comment toward the lager. Ariel enjoyed her alcohol, and it helped that she could hold it better than most. A credit to her Belsavian heritage she supposed. The roast thus far was amazing not quite home but close enough. Having a solid meal was just as important to the Moff as a good drink. A comfortable silence fell between them as they ate, Ariel didn't mind it much and it didn't last long. Djorn mentioned the metro, and Ariel gave him a knowing look. "We do, and yes," a playful roll of her eyes, the woman knew damn well for the man's reasoning. ​

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The waitress came by and asked if they would like desserts or more drinks, Ariel asked for another glass of water but declined the desserts. She was at least done with dinner and took to drinking water after finishing off her ale. "In fairness, my father was an enlisted man and often had us girls on a fairly strict regiment," commented Ariel with regards to her fast dining habits, "and that was only reinforced during the reclamation campaign when all I had was an MRE and a canteen filled with water that might as well have been piss."​

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It was after that point Djorn asked about work, to which Ariel answered, "well enough I suppose. Although, I am going to have to sit down and write out a letter to a soldier's family and it is not a task I am looking forward to." She shook her head, Ariel's face shifted to one of disgust, "hate how casual that sounds, I'm sorry."​

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"Perhaps we can shift the conversation about?"​

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Djorn Bline ​

 

[Djorn Bline]

S N A K E
AVALONIA
FOCUS | Ariel Yvarro

The Commissioner also declined on the dessert when the waitress came by their way, as well as any more drinks. He had finished his only lager, his lips then meeting the brim of water provided for them. He listened as to why Ariel didn’t indulge in such gluttony, her father being a man of service and disciplined Ariel and her siblings in a strict diet to this day she still carried. “To be fair, I’ve never quite understand the intrigue of dessert after dinner in a diner. I’ve always skipped it,” he replied to the Moff, giving his own take on dessert at diners and restaurants.

Speaking of desserts...he couldn’t help, but...

“And, well, uhm, we’re both going to be treating each other out to dessert later anyways,” a subtle innuendo that was accompanied with a small laugh and a quick wink. She would get it. They were both adults to understand. Was he shameful for saying so? No, not at all. He was comfortable with sharing jokes and intimate remarks with Ariel at this point. Secrets? Maybe time would tell in their affair with each other.

She then answered his question with a somewhat vague answer, but turned a rather somber tone in regards to her having to write a letter to a soldier’s family. He understood what that meant. Passed away. His hand instincts reached out to hers, his own resting on top of the back of her hand. “I know what it’s like to lose, Ariel. Sometimes I’ve had to give the bad news of the comrades I lost with me,” and still he continued to lose with every battle that was waged. Painful it was, but he would carry their memory and make sure their names weren’t just another name to be lost in the wind. “They did their duty, and I’m sure they did it well. To put one’s life on the line inspires courage for us to do our own part for what we believe in,” and gave a reassuring smile to her in hopes to change her face in a brighter one.

“But enough of that...hmm,” he was finding something else to talk about at Ariel’s request. He didn’t want to bore her or be drab. “Tell me more about your part in the Reclamation Campaign. It’s not everyday I’m with a woman like you, Ariel. I’ve met Moffs that are unlike you; the type to just boast and really just sit on their sit ass doing nothing.”

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

Ariel waited until the waitress left, "cheeky devil you." If she had been seated next to him she would've elbowed him playfully. "However, I do enjoy my desserts. I just prefer to have them whenever I want but it's always a wonderful treat, whenever." Mood shifted again when Djorn didn't press further on a topic Ariel wanted to be done with. An incline of her head as Djorn spoke about the loss of comrades in arms. It was never an easy thing, and it made Ariel think back to what Natasi had told her earlier - the consequences of being in leadership as they were.​

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"It does, but nevertheless it doesn't make the task of informing their loved ones any easier."​

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"Well." Not to boast about herself, but, "I'm not your average Moff."​

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With that the Foreign Secretary paid for their meal and left the waitress a solid fifty sovereigns, the crisp white and gold bill tucked behind the now empty ticket holder. Gifts and bags gathered up, Djorn's coat back with the man himself as the couple stepped out of the diner and into the not-as-cold evening. The Dosuunian moon hung in a crescent shape above Avalonia with stars quietly shining down, the snow having gone by then. She waited until they were in the cab, and after informing the driver where to go did Ariel explain her part in the Reclamation Campaign. "It was one of the first things that I did when I returned."​

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"Neither Avalonia nor Propseria could be properly rebuilt until the scales were gone, the Sith-backed Dosuun Hegemony hadn't been keen on doing anything more than keeping the credits for themselves and allowing people to starve, or become enteched by the scales," a shake of her head said all there was left to say about the Hegemony. "After I took care of them, I looked to rebuild what was left of the armed forces. I came across Colonel Nemea and his Avalonian Hellfighters."​

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The driver commented on how much he loved the Hellfighters and hoped to see Colonel Nemea as a General one day.​

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"Yeah, Nemea's a great fighter and he initially didn't want me tagging along with him and his men, however; I proved that I could hold my own." ​

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"After we took Avalonia, we marched for Prosperia, and from there solidified our powerbase before moving out for Victoria, Laurentia and Suthrig. Laurentia had looked after themselves quite well, they're far north so the scales were in a for a bloody surprise when the eggheads there made use of the colder elements, and shattered the damn beasts before they could reach the sandbags." Regaled Ariel of the Reclamation Campaign, "they popped like bubbles further north in Uther and Caledonia." ​

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The driver laughed.​

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"Right?" Ariel looked toward him, "did you serve?"​

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The driver confirmed his unit, he didn't serve any more because he had aged out of the fighting but he had done his part and lost a hand for it in the process. He mentioned he served in liberating Gawain and Iseult, cities further to the south where the fighting was harshest. He and Ariel then informed Djorn of the Scar. A landmark that was pitted with ships and had such an impact that it made the land all around it barren. The Scar itself was a canyon that hadn't been there before the Fall, or the Sacking depending on who you asked. ​

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"At any rate, here we are," remarked Ariel as the cab pulled up in front of her building. She paid the driver handsomely and thanked him for his service. Out of the cab, bags, gifts and coats were gathered up and Ariel led Djorn to the front of her building. She was greeted by the doorman, who by the looks of it was also a veteran.​

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A proud veteran pin on the lapel of his suit, the whir of his robotic legs could be heard as he held open the door. The lobby of the apartment building had been designed with an art deco interior. One of the attendants behind the desk called to Ariel informing her that she had mail, bills mostly when Ariel approached an inquired. A few publications had arrived, and a couple of missed calls from family and one or two from Governance Row. "I've got a delivery that should be here in a few days from one of the shops in town," advised Ariel to the attendant of whom she knew by name. "Yeah, no I probably won't be here but I may need to make use of the service lift to get it up to my flat."​

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After this, Ariel led Djorn to the lift and sighed, "sorry for all that." She tucked her mail under an arm and prepared to disembark the lift at the top floor. "And no need to worry about neighbors, the entire top floor is mine." The Moff made a a cheeky smirk as she looked over at Djorn, just as the lift reached the top. ​

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Djorn Bline ​

 

[Djorn Bline]

S N A K E
AVALONIA
FOCUS | Ariel Yvarro

DON’T BE AFRAID​

Whether it was romance in the air that made him think this way or not, Ariel was nothing short impressive and its many synonyms. Anyone could’ve seen that straight away. Her scar on her left hand and her stories of the Reclamation Campaign proved that to him. She had a vanity of accomplishments under her belt, one that outmatched his for sure. She didn’t the nigh impossible of resurrecting a defunct nation from its ashes to its proper glory. Almost proper glory, but the First Order neared that with every passing day.

Honestly, hearing her made Djorn think how no one else asked for her hand or even for a cup of caf. He knew there were better men than him in terms of wealth and political power. People befitting for a woman like Ariel as it was typical that aristocratic families married off their offsprings just for political and financial interests rather than giving a damn about their emotions. Something that Djorn was grateful he didn’t hail from a family as such. He wasn’t a man to establish a genuine relationship with someone because of their position in society. A woman’s beauty was enough for him to garner interest, and Ariel had more than enough of that.

“All yours, huh? Guess that’s enough room for us to enjoy ourselves,” and fired back a smirk at her way, the lift opening its doors for the couple to disembark. “Let me help,” and he went to grab Ariel’s bags as he literally wasn’t holding anything in his own. Showing off his manners as he did earlier when he wrapped Ariel with his coat out in the harsh cold of Avalonia. Djorn wasn’t a noble, but he did know his manners and how to act as a man.

The couple arrived at the door with Ariel opening it. The inside was extremely large, wide spaces that did occupy the entire top floor. Enough windows to get a good view of the city.

But there was one view Djorn was focused on tonight.

“Hey,” he called to Ariel as he was just behind her, and when she turned around to face him Djorn would bend and lean in to kiss her gently and tenderly on her lips. The bags in his hand dropped to the floor and both of his hands placed themselves on her hips.

“Sorry,” he said when his lips departed from hers, “been uh meaning to do that. I couldn’t resist any longer.”

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

Ariel returned Djorn's display of affection with one of her own, "then that makes two of us." She patted his chest with her hand, "and there will be plenty of that later, the bags can go on the kitchen table. I can sort them out later." The Moff knew that her Commissioner had been waiting the entire night for just one little kiss. The apartment was more of a penthouse with a commanding view of the city and a balcony that wrapped around it. The only thing keeping anyone from falling was the railing and the force field. ​

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The penthouse was two and a half stories, the half being Ariel's private office suite in what was supposed to be the attic. Glasteel overlayed with Solarium Glasteel rounded most of the bottom floor. Stone and steel blocked off the rest, creating the feeling that the penthouse was much larger and more spacious than it actually was. The kitchen table was on the left from the front door it was small compared to the kitchen itself, but then Ariel didn't really have people over.​

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She had disappeared upstairs and set herself up in a pair of flannel pants, and a washed-out faded t-shirt. "I think these might fit you," called Ariel down the stairs. "Had a friend at uni who happens to visit every so often, but he's probably tied up in the Free State movement on Galidraan." So she didn't imagine that he'd be stopping by again, at least, not anytime soon. Besides, the clothes wouldn't be for long on Djorn - just for now. It was while she handed the clothes to Djorn she noticed the lights were still off.​

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"Majel, lights forty percent, warm."​

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The lights slowly came on to a warm yellow hue, "much better." Smiled Ariel, "that's the penthouse artificial intelligence, my sister programmed her so Force only knows what kind of data Ryssa's gathering."​

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"Would you believe my older sister believes me incapable of taking care of myself, burn one thing and suddenly it's you're just mother here's this artificial intelligence unit so you don't starve or spend all your money on diners," Ariel ranted slightly and then directed Djorn to the first-floor bathroom. "Majel, activate holo entertainment set."​

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Djorn Bline ​

 

[Djorn Bline]

S N A K E
AVALONIA
FOCUS | Ariel Yvarro

SOMETHING​

A wave of tranquility surged within his flesh and bones when the Moff returned affection to him. A moment of peace for him and joy. There were a few places he knew he could find a state of zen and ease. One was on the battlefield , even if it sounded ironic, adrenaline and the urge of survival to find victory never allowed him to fall into the clutches of panic. Once a soldier couldn't keep it together they would come near to the essence of death. Another method was smokes and a drink to to go with it. Every puff from a cigar would relax his muscles and mind from thinking way too many things, collective thoughts of his past and what he predicted would come in the future.

But what did the most were moments like these. Whether it was with a friend, or new romance with a woman like Ariel. Their walk together while holding hands made him feel free spirited. And their kiss just now? Enough to etch a beaming smile at her.

Bags were placed on the table as instructed and he received suitable clothes to relax outside of his Imperial uniform. A bit weird to wear clothes belonging to someone else, but that was mild from what he had done in intelligence. Snake left the bathroom with the flannel pants and rugged shirt put on, walking back towards where Ariel was so he could be near her.

“Looks like I might need that feature at my place, not that my apartment is anything impressive as yours,” taking a quick glance at his surroundings, acknowledging Ariel’s living was more eloquent and spacious than his own quarters. “Didn’t know you have an older sister.”

Ariel then mentioned about the Free State movement on Galidraan; a political moment focused around native Galidraani’s wanting to separate themselves from the Sith Empire. A movement almost similar to the New Imperial Order. “I’ve heard few reports about that movement. Officially, we New Imperials don’t have an relations with them. Unofficially, well, I can arrange something with them,” and gave a smirk at the Moff; she would know he would do anything to make a stab against the Sith and free those under their zealous oppression. Perhaps the Galidraani’s got the receiving end better than other systems under the grasp of the Sith, but when one challenged the autonomy of the Sith...those that were daring would face a wrath for such dissidence.

“So...what do we do now? Catch a flick that we’ll probably not finish watching? Or should we show and match each other’s scars?” His hands went to grab Ariel’s own, his right hand with his thumb caressing where the scar was on the back of the palm. He could’ve made a move and reach down to steal another kiss from her, but what felt more powerful was for her to make that move on him. He let her fill in the blank however she wanted.

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

It was hard and easy to describe how she felt, hard because there wasn't a name she could think of for it but easy because it felt like Djorn had been with her for ages. She realized that her place, her style, and just way of being might have been different than what he was used to. She watched him for a moment when he had examined his surroundings. He definitely seemed to be more relaxed, happier maybe, and for that, she was delighted. Ariel crossed the flat and took the presents out of the bag and began to fold them and put them away leaving the unwrapped gifts on the table. ​

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"Yeah, I do, I have two of them," explained Ariel as she moved from the kitchen table to a closet in the hall. Djorn went on to discuss the free state movement and Ariel listened as he mentioned that the New Imperials would unofficially support them. "Mhmmm, yeah they could use the help, mum's talked about it herself. Not entirely sure what she plans on doing," Ariel remarked absent-mindedly, while she set out the wrapping paper on the table. "But I try not to understand what my mother does."​

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Ariel chuckled when she heard Djorn but hadn't realized how close he was to her. Before she realized it, Ariel was looking at Djorn their eyes had locked and he held her hand, his thumb caressed the scar she had shown him. She got a glance over at the gifts on the table and then returned her attention to Djorn. Wordlessly, she moved past him, her hand still in his as she led him away from the kitchen table and toward the stairs. It all felt like the first night at the Rosewood. Only this time it was here, in her home - far away from everything else.​

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Djorn Bline ​

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[Djorn Bline]

S N A K E
AVALONIA
FOCUS | Ariel Yvarro

STAY​

It felt very much the same at the Rosewood, except they were here alone and had all night for themselves. More than enough to enjoy each other in the flesh.

The night would fade away until Avalonia’s sky was painted with the early dawn of the sun’s rays shooting from the horizon. No nightmares or visions of his past bothered Djorn for the night, one of the few times he could sleep well without sweating or opening his eyes in terrors. His consciousness began to kick in as he could smell Ariel’s aroma of perfume that had not washed off from her skin. His eyes opened with his eyelids squinting at first before having them wide awake. The two Imperials laid by right next with each other on the spacious bed that they shared together, Djorn’s own arm snaking around Ariel’s bare figure with only the sheets and covers veiling their bodies.

His mind demanded a cigarette at first as it was his traditional habit of starting the morning; however, he would quickly remember this wasn’t his place and there wasn’t a pack of cigarettes by the bed. The Imperial subtly picked himself up from where he was laying down and sat himself up against the headrest of the bed, his bottom half of his body covered by the sheets. Snake’s attention went on the woman he made love to, intrigued by the tattoos etched on her shoulders. A hand went to gently caress the tattoos, surprised an elegant woman such as she had them painted on her skin and knowing that such art belonged to something tribal.

She wasn’t the average Moff of every Imperial regime; but she wasn’t the average woman either.

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

Dawn arrived sooner than Ariel thought it would, the Dosuunian sun filtered light through the white cloth of the curtains that hung high across the glasteel. The woman stirred lightly in bed she rested peacefully on her left side. She scarcely felt Djorn's arm, and shifted her body further into a warm embrace. Soft touches of cool air crossed her skin, the sheets and covers, had fallen somewhat haphazardly along their bodies. Ariel's mind shifted away from a sleepy state and slowly she woke.​

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She could feel Djorn's hand tracing along her tattoos. The sigil of Clan Kurze, and the written Mando'a must have been something of intrigue and as Ariel came to she looked a moment at the curtains and took a breath. Ariel turned to her right side and faced Djorn, "morning." She greeted him, sleep still in her voice. Wordlessly she leaned over and gave him a kiss, "surprised you didn't see them at the Rosewood."​

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Ariel pulled the duvet over her shoulders, "Majel, current temperature in the flat?"​

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"16°C"​

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"Please adjust to 18°C, thank you."​

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"Temperature adjusted."​

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Ariel gazed into Djorn's eyes and leaned over again to kiss him, "mhmmm." She contemplated getting up and out of bed, Life Day wasn't going to be for quite sometime. "How long are you able to stay here?" Another thought crossed her mind, "or perhaps you're able to return for Life Day?" At least then she could probably figure out something. Like getting Djorn an extra set of clothes for the flat. "Should also probably get up."​

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"Probably."​

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Djorn Bline ​

 

[Djorn Bline]

S N A K E
AVALONIA
FOCUS | Ariel Yvarro

RAIN​

Whether it was his hands that stirred her up or the early rays of the sun, the Moff awoken from her slumber and turned to face Djorn. She was still sleepy which was evident in her voice and the way her eyes were opening. “Morning,” he replied back with warmth in his voice, his eyes staring at Ariel right before she leaned in to kiss him which he returned the affection before she pulled away to command the complex AI of her home. Like her, Djorn could feel cool air lightly blown on his bare skin. That and the kiss from Ariel made the small hairs of his arms spike up from such sensation.

“I didn’t see much of you on that night, but I’m sure we got to see more of us last night,” he replied back when she spoke about her tattoos. Another mark he also discovered was scars on her abdomen, almost like a predator’s claw tearing her skin. Another inquiry for him to ask her, but he couldn’t deny that the scars and tattoos on her body was something he found attractive.

Again, Ariel’s lips planted themselves on Djorn this time having more time length than their previous one as the man returned his affection towards the woman. The same hand that he wrapped around Ariel found itself around her waist, using that as a means to pull himself slightly closer to the Moff.

“I’ll be here until I have to go. The Boss will make that call, so that means we have some time for ourselves,” he answered her inquiry, staring into her orbs of brown. He had just arrived yesterday to Dosuun, and he knew the New Imperials would spend some little time before returning to the Braxant Run; back to war. “I can try to be here for Life Day; my schedule isn’t a consistent one, but I can sure try, Ariel.”

With everything going on, it was hard to find a moment of peace and relief from all the stress he carried. Right now this was his escape from those burdens. He didn’t carry a cross as heavy as Irveric, but he had his own as he was responsible in carrying out his duty for the Order.

“No,” in regards to what she said last, “no, let’s not be in a hurry. I like this. It’s nice and...peaceful. It makes me warm.” For once, temporarily, the phantom pains of his past weren’t on his mind and he could enjoy a moment without being troubled with such somber thoughts. Ariel had yet to know much more about him, but she could get speculate a few ideas based on his words.

“Those scars on your body...what happened? They’re kind of...appealing to me. You seem to be one to enjoy getting into fights.”

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

"That's very, very true," she responded and then booped Djorn on the nose with the tip of her index finger. He had mentioned they hadn't really seen much of each other during that first night. He went on to tell her that he was there at the liberty of the New Imperial Order, which made sense she supposed. "Well, if you do, you do and if not, nothing to worry about," she could tell her cousin whatever depending on the situation. Besides, she'd have to deal with her family - all of them, well, most of them that would bother to show up for the day.​

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Ariel rolled onto her back and stretched, sleep left her in that moment. Djorn expressed his desires to remain in bed, and so she decided to oblige him for a few moments, and then she'd head out of bed and to the kitchen. He wasn't wrong though, it was very warm in bed and she knew the moment she threw off the covers that it would be cold even if she had the temperature adjusted. Djorn asked about her scars and Ariel smirked and then laughed a little, "not really, but the Reclamation Campaign was a tough fight."​

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"This one," she pointed to her abdomen, "was me being stupid, and not putting enough distance between myself and the Ssi-Ruu I was fighting at the time. The back of my neck is what's left of the ion shot that grazed me." There was a momentary pause as she tried to think of how to best describe it. "The outer edges of the shot cut through the armor I had on at the time, which to be fair had been scrounged up from the dead."​

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A small shrug followed, "didn't enjoy the fights, but the victories that came with them were very, very sweet."​

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Djorn Bline ​

 

[Djorn Bline]

S N A K E
AVALONIA
FOCUS | Ariel Yvarro

CRAWL​

She was a fighter. Maybe not as trained as him, but she was the type to to fight and defend for her ideals and nation. He liked that. She was probably the black sheep of her family if he had to guess how her family perceived her to be. Her tattoos, willingness to fight, and her passion with Djorn at the Rosewood certainly gave her that title. Unlike them, he wasn’t one to judge her. He was many things, but judgmental wasn’t one of them...sometimes. Depends on the situation.

“That’s damn impressive, not many would put themselves at risk like that. Especially pretentious bureaucrats, not that you are that,” he complimented her, still laying at his side looking at Ariel as she stretched about on the bed.

His mind began to dive into questions. Was this a serious romance that they suddenly agreed on their night at the Coronation Ball? He wasn’t the typical man to find a serious relationship at a club or somewhere extremely vibrant, only to leave it as a one-nightstand. He wasn’t like that; funny how a man like him, one that was responsible for wrongful deeds, valued committed relationships. Everything so far did carry meaning to him between him and Ariel.

He only hoped she was align with those views. Ask her what would become of this affair now or later?

Djorn opted for the latter. Keep asking her more questions about herself was better for now.

“I remember my first victories. They were the sweetest, the ones after that were...well,” bittersweet and sour. Physical injuries he could tolerate, but the loss of comrades pained him. He was the survivor and would only have their ashes planted in him.

“Those tattoos,” he quickly changed the topic to Ariel again, “where did you get them? Got dared at uni?” and had a soft laugh escape with that comment.

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

Wordlessly, Ariel rose from her bed, "Majel draw curtains, activate security shield four - setting two." Her orders were routine, "activate Deke and have him run a sensor sweep across the compound."​

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"Right away, Ariel."​

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The curtains opened to reveal an amazing view of the city and for a moment everything could be seen. Soon after a black film grew across the windows, it would block the view from the outside and give Ariel and Djorn the spectacular view that the apartment building seems to command. The bed was left disheveled with piles of sheets and covers tangled amongst themselves. The bed sat against a solitary wall that was anchored to the ground, on either side of it stood tall plants and lamps that hung just above the wall's overall height. ​

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Ariel had disappeared into the bathroom, having ordered the water on just moments before. The Moff figured that Djorn would follow her into the bathroom and there she responded. "The moment I become a pretentious bureaucrat is the moment I need to step away from office altogether." She still hadn't answered him on her tattoos and instead remarked, "and the tattoos..." Her voice trailed off as she sighed, "that's complicated."​

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The Moff showered and was quick about it - another trait perhaps attributed to her upbringing. ​

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"Deke," Ariel greeted at the door of the bathroom, "your results."​

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The droid chirped and beeped in binary.​

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"I see."​

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Another set of chirps.​

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"Good, upload them to my files and I will have a look later."​

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A quizzical chirp.​

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"He's not going to stay forever, Deke."​

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A somewhat low-tone in the droid's beep.​

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"Stop it, you can't be like this every time I bring someone over."​

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Deke protested.​

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"You didn't say that when Jasara was over."​

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The droid angrily booped.​

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"That's not nice, Deke."​

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He apologized.​

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"Alright it's fine, it's fine, well go make yourself useful and see if I have any messages at the front desk."​

​

Ariel looked over her shoulder and gave Djorn a smile, "he likes you, which is a plus he doesn't like anyone that I bring home." Still standing at the doorway of her bathroom, Ariel gave a look to the closet and headed there with nothing but a towel on. Which was more than she had on when she went into the bathroom that was for sure. The doors to the closet slid open to reveal the wardrobe room to be perhaps bigger than some studio apartments. ​

​

When Djorn pressed on the tattoos' complications, Ariel relented as she pulled over her clothes - one layer after another. "When I was a girl, my mother and father worked for one of the many Imperial Remnants", she then gestured toward a section of her closet for men where Djorn could more effectively find something to dress in. "Mind you this is before the Sith Empire ever came into fruition." She paused as she looked herself over in the mirror and then continued. "The world came under attack, and I couldn't tell you by who or for what reason, but there were Mandalorians there."​

​

"I became separated from my father and sisters, I stood there in the middle of a very busy street with a war crashing upon the city," her voice didn't waver, she held her matter-of-fact tone. "One of those Mandalorians noticed me, and protected me from several of the local gangs. He then extended his hand out to me, and I being so scared and alone took it."​

​

"I survived that day thanks to him," continued Ariel who then took a seat at her vanity. "He promised to keep me safe until he could find my family, and of course, he did." She paused only to apply her makeup, and then proceeded with, "but as I grew older I became curious as to who he was. I had only gotten part of his name once, Kurze. As a teenager I sought him out, at first I was only going to thank him but then I researched all I could about Mandalorians and decided that I didn't just want to thank him. I wanted to learn more about him, and his clan."​

​

"From then on, when I could, I sought him out and trained - and then when my cousin died... I realized that there was no way I could do what I wanted to do without becoming part of the Mandalorians themselves."​

​

Ariel rose from her vanity and walked over to the full-length mirror, "and so I forged myself into Matidia Kurze." ​

​

"The ink on my back is written in Mando'a and reads the Resol'nare, and the Clan Kurze sigil."​

​

"Should he have need of my beskad in battle then I shall not refute him." Ariel's words to Djorn would have bled more between the lines. Trajan Fett was more like a second father to Ariel, and her alter ego of Matidia Kurze was exactly how she managed to bring Dosuun and the First Order back from the depths of the Netherworld itself. "As I said, the ink on my back is complicated." She gave Djorn a sly smile and walked past him out of the closet.​

​

Djorn Bline ​

 

[Djorn Bline]

S N A K E
AVALONIA
FOCUS | Ariel Yvarro

CRAWL​

Both Imperials, after lazing enough in the bed, gotten up with the cold to rush through their bare skin as they had nothing to cover themselves. Djorn was a bit reluctant to leave from where they nestled in although eventually they would have to get up at sometime as doing nothing would get tiresome and boring.

“At least that’s better than a house pet barking at me,” he commented on the atsromech droid, Deke, as apparently the droid liked and approved him.

Both of them washed up before coming to select from the wardrobes, Djorn selecting through the few clothes available for him. Not a lot to choose, but to his luck he found something comfortable to wear for the day. There was probably enough for a whole week if he opted to stay that long with Ariel during the holidays. Both of them began to prepare themselves with Ariel telling Djorn, somewhat hesitant at first, about the stories of her tattoos. Attentively, he listened to her and found himself more intrigued about her than ever before. She training and living amongst Mandalorians? That was damn impressive beyond him.

Complicated because of her relationship with said Mandalorian, a life debt for her to honor from what she was taught and done for her. Probably a secret not even her own family knew.

“I understand, yeah. It seems like a simple story, but the meaning behind it is complicated,” he returned a smile to her as she walked past him in the wardrobe. Along the way she would have a chance to glimpse at a tattoos printed on his back of a snake eating itself. A moment before he put on a layer over his body. “Regardless, that is a cool story. It’s not like anyone could’ve done what you have. Let’s me know not to pick a fight with you,” he said to her with a playful “hmmph” following under his breath.

The couple, dressed and prepared, went out and descended the stairs to kitchen. “By the way, you look good in that outfit,” complimenting the Moff as he took a good look at Ariel, looking up and down on her figure. This was normal in terms of “dating”, right?

“So uh, what plans you got today?”

And what could they do to pass the time for today?

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

"Deke was a gift to me from my father, he found the buggar laying in a scrap yard out in Balmorra. My father repaired him and handed him over after my first year at Uni." Explained Ariel regarding the droid as she headed into the living room that really was an open floor plan to the kitchen and dining room. In the day more details of her home could be seen such as the pride Ariel took in displaying her father's vibrosword crossed against his vibroaxe. They hung against a chromium shield with the Imperial Gunner's creed written in auresh, the fireplace held models of various Imperial vehicles, walkers, and tanks mixed with family photos.​

​

The coffee table was held up by a model of the Imperial II-class star destroyer. Couches were covered in pleather, black in color with perfectly placed white and gray pillows. The kitchen was quite expansive, "thank you, I'm glad you approve." Ariel said with a smirk as she regarded Djorn for a moment, "tell me then about your tattoos, they haven't gone unnoticed by the by, the snake." Since they were sharing stories about their ink.​

​

"Today, I have meetings and then I will have to get ready to head out and oversee integration for a few systems that have recently joined this beautiful family of Imperial worlds," she answered him plainly about her plans, "but we can head out if you like, or stay in. Up to you, my meetings are not until this afternoon and I don't head out until tomorrow."​

​

Djorn Bline ​

​

 

[Djorn Bline]

S N A K E
AVALONIA
FOCUS | Ariel Yvarro

The tattoos were brought up on his skin, supposed fair is fair. However, his ink was much more complicated than hers. At least Ariel was honest hers in how she came about those drawings on her skin. She did it to repay a debt she still owed to another, even going the distance to further her training in combat and becoming “one of them”. It was honest of her to do that for someone outside of her own culture as he knew not many Imperials would repay that gesture to someone that didn’t fall in line with Imperialism.

But Djorn? His tattoo carried a different weight and story. He got it right after that mission. That very one that drove him down a steep slope of vengeance after successfully completing that mission. It was a story he didn’t tell anyone, no one knew and he was likely to die in the grave with that secret.

Maybe not, but it was old wounds he wasn’t willing to open up. Not now.

“Oh, just a military thing,” he began about the ink, “ever since I was young I always liked snakes. So did my father. I usually go by nickname of it. Nothing too fancy about it. Doesn’t have a cool story like yours.” Technically, he didn’t say any lies to her. He just gave several facts and half truths to her.

“We can head out, Ariel. Show me more about Dosuun, and your world.”

He wanted to find out more about her. Find out more about this relationship between them. She hadn’t rejected him, not yet. Only in public with her cousin she did.