Tying Up Loose Ends

[Akabane Jarvik]

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

Akabane found himself in a small diner somewhere on Coruscant. He woke up recently which could be seen by the order of coffee and his slow movement. Since he had no work planned today he could take his time, go do something fun for once that didn't involve drinking. Though that sounded like a good time any day. He sipped some of the beverage and set it back down, before leaning back against the chair. Maybe a club.

For better or worse, he started undergoing changes after a meeting with the former Geonosian Knights. One of those being his memories returning and most notably, one of his eyes now glow. The Akabane who he was before was slowly fading away, it wouldnt be a fast change but it'd happen one day. He cherished his carefree and humorous self, there could be no mixing the two though. That's what Akabane decided. Of course he'd retain the false version's memories so maybe he wouldn't completely vanish.

One of the memories that Akabane gained back was of Aevan Kitaki as a child. As children they played together when he didn't train his abilities. He may have had a crush on her at the time. Too scared, he never pursued a romantic relationship with Aevan. Then it started. Things happened, terrible things, and he never seen her again. Now, he knew why. Somehow the false Akabane met up with her, so all ended well but he wondered if she knew it was him.

A hand reached for the ceiling. "Well, Mr Jarvik. I'll need your assistance on this one. You proposed to our Princess after all." he said smiling. It's not weird that I'm speaking to myself. he put down his hand and sat up, taking another sip from the coffee.

 

[Riamah]

Dreams, visions and clouded memories haunted the young woman. She had drifted to and fro for a while, not staying in one place for long and not finding a home. Her travels now took her to Coruscant, a place unlike any she had been on before. No nature, yet full of life.

The boy she had been friends with as a child and the man she had met on Geonosis combined in her mind. They were the same person. That man, Akabane was in her thoughts more and more. Aevan knew she had to find him again, to make him know what he really was. He had denied it when they met, but she knew the truth. Not knowing he too was here, she wasn't searching for him yet. Somehow things work out that when you stop searching, they wind up being found. Such was the case this day when she walked into the same small diner.

Looking around as she walked in, her eyes widened and she drew in a sharp breath. As Akabane lowered his arm and sat up, his movement caught her eye and she walked over to him. He had changed since the night they had danced. Nothing new surrounded her, would he still know her or even care? Her eyes searched him as she sat down. Looking away before she spoke and then back at him.

"What has happened to you?"

[member="Akabane Jarvik"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

During his sipping of the coffee, someone sat down in front of him. He kept his eyes on the inside of the mug as they spoke. Depending on who it was he would decide to look up. A female voice asked what happened to him. He looked up to see Aevan. Well this is ironic. he thought with the mug still resting on his lips. Akabane set the drink down and kept eye contact. Thanks to the false one he could talk to her again. He no longer feared revealing his feelings for her as Prince Akabane. I must again thank you Mr Jarvik.

Akabane cleared his throat before answering. "Hello Miss Kitaki." he said greeting her. "I'll tell you a story that I recently read since you are here. There was a kid who possessed great power and used it to protect his people. Many people outside of his clan were scared of the type of leader that he might become, so they attacked his clan. Some decided to attack his home directly and he watched it burn. This event turned him into a terrible person, a vile Prince. The attacks kept coming and he gathered an army to combat them. It failed due to numerous reasons. The result was a memory wipe by the attacking clan but he could live." he paused for a brief moment looking at the coffee. "Though he remembers now, everything." he looked back up at Aevan.

There would be silence and then he would speak. "Sorry. As for your question. Do I look any different than usual?" he asked trying to act innocent. The red glowing eye would immediately be something to mark down as different.

 

[Riamah]

Their eyes met after she spoke while he had his cup to his mouth. They remained locked after his set the drink down. He cleared his throat before speaking and the story Akabane said actually caused Aevan to smile slightly. He was the royalty she had named him before, the prince that had played with her as a child and he knew it now.

"Does that also mean he remembers a young princess he played with, my dear Prince?"

In asking if she thought he looked different than usual, Aevan shook her head.

"No different than usual, but changed since we last saw one another."

Not bothering to point out the change, again she wondered if he would want to continue where they left off. Everybody changed through time, but Aevan didn't want that to have changed.

[member="Akabane Jarvik"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

Akabane grinned when she asked if the man he spoke of remembered a playmate. It was clear to him that she knew the story was about his past. He went along with it. "I think I did read somewhere that the Prince treasured that memory the most." he brought the mug up to his mouth and sipped more of it.

The entire time he felt like a fool. Aevan knew it was the same Akabane from her childhood but he couldn't share the same thoughts until now, due to the memory wipe of course. Even now after regaining the memories he lost, he felt like an apology was needed. He placed the cup back onto the table and breathed in, out. There was no reason for being nervous but he couldn't help himself. She's the one he loved after all, just her presence made him feel weak. Okay, here goes nothing...

After some thought, he stopped worrying and decided to be straightforward. He laid his hands out flat in the middle of the table, hoping Aevan would take hold of them. For the record, his skills included being a charming boyfriend. Akabane would wait to speak until she grabbed his hands or he'd start after a few moments.

"I'm sure you've noticed, the eye I mean. Don't worry I'm not possessed or anything, think of it as a genetic trait." he said this with a chuckle. "Anyways, I'd like to share with you my recent discoveries. First I must apologize, I'm talking about when we first met up again. That was the behavior of the uneducated me. Though I'm thankful you were unharmed in the process." he paused for a breath and then continued. "Will you forgive me, Princess Kitaki?" the way he spoke was proof Prince Akabane returned. He remembered how his other self treated the Princess on Geonosis and he wanted to further apologize.

 

[Riamah]

Her eyes lit up when he grinned at question and it was rather contagious, attempting to hide the smile and failing in the process, Aevan ended up returning that grin. Her blue eyes met the mismatched eyes of Akabane, but it didn't bother her. She had liked him when they were children and then progressed that like further when they met again on Geonosis.

When he laid his hands out open on the table, she did reach out to take them. Remembering the dance they had shared and holding his hands then. This time, the woman didn't want to let go of him. It had happened too many times and if it happened again, Aevan didn't know if they would meet again.

"I did notice that my Prince, but I think it is natural to you now."

He said to think of it as something genetic, but it didn't sound quite right to her. Then in saying he wanted to share what he had discovered, she nodded. When he asked for forgiveness, there was nothing she could do to stop herself. Akabane hadn't known who or what he was then, but he did now. Giving a slow blink and nod before speaking, she looked at their hands and back up at him.

"Always."

[member="Akabane Jarvik"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

"Thank you milady." he said with a grateful smile. What he said, he truly meant it. Many would probably claim that a child cannot fall in love. That may have some truth in it but he cared for Aevan from the beginning. The feeling growing stronger and stronger as years passed, until the unfortunate events. Even after losing his memory and seeing her again as the false Akabane, the feeling remained, he just didn't realize it.

The physical change in his appearance, the red eye, probably seemed odd the Aevan. He didn't mind if it was a quality that she disliked about him and he understood if that was the case. In the future he felt like his other eye would be tainted as well. It would actually even out the oddness most likely, since there would be two matching instead of one alone. A sigh a relief came out. After breathing some he would speak gently like before.

Akabane kept up his smile while looking at Aevan. He was never the loving type when he lost his memories. That version of himself worried about the mission first, and that might explain why he went so long without contacting her. He increase his grip on her hands. "You're so beautiful and caring. I'm lucky to have you in my presence." he said speaking honestly. "I'd like to know what you have been doing too, if you don't care to say." he thought of a joke. "For example, did you secretly get a new lover? I wouldn't complain, in fact I would be the one apologizing."

 

[Riamah]

Seeing him was good and the hardness Aevan had started to build up came crumbling down. As a little girl, she had been herself with him. When they met in Golbah, it had been the same way. It was only with him and it had always been that way.

"Do you remember our conversation from Golbah? If not, I will be happy to remind you."

Wanting Akabane to remember, she almost held her ​breath waiting for his answer. He said she was beautiful and caring which brought some color to her cheeks. Shaking her head in answer, Aevan shrugged her shoulders before answering.

"I have done nothing really. Picked up a little additional training, but that was it."

[member="Akabane Jarvik"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

Akabane's memory was pretty good and he remembered the talk they had that day, he didn't understand which part she was talking about though. He would need the refresher. "It appears I do not remember, enlighten me." he said still smiling. Whatever she was trying to make him remember he hoped it wasn't something bad. They did have their differences on that day but nothing serious happened, to his knowledge. "Did our conversation contain anything important? I should remember if it is." he said this to assure he didn't forget.

The way Aevan reacted to his complements made him feel good about their relationship. Since they were separated for so long, he didn't know what that'd do to it. Of course he did factor in the countless years before this. Aevan told Akabane that she received additional training. Hearing this he was even more interested in witnessing her abilities. He didn't mind her testing them on him, in the form of a friendly duel. "That's awesome. You should beat me up one day utilizing what you learned in training." he said with a a chuckle and grin.

 

[Riamah]

Being a little disappointed as his answer, Aevan gave him a look that said as much.

"You asked me that day if I wanted to be your betrothed."

Hoping that brought up more memory of his, she finished with a smile at him. Not sure if he still fully wanted to pursue that, she knew she did. ​There was something additional Aevan wanted to do with Akabane, so she would stand up and move to sit next to him instead of across the table. Holding one of his now within hers if he still allowed it, she kept that smile on her face.

"I think you'll still win in a spar."

Her blue eyes met his and she leaned just a little bit closer to him. If he didn't move, she would plant a warm kiss on his cheek. If he turned to face her like she hoped, then it would land on his lips.​

[member="Akabane Jarvik"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

"Ah yes. I take it you want to go through with it?" he said wondering if that's why she brought it up. If not he didn't mind since they haven't really spent all that much time together. Most couples would usually spend more time with each other before marriage, so he'd understand. Jumping straight proposing was out of the ordinary for Akabane in the first place, the former Prince. Then again, having the courage to propose proved that the other Akabane was there at the time.

Akabane laughed when Aevan said he'd win the duel if they had one. "What of your training?" he asked as she changed her seat. For a moment, he forgot about the question because she sat right beside him holding hands still. "What's wrong?" he asked turning his head to face her, with a concerned look on his face. All of a sudden Aevan leaned in to kiss Akabane. This might have been the closest he had been to her face so far, his eyes locked on hers. Akabane felt the delicate touch of her lips and would remember this feeling. When they were done he'd ask a question while looking her way still. "Did I do something to deserve that?" he asked grinning.

 

[Riamah]

"Indeed I do. Taking our time of course, don't want to rush into something you're not ready for."

It would imply that maybe Akabane was having second thoughts, her mind was as set as it had been the day they met. They had known each other since they were little and had almost grown up together.
​
"My training was minimal and only opened a door to something greater than it had been previously."

He did indeed turn to look at her when she sat down and Aevan's kiss landed exactly where she wanted it to...on his lips. It was only a light peck, but it was a start and they would both remember it. Their eyes were locked when he asked if he had done something to deserve it.

"If you hadn't, I wouldn't have done it, my prince."

[member="Akabane Jarvik"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

It made him happy to know that Aevan felt this way. Many women approached Akabane in his life but nothing came out of the dates. The reason for that is probably because his true self, Prince, loved Aevan all this time. Recently he started realizing some of those feelings recieved during the amnesia had meaning, this one for example. He couldn't say he wouldn't have attempted to find someone else one day, though they'd be a substitute for her most likely, what a cruel thought.

Akabane listened as she talked about her training during their separation. Aevan mentioned something of opening a door to something greater. While he didn't mean to offend her training, he wanted to praise the power to summon flames. "Your flames are interesting, a power worthy of being your servant. I assume this training is for battle?" he asked curious about it. He was intrigued by the flames she produced. One day, maybe, he'd get to experience the sweet touch of them. Hopefully not because they are enemies in the future but he'd get to feel them either way.

Apparently he did deserve the kiss from Aevan, he smiled at this. "You're too cute." he said holding a smile. "If I may ask, are you here for any specific reason? Perhaps searching for me, your lover." he said joking about the last part.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

He mentioned that her flames were interesting and wondered if maybe her additional training had been for battle. While when they had met before, she had been rather cocky and pretentious, she had not known what else was out there. Aevan shook her head only slightly and looked thoughtful for a moment before her attention went back to Akabane.

"It might be eventually, but not yet. I'm still working on control. However, you can learn how to shape fire too. Same I can learn about wind and water. They are all open to exploration. So unlike we were taught growing up."

Akabane made Aevan actually feel soft, warm and loved. He made her feel like she was a person that mattered and not just one of a number. In saying she was too cute, brought a blush to her.

"Just wandering around aimlessly, but it must have been you that drew me here."

[member="Akabane Jarvik"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Aevan told him about her training some more including that it was mainly about control at the moment. At the earlier stages of his training he too went through learning how to control the force. Telekinesis is a perfect example, Akabane struggled with releasing force energy the way he was instructed to. One day his training paid off and not that he was perfect at it, but he could control it decently. Aevan also mentioned they could train in other ways than they did as children. "I'll leave the flames to you, Princess." he said smiling. "My teacher is showing me other abilities to use in battle. Very useful but I'll never forget father's teachings of wind." he added paying respects to his dad.

Concerned about Aevan after she answered him, his would feel stronger but not enough for any pain. This was a time when body actions told what he wouldn't say. "You're young. You should be going to parties and clubs instead of walking around." he said encouraging her to have fun. "Is there something bothering you?" a worried look in his eyes.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

"I'd still like to fight side by side with you in a battle some day. As I stated the day we met...or rather met again, together we would be almost unstoppable."

While it might be the playful imagination of a child's memory, Aevan seemed to recall the two of them sparring when they were younger. Usually it was him beating her since he focused on being a warrior. She on the other hand had focused more on the music and dancing side of shaping.

"What happened to you get gain your memory back?"

Keeping a firm ​hold of his hand, her bright blue eyes looked at Akabane.

"We're almost the same age, Aka. Besides I'm happy with my prince."

Not answering his last question, she waited on him to answer hers first.

[member="Akabane Jarvik"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Akabane smiled when she spoke of them fighting together. "I hope that day comes, Miss Kitaki. Your flames could do enough damage by themselves though." he said praising her abilities. Fighting together one day did sound nice but he would fear for her safety constantly. There's the possibility of her becoming really strong too. Wind and fire, huh... he thought about the combination, it would defiantly be deadly.

Aevan asked how he got his memory back, he simplified the story. "A compromise." he nodded. "A spirit gave me my memories and I gave up something." he grinned. "That's a secret though."

He looked down at the ground, trying to think of what to say. "We don't see eachother all the time. I'm sure you get bored." Akabane expected her to go out and have fun, maybe he was just worrying too much. "Prince cannot always be around."

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

She kept quiet as he spoke and tilted her head curiously when he mentioned he had to give up something to get his memories back. Obviously Aevan wondered what it was, but didn't ask since he said it was secret. Possibly in time he would be able to tell her. They had been separate for too long, but they were together now and that's what mattered.

"Life will either keep us together somehow or it will decide to separate us for a time. However, I think the times together are going be more than apart. I mean this is our second chance run in and then friends as children. Just imagine us playing around now like we did then."

Not at all succeeding in​ hiding her smile at the memory and the thought of them as adults playing hide and seek or other kids games they had then. Letting out a sigh, she looked back at Akabane.

"Where do we go from here, my prince?"

[member="Akabane Jarvik"]

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

The memories were nice to have back, he could remember things such as his father and Aevan. She would have to guess what he gave up for them, treating it like a game. There was no fun in revealing something, it loses importance after a person finds out. He fancied doing things the fun way.

Aevan said to imagine them playing now like they did as children. He laughed when he visualized that. "We're both too old for that lovely." he continued laughing, it was a funny thing to imagine.

She asked what happens now. Akabane sat there silent for a moment, the question was difficult to answer. Not because he had no vision for their future. As a warrior he didn't know what was guaranteed and what wasn't. "We already have that dream of fighting together. Let's make that our goal." reaching this goal would require a lot from the both of them. He wouldn't mind pushing through it if that meant he could be with Aevan everyday.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

"We might be too old to actually DO it still, but it is fun to imagine."

Sharing in the laugh that slowly faded, Aevan looked over at him and nodded when he said that for now their goal should stay simple and learn to fight together. Giving his hand a squeeze, she leaned her head against his upper arm. Their height difference was enough that she couldn't rest it on his shoulder.

"Sounds like a plan. I'm sure I have tons to learn."

That cockiness she had wasn't gone totally, but it was way more muted than it had been in their first meeting.

[member="Akabane Jarvik"]