Private Valentine Massacre

[Finley Dawson]

Directly continued from Silver Valentine

Finley wasn't a morning person, but the time difference between Balamak and Zeltros was such that he was wide awake even before the first rays of morning began to peak over the horizon. Sadira was still sleeping, but he couldn't help but give her a peck on the forehead and stroke her cheek with the pad of his thumb. His thoughts drifted to the previous evening when he had finally seen her loosen up at the fair, embracing the festivity. The galaxy seemed to be going to chit, but at least for a few hours the couple could forget the woes of the world during Leave.

One quick hop in the shower, then he slipped out of the suite to see what the resort still offered.

Downstairs, as it turned out, there wasn't much. All the attractions had shut down and every patron retiring to bed. Save for utility droids and third shifters cleaning up, the place was a ghost town. The breakfast bar would be opened soon, but that wouldn't be for another hour. In contrast to his indifference to morning, the Corellian was very much a breakfast person. There was nothing like runny egg yolks over toast, or freshly fried doughnuts that practically melted in the mouth.

Hmm, was it doughnuts, or donuts? Across the galaxy, he had seen it spelled one way or another, even different ways on the same street lane. Who had it best?

A silly question to consider as he stepped back onto the beach for a walk.

Sadira Valen

 

[Sadira Valen]

The gentle peck on the forehead and tickling stroke of his thumb wasn't enough to wake her. They briefly disrupted the dream she wouldn't even remember having in the most pleasant way, and she made a quiet hum of contentment, but otherwise didn't stir. Mornings weren't so hard for her, normally. Sadira was used to getting up early to train back at the temple. A routine she'd held for years. This morning was an exception, though. Last night had been the most fun she'd had in a long time, and a very busy one as well.

Coupled with the fact that they were someplace safe and designed for luxury and relaxation, it was a great recipe to keep her blissfully dead to the world.

When her eyes did peek open, it was to the golden rays of the sun filtering through the floor length curtains across from their king sized bed. All she felt was the warm cocoon of fluffy blankets she was wrapped in, and she stretched her limbs simultaneously with a groan and rolled over onto her stomach. Her arm flopped onto the empty bed next to her, and her eyes opened wider.

He was gone.

A little pang of disappointment hit her, and she sat up and looked towards the hazy white curtains glowing with morning light. She couldn't sense him anywhere in the immediate vicinity. How interesting... Where would he have gone to so early? There was only one way to find out.

After a quick shower of her own, the padawan ventured out of their suite in a casual, brightly colored dress with a mostly open back. The wonderful smell of delicious breakfast foods drifting from common area of their resort stole her attention. Whether he was already there stuffing his face without her or not, that would be her first stop.

Hungry as a bear rousing from hibernation, she stared in gluttonous awe at the buffet of "free" food sprawled out on a long table, picked half clean already as guests continued to drift in and out. Being a sucker for fruit, she piled as much of a variety as she could on a plate, along with a fruit-filled pastry, and some scrambled eggs. Meanwhile, her mind reached out in an attempt to locate the elusive Corellian. He was going to get a proper mauling for this later.

Finley Dawson

 

[Finley Dawson]

Finley walked up and down the shoreline near the resort. Well, more like skipped, as the man was giddy with energy, still high off the events of the past night with Sadira.

When it came to her, there was a long way to go when it came to the Big L word, but he certainly had an intense liking for her like he hadn't experienced in a long time. Sure, there was a fling here and there while system hopping, but never anything that could amount to a potential commitment. Too risky for someone in his line of work, burying comrades left and right. It hurt to form a deep bond with someone, only to have it snatched away in an instant. The loss of most of his family at Corellia still hounded him years later.

He could understand why some of the Old Masters cautioned against personal connections.

Loss hurt, and that hurt could lead to something much worse. Even the fear of loss could lead to darker impulses, as seen with fallen Jedi.

However, then what was the point of living if he had to go on like a robot. His dad had made it work with his mom, many Jedi within the Silver Order did despite the constant risk. Maybe this one time he could try for himself. Really try.

He stopped in his tracks, digging his heels into the damp sand, sucking in air through clenched teeth.

What to do?

It was only a little while later, that he felt his mind touched Sadira, no doubt looking for him.

<I'm Here.>

Smiling to himself, he took her calling as a sign. Let's see where this goes.

​

After a short walk back from the shore, he returned to the bar, homing in on Sadira like a beacon. Just like at the fair, she was dressed up in a flowery dress. Finley himself had on a bright flower patterned shirt that rippled in the soft sea breeze.

Once behind her at a small round table, he crouched and leaned over, pecking her on the side of the neck.

"I see you got a head start on breakfast," he noted as his dark eyes fell upon her personal spread.

Sadira Valen

 

[Sadira Valen]

While Finley had spent the early hours in serious contemplation over his worldly experiences and tragedies, and used them to weigh his next move, this young Jedi was very much absorbed in the present. The change of pace this vacation gave her, and being fortunate enough to spend it with her favorite person, was like witnessing a beautiful sunset with all the colors in the visible spectrum. Intense, captivating, and fleeting... She wanted to hold onto it for as long as possible, while knowing it would inevitably pass beyond her control. What came after, she didn't want to think about yet, in fear it might dampen the enjoyment of the time she had left.

There was so much freedom and indulgence here. It was like they got to hit the pause button on life and all its responsibilities and just enjoy each other. The only problem right now was that he wasn't actually here. Rude! How was she supposed to eat breakfast alone? Such cruelty...

Rotating bites between the different delicacies on her plate, she found the little yellow, star-shaped fruit to be her favorite. When he responded to her prodding, Sadira's back visibly straightened, and she smiled to herself. Sensing suddenly that he was on the beach, she was a little disappointed she missed the opportunity to bring the food to him and sit in the sand.

That would have been a lot of food to carry. Would levitating a small buffet all the way down there be too weird? Hmm... She would have done it anyway, but he was on his way back now.

It wasn't long before he returned, and he greeted her with a kiss on the neck. Her smile beamed even wider. With a half-full mouth, she turned her head to look at him and protested with a chunk of food hiding her cheek, "You left me!"

Now, she wasn't quite as hurt as she pretended to be, which he likely sensed. If it wasn't obvious, the small hand that presented a piece of star-fruit in front of his mouth should have made it more clear. If he accepted the food--and who wouldn't, it was delicious--she'd push it between his lips and then lean the side of her head against his.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Finley Dawson

 

[Finley Dawson]

Sadira whined about his absence, but it was easy to tell that her protests were exaggerated.

"I didn't want to disturb the sleepyhead," he teased. "I wonder what had her so tuckered out in the first place?"

Finley may have gotten a head start on enjoying the morning, but his companion was certainly making up for lost time with her little mini buffet assembled on the table. At first sight, it would seem hard to believe that the small woman could stuff so much down her gullet, but now he had intimate knowledge that she was more than capable.

Definitely a glutton, but not too greedy that she wouldn't offer some of her spoils.

He happily accepted the fruit, lifting her hand with both of his to his mouth, so he could nibble the piece right out of her palm, giving her wrist a few playful nips for good measure. The tawny star fruit had the texture of a grape, tart to the taste but with a pleasant undercurrent of sweetness. Tasty.

Since there was so much food piled up already, Finley didn't even bother fetching a plate, he just pulled up a chair beside Sadira and plopped down, helping himself to a crescent-shaped roll of buttery, flakey bread.

"I'm fine, just felt like taking a walk while the beach was empty. Lovely place, but this resort is definitely a tourist trap. Hmm...I think it would be fun to explore the islands while we're here. Think of all the adventuring we could do in peace."

As of last night, he couldn't get enough adventuring with Sadira.

Sadira Valen

 

[Sadira Valen]

His first rhetorical question sprang a coquettish grin from her, and she watched him nibble the fruit from her hand. She could feed him his whole breakfast if this is what it would be like, but they'd be there all morning. "And it didn't phase you at all! I guess you'll have to help me work up my endurance."

As he took a seat next to her, the smorgasbord easily fit for two to three stomachs was slid between them. Hungry as she was, she was happy to share with him. Her eyes were probably bigger than her stomach, anyway. While he picked at the pastry, she scooped up some of the fluffy eggs with her spoon. Everything was sunshine and rainbows to her right now, and she unconsciously wiggled and bobbed as she ate, as if dancing to a song no one could hear.

She nodded and briefly flashed her eyes wide when he mentioned them being stuck in a tourist trap. The resort was certainly nice and the area had its appeal, but it was something she would only appreciate in short doses. Adventuring in less populated places and planets was always more fun and interesting to her. He seemed to read her mind too, as the next thing out of his mouth was the suggestion to go rummage through the islands.

"Really?" Long hair swished as she looked at him. "What are they like? Are they just less touristy, or completely uninhabited?" Either way, the answer was already yes. Even if there was nothing too crazy to explore, maybe they could enjoy a more private beach. Anything to allowed her to be selfish with his company would get the green light.

Before he could speak, she'd lean into him and kiss a flakey pastry crumb off the corner of his mouth.

Finley Dawson

 

[Finley Dawson]

As she leaned in for a kiss, he turned slightly to catch her lips on his.

"Definitely not uninhabited, but also much less touristy. Locals and expats tend to congregate in those areas away from the usual off-worlders cycling there. Not sure what we'd find, but that's the fun of it. We may see more of the coast's natural flora and fauna too if that's your thing."

In truth, the Explorer Corps member was genuinely interested in the latter, but he wasn't quite sure if he could rope in Sadira to spend the whole day collecting shells and flower samples along the coast.

"So if you're up to it, then we can head out as soon as we finish breakfast. Not even sure I'll need my own plate at this point."

He chuckled looking spread, which was still quite plentiful on the table.

"Mmm, you ever get the chance to vacation on the beach before? Not counting the lakefront, we really don't have anything like this on Kashyyyk."

There were actually quite a few oceans on Kashyyyk, but rarely were the skies clear like on Zeltross, the sun having to filter through the grey haze of the humid jungle mist. You could always escape the mists at the highest mountain peaks or the open ocean.

Sadira Valen