Wake Up

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He shook his head slightly.

“Never made it before, but I once saw the Beast Riders cook an entire Drexl.” That had been interesting, and had not actually tasted all that great. Of course he had never stated so, but it was an interesting food fact that he thought she might get a kick out of.

Chewing the last piece of his steak Soliael looke down at his plate, it was still half filled with untouched potatoes, and for the moment he didn't appear to be starting on them. Instead he looked up at Kira again, smiling and watching her enjoy the food. He had not thought he had been That good of a cook, but perhaps it was just the exhaustion and weariness in her bones that was finally allowing her to enjoy a good meal.

He smiled, then continued with his questions.

“Galloway? I've never heard the name.” He took a sip of his own Juice. “Did you enjoy coming to the Jedi? Was it a dream come true?”

He knew that for many it was, there was no hint of mockery in his tone. Perhaps there would have been were it anyone but Kira.

 

[Kira Talith]

Was it a dream come true?

That was the question. Frankly, she never heard of the Jedi prior to the arrival of Master Galloway. Her expression would darken for a moment in thought. Her life at the orphanage didn't revolve around ghostling tales, but in making sure that everyone was okay and keeping the wrath of the warden from them. They were all pickpockets, and all expected to bring a tribute daily -- or else.

"... it was a new life." she'd admit finally, "A better one for us all." rather than being child laborers under the warden's heavy lash. Her eyelids would lift so blue would meet citrine. "It gave us a purpose."

Blue eyes would perk at that. "A Drexl?" the piqued interest would be evident in her voice, not to mention the brightening of her eyes. For one who appreciated food like she did, she was willing to try anything at least twice. Didn't matter how bizarre or weird it may be. If it looked good, she ate it.

"How was it?" she would ask, a thrum of excitement revealing itself as she'd lean forward against the table as if to not miss a single word.

"Did you hunt for it?" the steak was all gone now, but she would still gorge herself on the potatoes; she had a hearty appetite for one so small. It was a wonder where it all went!

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“I see.” Soliael said quietly. “So it wasn't always a fantasy of yours then? To use the force? Travel around the galaxy and be lauded with fame and good graces?”

There was still no hint of mocking or sarcasm in his tone, he was genuinely curious. Even during the Gulag Plague the Separate Jedi sects had been hailed as heroes and friends of the galaxy. He wasn't sure if that was a fact that would ever go away, perhaps on some Sith controlled worlds. Perhaps it was the opposite on Prakith or even Coruscant now.

He mulled that over until she asked her questions about the Drexl.

A smirk crawled across his face. “It was terrible, chewy, tough, and tasted like a Banthas backside.”

“We didn't hunt them. Didn't need to. The Beast Riders had ways of attracting them.” Fondly he remembered taking the Drexl down. His Mother had never been a huge advocate of killing animals, but this particular beast had been sickly, and had they not taken it, another Drexl would have. It served an entire village for three weeks, a good sacrifice. “They're crafty creatures, touching their minds with the force is difficult, more...direct methods are needed.”

 

[Kira Talith]

Kira gave a sigh and then instantly regretted the deeply indrawn breath. Her ribs hurt. But it brought with it a shaft of dull pain that would clear her head. "It was never a fantasy. Never a desire to travel.

It was just a place to keep people safe." it might have sound odd, but that is what it was. A place for the rest of the kids to not be afraid of what the warden would do, to have clothes on their back, food in their belly. And if a few of them were able to use whatever sort of magic hocuspocus called the Force and so some good with it, why not?

"I didn't know what it all was," she'd confide a bit sheepishly, quietly as her fork slowiy pushing a slice of potatoes. That she was playing with her food meant that she certainly was deep in thought, perhaps even troubled. She'd give a shrug of a shoulder, bare flesh peeking a bit under the slack of the robe.

"...honestly, it was all pretty scary." the Force that is. What they could do. What she did and that she didn't have control over it.

"The Order taught us to control that though..." she'd shrug again only to glance back up at him. Okay, maybe getting to deep here. She forced a brighter smile, bringing her juma juice up to nurse it.

"What did you have to do to attract a drexl then?"

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael observed her carefully this time. He had noticed that Kira wore her emotions on her sleeve. How she reacted to things, what she said, her facial expression, they were all very carefully connected to her emotions. It was not something he would normally pick up on, but during this little dinner of theirs he had been watching her carefully, noticing things about her. Ever since she had admitted to being a Lorrdian, her body movements became that much more important.

When she told of fear, when she told of not being able to control the force Soliael's smile slipped slightly. He knew that fear.

Well, perhaps not fear exactly, but the lack of control. When he was seventeen, when he had first come into his own Soliael had used the force on a trip with his mother. He had slaughtered a room full of people in a fit of rage, losing himself to the Darkside. Even after two centuries he remembered that loss of control well, and he did not like it.

That was why he had sworn off the force for two hundred years, because he had not deemed himself ready. He had made a mistake, and lost control of his power. So he had gone without it, to mature, to learn, and to become what he needed to be. “I know the feeling.”

It was said with a reassuring smile.

“You jump on it.” Soliael quickly answered her back. “And hang on.”

His smile grew into a smirk.

 

[Kira Talith]

I know the feeling, he said -- and he meant it.

Kira was curious on the story behind that. She had her own reasons why the Force was more than a bit overwhelming just prior to joining the Jedi Order. Lack of control, much like what had happened a few days ago - heck, a few hours ago - is what got her in that situation. People were hurt and someone died because of it.

Now I'm back to square one, she'd muse staring down at her left hand, watching her fingers curl and uncurl into a fist. His smile would be infectious, however, and she'd send one back a mirror of his own as she would cast darker thoughts away.

"Heh... sounds like my tactic for dewback riding." she'd say with a shade of mischievous in her expression. "I use that as a way to teach younglings to learn balance," okay, probably ironic hearing it from an imp of a girl who had issues with that herself.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael barked a laugh.

“Perhaps they were teaching you.” His smirk grew wider. “Though I assume you never graduated.”

 

[Kira Talith]

​

​

She'd give a pause only to turn back at him, " I graduated!" she would defend herself, taking a swig of the bubbly Juma Juice. The more and more she'd drink, the more the fizzy concoction would give her a bit of a sugar rush along with the mild alcoholic buzz. Thankfully, one can't get tispy on the stuff.

"With honors too!" she'd give him a mock toast with her cup. "Had a minor in 'how to properly tackle' too. Passed with flying colors, that I did!" she'd lean closer upon the counter, blond bangs falling forward to tickle the corners of her eyes.

"Maybe you're the one Mister Keeper that needs some refresher lessons!" as in lessons in balancing, not in a refresher. Wait, did she say that correctly?

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael raised an eyebrow.

“If memory serves. You were the one that kept falling.” The hint of that smirk still remained on his face, and he looked at her almost expectantly.

“I mean, just because you made me hit my head a few times doesn't mean I've become completely daft.” This time he said it with a straight face, as if accusing her of wrong doing. “If you want to manipulate me you're going to have to try a lot harder than that.”

How he kept such a face while saying something so ludicrous as suggesting Kira could manipulate anyone was difficult to say, but Soliael did it all the same. He had noticed the sudden seriousness in her, and had felt a desperate need to take it away, to make her happy and smile.

He liked that smile.

 

[Kira Talith]

A finger would wag at him after she set her cup down. "To be fair, try and see how well you do when someone decides to barge into the refresher after suddenly getting cold water sprayed all over!" she'd say. Her eyes would take on a devilish twinkle, brightening as the shift in focus turned towards the man in front of her.

"What were you expecting? A nexu in the bathroom?" she'd smirk only to give a feint expression of hurt at the latter comments. "What?! Me? Manipulate you?"

Enter the rolling of her eyes as she took another sip of her juice. "Right. You caught me. You are good." her eyes would drift over his plate, seeing the mound of left over potatoes. Waste not want not was her motto. She would take her fork with her free hand. "Reaaaaal good there Sparky."

She was never one to be so informed about do's and don'ts of a proper meal. Really, everything for her had always been about sharing with the group. Communal eating. Everything was fair game. So what she would do next may seem a bit rude to those who were not used to her way of eating.

"You have caught me and my inevitable betrayal! Really, it was all a dastardly plot to get the rest of your potatoes," she'd say, reaching over without further ado with her fork to nab one in emphasis.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael waited for a few moments.

He said nothing as she picked up the potato and placed it on her fork. The False God simply stared at her as the put the potato from her plate into her mouth and slowly began to chew. He grinned suddenly and said.

“I spit in those.”

 

[Kira Talith]

Oh the challenge was on. There was no way she was going to lose this. NO WAY!

"Mmmm!" she'd emit this over-dramatic expression of pure delight, as if that one bite of potatoes was the best she had ever had in her life. Oh, she had on her perfect sabaac face, not even breaking role as she would swallow, "Must be what kicked it up a notch, hmm?" she'd tell him, leaning back on her chair as she would start to lick her fingers in a slow deliberate show just to spite him.

The pink tip of her tongue would flick out, taking a wayward bit of white starch into the warmth of her mouth. "Mmm, yep!" she'd slip it out and wag it at his direction in emphasis. "You should do that more often. Gives it jusssst the right kind of bang!"

Two thumbs up went flashing at his direction.

Oh, yeah. This was on.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He watched her, his smirk slowly disappearing as she did her little spiel.

“Well thats good to know for later.” Soliael muttered under his breath as he watched her be extremely satisfied. Of course he didn't actually spit in the food, and thus his innuendo comment meant absolutely nothing, but it brought him a bit of satisfaction to say it anyway. His smiled slowly returned, and he pushed out his chair, standing up from the table.

She had eaten all of her potatoes, and now his.

Apparently the tiny woman that barely stood to his chest was also a ravenous beast that could devour an entire Bantha, he wouldn't have seen that coming. With a smile he picked up her plate, and his own taking them over to the sink and placing them there.

A few moments later he returned to her, offering her a hand. “Come on, lets go find you some clothes. I have an idea.”

 

[Kira Talith]

Yep, any innuendo went flying over her head. Maybe it was best that way. They've only known each other for two days -- three if one counted Metalorn. Whatever Sol's intentions may be, pressing further beyond what the Lorrdian was comfortable with may or may not elicit the reaction he'd desire.

Then again, a flustered Kira was an interesting delight to see.

"Hmm... wait let me clean up," she'd say moving to do just so. No sense in leaving the dishes there. She'd back away from his extended hand towards the pan left on the range.

"Shouldn't take long anyways." came her assurance, already starting to pick up the pots from the stove to move them to the sink. She'd glance over at him, quirking a dark blonde brow in curiosity. "What idea?"

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“You don't have to do that.” Soliael said calmly, though he made absolutely no move to stop her fro doing so. The Creatures would clean up after them of course, but if Kira felt she had to obey some strange compulsion to put away the dishes, then who was he to complain? There was a slight smile, and he turned away from her and towards the door, as if checking the creatures were not lurking by the doorway.

“I thought we could take a walk.” He said “Show you the mountains.”

The sentiment was kind, but she would need more clothes, perhaps many more. It was something to do however, and something she would likely enjoy. If she got tired Soliael could carry her, or he could always use the force, but it would do her good to get some fresh air and actually move about, without falling and slipping around in the shower.

 

[Kira Talith]

She'd shine him with a bright warm smile. "It's no bother. The least I can do since you cooked." she told him, gathering the rest of the dirty dishes. Rolling up her sleeves, she'd start the washing. Nonetheless, her face would brighten at the mention of taking a walk.

Only to fade as she would say, "Love the idea, but we already had one too many close calls with the snow and the cold." she'd relay with a crooked grin, turning back her attention to wash the pan in front of her.

Not to mention, it was already nightfall. Granted, a walk in the starlight would certainly give the lungs some fresh brisk air.

"I don't think this robe could make it." she'd say with a faint laugh. Closer observation would reveal that with a full belly, she was already starting to relax more. It wouldn't do much for the aches and pains of bruised flesh, but it certainly gave her this aura of contentedness.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael shrugged.

“Don't worry. This time, only I'll be naked.” He grinned at her, then walked up next to her. He took a small dish towel that was hanging from one of the railings and began to pluck clean dishes from her hand whenever she finished washing them. He would put the dried dishes down next to the sink in a perfectly ordered stack.

“I promise there won't be much walking.” Soliael didn't plan on taking her on a hiking trip, that would be madness in her condition. There were other ways of getting to the mountain tops, and from there they would set out, but only for a little while. “If you get tired, I’ll carry you.”

The smile he gave her was so warm it could melt ice cream.

Clearly he wanted to show her something.

 

[Kira Talith]

Oh there it was, that charming little boy smile that could melt the heart of stone. Oh he was doing that on purpose! He had to be. Kira would be caught by it, slowly handing him a freshly washed plate.

We won't mention the pink tipped ears she now had again at the mention of his birthday suit. Keep those thoughts at bay Kira! To top it off his eyes held a sort of excitement similar to one of her kids who anxiously wanted to share a neat secret.

Those bright orange eyes. How uncanny. How similar to another pair that had bore their gaze upon her with such cruelty. That would prompt her to blink rapidly, her mind drifting for a moment.

"Ah...alright." she'd finally concede, adding, "I'll be fine walking by myself. I'm a big girl. A few bruises and sore muscles won't get me down." she'd add, flashing half of a smile.

A few minutes later she'd hand him the last plate. "All done!"

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

They were finished and Soliael stacked the dishes back into place.

He looked to her with tiny hands and smiled slightly. She looked so accomplished, as if she had done something. He found it rather endearing really, and couldn't help but smile at her again. Seconds later he took her hand and began to lead her out of the kitchen. Oddly enough he did not head towards the way they came, but instead followed the winding halls to the right, leading her in somewhat of a maze until they reached an end of it all.

A pair of large double doors sat at the end of the hall, ornately carved.

Soliael didn't hesitate, finally letting go of Kiras hand and pushing the carved wood apart.

Inside of the room was a series of large closets, each one filled with clothing. Most of these were filled with clothes meant for Amorella, others were clothes for servants, and still others were filled with things for priests and followers of Moross.

Soliael Ushered Kira into the room. “Take your pick.”

He urged.

 

[Kira Talith]

Well this was... new. Kira couldn't help it, her jaw dropped. Closing it shut before a fly would dare dart in, she'd slowly spin upon the pad of her slipper and give Soliael a curious look.

"Just to whom does all of this belong to?" came her query, for it was baffling for her to see that such a large home could have everything one would ever need or require.... but only have one occupant living in it.

Slowly, she'd start taking slow steps back, moving deeper into the room. It was becoming clear that the tiny blonde had a thing for keeping one always in her sight, even if that required walking backwards to do so. While normally there would be a playful bounce to her stride, her protesting hipbone would take a bit off the pep from her step. None the less, her hands would swing to clasp at her back, pausing just before she reached the first walk in row of clothing. Rocking on her heels she waited for his response with a quirked brow.

"Sure you live alone?" she'd ask with a tease, but there was a certain bit of seriousness to it.