What fate do the stars hold for the wandering soul?

[Jace deWinter]

"It's very much how I wish to spend my money." a mischievous grin crossed his face, still watching while tilting his head, trying to read her reactions and actions. The look on her face at the thinking of what to do made him chuckle a little, it was adorable and humorous to him, and as she moved closer he settled in more, starting to relax more at her being accepting of the purposeful for the night.

What she said was true, they'd have plenty of time for dancing, so as she sat with him, close and towards him, Jace smiled happily, and then the question came, he paused and shrugged, "Honestly? Nothing special, I've just been... out of touch with the galaxy at large, and decided it was a good time to go on an adventure. Saved a lot of money from my previous job, decided it was time for some change, see the galaxy, meet new people." his eyes scanned hers, looking into those beautiful eyes made him smile more, "Gotta say, I like what I see here."

[member="Lyra Diantha"]

 

[Lyra Diantha]

By all the moons in the galaxy, that smile was going to get her into a lot of trouble, because in that moment? Lyra knew that she would give him just about anything and everything he wanted just because of that smile. Never before had an expression on someone's face threaten to take her breath away until then, and it caused Lyra to squint at him just a little in reaction. It tested her composure and nearly won.

So rather than focus on the mischievous expression he had shot her, Lyra instead focused on what he was saying to her. Being out of touch with the galaxy had brought him here? That was certainly some being out of touch, not that she was complaining. At least not complaining yet - she would have to see just how far down the rabbit hole she went with this guy before she complained or not.

"Well, you certainly are a charmer, aren't you?" she smirked, and it was a much more full expression than the flirty little halfhearted smirks she wore out on the public floor. "Alright then Jace," she shifted so that she was leaned more towards him, not quite invasive but pretty close to it. "You spent whatever amount of time out of touch with everything, then what is it you're looking for now all of a sudden?"


[member="Jace deWinter"]

 

[Jace deWinter]

He laughed a bit at her comment about him being a charmer, shaking his head "No, I don't think so." he smiled at her, having a hard time removing that same smile from his face, she seemed to bring it out of him naturally, which in most cases would alarm him, but this was nice. Clearing his throat, Jace tilted his head a little, clearly thinking for a moment as he looked passed Lyra, then nodded a little "I'd say I'm not sure, I struggled to get away from a life on the streets, discovered things about myself I was never sure about, and learned a lot about... 'organization'" he'd say the word while doing air quotes with his fingers, before laughing a little again.

"I guess I want to make a difference, I know what it's like to be the little guy, I worked to get away from being one, but now I want to help them myself." a more genuine, almost innocent like smile crossed his features as he looked at the floor in thought, then he started to chew on his lip a little, clearly unsure of how to go about with his plans.

His eyes drifted up to read Lyra's expression, curious to what she'd think and say about what he just said, and wondering how he ended up here with her now, he sure didn't believe it to be the will of the force, he gave up those silly notions a long time ago. Somehow this beauty was willing and wanting to know about him, and it was nice to just have a genuine and nice conversation with someone who wasn't a part of the life he had known.

[member="Lyra Diantha"]

 

[Lyra Diantha]

"Oh I certainly think you are," Lyra told him right back about being a charmer. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind about it. With that face, hell that frame of his too, and this personality she was learning about all stacked together? He was definitely a charmer in every sense of the word.

When he started answering her question, Lyra settled a little more into her seat beside him and listened. She was admittedly surprised to hear that this man sitting next to her had spent any amount of time out on the streets. Her more definitely didn't seem like the sort, though Lyra of all people knew not to judge a book by it's cover. Didn't keep the information from being surprising to her. But his quote for organization made the redhead loft a brow at him, "Organization?" she repeated, even with the air quotes. That deserved some sort of explanation if he was up for it.

But the more he went on, Lyra's smile slowly returned and she once again looked amused. "Sounds to me like the start to a good political speech." she informed him, and really she was only half teasing him about it too. Lyra could see Jace running for some kind of office, or any sort of political position really - and she had only just started getting to know the guy!


[member="Jace deWinter"]

 

[Jace deWinter]

Jace smiled again, looking a little embarrassed and smug about Lyra saying how he was a charmer, looking at her with some adoration in his eyes and a grin that read how much he found her to be a charmer too.

When she looked so curious about his choice of words, he chuckled a little "Right, I forgot. Safe space." he stroked his beard once before nodding to himself, "Cartels, gangs, and other ill favored groups. The lower rungs of Coruscant have always been overly populated by them, from Black Sun and Migrant Merchant Guild thugs, right through to some Hutt groups." there was a slight shrug of the shoulders thinking of his youth. "I ran with some low level gang for awhile that answered to the Black Sun, worked my way up with them to pay my way off planet and to get tutoring to get me some real level of life, not what they considered a life." he never admitted that to anyone till now, never liked talking about his youth in anyway, it was just too complicated to him.

When she made her jab about politics he let out a deep laugh, he'd never considered that before, but maybe she was onto something, "Oh really? You think so? Want to be my campaign manager then?" he teased right back, though the idea of him trying to make a difference working as a politician, that was an idea. He reached out, his hand hovering above her knee for a moment, a slight bit of nervousness coursing through him, being unsure if she'd be okay with it or not, but he lightly placed it there, feeling the softness of her skin, the subtlest of smiles crossing his lips.

[member="Lyra Diantha"]

 

[Lyra Diantha]

There was something that raced through Lyra's veins that was akin to delight, but stronger. This well polished, handsome man had been quite the bad boy. Should that thrill her? Absolutely not, she knew better. But did it? Yep, it certainly did. Though she didn't know very much about Coruscant or any of the trouble they had there, it was definitely an intriguing bit of information. The sort that could possibly get him into all sorts of trouble if the right - or wrong people came around asking about it. Luckily, the redhead was a vault. She did not disclose personal information for patrons, confident or otherwise, even to the highest bidders. It was just strictly against her moral code.

It was part of the reason she had such a loyal following here at The Dive. Part of.

The hand that rested against her knee was glanced down at, and for a long moment Lyra's silver gaze studied the appendage that was placed against her light colored skin. Her head tipped ever so slightly and she studied the contrast of his skin against hers...and found herself liking the way it looked far too much. "Me, be your campaign manager?" she quipped in reply with a short laugh, and her gaze lifted to find his again. She did not even attempt to remove his hand. "My goodness, wouldn't you be the talk among the stars them? I can see it now; Man runs for office, uses exotic dancers as campaign manager to help relate to the little people."

She smirked at him now, the expression far more sultry than she had intended for it to be. "Somehow I think I would harm your campaign more than I would help it."


[member="Jace deWinter"]

 

[Jace deWinter]

A playful smirk crossed his features as his thumb continued to stroke her knee, almost laughing at her words as he eyed her with that grin, "Oh I would be I'm sure, and I wouldn't mind at all...", his weight shifted a bid as he turned to look at her a bit more, his hand still on her knee, his gaze locked with her's. She was probably right with her next words, but he just shrugged a little, one couldn't really know what would happen, "Maybe... maybe not, can't lie that the idea of you being by my side with it would be fun." it was clear now that he was more than a little interested in her, and he didn't mind displaying that, even if it was a bit more quietly than she was used too from her normal patrons.

He actually expected to be shot down if things progressed any further, but that was just the fact he knew some of this charm and flirtation was apart of her job, but he couldn't help himself with falling into how he felt int his situation, everything about Lyra screamed out to him, she was nearly perfect in his mind, and that was a rare feat indeed. He wanted to move closer to her, but at the same time he didn't want to make her uncomfortable, so he just started to move his hand a little on her leg, not very far, just the gentlest of movements, rubbing her smooth skin as if it was a precious piece of pottery.

[member="Lyra Diantha"]

 

[Lyra Diantha]

While she didn't look down at his hand again, Lyra was very much so aware of it. The way his fingers felt against her skin, the pattern in which his hand moved. Subtle, carefully, uncertain though Lyra wasn't sure if that was due to the boundaries her job pushed, or his own personal reservations over the matter. Any way it went, never had such a simple gesture pulled so much of her focus.

Good thing she was an excellent multi-tasker. "Is that so?" she questioned him about wanting her at his side. "I think perhaps maybe you're just swept up in the environment and not thinking clearly." It was a tease, nothing more. Yes, the atmosphere of the club had it's own allure, as did each individual dancer, but it wasn't as if Lyra was seducing him and he hadn't had a whole lot to drink.


[member="Jace deWinter"]

 

[Jace deWinter]

"It is so." he smiled at her again, holding his place while still rubbing her leg softly, the feel of it under his paw sending shivers up his spine, her skin was just so nice, at her next words he shook his head a little, "I'm not that drunk, and while this place is nice and the intimacy of the private rooms are wonderful, I find that I am inexplicably drawn to you, as a person." there it was, him speaking his mind, why did he have to be so blunt?

He bit his lip slightly as he looked at her, thoughtfully planning his next words, "You are beautiful beyond measure, but there's something in those eyes, the way you talk, the interest you show that says so much more, and it makes me want to know you even more, both the woman who's the dancer, and who you are in your own personal hours..." he hoped he hadn't over stepped, but he couldn't keep juggling back and forth between his desires and his trying to play it cool. From this point forward, their night could go one of many directions, he hoped it went in a good one, but he'd have to wait and see, after all fate was seldom in ones own hands.

[member="Lyra Diantha"]

 

[Lyra Diantha]

For the first time in what seemed like forever, Lyra felt the heating color of a blush rise along the bridge of her nose and across her cheekbones. This of course was not the first time she had heard such things from a man. In her line of work, it happened quite often. Promises, praises, begging and pleading, the whole nine yards. All of which was either total bullshit, drunk babbling, or just not worth Lyra's time of day to entertain.

Hearing these things from Jace however, for some reason, felt different. She didn't know him, at least not more than what she had learned while they had been talking thus far, and yet she felt a sincerity in his words that she had never felt from someone else before - ever. It was ridiculous really, and she had to question herself rather thoroughly about why she was so drawn into this man she did not really know. Why she ate up every word he said to her, and hung off of them with held breaths.

This sort of thing, this instant sort of draw to someone didn't actually happen, did it? It wasn't a real thing, was it? Yet...here she was, completely drawn in like a moth to a flame.

Lyra shifted, one of her arms reaching across him to brace against the back of the seat so that she could use it for support while her body moved. She gave him time to adjust himself in the seat, and then the redhead straddled him, one leg bent at the knee against the seat on either side of him. The one hand remained against the back of the seat, and her free hand reached up to touch the side of his face and make sure he was looking at her rather than the way she was now seated against him.

"I don't know if you can afford me on your campaign," she told him, her tone softer now that they were much closer together. "I'm fairly expensive."


[member="Jace deWinter"]

 

[Jace deWinter]

Never had he been so hyper aware of another persons existence than now, the way Lyra sat, her form straddling his own made his breath catch for a moment, that's about when he found both of his hands moving up her legs to rest on her hips, and he stared into her eyes, reading everything going on between them as best he could. Turning his head just slightly, Jace kissed her palm, before turning his gaze back to hers, his hands pulling her in a little closer, "I'm willing to deal with that expense... at all costs." again he was sure she had heard words like this before, but he planned on going through with it, she was worth it, he was certain of that fact.

Before she could say anything, he leaned in quick, placing his lips to her's firmly, kissing them deeply for a moment, not the most strategic thing he could do, but the moment felt right, everything about this moment felt right.

[member="Lyra Diantha"]

 

[Lyra Diantha]

Lyra had felt every single inch of skin Jace's hands had run across ignite at his touch. His hands left fire beneath her skin in their wake, and it almost riled some sort of positive noise from the redhead's lips in reaction. But her throat felt thick, and when he had turned his head just enough to kiss her palm Lyra's eyelids drooped to half mast and her full lips parted just a hair. It was the most intense sensation she had ever experienced to date, having someone have any sort of effect on her. She could feel the heat of mixed emotion in her cheeks, could her her pulse thumping in her ears, and knew that her breathing had deepened just a tad.

These were all things she was used to seeing, not feeling. These were things she usually inflicted upon her patrons, the very positive reactions that usually got her the best tips and paid for her flat! And while in that moment she wasn't quite sure it was entirely role reversal, Jace certainly had her ensnared.

Hearing him speak had pulled her only slightly from the fog that clouded her mind, and the redhead's brow pulled down just a little as she attempted to come up with some sort of witty comeback. A thing that did not seem to matter as seconds later Jace's lips were against her own. The move startled her, caught her by clear surprise, and yet she did not recoil. Every fiber of her being was screaming at her to remain professional, to lean back and smile but reprimand him gently.

But instead, Lyra leaned in. The hand she had braced against the back of the seat moved so that she could have both hands against Jace's face, and she leaned into the kiss to return it with heated vigor.


[member="Jace deWinter"]

 

[Jace deWinter]

Feeling both of her hands on his face, and her returning the kiss, he let out the slightest deep purr against her lips, moving deeper into the kiss, hands gripping her hips firm, but gentle. She had set fire in his soul, his heart raced, pulse thumping like made, his body heat rising as he held her there, arms slowly sliding around her midsection, pulling her a little closer, he wanted her as close as possible, in this moment as the kiss deepened and became more passionate.

There was never a moment in Jace's life where he had felt this alive, none of his former relationships, jobs, or actions every brought this much life into him, and now he didn't want to let go, everything he wanted was right here in this moment, however brief it may be.

 

[Lyra Diantha]

While it was not entirely against the rules to fraternize with the patrons, it was most definitely frowned upon. Though who was really going to say anything if it was done in private and it was bringing money into the club? Lyra however had a reputation for remaining unwaveringly professional no matter the circumstances. Crazy guys, drunk guys, inappropriate guys, every type she had dealt with and always kept her composure and her professionalism.

And now here she was, lip locked in a steadily deepening kiss with a man she barely knew. Though that was the thing about it; Lyra didn't feel as if how long they knew each other mattered. While she didn't like to believe in the ridiculousness of love at first sight, she was starting to question the very real possibility of instant connection.

Obviously there was an instant connection between her and Jace, after all.

It didn't take long for soft fingers to find their way into the locks of Jace's hair and thread through them as her lips remained pressed against his. The fingers of her free hand splayed against the side of his face, and when he pulled her more tightly against him, the softest of pleased noises uttered past Lyra's lips and was muffled into their kiss.


[member="Jace deWinter"]

 

[Jace deWinter]

It did cross his mind for a moment, how this might not be the right place or time, but it went away just as quick with the little sound Lyra made, causing Jace to growl playfully and he kissed her more deeply, pulling her in as tight as possible. There was no space between them anymore, he had pulled her as close as possible, his arms interlocking behind her back as he held her close, his lips working against hers vigorously, and deeply, this moment encompassed all.

He couldn't take his mind anywhere else, all he could think about was how much he enjoyed Lyra's touch, smell and taste, shivering slightly at the feeling of her fingers in his hair and on his face, this moment was nearly as perfect as they came, which was a surprise considering how little they knew one another.

 

[Lyra Diantha]

Being pulled flush against Jace's body - well, as flush as she could get in this current state of dress at least - caused Lyra to moan softly into their kiss. It was a noise that very few had ever heard, and once that caused her cheeks to ignite in a blush that nearly rivaled her hair color. She broke the kiss with a gasp, but her face did not pull away from his, and she did not put any space between them what-so-ever. Her lips stayed dangerously close to his, enough so that occasionally one of her deep breaths would cause them to brush together, and her eyes came open so that she could look at him.

Absolutely no part of her wanted to get up. No part of her wanted to leave this room. One kiss - albeit one lengthy, deep, and passionate kiss - and she was hooked, just like that. "What have you done to me?" she breathed the words out at him, and then leaned in to close the space between their lips once again to initiate a second kiss.


[member="Jace deWinter"]

 

[Jace deWinter]

When the kiss broke he took a few deep breathes, purring just slightly at the light brushing between their lips with every other breath, his eyes looking into hers, scanning the depths, he was almost certain they felt the same way, that same mutual attraction and chaos. At her words, he was about to reply before once more they where in another deep kiss, eyes shutting tight as he enjoyed the caress of his her lips against his once more, it couldn't get much better than this, could it?

He enjoyed the way they felt like this, but he decided in the heat of the moment to change things slightly, shifting quickly while holding her to place her back on the seat of the couch and have his body over her's, propping his weight on his forearms, both of which flanked either side of her as they kissed deeply still. His body was a top of her, but the weight was kept off so as to not hurt her in anyway as they became closer and more deeply involved.

 

[Lyra Diantha]

It had been pure electricity when the second kiss had connected and was reciprocated. Lyra felt it jolt through her and light the blood in her veins on fire. Heat pooled through her, a sensation that she knew would get her into trouble if she didn't keep herself in check. But the moment he grabbed her up and laid her out on the couch beneath him? The redhead's rationality went right out the window.

She had to adjust her legs, but the seat of the couch was wide enough that Lyra had no fear of falling from it, and she knew he had plenty of room to keep himself poised above her. The fingers she had in the locks of Jace's hair tightened and she tugged just slightly due to a fresh wave of heat that pulsed through her from this new, and admittedly vulnerable position she found herself in. That fact didn't stop her from keeping their kiss connected, in fact it encouraged her to lean up into it more, and to tease the very tip end of her tongue against his bottom lip before retreating it away again.

 

[Jace deWinter]

The teasing dart of her tongue made Jace feel even more alive and wild, and he quickly, and playfully bit her lower lip pulling it ever so slightly with his teeth before pressing back into the kiss deeper, his arms moving a little to put his hands under her shoulders, gripping them lightly, as he very playfully moved his hips against hers, it was a heat of the moment action, but it felt so good and right.

This woman, in the couple of hours, if that much time together, had made him feel something he had never felt, and he wanted her even more because of it, and in this position he, despite seeming to have all the control, he wouldn't infringe on her without her permission, he enjoyed the kissing and teasing, it was a feeling he had missed. So in this moment of having her pinned down, he chose to just go with her flow and see how she wanted to play things out, quickly darting his own tongue against her lower lip now.

[member="Lyra Diantha"]

 

[Lyra Diantha]

That one movement, one simple move of his body against hers, that seemed to be what her brain needed to regain control. While the sensation that swept through her caused her to moan against Jace's mouth, it was enough to pull Lyra through the lust thickened fog her mind was swimming in at the moment.

Or maybe it was the buzzer on the wall that went off. Either way, Lyra once again broke the kiss with a gasp, and her eyes came open so that she could look up at the man above her. Arousal was evident in the flush of red that colored her skin, and there was very obviously desire in her eyes, but in that moment she had to regain composure. Or at least try to.

"Its time for me to clock out..." she told him. Her voice was soft, because in that moment she wasn't sure what it would sound like thickened with lust.


[member="Jace deWinter"]