What Lies Beneath and Within

[Tiria Reinhart]

Tiria hadn't moved a muscle to escape or loosen the man's hold over her. Her upper body pressed into the seat back, lower back rested atop the cushion, with the curve of her butt sticking over the edge. Fear? Discomfort? Others in this position might fear unwanted advances because they were alone. Tiria, however, was never alone. Others might feel uncomfortable with a man physically invading their space, taking hold of them, and then being pinned beneath him. it was true that the one Gabriel found enchanting was not in favor of being found a plaything for his amusement. Such advances could easily get another's face broken wide open. So why did she tolerate it?

"Find somewhere private. Just - the - two - of --" her head turned slightly practically claiming the man's lips, but instead of the last word, Tiria sprung into action. The soldier's hands snapped up from her sides to encircle Gabriel's wrists. She forced his left hand down, and his right up; and at the same time ground the heel of her right boot into the base of the seat to shove upward. In that moment her upper torso twisted, with Tiria using her right shoulder in an effort to roll Gabriel over on his right.

As she straddled the Prince, Tiria's smile was broad and her eyes lively with victory. "Much more comfortable," she declared.

Legs on either side of him, upper body now fully erect over the man on his back, Tiria sprung up and away from him before he'd return the favor. The boots stomped on the floor just to the side of the table that occupied more than its share of this private alcove. "Now it's your turn, Prince. I have an image to uphold." They'd seen a Commando enter with the Prince into a private alcove. Lewd sounds would cement a rather scandalous picture. Even if soldiers were people too, it was her uniform that pose a bit of a problem.

Even while she stood facing the curtains, she regarded him out of the corner of one eye with a smile on her lips.

Tag: [member="Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn"]​

 

[Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn]

Instead of resisting her atttempt at flipping Gabriel had allowed it, giving her the full chance of experiencing his excitement. However he was glad that she had stated her intentions as well as offering him a pick at the venue. He found one true place devoid of prying eyes or those who might have something to say about their meeting. "My ship will do." He claimed. He'd stand and collect his belongings, lightsaber and coat alike. The Young prince dressed himself before turning his attention to Tiria, hoping to get a glance of the woman dressing herself. Dwelling here any longer would be simply a waste of time and so he took a gallant stride out from the curtains and marched out without concern for anyone who might have watched. He'd expect the woman to follow him.

Eventually they'd arrive at a large ship, a transport one at that with light arms. It was geared towards speed over punching power. Perhaps this was not Gabriel's prefer ship but it's dwellings were comfortable and it could store troops that he would always be prepared to unleash on a populace. The doors opened to greet their master and his guest. The interior was a cold steely grey deprived of emotion aside from a few marble. He had led the woman to a private quarters of sorts fitted with a bed for resting as well as an office and a small chapel of sorts. It had been it's own building within the ship. Perhaps a personal command center with many rooms that were hidden from plain view. At it's center was an ornate glass table with a number of drinks lining it's top. Gabriel would motion towards the table pulling a seat for the woman before seating himself across her. Truly he had been tired of sitting but he'd give the woman a chance to acclimate herself to her new surroundings.

[member="Tiria Reinhart"]

 

[Tiria Reinhart]

A soft laughed passed through Tiria's lips. His ship would do would it? She was sure it would in his mind. Though now she wondered what sort of painfully lavish quarters a Prince carried with him among the stars, and how many servants. Perhaps this would afford an opportunity to learn just how similar or wildly dissimilar their two...realities were. Now there was something of intellectual value to be gained from this venture. Information was always valuable, especially when it came about through first hand experience.

The soldier turned and began replacing the armor she'd stripped off earlier. She made no effort to rush through the procedure, either. Gabriel wouldn't find much else to observe that he'd already seen, but she doubted that very much mattered.

When the Prince departed through the curtains, the armored woman stepped forward and then leaned back against the edge of the table. She waited five seconds. Then, with a slow gait strode from the booth after she'd pushed one of the curtains aside to reveal it was unoccupied. Tiria had even been generous enough to leave a donation of credits for taking up space. Couldn't have them ban the Dauntless for being 'cheap roughnecks' after all -- regardless of uncalled for slander.

Along their way Tiria had them stop by a facility where Prince Charming would need to wait outside. It only took a few minutes, but it allowed his companion to emerge without the suit of armor adorning her figure. Not even the body glove clung to her shape now. Instead she emerged wearing pitch black pants with a short and thin black jacket over a dark blue shirt. "I am off duty," she reminded Gabriel in case he'd somehow forgot with all the other thoughts running around inside his head.

When they arrived at the ship, she was mildly surprised. As they moved through the hallway, the decor was far from the eye-rolling gold plated, gem-encrusted, painting galleria she'd expected. Gabriel had a fighter's side to him, but he was still nobility. Seemed she had a bit to learn about him apart from others of his station. No assumptions then.

Though his 'bedroom' leaned a bit more in the direction of expectation. Not much, but a bit. It was large and with several creature comforts. Though there was nothing wrong having something to pass the time between stars. Her eyes lingered on the chapel longer than most other things present. Beds, tables, and drinks were all standard fare. Who or what was deserving of a chapel in Gabriel's eyes, Tiria wondered?

She eased herself down into the offered seat with a smile once more upon her lips. "Are we all alone, Prince of Cantoi?" Not even a single servant to pamper him? Perhaps a pilot at least on a break elsewhere? "Your ship carries with it some comforts without burdening itself with the unnecessary. A reflection of the way of your people?"

Tag: [member="Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn"]​

 

[Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn]

The people of Cantoi worshipped no false gods, instead they revered their ancestors, and so the prince's chapel reflected as much. There were paintings of men long dead, men that not even he knew but was obligated to provide offerings for. His belief that all were to join the force upon death simply attributed to this faith of sorts. Just as Tiria had guessed Gabriel did not indulge in the excess, instead the marble was for morale purposes. He had known men who had grown numb in plain steel walls. This was a route he would aim to avoid in the future.

This aside Gabriel's bed seemed quite standard, it's material was incredibly firm, feeling more like a carpeted floor rather than a bed. "My crew are all out, they are given brief periods to enjoy themselves, all that you will find in my ship at this time are engineers and my personal guard." Hopefully she had not forgotten, even now they still trailed them, waiting, listening to the two. However these individuals were bound to Gabriel by oath. By no means were they a danger to the two. A smile that was awfully charming, charm that could go to waste on the woman formed on his face. He'd take up a bottle of cheap origin, a brand only known to Cantoi. Like a thick brown syrup it left it's bottle and lined a glass cup. He'd spin it about for a moment and allow the warmth of his palm to release it's potent fragrance.

The prince tipped the glass back gently to take from it a light sip. His face remained still, but a lesser man not of Cantoi might have flinched by the strength of such a spirit. His eyes returned to the woman. "Do you wish to see Cantoi?" His pride, his love, he would gladly show it off, but to some or most it might not have the appeal that Gabriel saw in it.

[member="Tiria Reinhart"]

 

[Tiria Reinhart]

Tiria leaned back into the seat before Gabriel's eyes. A smirk tugged at her lips for a moment as she watched him consume a viscous drink. Ever the gentleman, the Hive humored within itself. At least Gabriel had pulled out a seat for her to bask in his glory. Quite thoughtful. No time for unnecessary pleasantries then? That was perfectly acceptable to her; after all, proper etiquette and social interactions were simply masks the Hive wore. The sentient creatures that prowled the worlds busily constructing their metal hives liked form and style over almost anything else; these things only sacrificed in their designs by the sheer passage of time, and neglect. A necessity the young Tiria-Overmind had learned. If Gabriel did not extend or expect them, however, he'd find Tiria a most accepting person.

"I do. I desire to see all the worlds that possess intelligent life," Tiria casually replied. "Yours foremost now. I find you a most interesting creature. Your culture may prove most enjoyable compared to those that celebrate empty rhetoric and hollow promises. Great works and deeds ultimately serving no larger purpose are such a waste." Perhaps it was the old Overmind speaking; a creature that had existed long before Tiria, trapped on a world all alone, and not from a society like almost any other so far. Cantoi might prove an interesting exception. Something more than another source of extensions.

And then there was Gabriel's other offer, of course. A visit to his world would grant them considerably more time together for this tutelage he offered. The Hive had still yet to decide how best to use the Force except as a means of influencing or controlling others; that would be the natural extension of their capability so far. And if they could forcibly Join people... Tiria had yet to decide whether she would. Not everyone was worthy.

Tag: [member="Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn"]​

 

[Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn]

He'd settle the bottle on the table, all the humor on his face faded. "What are you capable of?" Sure he would mostly be asking about her prowess in the force, but martial skill would also be accepted. Gabriel wanted to know what he was working with. His intent was to progress the conversation into more serious topics, he grew tired of the games. He understood that his people were resilient, there was no question of it. Their strength of mind was perhaps one of their strong point, perhaps seems like pride by outsiders.

He would await her answer.

 

[Tiria Reinhart]

"I have rarely been mentally assaulted, but those that have tried have failed," Tiria responded plainly. As she had before, the Hive would respond in step with Gabriel. They imagined such a focused individual would grow tired of playful banter, but that changed nothing. One of their shells had known a concept of Game Theory, and to that they came to understand all things were part of the larger 'game.' Every step one of an endless dance -- at times a slow waltz, while others a vigorous salsa. This moment between them a cold, calculated turn that Tiria matched in step.

She deigned to contribute more despite the simplicity of the question, "I have never lifted a rock with merely a gesture, but I have shot one from a mile away." With a slight lift of her brow it was then Tiria's turn to await Gabriel's response. He had somewhere he wished to go with this, and this was his ship; he could lead the conversation for now.

Tag: [member="Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn"]