Wilderness Retreat

[Marzena Vaas]

A First Order transport set down in the middle of a grassy meadow, the dark craft looked out of place against the sprawling landscape of Skye. The view outside the shuttle could easily have been a skillfully crafted oil painting; the lush greenery, tall mountain ranges, and the blue of small lakes seemed to stretch out as far as the eye could see. It was the last place anyone would expect to find General [member="Ludolf Vaas"] and Marzena Choi.

And that was precisely the point.

A secluded cabin in the woods was a far stretch from the resorts that Marzena normally favored, but she recognized that it was a very good way to secure some quality time alone with General Vaas. They were far enough away from the hectic lives they led on Dosuun and Bespin, yet close enough to home in case of catastrophe. However, Marzena had made it quite clear that she did not want to be disturbed unless there was truly an urgent need. After all, Ludolf could be spared for one weekend, she was confident that the First Order would not come crumbling down in his absence.

The ramp lowered and Marzena walked gracefully to the edge, the grass just barely brushed up against the open toes of her wedge sandals. She gently set a hat on her head, being careful not to mess up her hair, and let the fashionably large brim guard her from the sun. She waited with a hand set delicately on her hip and took in their new surroundings. Nature was something that Marzena preferred to admire from afar, but she knew that she would soon be out in the thick of it, and the slightest hint of apprehension crept into her mind. The sound of footsteps coming down the ramp drew her attention, and she turned to see Ludolf with their luggage. She flashed him a sweet smile, only a tiny bit apologetic about the number of bags she had packed; she was a lady that liked to have options.

"Well, there it is." She pointed towards the cabin; it was nestled up against the edge of the woods, and stood in the shadows of the nearby mountains. It was also the only structure visible in the area. "Shall we?"

She took Ludolf's arm and the two set off, it would be an easy walk down towards the lake, or so she thought... Her rather impractical choice of shoes was coming back to bite her, as she was finding it difficult to navigate the uneven ground. Of course, she could have listened to reason when it came to her appearance, but she had such a willful side to her when it came to such things. She would just have to deal with it. The grass had grown so high in places that it rose to meet the tips of her fingers, and she did not like the way the blades felt against her bare legs. Marzena did her best to keep the discomfort from reaching her face, though her grip on General Vaas' arm grew tighter.

As they arrived at the cabin and walked up the wooden steps, Marzena turned to gaze out at their view for the weekend. They would be right by a small lake, and there was even a little dock floating peacefully upon the water, along with a handcrafted canoe. There was also a small sitting area outside, complete with a fire pit, the wood had been provided, but would still need to be split (for a more rustic experience). Marzena unlocked the door and pushed it open, letting the inside of the cabin become visible to both of them. While it certainly was not like the luxurious interiors that she was used to, it looked clean and had been well stocked with groceries and wine.

"It's not exactly what I had pictured, but it looks...cozy." She turned to Ludolf, "We'll have a good time though, won't we?"

Marzena was beginning to look a bit dubious, and she searched Ludolf's face for some reassurance.

Spoiler

No rush! I know you're just getting back today

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

Though it might not be readily apparent, General Vaas was actually a great admirer of nature. Despite spending most of his days inside the steel confines of his office or aboard one of the First Order's hulking man-made monolith Star Destroyers, there was still a yearning within him to surround himself with the natural world. That was why he liked Skye so much. The planet boasted some of the most breathtaking scenery in the galaxy, and with a little terraforming, Vaas had always thought Skye could be turned into a hallmark of the First Order's achievement. Even though the decision was ultimately up to the governors, Vaas held more sway within the First Order than was usual for a General due to his close relationship with the Supreme Leader. As such, he had lobbied for most of Skye's wildlife to be preserved intact. Skye was to be effectively a planet-wide wildlife preservation, something which had largely already been accomplished after a significant amount of the planet's alien population had been liquidated.

He wasn't sure what Marzena would think about the surroundings. Walking behind her, hefting her bags with one hand over his shoulder with a grunt, he awaited her reaction with apprehension. Marzena was a city girl, and had probably never spent a night camping in her life if looks were any indication - how could she manage walk in those shoes? - but she turned back to him with a cherubic smile nonetheless. Ludolf felt himself instantly warmed inside by her chestnut orbs. He couldn't help but smile back, as he finally stepped off the docking ramp and the sun touched his light hair for the first time and illuminated his golden face. After all, there was much to smile about. It wasn't often that he took a weekend off from his duties - or ever, in fact. Much less with a woman as beautiful as Marzena Choi. Yet here he was, surrounded by tall pines, a sparkling lake and a sun creeping low over the mountainous horizon, in the company of a woman. In that moment he couldn't help but wonder how much his ascension in the First Order had changed him.

"Yes... this will do just fine," Ludolf said and immediately took Marzena's hand with his free arm.

As Ludolf walked - and Marzena wobbled amusingly - over the rough terrain and towards the cabin, he wondered what different sides he would see of Marzena on this trip. Ludolf was admittedly enamored with her, as their relationship seemed to have undergone an organic transformation, with what started as a purely sexual magnetism blossoming into a certain emotional interdependence between the two. But so far, their relationship had been altogether cosmopolitan. Polished high-rise apartments, fancy dresses and high-class social engagements had been the name of the game. But in the end Ludolf was still a soldier at heart - and a man first and foremost. Somewhere in his core, his desires ran deeper than the glitzy engagements and all the social posturing. He wanted a woman who was real, authentic. Could Marzena handle herself outside the confines of her glamorous lifestyle, or would she buckle under the pressure?

"I think we will have a fabulous time," Ludolf answered her as they got to the door, and he opened it for the first time.

There wasn't much to the cabin at all; there was a small kitchen and table off to one corner, huddled around a large clay chimney and hearth, and a single bed off to the other. The walls had been made straight from the pines of the forests of Skye However, the cabin was not without basic amenities, for there was electricity as well as a bathroom with running water behind a door next to the bedroom. Ludolf finally set Marzena's bags on the floor, a relief at being free of the weight rushing over him.

"What have you got in these bags, anyway?" He asked with a hint of amusement. "How many weeks have you packed for?"

[member="Marzena Choi"]

 

[Marzena Vaas]

“Ok, I do realize that I may have gotten a little carried away.” She said with a soft laugh, “But you’re lucky –when I travel longer than a few days, I usually bring a trunk... or two.” Though her voice was still light, she was actually quite serious.

As she cast a glance down towards her pile of luggage, she realized that she probably hadn’t needed to pack all of the products that made up her extensive daily skincare routine. Likewise, she knew full well that she had brought along too many changes of clothes, and even shoes that she never planned to wear outside. Marzena knelt down next to her bags, her eyes immediately spotting a single black bag that did not match the pattern of her luggage.

“Is this all you brought?” She held up the bag, a look of amazement written on her face. Goodness, she probably had a few purses in her collection that were larger than Ludolf's overnight bag. Even without looking, she knew that the contents of his bag were packed neatly and efficiently. “Did you bring something a bit more casual to change into?” Marzena blinked a few times, eyeing Ludolf’s crisp black attire. She had only ever seen him wear his First Order officer’s uniform –but then again, it was hard to imagine him wearing anything else.

As she looked up at him, there was an unmistakable softness in her eyes. Her deep affection for Ludolf had changed her; though, these tiny shifts may not have been visible on the surface yet. She made room for him in her heart and she could say that she cared for another person beyond what she ever thought was possible – something that was beginning to cascade into other aspects of her life. And despite the fact that she spent her days surrounded by people, she found herself feeling lonely when Ludolf was not at her side. She couldn't remember ever feeling lonely before. The late nights alone at home were the most difficult and she would often keep herself awake, wondering if he was missing her just as much.

There were words on the tip of her tongue, but she kept her lips closed before them, to keep them at bay.

Marzena’s manicured fingers unbuckled her shoes, and she rubbed a sore spot where the leather strap had started to bite into her ankle. Even though it felt like admitting defeat, she set the pretty but unpractical shoes aside and pushed up from the floor. Her bare feet brought her close to Ludolf and she let her arms wrap slowly around him, her gaze sinking into his. She was ready to enjoy the benefits of their secluded hideaway, but she had a feeling that romance would have to wait until evening, for there was still time for the outdoors.

She doubted that even she could keep Ludolf cooped up for the entire weekend.

“So, what would you like to do first?”

[member="Ludolf Vaas"]

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

Ludolf gave Marzena a sidelong grin as he set her bags down on the floor of the cabin. Women would be women, that he understood; especially a girl like Marzena. He still couldn't help but find her attempt to rationalize her assortment of bags endearing.

"This is it," Ludolf said after taking his bag. For his part, he had packed only the bare essentials, which included a few days' worth of casual work clothes and a neat compartment of toiletries. "It might surprise you, but in fact I don't wear my uniform all the time. I do own civilian clothes."

With his roughshod hands, he began to open his bag and unpack his change of clothes. Ludolf's statement was in fact partially true; though he did own everyday civilian wear, he couldn't remember the last time he had worn anything but his military uniform. There was simply no chance to wear anything but. This weekend would be peculiar for that reason alone, and it spoke to the all-consuming nature of Ludolf's job, ever since his days as an Agent. He took out a plain, tan civilian shirt from his bag, along with a pair of darker brown pants and an unassuming brown belt. Deciding that he might as well get a jump start on the weekend, Ludolf began to change in front of Marzena.

When the ensemble was finished and his crisp black uniform was stowed away, Ludolf's dramatic change in appearance was evident. He was as unassuming as any civilian man, and with his broad shoulders, he looked like he could pass for any kind of everyday worker. The traces of his generalship were gone, leaving only the man. Perhaps he looked a bit awkward - Ludolf couldn't tell - but he certainly felt awkward. It had been too long since he had taken off his military uniform, and truth be told Ludolf had never known what civilian life was like, nor could he pretend otherwise. He had spent the first half of his life as something of a prodigal science experiement for the Sith Empire, and the second half of his life in command of soldiers. Situations like these were completely foreign to him. But as he began to experience them more and more with Marzena Choi, Ludolf came to realize that he had been robbed.

Marzena came close, and suddenly his lips found their way to hers, as they always did.

"Well, we're going to need some firewood for later," Ludolf said, gazing into her eyes, with an arm behind her back. "We've got electricity here, but the only thing in the way of heat is that fireplace over there," Ludolf motioned to the hearth across from the bed. "I'll go split some wood for us. You can come too, if you want to give swinging an axe a try," He smiled.

[member="Marzena Choi"]

 

[Marzena Vaas]

As Ludolf began to change his clothes, Marzena rifled through her own bags to find an outfit for herself. However, the sight of Ludolf disrobing made her head turn more than a couple of times. People often overlooked how powerful clothing really was, but it was a notion that Marzena had always taken to heart. It wasn’t always about looking attractive or trendy; it was also about projecting an image. A moment later, Ludolf stood before her... a man completely transformed. It was almost as if she had turned away for a second, and when she looked back, the General she had come to know so well was gone. All with one simple wardrobe change. He was still handsome, still a powerful display of masculinity, just different – it was a bit like seeing Ludolf Vaas for the very first time.

And then his lips pressed against hers, his strong arm sliding around her. Even in his civilian clothes, he could still sweep her off her feet.

Marzena listened as Ludolf mentioned firewood, and her eyes followed his hand in the direction of the hearth. She certainly would not object to watching him split wood, especially if he were to do so without a shirt... it was a very nice image. Her dark eyelashes fluttered a couple of times as she was pulled out of her reverie, and her eyes grew wider at the thought of trying out the axe for herself.

“Oh, I suppose I could give it a try,” She returned his smile, though her voice was uncertain. But she remembered that she had made it a goal to be a good sport this weekend. “Just give me a minute to change.”

Her slender hand reached behind, and she pulled the zipper of her dress down to expose her back. She slid the straps gently off each shoulder and then gathered up the dress as it fell to the floor. Marzena then held out a plaid button down shirt and set a skeptical eye upon it. The shirt was made from slightly sheer cotton, a blouse that she’d had in the back of her closet for ages but never considered actually wearing. She buttoned the shirt over her chest, but stopped a few short of the top. Next, Marzena stepped into a pair of dark jeans, the denim hugged her curves nicely, but it still felt odd to be wearing pants. The outfit was completed with one pair of ballet flats, shoes that added nothing in the way of height or appeal.

Her makeup today was minimal, just enough to keep her from feeling completely bare. This look worked fabulously when paired with a stylish outfit, but now that she wore plain clothes, it felt far too simple. To further add to her new appearance, she pulled her hair back, the dark waves now tamed into a casual bun .The glamour was gone, and it showed on her face. Despite being a civilian, she had never felt ordinary - her family's lavish lifestyle had always protected her from being average. In a way, she felt like her confidence had been packed away with her dress, even though it seemed silly. But there was still hope, for she still had her expensive lace undergarments.

“Look at us, we’re quite the couple this weekend,” She laughed, an attempt to ease the awkwardness away, as she stepped outside. “Why don’t you show me how it’s done?” Marzena nodded towards the pile of logs that were waiting for them.

[member="Ludolf Vaas"]

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

Ludolf stepped outside when Marzena went to change, although he couldn't help but catch the sight of her dress pooling around her feet and exposing her back as he closed the door. He'd seen Marzena Choi before, no doubt - but every time he saw hints of her skin underneath her lavish wardrobes, Ludolf couldn't help the pang of excitement that crept up in his stomach. He was normally quite good at suppressing his urges and feelings, a skill he had retained through his years with the Agency, but Marzena had tempted him like no other. And as if surrendering to her temptation, Ludolf had let his guard down considerably.

He had already begun to chop the wood when Marzena surfaced from inside. As she opened the door to join Ludolf in the serene wilderness, his axe came down and cleaved a log in two with a satisfying thunk and crackle. Both pieces fell onto the grass, split along with the grain of wood, and Ludolf reached down to pick them up and add them to the pile he was creating. The sun was dipping low in the sky, bouncing off the crystalline lake and illuminating his face in a golden hue, along with the tiny beads of sweat that glittered his forehead. When Ludolf turned and saw Marzena, he was surprised to see her standing there placidly in casual dress. He'd never seen her in such fashion before. Marzena felt slightly more normal to him in that moment - not a famous pop star, but the kind of everyday girl that his life had deprived him of up until this point.

"Don't worry. I don't think there are any photographers out here," He smiled and approached Marzena, wrapping a thick arm around her lithe frame and guiding her to the wood pile. "You want to try?"

Ludolf handed her the axe in one hand, along with his pair of gloves in the other, which still carried the warmth of his large hands. Then, he bent down to place a log on the chopping block, standing it upward so that it was ready to be cut. The axe weighed a little over ten pounds, especially heavy towards the top to give it maximum force when cutting.

"There's really nothing to it. You'll want to choke up," He said, moving behind her to guider her hands in placement along the axe's handle. Meanwhile, the front of his body pressed against her back somewhat possessively as he showed her, and the two were now close enough that his scent mingled with hers. "Aim for the center and swing away," He said as he stepped back, though not without lingering for an extra second or two.

[member="Marzena Choi"]

 

[Marzena Vaas]

Marzena’s flat shoes stepped out the door, down the stairs, and onto the dusty ground that waited outside the cabin. It was like entering a new world; the blue sky opened wide before her, the trees swayed in the gentle breeze, and the light reflected softly off the calm lake. And there was a tall figure silhouetted against the nature scene, axe in hand, and a log on the chopping block. Dark eyes watched closely as Ludolf brought the axe down in a swift motion, and a second later the log split down the middle. A hand gently slid along the side of her neck, she was pleased at the sight of her man hard at work.

“I guess I can give it a go,” She started to say as they walked towards the wood pile, but looked down to see that Ludolf was already placing the axe in one of her hands, and his gloves in the other. Marzena blinked a couple of times, but put the gloves on – they looked comically large on her delicate hands. Her fingers closed around the axe and she lifted it up slightly, it was heavier than it looked, but she knew that she could manage a swing or two. Even though she was not terribly strong, her arms and shoulders did have some graceful definition.

Marzena’s eyes closed as she felt Ludolf’s strong form behind her, his hands moving hers into the correct positon along the axe. She couldn’t help but lean back against him for a moment or two, just to enjoy being close. His instructions were nearly lost on her, as she snapped out of her daze, realizing that Ludolf had moved aside.

“Oh, right.” She nodded a couple of times, remembering her task at hand.

She brought the axe up over her head, her eyes on the piece of wood that waited to be split. Marzena let the axe fall, working with the momentum built up by the weight at the top. A moment later, the axe glanced against the side of the log, shaving off a piece of bark before contacting the chopping block. She nearly lost her footing, but managed to catch herself in time, and she knelt to inspect her handiwork. She held the piece of bark between her gloved fingers for a moment before sending it flying over her shoulder. It wouldn’t even be suitable for kindling. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Ludolf, but couldn’t tell what expression was on his face. She imagined that he was highly amused to see his city girl trying something so far out of her realm.

After drawing in a deep breath, she pushed herself up again and stared down the log. This time she brought the axe down into the center, using the rings along the cut surface as her guide. The axe came down with a delightful ‘thunk’, but she looked to see that it had only gone halfway into the log and was now stuck. Lifting her new axe/log combo, she began to bash the log quite violently against the chopping block until the axe finally came through. She stood up panting, her cheeks flushed, strands of hair free of her bun...she must have looked like a wild woman. She stepped over to Ludolf and handed the axe back to him, followed by the pair of gloves.

“Y-you should take over, or else... we’ll be here all night.” A weak smile pulled at her lips. Marzena recovered for a minute or two before looking up to Ludolf again. “Are you hungry? I could try to make something.”

[member="Ludolf Vaas"]

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

Standing behind Marzena, observing with arms crossed, Ludolf's tall shadow appeared stony and judgmental. But a glance backwards would reveal that he was laughing, a smile spread across his face as his shoulders heaved gently up and down. He couldn't help but be amused; Marzena was too cute for her own good sometimes. Finally he moved behind her, being careful not to get whacked by her wild swings of the axe, and scooped her up instantly as she turned around to face him once again. Her body was warmer now against him, after the exertion of chopping wood. Ludolf didn't say anything, instead he was simply content to hold her against him for a few moments, smelling her hair while taking in the mountain view behind her.

"I'm starving," He finally responded in the affirmative, and looked down at her with a smile. "You go ahead. I'll finish up out here."

He leaned down to kiss her lips lightly, and then, as if to punctuate his point, his firm hand dipped low to give her posterior a gentle squeeze.

Ludolf turned back around and picked up the axe. He surprised even himself by feeling his blood pumping quickly in his veins. As he heaved the axe overhead and continued to chop wood, his mind wandered. He and Marzena had been seeing each other for a few months now, and their relationship had not been without moments of fear and dramatic circumstances. But times like the concert incident notwithstanding, the two seemed to be entwined in a relationship that burned with all the heat of both of Tattooine's suns. Maybe the discreet circumstances of their relationship were the cause, but the majority of their time together was spent engaged in carnal activities. And when they weren't doing those things... Ludolf was thinking about those things. Was that normal? Unfortunately, Ludolf didn't have the experience to know otherwise. All he knew was that despite all of his training, he liked it. Maybe too much, he couldn't tell.

Several minutes later, the cabin door opened, and Ludolf appeared again, this time carrying a stack of logs in both arms. He crossed the small cabin and began placing them in the heart, stacking them neatly. The smell of the wood mingled pleasantly with whatever food Marzena was cooking. He knew she wasn't much of a cook, so he figured this would be interesting. But despite Marzena's lack of kitchen skills, he couldn't help but find her endlessly endearing nonetheless. She certainly made up for it in... other areas.

"Smells good," Ludolf remarked, then stood up after he was finished loading the fireplace. "Come outside. I've made a fire out there, too."

[member="Marzena Choi"]

 

[Marzena Vaas]

Despite the fact that she was still breathing fast, a calm smile found its way onto her face as Ludolf pulled her close, and she let her head rest against his chest. Marzena’s arms wound around him too, and she leaned against his strong form, enjoying a quiet moment of closeness. When Ludolf’s deep voice found her again, she turned her head up, letting her eyes gaze adoringly up into his. Without the help of her heels, Marzena rose onto her toes to let her lips meet his. And just before she began to move away, she felt his hand slide down her back and to her behind. There had always been brazen male fans that attempted to touch Marzena that way, but their wandering hands were met with a sharp slap, for it was territory where only Ludolf's hands could travel. She flashed him a playful grin and winked before turning back towards the cabin.

The steady calm she had found in Ludolf’s arms was beginning to fade into a slight sense of panic. Just what was she going to make for him? Her steps grew faster, until she disappeared back into the shelter of the cabin. Frantically she searched the fridge and nearby cupboards for answers. There were some raw ingredients, but she lacked the skills to make magic with them. But a few more moments of searching yielded some results, and she stared at the ingredients set out on the counter. Her eyes began to scan the directions listed on the side of some boxed pasta...thing, and she steeled her nerves. She could do this.

It wasn’t long before the beginnings of a meal were coming together, even if it was far – very far from gourmet cuisine. She had browned some ground meat, it was currently simmering away with the boxed pasta mix and seasonings. Now she was beginning to slice neat pieces of fruit to accompany their strange meal. Marzena had yet to tell Ludolf, but she had been taking gourmet cooking classes with a local chef in Cloud City. Though, the lessons had not been going well at all, and the chef only continued to put up with her because she paid him to.

Marzena knew that she fulfilled Ludolf's desires in the bedroom, but could she be all that he needed in other aspects of their relationship? She had remained quiet on the topic thus far, for she knew that men generally disliked talking about feelings and relationship goals.

“Ouch!” Marzena yelped, and looked down to see that she had cut her finger. It was nothing too deep or serious, but enough to spill a bit of blood upon the counter. With her lips pulled down into a frown, she wrapped a towel around her wound, sanitized the counter, and discarded the last pieces of fruit she had been cutting. Though her eyes were watery now, she managed to somehow hold herself together. And it was a good thing too, for their meal was nearly ready, and Ludolf had just stepped back inside. Her finger was throbbing, but the fact that he thought her cooking smelled good seemed to take some of the pain away.

“Oh, that sounds nice." She said, holding her injured hand behind her back. "C-come grab a plate, and we'll go outside to eat."

[member="Ludolf Vaas"]

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

After spending many evenings with Marzena, Ludolf had come to understand that homemaking wasn't her strong suit. She had been an entertainer all her life - used to having everything done for her, most likely. But Ludolf had noticed a shift in Marzena's behavior as their dating had gone on for several months; she seemed to be trying to be more homely. On their first date, the fiery passion of which still remained a fond memory for Ludolf, Marzena would never have offered to make dinner. In fact, it had been Ludolf who'd made it. But now it seemed that Marzena was thrilled to cook for him. Although her meals didn't always turn out to be exactly successful, Ludolf certainly appreciated the effort. Marzena's intentions were in the right place, and that was what mattered to him.

Besides, he'd had to choke down plenty of MREs during his time in the military, so no matter how bad Marzena's meals turned out, they were never worse than those.

Marzena seemed a little more jumpy than usual as Ludolf entered the room. Ludolf noted that her speech patterns betrayed her nervousness, as well as the fact that her pulse was slightly elevated and her pupils were dilated. Old training habits died hard. Maybe the cooking had set her on edge, Ludolf figured. The General said nothing, only smiled and took the plate that had been prepared for him, and simply placed a large hand on the small of her back, guiding her outside with him.

The sun was dipping low behind the mountains, bleeding orange into the sky and torching the clouds on the horizon with its warm hues. It hadn't yet disappeared completely, but the temperature was already beginning to drop as the evening set in. Meanwhile, Ludolf's fire crackled serenely inside a circle of rocks near the edge of the lake. The fire would not only provide warmth as the cool evening air set in, but the flies would be kept away as well. He had also unfolded a blanket and set it across the grass by the fire, and sat down cross-legged on it. Once Marzena had done the same, Ludolf picked up his fork and took a bite of the dinner she had prepared. His taste buds were already tuned to his expectations, and so he was surprised to suddenly be hit with a burst of flavor from the meat. He could taste the perfect blend of salt and spicy seasoning in its juices, and the complimentary pasta and vegetables were actually refreshing.

"This... this is good," Ludolf said with his mouth half full, doing a terrible job at hiding his surprise. "Very good..."

It almost tasted like someone else had made it. Smiling, Ludolf scooted closer to Marzena on the blanket, desiring to feel her close to him. "Where did you find this recipe?"

[member="Marzena Choi"]

 

[Marzena Vaas]

Feeling Ludolf’s hand press against her back seemed to set her at ease, and she walked outside with her plate grasped firmly in her hands. While she had loaded Ludolf’s plate with the meat and pasta, she had only a scoop or two. And she would probably end up eating around most of the pasta ... she still had to watch out for those carbs. Marzena’s smile returned as she looked out towards the camp fire and the blanket that Ludolf had placed out for them. She lowered herself down next to him and watched eagerly as he took a bite of her meal. No matter how poor her kitchen skills were, Ludolf always ate what she cooked, and he usually did so with a smile – he was a very good sport.

Her smile grew as Ludolf complimented her meal, and this time she could easily tell that he was actually pleased. Only then did she take a small bite, her eyelashes fluttered a couple of times... it was surprisingly tasty.

“It’s a secret recipe.” She said grinning, not quite able to admit that it had come from a box.

She could feel Ludolf moving closer , and she closed the gap between them, so that her arm would brush gently against his. Marzena continued to take small bites, and couldn’t help but glance over at Ludolf every now and then. Once their plates were empty, Marzena scooped them out of the way and moved closer to Ludolf. She let her arms wrap around him and gave him a gentle squeeze around the middle. Her dark eyes turned towards the horizon, and she let out a content sigh as the sun began to sink behind the mountains. The chill in the air began to touch upon her face and neck, but the heat from the crackling fire was nice. And the warmth from being next to Ludolf was even better.

“This is the first time we’ve actually had the time to sit and watch the sunset.” She said, just coming to the realization. “It’s very romantic...”

Marzena sat up slightly, her arms now draped softly over Ludolf’s strong shoulders. For a moment her chestnut gaze met his ice-blue eyes, and try as she might to keep herself from becoming lost within their depths, it was a battle she ended up losing every time. Before she even realized it, she was leaning forward into a light kiss. It started with a gentle brush of her lips against his, but passion took hold of her, and she kissed him deeply.

And when the kiss finally broke, she lingered there for a moment, feeling breathless... but in a very good way. With a mischievous smile, she pulled Ludolf down onto the blanket next to her, so that they could gaze up at the darkening sky.

[member="Ludolf Vaas"]

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

"Secret?" Ludolf exclaimed, an eyebrow raised in amusement. "Three months ago I was making steak in a kitchen you barely used. Now you have secret recipes?"

Ludolf grinned. No matter where the recipe came from, the food was tasty. Either on her own or with help, Marzena had clearly been practicing. It was that which endeared her to him even more. He initially wouldn't have pegged Marzena as someone to care about any aspects of homemaking, but she had been proving him wrong. And perhaps she had been proving herself wrong, too. Vaas couldn't help but find her displays of caretaking, even if they were just attempts, to be irresistibly attractive.

Feeling Marzena pull closer to him, Ludolf allowed himself to fall into her warmth, and then to swim in her eyes. Perhaps it was the golden sunset coloring the lake a shimmering orange, or the sound of birds chirping behind them,but he found that in that moment, nothing more needed to be said. There was an unspoken connection between Ludolf and Marzena in that moment that required no words, only the slow, gradual entwining of his lips with hers. Ludolf's hand disappeared behind Marzena's back, first twirling her dark hair between her fingers before coming to a rest on the smooth skin on the back of her neck as he kissed her. When their lips finally parted, Ludolf found himself being playfully pulled down to the blanket by Marzena, an action to which he offered no resistance.

His arm was around her, pulling her close for her head to rest against his breast. Above in the darkening expanse, the first stars of the night were beginning to poke through the purple sky and make their presence known.

"I remember my family used to take holidays to a place like this," Ludolf spoke, without even really realizing that he was speaking out loud. Nevertheless, he continued. "That was a long time ago, one of the few memories I still have of them, in fact. Before I was selected by the Sith Empire for... special education. After that, I never really saw much of my family. At least not in the same way I did when we went on holiday. Of course I still saw them on occasion, but as far as the Sith Empire was concerned, I was no longer a child with parents, siblings and childish interests. I belonged to the government."

He held a thumb up and closed one eye, using his thumb to block out the chalky image of Skye's moon. "I enjoyed those holidays. Strange that now, as a man, I feel deprived of those memories more than I did as a child."

[member="Marzena Choi"]

 

[Marzena Vaas]

The smoke from their camp fire was winding up into the sky, where the stars were now blinking into view. Marzena looked up; she couldn’t remember ever seeing the stars look so clear and bright before. As Ludolf’s arm pulled her close, she let her body cuddle against his side, her head resting upon his chest. Along with the sounds of twilight, she could also hear the steady beating of Ludolf’s heart. Even here in the wilderness that was so unfamiliar to her, she was still able to find safety and warmth in his embrace – it was a sense of comfort that she had only found with Ludolf.

As his deep voice broke the silence, she let her arm slide around him and Marzena listened quietly. Ludolf had mentioned his past on a few occasions, but this was the first time that he had opened up about his family. He was such a strong and intimidating figure in his life as a general, at times it was as though he had always existed that way, it was easy to forget that he too had once been a child. The corners of her mouth pulled into a soft smile; she had images in her mind of a small boy with blonde hair and blue eyes, running free along the lakeside.

Marzena felt a pang of sadness, and her heart ached for him when he mentioned that he hadn’t had much of a relationship with his family. It must have been quite a lonely existence. And she even felt her eyes growing misty again with the thought. “Perhaps we should come here more often; we can still honor those memories of your family.” She spoke gently, “And I will be there to help make new memories to make up for all of the ones you’ve lost.”

She was truly beginning to understand exactly what had been taken from Ludolf.

“My family always went to fancy resorts; going to the beach was probably the closest we came to experiencing nature.” She said with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood again. Marzena and her younger brother had grown up very spoiled, and she sighed slightly, knowing that it had contributed to her shallow ways. “But someday, I think I would like my children to know a place like this,” She said, her voice a bit far away, the words had simply slipped out. “Oh! I mean – if I end up having children...” she trailed off, and turned her face into Ludolf’s chest to hide her embarrassment.

“What I’m trying to say... is that I like it here.” She attempted to recover, “I like it a lot more than I thought I would. It’s nice.” And it was very true. While she had had many reservations about going camping, she was pleased to find that she was actually enjoying herself, and she hoped that Ludolf was too.

[member="Ludolf Vaas"]

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

Ludolf tugged Marzena closer with his arm around her delicate form. As she reassured him that she would be there to give him new memories, he smiled.

"I know you will, Marzena. You already have."

Somewhere there were images of Ludolf as a child, before his life had changed, and his personality along with it. He was sure that his parents still kept holoimages of their family portraits, with Ludolf remembered vividly. He was only a boy, surrounded by his siblings, his hair a golden wheat blonde before it darkened with age, and he was smiling. It was all long before he had been fashioned into an experienced killer, and before his mind had been tampered with. Was that the only time he had ever been truly himself?

The fire popped and crackled while Marzena talked about her family. Ludolf hadn't met them yet; but then again she hadn't met his family either. It would be just as much of a novel experience for Ludolf as it would be for her, considering his communication with his family had never been close and their relationship was more or less estranged. But that was a mistake he wasn't going to let happen twice.

"I'm glad you enjoy it here," Ludolf said, toying with Marzena's hair. "I know it's not quite what you're used to." Then, he pulled her closer and locked eyes with her, and a rare moment of vulnerability came over Ludolf as he continued. "I should like it if my children were given a place like this as well. And I should like it if my children - were yours also."

[member="Marzena Choi"]

 

[Marzena Vaas]

Marzena felt Ludolf’s hand in her hair, and she let her eyes close for a moment. And then he pulled her into his embrace, she opened her eyes again to find that Ludolf was gazing at her intently. Her heart began to flutter within her chest. As Ludolf voiced his desire to have children with her, Marzena’s dark eyes grew wide for a moment, before almost instantly filling with tears. But despite the tears, there was a radiant smile on her face. Her lips parted slightly, she couldn’t find the words to express herself, but perhaps she didn’t need to. Marzena’s fingertips traced the line of Ludolf’s jaw, and she closed the gap between them with a passionate kiss.

When their lips parted again, she let her forehead press lightly against his, content to bask in the comfort of closeness. There were words that she had been holding onto for quite a while now, and Marzena finally decided to let go.

“I love you, Ludolf.” She said, her voice barely above a whisper.

It was a tremendous step – a completely new point in their relationship. While she had been involved in a few relationships over the years, this was uncharted territory, for she had never felt this way about anyone before. Marzena’s passion for Ludolf was smoldering, and there was part of her that wanted to start their new journey together immediately. But the realization hit her... there was much to do before they reached that point.

Marzena’s family was fairly traditional, they liked the old ways. Even though her father was no longer living, she felt the need to respect his wishes. They would have to be married before they could truly think about children. She didn't feel the need to rush, they could take it one step at a time. Just as long as they didn't wait too long. According to her mother, Marzena was already way past her prime.

“If my father were still alive, you would have to meet with him to declare your intentions.” She said, a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Marzena knew that her father would have had reservations about Ludolf’s career as a general, there was such a risk involved in that line of work. Julian Choi would have wanted nothing but the most secure future for his daughter. But deep down, she knew that her father would have approved. “I know that he would have liked you.”

[member="Ludolf Vaas"]

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

The two entwined in another kiss, and Ludolf's hand found Marzena's as their lips parted. There was a contrast between his large hand, skin tougher and slightly worn, and Marzena's smaller, moisturized palm, which Ludolf felt as his fingers danced between hers. If it was strange for Marzena, a pop sensation who was used to brushing aside men like flies, to declare herself in love with just one man, then so too was it for Ludolf. It wasn't that he didn't desire love; in fact if his upbringing had been normal, he probably would have experienced it all the same as most other men by now. But his conditioning had bred out such emotions, partly through training, and the other half through physical tampering with his brain. For his entire life, General Vaas had not known love simply because it was, for all intents and purposes, impossible for him to.

Or at least, that was what the scientists of the Sith Empire had concluded. Yet even they seemed to have made a misstep in their calculations, evident by the fact that as Ludolf drew Marzena's body against his, a warm feeling arose in his stomach that tingled his senses, a feeling that started out as foreign, but was now something he came to expect around Marzena. Ludolf didn't know exactly what to call it - what is love anyway, to a man who has never known it? - but whatever it was, it seemed all the same to him. Just like he had heard others describe it.

"I love you too, Marzena." He smiled, drawing her closer and delighting in the feeling of her chest pressing against his. In the sky above, stars were now out in full display.

Ludolf smiled at the mention of Marzena's father. "I wish I could have met him," He replied. "He seemed like he was an excellent man. What about your mother and brother?" His glacial eyes probed hers. "I haven't met them yet. What do you think? Maybe I should, that is... if I have intentions to declare."

With a coy grin, Ludolf placed his hand on Marzena's behind, a playful squeeze soon following.

"Although I have many intentions for you, some of which I probably shouldn't share."

[member="Marzena Choi"]

 

[Marzena Vaas]

Marzena had certainly pictured Ludolf saying “I love you,” in her mind more than once, usually during the lonely nights spent in his absence. However, she had never once dreamed that it would have taken place outside in the wilderness of Skye. But now that the moment had arrived, she couldn’t imagine anything better. The dark of night was all around them, the stars were lighting the sky above, and Ludolf’s hand was holding hers – it was perfect.

The air was steadily growing colder, but crackling fire and the warmth of their bodies next to each other was enough to keep the chill at bay. Marzena smiled over at Ludolf, letting her dark eyes meet his gaze as he asked about meeting her family. It did seem like the time was right for this all important step in their relationship. “Yes, I think you should meet them soon. I think they are planning a trip to Bespin in a few weeks. We can make the arrangements when we get back.”

His comment made her laugh, and she let her head tilt back slightly as she did so. Then she felt Ludolf’s hand giving her behind a light squeeze, and her attention shifted. While she was excited to talk more about their ideas for the future, her mind was traveling elsewhere.

“Mmm...” She purred, “Tell me more about these... intentions.”

Her hand slipped up towards her collar, where her slender fingers played with the fabric for a moment. Marzena then let her hand slide down, unbuttoning her blouse at a painfully slow pace, until a sliver of skin was revealed to Ludolf. The night air fell upon her now, but it felt surprisingly refreshing. Her wandering hand then slid over Ludolf's waist and into his back pocket, where she placed a playful squeeze of her own, and pulled his hips to hers.

And in the dancing firelight, she smiled at him; her own intentions becoming quite clear.

[member="Ludolf Vaas"]

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

"Oh, many intentions," Were Ludolf's words as Marzena pulled his hips to hers, and he found himself kissing her neck. "I think a... debriefing is in order."

Soon Ludolf's voice trailed off as he became lost in Marzena's skin and scent, and before he knew it, his own shirt was off, his chest being kissed by the cool night air. He had thought of carrying Marzena back into the cabin, but now their actual bed seemed much too far away. There was no reason to leave the blanket outside, because the starlit night of the Skye wilderness had conformed to each of their wishes and desires. Tonight belonged to them, and to them only. As Ludolf soon found himself atop Marzena, he knew that they were the only humans for miles, and that there were at least some things that could simply belong to them alone.

-----------------------------------------

Ludolf found himself awakened by the sharp rays of sunlight that invaded his eyelids, forcing them open. His eyes fluttered and he craned his neck slowly, seeing vibrant dewy, green grass that smelled different now in the morning sun. It took him a moment to gather his bearings and realize that he and Marzena had never made it back to the cabin. He sat up gradually, feeling the sunlight absorb into his bare chest, realizing that he was wearing nothing except strewn bits of clothing used as a blanket, and he looked to his right, finding Marzena's lithe form strewn next to him. She appeared to still be sleeping, a few bits of clothing laying across her to keep her warm. Ludolf removed the clothes from his own body and placed them along her, and stood up and walked towards the lake, once again shimmering with sunlight.

He yawned and stretched out, releasing the tension in his muscles and bones. Looking out to the mountainous horizon, Vaas wondered, strangely, if he could ever bring himself to leave this place.

[member="Marzena Choi"]

 

[Marzena Vaas]

Despite the fact that Marzena was not used to sleeping on the ground, let alone outside in the wilderness, she had found a very blissful and peaceful sleep. She stirred slightly as Ludolf sat up next to her, but drifted back into slumber when he draped his clothing over her. A sleepy smile found her lips, his scent surrounding her now, wrapping her in a calm sense of security. However, as the slight warmth left behind on his garments began to fade, Marzena’s eyes blinked open, instantly missing the feeling of Ludolf next to her. The first thing she saw was fresh blades of green grass, covered in a light mist of dew. It was a very different sight than what she was used to, and a little bit startling.

She sat up quickly, realizing then that she and Ludolf had spent the night outside. And what a night it had been. There was never a lack of passion whenever they spent time together, and last night was no exception. It could easily have been the sight of the velvet black sky, or the fact that they were truly alone here in the mountains, but Marzena felt her connection to Ludolf deepen during the night. Maybe it was a bit silly, but something felt different now, she could not deny that. Marzena smiled softly as she looked up at the morning sky; the memory of making love beneath the stars would certainly be a nice way to remember their trip.

Shivering now, Marzena wrapped the blanket around her slender form as she stood up. Her dark eyes immediately found Ludolf’s strong form near the lake, and she giggled at the sight of him standing nude and natural to match his surroundings. Marzena covered a yawn with the back of her hand as she approached and soon she came to stand in front of him. She let her arms coil around Ludolf, wrapping him slightly in the blanket as she did so.

“Good morning,” she murmured against his bare chest, before letting the side of her face rest against him. Marzena drew in a few deep breaths before turning to follow Ludolf's gaze out across the lake, an arm still around his side. "Enjoying the view? I know I am." Marzena grinned, eyeing Ludolf's nude form out of the corner of her eyes.

[member="Ludolf Vaas"]