Private Window Shopping

[Wrenarias]

There was something oddly charming about the way he hesitated to ask the question. Here was a man that had everything in life, and yet asking a rather mundane twi'lek a simple question gave him pause. She couldn't help but smile at him.

As they finished their meal, she realized something that had been niggling at the back of her mind -- that she wasn't worried about him trying to get something from her. Normally, when she dealt with other people for extended periods of time, she was suspicious. If someone was dealing with her, they likely wanted something from her.

Dorian had done nothing but give.

Her head tilted slightly to the side as she watched him intently. He had nothing to gain from treating her nicely. She had nothing to offer him, other than companionship and conversation. The man could have brought anyone he wanted on a date here… but he'd asked her.

It was puzzling.

Why her?

There was no money to be gained from her, no insider knowledge, and there were certainly easier ways to go about bedding someone. Wren carried too much baggage and heartache to be a mark for something like that… The simple answer was that he asked her out… because he wanted to.

Another faint smile spread across her features.

"Might be nice to have a conversation without half the crowd staring at us." She answered, her smile shifting to a more playful grin.

"I'm ready to go if you are."

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Harper smiled as she agreed, and quickly glanced to the crowd to see if yet anymore eyes were upon them. When he felt satisfied, in only a moment, he motioned her to stand and took her by the hand -

“These people were boring anyway.”, he said with an idle fancy.

“Lets go out the back. I’ll have the speeder waiting for us.”

And so they dipped and dove through the crowds as the many ducked out of the way. Through their touch, she would feel a mix of nervous tick, joy, and a subtle heat pressed through his skin to her own. When the crowds dispersed, and he had opened the way to the alley, he pulled her closer to him and glanced down - taking care to study her face for a moment with the crystalline blue eyes he had.

“I know those places are a bit uppity, but I hope you enjoyed it at least.”, Dorian said as he began to walk with her in tow.

They’d only made it a few feet before a few wasters had walked out from behind some binned droids, a death stick in the centre’s mouth as he looked them over. By comparison, they held none of the fanciful designs or wealthy clothing of those inside - but the three of them stood with a confidence that implied they weren’t strangers to the area.

The first spoke with a rough, Nar Shaddaa accent -

“You ‘Mr. Harper’?”, he said with a flick of his chin towards Dorina.

And then he glanced to the Twi’lek, grinning a little wider -

“And you must be his twi’lek whore. Heard you two might be leavin’ soon, thought I’d… Wait to give you a farewell.”, he laughed.

Only then did the other two take a step forward, pulling from their pockets two vibroblades, while the front man took out his own blaster - a harsh pistol that looked hardly cared for, but certainly looked to be able to fire. The center man spoke once more -

“Hand over the money… And, while we’re at it - The twi’lek can come with us. Wouldn’t mind a lil’ fun tonight.”, he chuckled.

Dorian had a moment of darkness, but withheld it as he held Wren’s arm. He couldn’t let her know what he was capable of, and neither could he simply pull his lightsaber. Even using the Force on the men couldn’t be done without exposing himself to her - all options that couldn’t be done. He grit his teeth, and dealt -

He either needed to force them all to forget, or hope Wren protected them both. In his disguise, he at least looked brave - forcing Wren behind him as though he would somehow protect them from the three armed assailants.

Wrenarias

 

[Wrenarias]

As Dorian guided Wren behind his tall form, he’d be able to feel a strange shift in Wrenarias’ demeanor. In a matter of seconds she’d gone from carefree and warm, to a chilling callousness. Her eyes narrowed at the men as the trio stepped forward.

Two vibroblades and a blaster between them. She quickly glanced around, making sure that it really was just three.

“It’s alright.” She whispered in a low enough voice that only Dorian would be able to hear her.

Under different circumstances, Wren might have tried to deescalate the situation. But after the run in with Duval, there was still a smoldering rage in her gut. She was in no mood to tolerate some thug calling her a whore. Not to mention that as far as she knew, Dorian was not a fighter.

“Let’s just do what they say.” She said a little louder so that the men could hear.

She really hated that she was wearing heels. It was going to make this more difficult.

"Yeah, listen to the little lady, eh?" One of the men jeered holding a vibrosword, taking another step towards them.

As the man pulled his arm back to swing at Dorian, Wren rushed forward and caught the man by the wrist. "What the-?" He stammered in confusion, but his question was cut short.

A blood-curdling scream clawed its way from the man's throat and he dropped the vibrosword from his grasp. She caught the falling weapon with her free hand. The physical contact with the twi'lek had allowed her to put her unique gift to proper use. Against an unsuspecting and unprepared foe, she could force them into certain emotional or mental states. As it so happened, pain was also mental, along with abject horror.

He recoiled in absolute terror, but Wren held him fast by the wrist, twisting around behind him to pin his arm to his back.

"Get back!" She shouted at Dorian, her voice brokering no argument as she kept herself, and the man she had grappled, in between the man with the blaster and Harper.

"Sulli, get out of the way!" The leader of this attempted robbery shouted in frustration, waving his weapon in an attempt to get a clear shot.

Keeping her hold on Sulli, Wren whirled around from behind her captive, slashing the stolen vibrosword at the blaster.

The twi'lek moved with startling speed and precision. It was quite obvious that she was an experienced fighter, and a brutally effective one at that.

The blaster fell to the ground, three fingers still curled around the grip. She kicked the weapon to Dorian as the leader howled in agony, clutching his partially severed hand in shock.

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

There was a certain fascination any Sith had with violence, but Maliphant could feel the anger, fear, hatred - Vengeance enacted on relatively innocent men. He couldn’t help but bite his lip, watching the Twi’lek suddenly express and exceptional ability to fight - and not only fight, but in a dress that fit her form nonetheless. As much as he cared for the reprieve from the life of a Sith -

He couldn’t help but find an ember of lust in her gory display.

She moved about in a smooth, hypnotic manner, and it almost made Maliphant want to pull his lightsaber and strike with her - but he resisted, if only for the moment. He knew it was a momentary thing, and as much as he hoped to fight with her - he’d only startle the girl. She wasn’t ready for such a thing… A different day perhaps, a more reasonable time.

But for now, he could enjoy what he saw.

Then she slid the blaster towards him. Instinctually, Maliphant put a boot on the blaster - though as soon as he looked at it he realized he was never a great shot with such a thing. Many had tried to teach him, but he had never gotten the hang of such weapons - but he supposed that’d fit for Dorian Harper. The banker picked up the weapon, pried the severed fingers from it with an all too casual look, and pointed it towards the closest man.

He didn’t need accuracy at this range.

“Did you get them?”, he said quietly.

Wrenarias

 

[Wrenarias]

Wren drove her foot into the side of the leader's knee, driving him to the ground as he gave another pained yelp. The vibrosword was pressed to the back of his neck, while she kept a firm hold on Sulli, who continued to scream and frantically tried to get away from her.

She scoffed, releasing her hold on him long enough to slam her elbow into the man's temple, knocking him unconscious with a vicious blow.

The man in front of Dorian staggered, uncertain as to what he should do, glancing between the twi'lek and Dorian.

"Drop. The. Sword. You have two seconds to tell me how you knew we were here before I relieve your friend here of his head." Wren growled menacingly, her expression contorted. There was blood splashed across her throat and face from severing half of a man's hand already.

"What?" The remaining man bleated, immediately dropping his weapon. It fell to the ground with a clatter.

"One." She growled again, pressing the blade hard enough into the back of the leader's neck to draw blood.

"Kriffin' hell, woman! We was jus' paid to rough y'all up a bit!" He exclaimed, holding his hands up as non-threateningly as he could manage.

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant struggled to not drop the facade then and there - a wolf in sheep's clothing watching a succulent lamb separate from the pack. He bit his tongue, reminding himself of the danger - but his eyes never left Wren, watching her dig the knife into the man’s throat with a growing annoyance. He wanted to tell her to do it, to cut his head from his body for his transgressions against her divine form.

But he couldn’t.

He walked towards her and glanced at the man over - obviously from the Nar Shaddaa Cartels. He didn’t need the force to tell that - but it likely came from the men that hadn’t paid him, those they saw in the Restaurant earlier. That meant there was soon to be a visit from his apprentices - Such a brazen insult to the IGBC was an insult to him, and Dorian was nothing but thorough with setting opinions straight.

Quietly, he tapped on a hidden vambrace beneath his sleeve - a concealed computer that connected to their speeder. It contacted Blackwell Security Forces, they’d know where to pick them up, and they were notoriously fast in this sector. T minus two minutes.

“Probably from the Cartels I mentioned earlier, but I doubt they know who hired them.”, he said with a disappointing, yet anxious voice.

“My security forces are on the way, Wren. We should go - These guys won’t get far.”

For a moment, he looked to the man missing a portion of his hand, and whispered a soft ‘Boo’ as his eyes flashed gold - a hint at who he was. The man lost whatever resolve he had left and collapsed, melting into a puddle of hyperventilation - a common reaction.

The speeder came in short order, and the distant sound of gunships carrying Blackwell was with it - and Maliphant watched with some pride. These men would be saved for questioning - but for now, he needed Wren alone. With an odd rush, he hurried her into the Speeder -

As soon as the door sealed, Dorian turned to Wren and with a gentle forcefulness pressed her into the seat to plant his lips against hers - but he wouldn’t fight her on the matter. Whether she accepted or not, he pulled back and looked into her eyes, deeply - and only then he offered an apology -

“I’m sorry, that was… That was amazing, Wren.”, he said quietly, almost ashamed - yet all the more exhilarated.

Wrenarias

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant struggled to not drop the facade then and there - a wolf in sheep's clothing watching a succulent lamb separate from the pack. He bit his tongue, reminding himself of the danger - but his eyes never left Wren, watching her dig the knife into the man’s throat with a growing annoyance. He wanted to tell her to do it, to cut his head from his body for his transgressions against her divine form.

But he couldn’t.

He walked towards her and glanced at the man over - obviously from the Nar Shaddaa Cartels. He didn’t need the force to tell that - but it likely came from the men that hadn’t paid him, those they saw in the Restaurant earlier. That meant there was soon to be a visit from his apprentices - Such a brazen insult to the IGBC was an insult to him, and Dorian was nothing but thorough with setting opinions straight.

Quietly, he tapped on a hidden vambrace beneath his sleeve - a concealed computer that connected to their speeder. It contacted Blackwell Security Forces, they’d know where to pick them up, and they were notoriously fast in this sector. T minus two minutes.

“Probably from the Cartels I mentioned earlier, but I doubt they know who hired them.”, he said with a disappointing, yet anxious voice.

“My security forces are on the way, Wren. We should go - These guys won’t get far.”

For a moment, he looked to the man missing a portion of his hand, and whispered a soft ‘Boo’ as his eyes flashed gold - a hint at who he was. The man lost whatever resolve he had left and collapsed, melting into a puddle of hyperventilation - a common reaction.

The speeder came in short order, and the distant sound of gunships carrying Blackwell was with it - and Maliphant watched with some pride. These men would be saved for questioning - but for now, he needed Wren alone. With an odd rush, he hurried her into the Speeder -

As soon as the door sealed, Dorian turned to Wren and with a gentle forcefulness pressed her into the seat to plant his lips against hers - but he wouldn’t fight her on the matter. Whether she accepted or not, he pulled back and looked into her eyes, deeply - and only then he offered an apology -

“I’m sorry, that was… That was amazing, Wren.”, he said quietly, almost ashamed - yet all the more exhilarated.

Wrenarias

 

[Wrenarias]

Over the years Wren had come to expect certain reactions to her combat abilities. Fellow soldiers respected her, foes were often caught off guard or frightened, often times surprise was the common factor. What she had not yet encountered was someone kissing her right after, with blood still drying on her skin.

As Dorian pressed his lips to hers, she took a sharp breath and he'd feel a fluttering warmth blossom against his mouth for a fleeting moment before he pulled back.

When his eyes met hers, she blushed.

"I'm not sure… I'd say amazing. But uhm… well, thank you. Are you alright?" She asked, leaning back just enough so that she could get a better look at him.

At least she hadn't killed anyone, she thought to herself. It wasn't unheard of for her to get carried away these days. She struggled to keep her violence in check more and more with each battle.

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

“No, Wren, I’m fine!”, he almost laughed. Dorian was excited, and more importantly, he was impressed.

There was a certain sensitivity Force users had to their emotions - when one got angry, it was very easy to fall into the harder to control side of their powers. The Jedi and Sith had called it ‘The Dark Side’ for millennia - but it was more, an intrinsic knowledge in every force user that they were simply superior, and to express that was the most primal they could manage in the moment. There were even rumors of children ripping parents apart as infants, on the mere fit of food - not that it ever ended well, but the stories persisted still.

“I just… I didn’t know you had that in you.”, he said with a quiet regard for her. Slowly, he adjusted into the seat beside her as the speeder began to take off - just as out the window, the Blackwell forces began their routine measures, starting foremost with a strong kick to the first man’s jaw. Nothing like private military.

Dorian looked back to her, gripping her forearm with a reassurance. She’d feel the heat, the respect he had, and even the bits of pink lust that filtered through it all; a magnificent spectrum of emotions that returned one sum - a complete admiration of what she had done. He beamed as he leaned into her, glancing to where they were going -

“I’m sorry I uh… Kissed you, Wren.”, he finally said with a quiet shame, though he still held the smile.

“I got excited.”, he offered with a small laugh.

Wrenarias

 

[Wrenarias]

"You uh… you don't need to apologize for that." She said with a subdued chuckle, shaking her head a few times.

She reached over, resting a hand on the back of his as he gripped her forearm. Truthfully, she was just glad he was okay. It'd been sloppy and rather reckless to go for the man with the vibrosword instead of the one with the blaster first. He could have easily shot Dorian if she'd miscalculated.

Her head dropped back against the seat and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart. She focused her energy on sensing Dorian's emotions, letting them feed into her own.

Touching her like he was, the Sith would sense through the bridge that she was rather drained. Whatever she'd done to Sulli had taken quite a bit of energy and force of will. But underneath it the exhaustion, there was a flutter of excitement that still lingered from that kiss he'd given her in the heat of the moment.

"Guess I'm just full of surprises." She mused softly, chuckling once more.

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

With her emotions running through him, he calmed slightly - her own exhaustion wearing on him. He leaned over, and rested another kiss on her cheek - hoping that the momentary show of affection would raise her spirits once more, for whatever had drained her, perhaps Maliphant’s own joy could raise her back up. He readjusted, resting an arm over her and cradling her closer to him, into his chest.

It was minor, but it would be enough to provide her some comfort in her exhaustion -

“I suppose you are.”, he said as he ran a gentle touch down her lek.

“If you need to shower, meditate, a change of clothes - anything at all, I’ll have Cybele ready whatever you need.”, Dorian offered just barely above a whisper and the ever so slight hum of the engines sent them careening to the Penthouse.

“A drink, too, if it’ll help. You deserve it.”, The Sith offered.

Wrenarias

 

[Wrenarias]

She pulled her legs up into the seat as he wrapped his arm around her and nestled her small frame against his chest. Her eyes drifted shut, leaning into him while she curled up against his side. His warmth and soothing presence helped to chase away the demons, his high spirits bringing a smile to her lips.

"A shower and some clean clothes sound nice… and I could use a drink." She mumbled, her lips brushing against the fabric of his shirt when she spoke.

There was no hiding her emotions from him, not pressed against him like she was. The thought of showering at his penthouse sent a lurch of nervousness and excitement through her belly, a burst of pink warmth through their connection.

"I don't want to impose… if it's too much trouble, I can go back to my place."

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

“Never too much trouble.”, he offered with a gentle stroke of her lek.

“Never too much…”, Dorian repeated softly.

The speeder ran through traffic as she rested against him, eyes closed and heart beating and a slower and more calming pace. Dorian switched his gaze between her and the traffic lanes - the night was still alive, bright and vivid as only Coruscant could be; but he felt more alive the Speeder. There was a buzz in the air, despite the calmness he helped her feel - and a feeling he couldn’t shake.

Whether she knew it or not, she had a darkness to her, and Maliphant liked what he saw. He resisted the urge to break a smile - and simply remained gentle, calming and coaxing as he continued his methodical draw of his skin on hers.

As the ship came into the private landing port for the Penthouse, South-Star droids came forward to help ensure the ship was quickly refitted with anything it required, but Maliphant didn’t need them for this. He carefully picked wren up from her seat, and walked with her in his arms towards the far warmer interior - a faint chill forming in the night air of the ecumepolis.

Cybele chimed in as they entered, “Something happen?”

Dorian simply shook his head, “Nothing more than usual. Could you warm a shower? Wren would like one.”

Cybele offered little more than a noise of approval, and the distant shower began to run. Up the stairs, Dorian carried her to the bathroom, which was the size of some apartments on the planet - with its own towel station, automated spa, and sauna all built in - while the shower itself had more than enough nozzles and funnels than needed. Dorian set her down as steam began to rise -

“I’ll be back in a bit, I’ll go get us drinks.”, he said quietly.

And off he went, leaving her to her own devices.

Wrenarias

 

[Wrenarias]

She inhaled sharply as Dorian gathered her in his arms so easily and carrier her through the penthouse and to the bathroom. It was rather surprising that he was able to do so without looking as if it was a strain on him. Nevertheless, it made Wrenarias smile.

Once she was left alone in the bathroom, she took a few moments to look around. The bathroom alone was larger than her living quarters in the Imperium palace.

When she caught sight of her reflection, she grimaced. The dress was likely ruined, a visceral splatter of blood streaked across the dark fabric. Her face and throat were still partially covered as well. She looked a mess.

When she stepped closer to the vanity to wash the grime off her face, she took a sharp breath and braced her hand against the marble countertop.

She was glad that she'd been able to hold the reaction back while she'd been with Dorian, but it'd taken a toll on her. Forcing her consciousness onto another, driving them mad with fear, often brought the risk of her experiencing their reactions to it. Or triggered her own haunting memories as a result, since those were often what she drew on to inflict the pain or horror.

Not wanting to look herself in the eye, Wren quickly removed the dress and hurried into the shower. Her limbs were starting to shake and her chest was constricting, making it difficult to breathe without pain. She knew what it was, a panic attack.

They were not all that uncommon for her.

She struggled through the shower, trying to scrub the gore off her skin as best she could with her trembling hands. Worried that Dorian would come looking if she took too long.

Once she felt she was clean enough, she turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around her form, shivering from both the cold air and her body's reaction to what happened.

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Dorian entered shortly before she had exited the shower, taking a seat without his jacket - and two drinks and a bottle laid out. It was the drink they had the night before, decanter and all. He drank it slow, letting her take her time - he knew whatever she had done, it had been an arduous process.

When she exited with the towel, Dorian simply smiled at her -

“I hope it felt nice.”, he said quietly before offering her a drink.

He finished his own glass before pouring another, perhaps for a personal celebration, but it would simply look as though he were intending to enjoy their night a little further. Dorian crossed his legs as he spoke -

“Are you alright? I know things like that can be… taxing, on the mind and body.”, he offered with a quiet regard for her health.

Wrenarias

 

[Wrenarias]

Wren yelped as she stepped out of the shower, not having realized that Dorian was waiting for her in the bathroom. She jumped back a step, tightly gripping the towel that was wrapped around her.

“Bloody karking hells, you scared me.” She exclaimed, letting out a sharp breath as she laughed.

Shaking her head, she glanced around the room for a change of clothes. Her face was flushed a deep forest green, accentuating the freckles that were smattered over the bridge of her nose and cheeks.

“Um… is there something that I can wear? Feeling a little… exposed.” She mumbled awkwardly, biting her bottom lip.

Her hands were still trembling. She knew that she was far from alright, but she didn’t want to worry Dorian.

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Dorian watched her, and at first he took in her body. Still slightly slick, towel wrapping only the needed areas of her - and Harper had enjoyed it; but he saw her tremble, shake. Whether she tried to hide it or not, she gave the disturbance out through the force - if only slightly, and Maliphant could see it.

He inhaled sharply, suddenly more empathetic than lustful - and motioned to a far wall with a set of armoires built into the wall;

“In there-”, he offered, “There's clothes for you. A changing room next to it.”

He waited for her to enter the changing room before he stood, and set the drink under the door for her. Dorian rested a shoulder on the wall, and spoke through the open grates -

“Are you alright, Wren?”

Perhaps she needed more time for the darkness to be tamed. There was a limit to such things for the newly imposed, and if morality took her, she’d be sick to her stomach for what she’d done. Nothing good for the night she should have remembered.

Wrenarias

 

[Wrenarias]

Inside the room she found a loose fitting tunic and trousers. She took her time changing, letting her body gradually calm down.

Before she gave her answer, she leaned down to pick up the glass he'd given her and sipped from the contents -- the familiar taste of the naboo pear liquor filled her senses, soothing her.

Eventually she opened the door and faced Dorian with a tired smile on her lips.

"I just over exerted myself..." She reached out with her free hand, cautiously taking his own. That familiar, soothing warmth flowed into his arm through her touch.

"If someone isn't expecting it, I can… force them to experience pain or fear. Unfortunately… sometimes I can get feedback from it." She explained in a low voice, taking another sip from the drink.

"I'll be alright… I just need to relax and rest for awhile."

Her head canted to the side, smiling faintly up at him. "You okay?"

Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Empyrean]

“I’m fine.”, he said as his thumb ran over the back of her hand.

“Just worried about you.”

He motioned her to follow, and took her by the hand. He made sure he didn’t forget the bottle, and walked out of the bathroom and across the hall to his bedroom - a large and magnificent thing with a bed that held its own golden pillars, curtains draped around it, and a number of pillows that melted and held their shape when touched.

Dorian offered her a place on the bed, and he quietly moved to grab a nearby chair that floated on its base by a repulsor lift. Sitting in it, he positioned himself next to her on the large california king, and reached to grab her hand once more.

“Forcing others to feel emotions… I imagine that must be apart of why you don’t like physical touch with strangers?”, he said quietly, taking a sip of his drink as she found comfort among the sheets.

Wrenarias

 

[Wrenarias]

Wren gave a small nod as she settled into the luxurious bed, though a pang of guilt pulsed through her -- a spark if yellowy-orange through the bridge between them. She felt as if she was kicking the man out of his own bed, which seemed extraordinarily rude, even if he'd been the one to insist she rest there.

"It can… overwhelm people, myself included." She said after a brief pause, taking the opportunity to sip from the drink in her other hand.

Her legs curled up in the bed next to her, turning to face Dorian while she leaned into the obscenely soft pillows.

"Not to mention most people find it… uncomfortable." There was another pause as she glanced down to Dorian's hand entwined with her own. "Doesn't it bother you?"

Darth Empyrean