Fandom Star Wars: Demesne [Closed]

[cleopat]

Cora hadn’t anticipated the turn of his head, his lips meeting hers instead of his cheek. But when he did, it took a few seconds for her to process what was going on. Her heart leapt to her throat, and she all but withheld the smile that blossomed.

Oh no, she didn’t want this to end at all.

She reached one hand up to gently rest on Eli’s upper arm as Cora leaned further into the kiss. Her only regret is that she wished they had done this back in his room, so they could linger and enjoy the moment instead of standing in the corridor, but she certainly wouldn’t complain.

Should I invite him in? No, that might send the wrong message of what she expected. This would be enough for now.

~~~

Skye chuckled, shaking her head. “Oh, I know I don’t have to, but I also feel like it may be best.” To help with the pressure that might be put on Ae’lia, and to help their cause of the rebellion.

Though she certainly wouldn’t risk trying to assassinate Tarkin. Skye would still be firm with Shay of what she is and isn’t comfortable doing, and anything involving assassinating high profile Imperials was not on that list.

“Well, this will be fun,” Lin said plainly, to which Skye couldn’t help but laugh. Fun was one way of putting it.

Ahsoka’s voice came next from the cockpit, before any more could be said. “We’re approaching Coruscant!” The ship dropped out of lightspeed, the glittering Core world before them. “First stop, Serenno Embassy.”

“Well, I guess that’s our cue,” Skye said to Adlai, standing up. “And it’s time to say bye to the little one,” she motioned to the sleeping baby in his lap.

It was all too adorable, really.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli had not misread things.

He was relieved as Cora leaned into this further, moving her hand to his arm. He reached his hand out to touch her cheek, fingertips brushing across it and back towards her ear, before he slid them down to rest on her shoulder for a few moments.

He knew he couldn’t actually linger out in the hallway and make-out with Cora, no matter how tempting that may be. There were still cameras, and people who could walk by, and it was definitely not appropriate. He might get a slap on the wrist from Thrawn for such a display. But, a tender good night kiss?

That had to be okay.

Still, as much as he enjoyed the smile he felt in the kiss, and the softness of her lips, he did begrudgingly draw away. The heat of his face remained, reddening his complexion some. He wasn’t exactly sure what to say after that, given how it started.

“I, uh, thank you,” well that was a poor start. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Damnit Eli.

~***~

Well, Ae’lia wouldn’t protest too much, glad to know she wouldn’t be alone in facing Shay with this, although she suspected Shay’s irritation would still remain firmly with her. Especially since she’d brought Skye into this. “Thank you,” she inclined her head slightly as they reached Coruscant, Sabine moving to look out a viewport at the city.

Zeb just moved further back from anything; they didn’t need to see a lasat in Coruscant. That would just be bad news, especially for the people they were returning. They’d done well to hide their identities.

Adlai got up, cradling the baby who burbled awake as he did so, “There there,” he cooed, “you stay out of trouble.”

A gurgling laugh and Adlai imagined this thing would not, in fact, be staying out of trouble as he moved to where Zeb was and held the baby out, “Here, you can watch him now.”

“Huh? Hey wai—” Zeb took the baby before Adlai let it go, and it gave a whine, looking back at Adlai and Skye as they went towards the door to await the landing at the embassy. It made grabbing motions towards them, and Zeb sighed and brought the thing closer – though he still looked grumpy about it.

“Adlai, can you take our outfits with you?” Ae’lia asked, holding up her inquisitor outfit, “Lin and I can’t…exactly walk into a bar with them.”

Adlai laughed, but nodded, “Yes, I can take them and find a way to get them back,” no one was going to really see him and Skye before they got inside, anyways.

 

[cleopat]

All too soon they had to pull apart. They were still in public, where cameras and other officers could see them. Cora didn’t forget how her skin tingled where Eli touched her cheek, or how she wished they could’ve continued the kiss in her quarters.

Another time, once they’ve gotten more comfortable around one another.

Cora chuckled at Eli. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Eli.” She nearly added I wish we had kissed back in your room but she stopped herself. It may have given the wrong impression of what she sought.

For now, she smiled as she nodded her head. “Good night,” and she would head into her quarters, eagerly awaiting their day together.

~~~

Skye laughed at the gurgling baby and at Zeb’s reaction to being handed the small child. It was adorable, really, how no one seemed impervious to the baby’s charms. Well, except for Chopper. And as it made a grabbing motion in their direction, she really wanted to bring him along.

He needed to be safe. With her in Coruscant was the opposite of safe.

The ship reached the embassy all too soon, and Ahsoka landed the ship into a designated area before rejoining everyone to see Adlai and Skye off. Skye held Lin’s uniform as well as her own, and she turned to smile at everyone, trying to ignore the thought of when she would see some of them again. If she ever saw them again. Don’t think like that. You have to have hope.

"Try not to get into too much trouble," she said to Kanan with a chuckle, then turned to Ezra, "and make sure you listen to him. He knows what he's talking about. Most of the time. "

Kanan rolled his eyes, but he lightly chuckled. "We'll see you around. "

Skye nodded. "May the force be with you.”

Both Ahsoka and Kanan echoed the sentiment back at her. The Child laughed and waved at Adlai and Skye.

 

[Lucyfer]

At least Cora’s reaction to his poor words wasn’t bad. She seemed okay with it, her chuckle not derisive in the least. It did little for his warming face, but much for his heart, as he relaxed, bit by bit, under her farewell and hopes for tomorrow. “Good night, Cora.”

He’d let her return to her quarters, as he turned towards his.

He wanted to sprint.

He wanted to spin.

He wanted to do anything but walk at the normal, regulation pace, and fight off the smile on his face so he wouldn’t look weird to passing officers. Somehow, he kept it together, and made it there where he was able to let out a breath – and laugh. At himself. At his luck. He’d have to thank Faro later, no doubt.

For now, he used his energy to clean up the room, getting rid of the leftover popcorn, before he cleaned himself up, and got into bed, where his attempts to sleep were mostly failures, but at least his thoughts never strayed to the negative. They were full to bursting with ideas of how tomorrow would go.

Until, of course, tomorrow arrived at the sounding of his alarm, and a groan from his own lack of sleep.

~***~

Ae’lia gave a wave to Skye and Adlai as they disembarked from the ship, knowing she’d see them again all too soon at the next meeting. Knowing what that meeting was soon to entail, and how she would have to figure out how to deal with it, as well as her dinner with Thrawn. ‘Mitth’raw’nuruodo.’ The incessant correction continued to refuse to let her distance herself.

The group left with them were mostly unfamiliars, even if she did recognize Kanan from Depa. She had not known him that well; she had known people far younger than him, better. None of them were likely to have survived – too young, and without masters to help them.

It was curious how it seemed more often than not, to be the padawans who survived.

Ahsoka, Kanan, Cal.

She wouldn’t speak to that, though. She knew the reason behind it without asking – though it wasn’t true in Ahsoka’s case.

“You all have guts to work out from here,” Sabine did comment aloud, as Zeb tried to figure out how to hold the baby, only for it to always try to reach for something, and for him to pull it away. “How long have you been in operation?”

“About eight years now,” Ae’lia answered. “Not with everyone currently involved, but it was eight years ago that we started.” Recruitment was…slow.

~***~

Adlai was glad the platform was mostly empty, save for a few droids mulling about. He moved forward quickly, unlocking their path back towards his own wing so they wouldn’t linger, and be caught. While he trusted those around him, it was still better not to have any reason for people to question why they had such outfits.

Once they reached his room, he felt some weight of the day leave him, and he gestured towards the coffee table, “We can set things there, I’ll work on mailing them in the morning,” he would set his armor and the Inquisitor’s armor down, sighing as he did so.

“This…got a lot more hectic than I thought it would,” and the next meeting would be fraught with questions.

Still, he looked up at Skye with a smile, “I’m glad we made it through and saved the Jedi, and the others of Ghost,” he said, “and I’m glad you’re okay,” with his hands free, he would reach out to her face, just to trail his fingers across her cheek, towards her ear, brushing back any stray strands of hair.

Just to touch her, and reassure himself that she was, in fact, okay.

 

[cleopat]

Once Cora was back in her room, alone, she could no longer contain her excitement or giddiness. She grinned like some idiot, and her newly found energy kept her up later than she would have liked. And with her energy, she wanted to message Faro, to see if she was awake and willing to listen to the details, but she resisted.

It was late. Faro was probably sleeping, and Cora needed some rest as well.

And of course, all too soon, her alarm woke her up early to give her enough time to check on her work in the lab and to ready herself for the day. And she wanted to message Eli. Maybe say good morning, or that she was up and readying herself for their day.

No. She waited. Cora went by her lab first, completing a few tasks and making sure no one would be messaging her during the day. Once that was done, she headed back for her quarters to finish getting ready, and her heart skipped in her excitement and anticipation.

Only when she was finished, showered and dressed for the day, did she finally message Eli.

Where did you want to meet?​

~~~

Ahsoka gave a parting wave to Skye and Adlai, and once they were off the ship, she stepped back into the cockpit to bring the next set of rebels to their destination of some Coruscanti cantina in the entertainment district.

“I’ve only been involved for a few of those years,” Lin said. “Sometimes, working in plain sight is the best way to hide.” It was how Ae’lia remained unknown for who she truly was for so long. And, apparently, their newest recruit, Skye as well. Or Hala, as he recalled Ahsoka saying.

“That’s impressive,” Kanan remarked. “We often find ourselves making too much noise to remain hidden for very long.” And the fact that they had a Lasat on their team did not help, but Kanan wouldn’t say that. It was known. They knew the risks, and still went with it.

Lin shrugged with a chuckle. “No one expects someone who’s constantly in the spotlight to be doing something so...stupid.” Idiocy for daring to fight against the Empire when people know their names.

It was soon that the ship lowered again as it reached its last destination on Coruscant. Ahsoka rejoined them. “You’ll be hearing from me again soon,” she said to Lin and Ae’lia. This was only their beginning, as Ahsoka and Bail Organa continued their efforts in uniting the rebel cells.

~~~

Skye followed behind Adlai just as hurried. If someone spotted them and decided to ask what they were carrying, there was no excuse good enough for why they had the uniforms of Purgetroopers and a Stormtrooper.

Fortunately there was no such incident as they made it to Adlai’s wing, where they could finally let their guard down. Where Skye relaxed her tensed muscles and nearly breathed a sigh of relief. “Sounds good. I’ll be happy to not look at these for some time,” she paused, before adding, “except for those electrobatons. I still want those.”

She set the uniforms on the coffee table, before stepping towards Adlai. “You mean you guys don’t fight Grand Inquisitors every day?” she teased, an impish smile on her face, which soon dissipated for a more serious expression. “I’m glad everyone made it out okay.”

Her skin tingled as his fingers trailed across her face. “I’m glad you’re okay.” Any little thing could’ve gone seriously wrong on the mission so quickly. Skye and Kanan could’ve easily been killed by the Inquisitor, and Ezra almost was killed. The Stormtroopers could’ve easily surrounded Adlai, Zeb, and Sabine. Don’t focus on the if’s. Just look to the future.

She could hear her Master say those words to her.

Skye lifted one hand to gently place it over Adlai’s. “And now we have some time to rest before I’m killed by Shay,” she chuckled.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli also got up, got dressed, and went about checking in with a few things, including the Bridge. He heard an unfortunate rumor about Inquisitors being on the ship as he went to the cafeteria to grab a quick snack, but decided to not follow up on that. He could find out in the evening. ‘You owe me.’ At least, Thrawn better not disturb him with this.

Eventually, he did go back to his room to change out of ‘work’ attire, and dress into something more civilian, and more casual. One didn’t go to an amusement park in a suit, after all! He still thought it was good, though. Straight-leg dark slacks, and a darker green shirt seemed like it looked good on him.

‘Stop. Thinking.’

He heard his datapad buzz and on seeing Cora’s message, he wondered if he was running late. ‘Not yet.’ It was a little past nine. They should be heading out to get to the diner by ten. So he was quick to type back.

Hangar 9 has a shuttle that runs to Coruscant right now. We can probably catch it soon.​

The next one would be leaving soon, if he recalled right. He needed to hurry that way himself. He made sure he had packed everything, and then also quickly scheduled a taxi for their arrival on Coruscant to get them to the diner. Best not to be late – he knew the shuttle wouldn’t take them to their exact location, but he didn’t want to deal with taking a ship on his own down to Coruscant right now.

He hadn’t taken time to officially check one out, and those were for business use.

~***~

Lin definitely spoke to the odd truth of their position: they were celebrities who could get away with much, because people assumed they knew everything about them. They were in the spotlight so much, how could they ever find time to do crime? ‘In the eyes of everyone.’ And by keeping their eyes away from other things, of course.

As they reached the new destination, a familiar one, Ae’lia rose and moved to the ramp, nodding to Ahsoka, “I’ll look forward to it,” they would soon be getting a lot more done, all of them, now that they were together. Now that they had the Mantis crew involved, too. “May the Force be with you,” that was spoken to them all, before she offered her arm to Lin.

If they were going there together, they may as well make it look a little scandalous. Just so the papers wrote about that, more than anything else. She gave Lin a wink to help him get the hint. They’d hung out together plenty of times, but Ae’lia wasn’t known to the galaxy as single, then.

They wouldn’t end up as anything, of course.

Ae’lia wouldn’t do that to Lin’s…“love life”.

But one night of rumors would be enough to distract from plenty of other rumors that could circulate, and that was good enough for now. Besides all that, after what they just went through, she was pretty sure she and Lin both just needed a good night to pretend nothing was wrong. She might even help play wing-woman for Lin, if she felt like being nice enough.

Maybe help a rumor of threesome.

Wouldn’t that scandalize the media?

~***~

Adlai could only chuckle at her tease about Grand Inquisitors. Obviously, they did not in fact make a habit of doing that, though perhaps they should. They seemed to be pretty good at it, after all. He was equally as glad that everyone made it out, relieved to see Lin and Eira for himself to confirm it, too.

It had all gone well.

It would all continue to go well. He had to believe that, now that they were joining a larger group.

“I’m glad I’m okay, too,” Adlai said, still more in the playful tone than dead serious, which seemed to work in the transition to thinking about Shay. He groaned, crinkling his face a bit, “Let’s not consider that future for a while. I don’t even want to think of Shay or how that meeting is going to go,” he knew Shay would understand.

That didn’t mean it wasn’t going to go poorly, in some respects.

“I need to get out of these clothes before I do any resting,” he noted, “Stormtrooper under-attire isn’t exactly the best thing in the galaxy,” he said, adding, “and I’m sure you might need to have that wound looked at. After your fight, I’m sure some massage oil and laying down are in order, hm?”

 

[cleopat]

Cora didn’t have to wait long before she received a message back from Eli. She smiled as she read it, giddy over their upcoming day. Ignorant of the rumors concerning Inquisitors on the ship. She was focused on the message on her datapad, and how she looked.

With her dark pants and light blue shirt, hair pinned back, she thought she looked good enough, and comfortable enough for a day at an amusement park. Cora wanted to second guess herself and how she looked, but she could already hear Faro admonishing her.

Don’t overthink it.

She forced herself not to. Instead Cora turned back to her datapad to type up a quick response to Eli.

Sounds good! I’ll meet you there soon.​

Grabbing her bag, she left her room and made her way to Hangar 9, hoping that if Eli was there, she didn’t make him wait too long.

~~~

Ahsoka and the others bid their farewells, with the togruta and Kanan repeating the Jedis’ phrase back to Ae’lia. “They’re an odd group,” Ezra muttered, to which Kanan could only respond with, “Go look in a mirror.”

Lin waved to them before turning to Ae’lia and flashing her a cheeky smile as she held out an arm for him. “I knew you’d come around one day,” he teased, taking her arm.

He certainly wouldn’t mind giving the media a run for its money for a day, as rumors swirled around their appearance together at some cantina in the entertainment district, so soon after Eira’s and Adlai’s big breakup.

Lin is more than happy to fit into that role for Ae’lia. He didn’t have much of a love life outside of a fling here and there, nothing was ever serious. Sure, he may want that one day, but for now, his life was his career and the Rebellion.

“Time for a night of indulgence?” he asked, leading her to the cantina. Surely they both needed a round of drinks after that mission.

~~~

“Okay then, let’s think of something far more pleasant,” Skye said, smiling as she stepped closer to Adlai to wrap her arms around his neck. She wouldn’t complain about thinking of something other than Shay.

And what Adlai offered was indeed far more pleasant.

“Oh yes, I think some massage oil and laying down certainly wouldn’t hurt. And there may be other areas we should look at, just in case.” There was definitely not anywhere else that endured any sort of injury.

They both knew this.

“But first, we both should get changed into something more comfortable, don’t you think?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli was there when Cora arrived, along with a few others waiting for the shuttle since they had time off, or reason to be down on Coruscant. Talk of the Inquisitors had kept Eli curious, but that faded immediately as he saw Cora step into the hangar.

Good timing, as well – the shuttle was just starting to pull into the hangar.

He lifted his hand to wave her over to where he was, grinning as he saw, any exhaustion he felt seeming to fade away as he felt the excitement of the day thrum through him. “Just in time,” he said, giving her a once-over. He wanted to do a twice over. She really did look good. Relaxed. “I like the blue,” he added.

And her hair, though he honestly wasn’t sure if that was how it usually looked or not and his mind short-circuited in debating if he should comment on it or not. Safer not to say anything if he wasn’t sure it was unusual.

~***~

Eira bit Ae’lia a fond farewell as she took Lin’s arm, matching his grin as he understood, “I think it’s called for,” and if nothing else, it would offer Thrawn a suggestion she might already be with someone. Or looking at someone else. It might help with tomorrow’s dinner.

She’d see.

In either case, the evening was fun, her and Lin having only too much fun in playing their respective roles as they enjoyed the cantina, and allowed some of the bolder fans to get selfies with them, before they eventually called it an evening and they left together – though, of course, they didn’t go to the same place.

No one needed to know that when they shared a taxi, though…with a third person who Eira helped Lin snag, but that wasn’t important. Eira got dropped off first, and went back into her home, to rest. To meditate.

In the morning, there were messages from Shay, of course. Including some of the news articles that caused Eira to laugh at the assumption of a threesome, which had the delicious picture of Eira whispering something into the other woman’s ear as Lin kept an arm around Eira.

The media would bite into anything, and Eira just laughed at how well it had worked, before she got to the heart of Shay’s messages.

A meeting.

I can’t do this evening. I have to see Thrawn. Tomorrow is open.​

And so, it would be made for tomorrow morning – that message was sent to everyone.

~***~

Adlai nodded along with her idea – yes, there were certainly other places that deserved looking at, “I can help make sure we get every area explored,” he promised, not wrapping his arms around her right then, if only because they had to break away so soon.

Though he did lift one hand to cup her side, and slide down it to her hip as he said, “I’ll go get into something else and get the massage oil out in my room. You can join me when you’re ready,” he squeezed her hip as he released it, and stepped back.

He did have to go get prepared, and find where he last stashed the massage oil he had. He hadn’t needed to bring it out for only too long. He was quite looking forward to it. “Just don’t keep me waiting too long or the oil will get cold.” Probably not, his hands could warm it up well enough, but still – he wanted to see her again soon, and spend the evening with her.

Not thinking about Shay.

Not even thinking too much about all that happened.

It had been a success – that was what mattered. The rest of it – how many Jedi there were, what Eira had revealed – that was saved for the meeting with Shay. Or light talk among pillows.

 

[cleopat]

Cora took the opportunity to give Eli a glance over as he waved for her and she headed in his direction. Good, she didn’t seem overdressed or underdressed, given what Eli was wearing. And he noticed what she was wearing as well, she thought as her face lightly flushed with his complement. “Thank you.”

Blue was a good color. Calm, peaceful, and soothing.

“And I like the green,” she mimicked his own words back at him, but she meant it. He did look good in the green, and dark slacks were always a nice choice. The color complimented him quite well.

At that point the shuttle had landed in the hangar, and people began to move on and off the ship. “Shall we?” she asked with a nod in the direction of the shuttle. “Oh! And good morning, Eli,” she said with a smile.

It was certainly a much better morning than most for her, if only because of the company.

~~~

Skye easily lowered her arms from Adlai’s neck and stepped away from him - if only for that promise of their evening to come. She would rather have something else on than borrowed clothes that were a bit too large for her, and she was eager to head back to her room to slip into something she had already planned out.

“Well, it would indeed be such a crime to allow the oil to get cold,” Skye said with an impish smile. “Don’t worry, I have no intentions of making you wait for very long.” With that, she would leave the room to walk back to hers so she could get properly dressed for the evening.

An evening they can finally spend in one another’s company, without anyone else, or without the worry of a looming mission. Just the two of them and some time.

But first, Skye had no intention of keeping Adlai waiting for very long. Once in her room, she made quick work of removing her clothes for something far more appropriate for the evening. Something far more revealing and lacy. She dabbed a little perfume oil behind her ear, hiding any lingering mission smell, and once she deemed herself ready, Skye slipped on a satin robe and tied it close.

Now she was ready, and without lingering, she headed back to Adlai’s room, giving a few short raps on his door before entering.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli was glad the green had worked as he hoped, and flushed a little as Cora acknowledged it, before laughing at her delayed ‘good morning’. “Good morning,” he thought it more agreement with her, as he moved towards the shuttle with her. Hopefully, talk of Inquisitors by the others would cease once they were all in the shuttle so he wouldn’t have to dwell on work considerations.

He found a seat for both of them in the shuttle near the front, and noted, “I already have a taxi prepared for when we land,” so she’d know they wouldn’t have to wait too long, if at all, when they actually got down to the planet.

They’d just have to get on the taxi, get to the diner, and then get to the amusement park. “I also set an alarm for the last shuttle, so hopefully we won’t miss it,” even though it’d be a shame to call things early, it’d be embarrassing to have to call for a private lift from Coruscant back to the Chimaera.

He had things handled!

He hoped.

~***~

Adlai went to his own quarters to set the oil on a warmer. Though not necessary, given the heat his own hands would impart, it did add a nice smell to his room, too. The scent was sweet, not too heavy, so it wasn’t going to completely overpower the room.

Adlai also stripped out of the black under-attire of the Stormtrooper and found some of his silk pants, white and silver, and a matching robe. He didn’t bother with a shirt. He figured that would be about as unnecessary as socks, right then.

He made sure his bed was made, smooth, and Skye was right on time.

The robe was a nice treat on her, too. “I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to take the robe off,” not that he actually minded asking. At all. “I would hate to get any oil on it,” that part was true, at least, but he figured he’d enjoy watching her take it off more than if she’d stepped in, just in what was beneath the robe.

He’d still have to be careful around any fabric she wore, but he had a feeling that wouldn’t be much of an issue.

~***~

The day passed easily. Eira made it to practice with Lin and the others. The looks from Darius made last night even more worth it, in all honesty. His questioning frustration with it was palpable, but he never asked any directly through practice, or in their breaks.

At least she and Lin clearly had a good alibi for yesterday, even if only the night was seen and recorded by the press.

Eventually, practice wrapped up, and Eira bid her farewells to everyone she’d see again tomorrow – after Shay’s meeting. After Mitth’raw’nuruodo’s dinner. Tomorrow’s practice would be a welcome relief after all of this. ‘But you’re not done.’

No. She still had to wear this mask of Eira, still had to continue as if she didn’t know Mitth’raw’nuruodo supported the Sith.

She gravitated towards darker colors that evening, a black dress that faded into gold at the edges. She made sure to add touches of gold jewelry, and gold around her eyes, before she left for the fountain outside of Traviatta’s.

 

[cleopat]

Cora followed beside Eli into the shuttle and to their seats. “Oh did you? That’s good! I didn’t even think of needing a taxi,” she admitted. At least Eli was a step ahead of her and prepared thoroughly for their day. He always seemed to be organized and well prepared, which she imagined just came with the position of being next to Grand Admiral Thrawn.

“If you want, I can also set an alarm to remind us of that last shuttle,” she chuckled. It would be slightly embarrassing to call for someone to send them a ship, but the bright side would be more time spent with Eli.

If their day went well. She hoped that it would.

Which reminded her to ask, “Did you get everything done this morning that you needed to get done?” The last thing Cora wanted was for someone to call Eli and tell him to come back to the ship.

She would want to murder that person.

~~~

Skye would not complain to Adlai’s instruction, even if she wanted for him to likewise take his robe. And anything else he had on. “Of course, I would hate to ruin the fabric.” Despite her words, she untied the sash and dropped the robe to her feet on the floor, revealing the dark green lingerie set underneath.

The color had been purposefully chosen, after noting the accents of it throughout his wing.

She moved to sit on the edge of the bed. “Will I also need to remove the rest of my clothes? You know, so as to not ruin them with oil,” she asked, feigning ignorance to the real reason she wanted the lingerie off.

And probably Adlai as well.

Though Skye would much prefer it if he were the one to remove that barrier.

~~~

If dealing with the Inquisitors that morning weren’t enough to sour his day, the rumors that Thrawn heard through the media concerning Eira, her coworker Lin, and some mysterious woman that was seen leaving a cantina with them left an unpleasant sensation to settle deep in his gut.

But it shouldn’t have. She was the subject of his investigation, but something very carnal deep within him, a side that he neglected for so many years as he focused solely on his work, wanted for something more.

Eventually Thrawn worked through his tasks he wanted to finish for the day and passed on temporary command of the ship to Lieutenant Commander Faro. He had just enough time to get ready for his evening with Eira. A pleasant dinner between two acquaintances.

Despite what he kept telling himself, Thrawn dressed into something other than his grand admiral uniform, although he didn’t hide who he was with the white colors he gravitated towards. Besides, his blue skin and red eyes on Coruscant would always make him stick out painfully from the masses.

A short ride to the planet, and Thrawn approached the fountain outside of Traviatta’s, as they planned. Eira was already there, looking ethereal in her black dress and contrasting gold accents. Don’t say ethereal.

“You look very lovely this evening, Eira,” he said as he walked up to her, a small smile on his face.

 

[Lucyfer]

“Yeah, that would probably help,” a second alarm may not be necessary, but if his datapad died, or if he’d somehow set it wrong, then it would be good to have a backup. He drew his out to check the time he’d set it for, “Last shuttle is at 21:15, so I set mine for 20:15 to give us an hour to get back,” he said.

He quickly tucked his own datapad back as the shuttle soon started to leave the hangar to get them down to Coruscant. “I think I got everything handled.” He obviously wasn’t certain, knowing how things with the Chimaera could sometimes work.

Ideally, no one would call him with an emergency that someone else couldn’t handle.

Really, Thrawn and Faro were still there, they should be able to handle anything that Eli could have handled.

“Did you get caught up on everything you needed to?” He asked, thinking for a moment how bad they both were at taking a day off. They’d both still checked in with projects. They probably needed more time off to actually enjoy it without worrying about work and checking in on it.

~***~

Adlai was very pleased to watch the robe fall, and reveal what was beneath. The green lingerie was exquisite over her fair skin, and of course, simply for being such a familiar and well-loved color. He knew his face heated, but he wasn’t about to let it make him awkward.

He stepped a bit away from the bed to gesture to it, though she just took a seat at first and asked about the rest.

He chuckled and shook his head, “No, I’ll be careful,” he said, “I may just have to undo the strap of your top, though,” ideally he’d get a ways beyond that, but he wasn’t going to ruin this experience by rushing it. He intended to enjoy this just as much as he’d enjoy something meant for himself.

As far as he was concerned, this was for his benefit, really. He was already enjoying the sight of her, and soon he’d get to feel her, and hopefully elicit some verbal responses in that process. There wasn’t really a downside to any of this.

“You can go ahead and lay down,” he said, “Get comfortable.”

~***~

Mitth’raw’nuruodo was easy to see in a crowd. Besides the blue skin and glowing eyes, he stuck to white, even when he had dressed in something besides his uniform. It was an interesting choice, and Eira wondered if he had worn much white back home – back before he ever joined the Empire.

Joined with the Sith.

None of those dark thoughts made their way to her expression, though, as she greeted him with a smile and stepped towards him, away from the fountain. “Thank you,” she inclined her head slightly, “I see you still favor white even when out of work, Mitth’raw’nuruodo,” a playful grin, “it works, though,” well, there wasn’t any denying he cut quite the image in it.

Objectively.

“Shall we head into Traviatta’s?” She inquired, adding, “have you been here much before?” She at least was familiar with it, though she wondered if Mitth’raw’nuruodo had ever been to such a place. She knew he hadn’t spent as long in Coruscant as she had, even given his time in the Royal Academy.

 

[cleopat]

At the confirmation, Cora pulled out her datapad to set an alarm for the same time as Eli’s, just as a precaution. Accidents happen, and while being stuck on Coruscant with Eli wasn’t the worst thing, they still had responsibilities on the ship. They didn’t need a horrible excuse such as missing the last shuttle as a reason for neglecting any duties.

She nodded at Eli’s question. “I also think I got everything handled,” she chuckled. Cora did entertain the fleeting thought of turning their datapads off until the afternoon, so they would have some guaranteed uninterrupted time together.

“They should at least be able to survive a day with my presence on the ship.” Stars knew she wasn’t that important, but there were several projects she was in charge of. Or equipment in her name that someone else wanted to use.

But no more thinking about work. Or that the Grand Admiral may decide to cut their day off short and bring them back to the ship. Kriff, she hoped not.

~~~

Adlai’s reaction to what was underneath her robe pleased and excited Skye. The flushing of his face did not escape her notice, which only excited her for the rest of their evening. An evening where they could take their time and truly enjoy one another.

“I trust you to do what it is you need to do to get the job done,” she said cheekily, moving to lay on the bed as instructed. She would let him dictate the pace, and she knew that she would enjoy whatever it is Adlai did.

Skye would definitely enjoy the massage, before it evolved into something more. It had been far too long since she last had a massage.

Once she situated herself in his bed, enjoying the feel of his sheets on her skin, she said, “Alright, I’m very comfortable now.”

~~~

Eira made a comment on his preference for white, and her own personal opinion on his choice, at which he chuckled lowly. “Consider it something I’ve grown too used to wearing daily.” Not that he didn’t have other clothes; he did, and if they met up again for a meal, Thrawn would remember to try and wear something else.

At her first question, Thrawn held out an arm, silently gesturing for her to lead them to the restaurant. “I’ve been here once before,” he then answered her following question. “A bit of a formal occasion with a few other high ranked officers.” And he had found the dinner quite dull.

Not to mention, it had only further proven to him that many high ranked officers were not deserving of their title.

“And what about you?” he directed the question back at her. “Have you had the chance to eat here before?” Since she lived on Coruscant, Thrawn imagined that Eira may have had the opportunity to dine at Traviatta’s. Definitely more than he has.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli chuckled a bit, “You’d think,” though he really did hope that neither of them would end up interrupted during their ventures throughout the day. He wanted to enjoy it, damn it! ‘Should I mention the Inquisitors?’ He considered it, and dismissed it.

Cora didn’t need that weighing on her mind right now, either.

“It’ll be fine. Thrawn leaves the ship often enough and nothing goes wrong,” to see Eira. Although there had been an issue that one time at the gallery, so far as Eli knew, no other issues had arisen.

In either case, they at least reached Coruscant without any issues, and Eli led the way out, spotting a few waiting taxis. He took a quick look at his datapad to get the car number, and then nodded towards one, “That’s ours,” right on time, so there was no waiting for it to show up, either.

He moved towards the vehicle. “Vanto?” The driver asked.

“Yes.”

“All right, welcome aboard, I’ll get ya on to the diner,” the driver said, moving to open the door for Eli and Cora, before they’d go to their own side and get in to get on the way.

~***~

Adlai nodded and gave a bit of a mock bow, “I promise my services shall be adequate,” he would take care of her needs, that was without question – so long as she let him know if he was screwing up somewhere, or told him where her needs were.

He figured she wouldn’t hesitate too much on that, though.

Even if he might draw a few things out just for his own teasing fun. In the end, he’d always cave.

Once she was on the bed, he did move onto it as well, straddling her legs as he moved the heated bowl of oil onto the bed where he could access it easily. He then leaned forward and undid the back of her bra, brushing either side off of her skin before he dipped his hands into the oil, rubbed them together, and then brought them down onto the back of her shoulders.

“Let me know how it feels, if the pressure is too much, or if I should be focusing elsewhere,” he said, before he would begin to apply the pressure and manipulations of her flesh and muscles beneath him, to try and work out what pains or stiffness she might really have, what knots were beneath the surface.

Or just to feel good, really. He was pretty sure pain, stiffness, and knots, weren’t actual requirements to enjoy a massage.

~***~

Eira did not hesitate at all in stepping to his side, and taking his arm. No matter the thoughts yelling at the back of her head, she was able to ignore them entirely, the way she had on so many sets for so many films early in her career. Soon it would fade away completely, as if it was never there. “It does not surprise me it was for something so formal. Traviatta’s is considered high-class even in my circles.”

No doubt Mitth’raw’nuruodo’s circles were a bit different than hers, and Traviatta always seemed to cater more to the entertainers and artists than to the politicians. Still, they crossed paths frequently enough in the upper echelons, as was obvious by the pair of them entering together.

“I have been here a few times before. I’ve met directors here, and celebrated a few releases here,” though she usually preferred less reserved places for that. It was more fun that way, after all.

“Ah, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Miss Nevan,” they were greeted by the well-dressed host upon entering, “We have your place prepared,” as expected, “Please allow me to show you two the way.”

Eira nodded, and the host turned from them to lead the way through Traviatta’s to their reservation. The place itself was fairly dim so far as lighting went, each table illuminated with sparse lighting throughout otherwise, giving an illusion of privacy that many craved. It certainly messed with plenty of paparazzi trying to get pictures. The lack of windows aided – as did the fact that the windows which did exist were mirrored.

There was no looking in to Traviatta’s.

 

[cleopat]

Eli reassured her that nothing would happen while they were gone, and Cora nodded in her agreement. That was true, that Grand Admiral Thrawn had to leave the ship often for his duties, and they always managed just fine without his presence, as far as she knew.

But as they reached Coruscant and left the shuttle, Cora would try to not think about her duties or their work in any capacity. Just the enjoyable company she was in, and allow herself to relax.

“Thank you,” she said to the driver with a nod, as she slid into their vehicle.

She couldn’t recall at the moment how far away the diner and amusement park was from where the shuttle dropped them off, but she didn’t expect them to be spending any length of time in the car. But, she would sit close to Eli, and allow her hand to brush over his.

~~~

“Oh, I’m sure your services will be more than adequate.” This she had no doubt about, and her anticipation only grew when she felt the bed dip as Adlai moved to join her on the bed.

She let out a soft gasp when his hands first touched her skin with the warm oil followed by a pleased sigh as his hands began to work through the tension and stress she held in her shoulders. More stress than she ever allowed herself to show, which undoubtedly created more tension in her shoulders.

Kriff, when was the last time I had a massage? Far too long.

It was easy to allow herself to melt into the pleasant touch. “I can think of one area where I could really use your wonderful fingers,” she mumbled. But she certainly wouldn’t rush him by any means. Skye enjoyed this treatment greatly.

~~~

Thrawn could only nod in agreement to Eira’s observation. The restaurant was high-class, from what he noticed in the past, and from what he noticed, due to the privacy needs of individuals with money, it was a place frequented by others for business meetings and even more unscrupulous matters. All that he had gleaned from his first and only visit to the restaurant, before this one.

The host led them to their rather private dining table, almost secluded near a corner. When making the reservations, Thrawn had requested something more isolated, as a precaution. One can never be too careful in his position, and he hoped it would give Eira more incentive to be more open about certain matters.

Anything he could analyze as a potential threat to the Empire. Or you just want the two of you to have some privacy together.

“Here’s your table,” the host said to them with a gesture of his hand. “Enjoy your evening.”

Thrawn took his seat. “I trust that your day has been going well?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli was more than willing to cover Cora’s hand with his own as the car started to move to get them towards the diner. Eli couldn’t help but look out the window to watch everything move by. He hadn’t ridden in too many speeders on Coruscant, since so much of his travel was for business and he often used a ship for that.

This was a nice change of pace.

It didn’t take them long at all to reach the diner, and to take in the amusement park not far from it. Despite the season, there were still plenty of flowers blooming and butterflies fluttering around outside the diner – no doubt ones they kept near on purpose, given the name of the place.

He also doubted snow would ever actually touch this area of Coruscant except on a special occasion, when it was pre-ordained, and then only for a week at most.

“Thank you,” Eli was quick to say to the driver, as he lifted his datapad to do a quick transfer of funds with a scan, before he and Cora exited the speeder. He wasn’t sure if he should keep holding her hand, and in the end, he did let it go as he got out first, but made sure to keep the door open for her – and he’d shut it behind her.

~***~

The way Skye melted into the touch was all the incentive that Adlai needed to continue his work. She began to relax, which naturally made the work a bit easier as she stopped holding on to some of the tension and stress. He worked his way down her back, smirking a bit as he heard her mumbled comment.

“Don’t worry, happy endings are the norm, if that is your request,” he chuckled, playing along with it. Of course, seeing as that was the end of this part, he bypassed some areas that might have craved his touch and instead shifted down, and to her legs, beginning with her left leg first and working through it, before shifting to the right leg, back up, and then jumping to her neck.

To her arms.

He could imagine some of her frustrations, but he was fairly certain she didn’t mind it too much. Even a completely platonic massage was usually quite enjoyable, after all. And she’d no doubt feel much better afterwards, and for a while longer, too.

~***~

Much of the area was secluded, but Eira didn’t fail to note that this was more reserved than the other locations within the restaurant. She took her seat without questioning it, of course, “Thank you,” she addressed their host, who left them to settle in.

No doubt someone would be back soon to take orders for drinks, and food.

Eira would not focus on that, but on Mitth’raw’nuruodo. “It has,” Eira couldn’t truly complain, “Practice was more entertaining than usual, and we’re starting to truly tighten things up for the showings,” which was a boon, though the entertainment hadn’t come from that, but from Darius. She didn’t feel a need to mention that right then.

She didn’t know how much he knew.

Or if it was better for him to assume that might mean things with Lin were going well.

“How has your day been?” She returned, “Hopefully not too stressful,” although she could imagine reasons why it would be.

Namely, Corellia.

 

[cleopat]

Cora didn’t bother to suppress the smile that blossomed across her face when Eli took her hand. They were still in their early stages of the relationship, and already his hand felt warm. Familiar. Comforting. It only made her think of when they cuddled on the couch during the movie, and how she felt those same thoughts then.

The drive to the diner was silent, but not at all awkward. They both enjoyed looking at the sights along the way, all too familiar for Cora with how often she had spent on Coruscant and other similar Core Worlds in her life.

The outside of the diner was quaint, the best way Cora could describe it. The flowers were pleasing to look at, and to smell, and the butterflies only added to the overall appeal and aesthetic of the diner. She exited the speeder behind Eli, and this time, she took his hand.

“This place looks nice,” she commented, looking at Eli with a smile. So far, nothing unpleasant about their day. It had to be a record given their recent missions.

~~~

Skye smiled at his response. “That is indeed my request.” And, of course, she was more than happy to reciprocate in any way Adlai desired. She was just as happy to give as she was to receive.

And while she was more than happy to receive the massage, his hands kept nearing and going away from where she wanted them the most. Going to her legs. Her neck. Her arms. She loved it, but it also heightened her desire for far more.

“You’re such a tease,” she huffed, but Skye wouldn’t complain about it. She loved it, but she began to crave more. He had to as well, she figured.

“Shall I turn on my back now?” Skye asked with a knowing smile. “I’m sure there are areas on my front side that could use some attending to.” And no doubt Adlai would continue to tease.

~~~

Thrawn nodded, pleased to hear that Eira had a good day, though he won’t pretend to understand what happens at a theater rehearsal. He did like to imagine it was somewhat similar to battle strategy - everyone memorized where they were supposed to be, what action to play and when, and be able to think on their feet if any little mistake occurs, before the mistake becomes too large to fix.

But he wouldn’t bore her with his thoughts on that comparison.

“I am a Grand Admiral, days free from stress are unheard,” he said, with a gentle undertone of teasing. It was the truth, though. Stress from his position, and everything it entails from the politics to making difficult decisions in the heat of battle, like on Corellia, was just part of his everyday life.

And though Corellia was a disaster, and only increased his stress, Thrawn would say that it wasn’t the worst part of his week. “Although I do admit that this morning was quite stressful, as my ship received two very unexpected guests for an indeterminate length of stay.” The damn Inquisitors.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli was glad when Cora took his hand, lighting up just a bit as the speeder left them to the diner, and they began their progress towards it, “It looked like it had a nice atmosphere,” Eli said, and that didn’t stop as they stepped in. It wasn’t one of those greasy, metal diners, but instead had a homey feel. Natural.

Much seemed to be wooden, or at least, had the look of wood even where it wasn’t. Cushions were on the seats. The staff was entirely human, which didn’t strike Eli as odd at first, though it would after a few seconds, accustomed to seeing aliens more in this line of work than humans.

He also noticed none of the diners were aliens.

“Welcome!” A perky blonde greeted them with a smile, “Just the two of you, dears?” she shook Eli from his thoughts, and he nodded, “Right this way, then. Can I start you off with anything to drink?”

“Caf, please,” Eli said as he took his seat, and the waitress looked expectantly towards Cora.

~***~

Adlai laughed a little at Skye’s request, though he would certainly not forget it, and as she spoke of rolling over onto her back, he answered, “Yes, it seems it would be good to get to the rest of you,” he would move off of her legs to allow her better mobility for that, even if he hardly wanted to part.

He was teasing, but not unkindly, he didn’t think.

He didn’t mind if the sheets did get some oil on them. He expected that, really – you couldn’t give someone a massage on a bed and not expect it. At least it would wash easily.

When she did get turned over, Adlai would deign to lean forward to offer her a kiss to her lips. They probably need some attention, too. Some light pressure and movement. He didn’t figure she’d mind much his delay if it was for that.

~***~

Eira chuckled just a little at Mitth’raw’nuruodo’s tease. She expected a response like that, really. She dealt with enough Imperials to be familiar with how they viewed their jobs, though most always seemed to think it was worth it, no matter how much stress it put on them, and she was certain he felt much the same.

Given what he knew – he’d have to.

It wasn’t Corellia that he mentioned, but an occurrence that morning, and Eira arched a brow. "You'll have to tell me about these guests of yours, I can't imagine anyone stressing you out that severely."

She wanted to question further, but had noticed a new waiter coming their way, “Miss Nevan, Grand Admiral,” they were again greeted quite formally, “Do either of you know what it is you would like to drink?”

“The Eirtaé, please,” Eira didn’t tend to drink, and wouldn’t be making a change today. This place tended to host to many sorts of clientele, and the Eirtaé looked like a mocktail so Eira never stood out for having it. It was really just fancy meiloorun juice – but Mitth’raw’nuruodo didn’t need to know that if he hadn’t seen it yet.

 

[cleopat]

Cora could only agree with Eli’s assessment. The restaurant did have a nice atmosphere. Definitely not one of those dirty diners she often pictured with the word, but rather it felt cozy. A natural atmosphere where she may expect several plants or even a fireplace to be set up somewhere.

Accustomed to Core society, Cora didn’t notice the same detail regarding the lack of aliens as Eli did. Even serving on the Chimaera, she still spent most of her life in this society, so nothing seemed out of the ordinary for her.

After being led to a table by their waitress, Cora took her seat across from Eli. “I’ll have caf as well.”

“Two cafs it is. I’ll be right back with those.” She spun around on her heel and walked off.

Cora’s eyes only followed her for a second before she refocused on Eli. “I think you picked well. This place does have a nice atmosphere,” she said with a smile.

~~~

Skye turned over the moment she felt Adlai move off of her legs, eager to face him finally. She just wanted to touch him, so she eagerly accepted the kiss, leaning upwards slightly to press her lips to his.

As they kissed, while Adlai was distracted in the moment, Skye removed the piece of garment that was already only hanging off her shoulders. It was only going to be a nuisance anyways, and soon very unnecessary.

After she removed the article of clothing, one hand reached up to run her fingers through his hair, savoring the soft sensation of his strands of hair against her skin. She could spend an entire evening just playing with his hair.

Reluctantly Skye pulled away, but her fingers remained in his hair for the moment. “I guess we should continue then?” Not that she would complain to that either. Not in the slightest.

~~~

Thrawn didn’t know how much he wanted to say about his ‘guests’ in front of Eira. Some dealings in the Empire shouldn’t be known to civilians, and his task from Tarkin weighed on the back of his mind. But then there was that desire to talk to her more, and that maybe if he opened up, she would as well. For better or for worse.

Either way, he didn’t get a chance to say anything more as their waiter approached. “And I’ll have the emerald wine.” One drink would be okay to drink; he had a higher tolerance for alcohol, but Thrawn also wouldn’t test his luck with more than one or two, just in case.

He needed to remain sharp.

“Excellent choices. I’ll be right back out with your drinks.” With that, the waiter stepped away to leave them in their privacy again.

“I’m not sure how much I can tell you about these guests,” Thrawn eventually answered. “But the reason for their stay lies somewhere on Coruscant, so I do hope I won't be seeing much of them.” Or, considering his frequent visits, he would be seeing too much of them.

 

[Lucyfer]

“Thank you,” Eli said, not letting uncertainty touch his tone. He was used to places without aliens – the Empire was a clear indication of that, though he didn’t try to go out of his way to avoid them. ‘You don’t have any proof of that.’ He reminded himself, except it was still a feeling that lingered.

Perhaps by picking the higher rated places, he’d inadvertently also found the more xenophobic ones

Well, the lack shouldn’t really be a problem. Not in a diner and not in an amusement park. It was always something he could mention to Thrawn later; Thrawn didn’t care, exactly, but ideally the Empire was supposed to be for all sentients, and Thrawn should know if Coruscant wasn’t holding to that.

And besides, right now, Cora was happy. So it wasn’t hard to smile back and let it fade out of mind. “I haven’t been to too many amusement parks before – not as big as those in Coruscant,” he opted to say, focusing on what was ahead, “Is there anything you definitely want to look for while we’re there?” He figured there were some standard rides she might want to try, or some games that would be available to them.

~***~

Adlai hadn’t allowed his hands to bury into Skye’s hair, though he knew he may eventually cast that off – or at least clean off his hands so he didn’t mess up her hair with the oils that still clung to them. But he wanted to, as she returned the kiss and pushed her own fingers through his hair, the sensation nearly sending a shiver down his spine, paired with their general closeness and progression.

He parted with a smile, still enjoying that touch that lingered, “Yes, we should,” he chuckled, and as he lifted back up, he noticed what was now missing. That flush returned to cover his skin, but he definitely wasn’t going to flounder as he returned his hands to her body, to return to the task at hand, now made much easier.

He did resume his work, again starting with her torso, moving up to her shoulders, her arms, before he would eventually work his way back down to her legs, now that he was able to massage the fronts of them.

When he’d finished her legs, he did lean back to set the oil aside, and to wipe his hands off on the nearby towel, before he’d return to her.

He’d promised a happy ending.

He just hoped it was more of a happy beginning.

~***~

Mitth’raw’nuruodo did choose alcohol, although Eira doubted just one glass would bother him. One glass wasn’t likely to bother most. She did wonder how much he would have to drink to be bothered, but didn’t make it a plan to find out. Certainly, not here of all places.

Once they were again allowed their privacy, Eira leaned forward as he tried to be vague on the subject, “You don’t have to tell me who they are, or what they’re here for – I don’t need Imperial secrets,” though she would be checking in with Shay about this. She always heard things, and two guests that upset Mitth’raw’nuruodo was bound to have reached Shay by now. Shame she hadn’t mentioned it before this meeting.

“I am just curious what guests could do to bother you so much compared to an entire fleet of people,” she chuckled, “Are they particularly diva-ish? Demanding fresh water from Naboo, and only Naboo, chilled to 33 degrees exactly?” Eira knew people like that, drawing too close to experience with that, really.

Stars knew how to put on diva behavior, and some got away with it. Eira probably could if she wanted to. Thankfully for the industry, she didn’t.

She hoped teasing about it would relax him a bit, though. Help him move through the stress to enjoy his evening. ‘Why?’ The nagging voice at the back of her head tried to throw back what he was, but it went almost unheard. Her role was set in place quite well, now – it was too easy to want to be the person that Mitth’raw’nuruodo knew. That he wanted to spend time with.

 

[cleopat]

Cora had no idea nor suspicion of any of the thoughts running through Eli’s head concerning aliens. Or lack thereof. To her, everything was normal, and the day was going quite well, with no annoying interruptions yet. And hopefully none at all for the day.

With Eli’s question, she had to think for a second, nose scrunched in thought, before she smiled and nodded. “I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie when it comes to amusement park rides,” she chuckled. “There’s this one ride I can’t remember the name of, but it flings you like 200 feet in the air.” It always gave her such a rush.

“But also, I’m a sucker for those lame rigged games where you can win some silly prize.” When she was a small child, her oldest brother won Cora a stuffed Loth-cat doll at one of the shooting games, and she still had that stuffed creature in her room back on Anaxes.

“What about you? I know you’ve mentioned you haven’t been to too many amusement parks before, but is there anything you know you like? Or want to try out?” And if so, she would make sure they rode that ride. Or go wherever it is he wanted to see.

~~~

Skye couldn’t recall the last time she had an evening as sensual and passionate as that one. Or had someone so attentive and attuned to her needs and desires as much as Adlai was.

He delivered on that happy ending he promised.

Her head rested on his chest, listening to his heartbeat as she basked in the afterglow. Skye wasn’t sure anymore of what was oil or what was sweat, but it hardly mattered. Bodies could be washed. Sheets could be cleaned.

“I would say that was a great way to relax after that mission,” she chuckled, shifting her head so she could look up at Adlai with a wide smile on her face. “The perfect happy ending to the day.”

With many, many more to come, she hoped.

~~~

I wasn’t going to tell you the details of my guests.

And yet, Thrawn wanted to, if not to have someone else besides Eli Vanto he could rant to and seek outside advice. Human advice. And Eira was someone he wanted to do that with. But if he did, not in the restaurant, even with their heightened privacy.

“I wouldn’t quite call them...diva-ish,” Thrawn slowly said the word he hadn’t used before, but heard it in context. “I think I shall just say that they give Governor Tarkin a sunny disposition.” Which, although Thrawn admired the man and his intelligence, he recognized that the governor wasn’t always the most pleasant to be around. As evident by their recent calls to one another.

About Eira.

“Hopefully I won’t have to deal with them much. They have their tasks, and I, mine.” His gaze flickered over Eira’s form at that last word. “But enough about me. I’m sure there has been more to your life recently than just rehearsals.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli’s eyes widened at Cora’s description of a ride flinging her so high in the air. That didn’t sound fun, though he knew there had to be plenty of safety protocols around such a thing. She wasn’t just being thrown from a ride and told ‘good luck’, he was certain of that, and he did want to try more things like that.

He was probably going to get his wish.

“Most of the ones I went to were either traveling parks, or small scale ones,” he said, “so they didn’t have any major rollercoasters or things like that. I’ve always wanted to see what the hype was all about with those,” he might end up regretting this. “But I know as a kid I also really liked those, uh, the bumper ride?”

There was just something stupidly fun about ramming into someone that he couldn’t describe.

He’d never want to do that with an actual vehicle but if it was necessary, he definitely wasn’t scared to do it.

Their caf was brought then, with an excess of creams and sugars as well, “Have you two had a chance to consider what you’d like to eat yet?” The waitress asked.

~***~

The sheets would, without question, need washed.

Adlai had no problems with that, he expected it, though he might have wished to at least move them to a shower and strip the sheets shortly afterwards, he’d let it ride this time. And probably most times. The experience had been enjoyable after a drought of love and physical affection in his life. Even not considering that, the fact he did, truly, feel something for Skye would have made it wonderful no matter.

Recovering from a mission added another layer to it, and he grinned at her as she shifted to comment on just that, “I aim to please,” he said, of course meaning it, though it carried the same play in his tone as before. “I’m glad to spend my time after the mission with you.”

Glad to spend much of his time with her, too.

Glad to take this step ahead, although he knew neither of them were unfamiliar.

It was still not some one-night fling, and he was glad for that.

~***~

Mitth’raw’nuruodo offered some ideas of his guests. They weren’t demanding, it seemed, but just perpetually in a bad mood, which was terrible enough. If they made Wilhuff Tarkin seem chipper, that would indeed mess with any dynamic and cause stress. The unpredictability of what such a sour mood could invoke was one aspect of it.

“I’ll hope they can figure out their task quickly,” Eira said, though she doubted she really wanted that. She wasn’t a fan of Imperial successes, after all. She had no idea what they were even there for, and doubted she would end up privy to that information from Mitth’raw’nuruodo. “That way you can be free of them.”

Just as she could hope soon to be free of Darius, but that was still weeks away, and she chuckled at his comment on rehearsals, “No, not all of it has been rehearsals,” she agreed, “There’s still been the legal process relating to that armorweave failure; large companies always like to put up a lot of red tape to make suing them fairly difficult, and also to keep it quiet,” it wasn’t headline news anywhere after the event.

It wouldn’t be until the case finally moved forward, but Eira was familiar enough with it to know that could take a year. Never mind that Adlai was no longer the one she was seeing, he was still a friend, and the company had still failed to protect him as well as it should have.

“Thankfully I am not too hands on with that right now, so much of my time when it’s not consumed by my manager or my trainer have been consumed by outings with friends, or composition of new music,” she would likely still finish that piece, one day, that rang in her head for Mitth’raw’nuruodo, if only because it was persistent.

He never needed to know the inspiration.

She couldn’t admit to traveling anywhere since, well, he had requested that she not do that for a while.

 

[cleopat]

Cora bit back a chuckle when she noticed Eli’s reaction to her describing the ride. From an outsider’s perspective, she could easily see how it sounded dangerous, which gave her all the more reason to make sure Eli rides it before they leave. Along with the rollercoaster.

Before she could say anything else concerning rides, their waitress came back with the caf, which Cora immediately proceeded to put cream and sugar into hers.

Cora didn’t really look over the menu yet, so she glanced down at it and picked the first thing she saw. It looked good enough. “I’ll have the veggie hash.” And it shouldn’t make her feel sick after some of those rides.

“Alright, one veggie hash. And for you, sir?” She turned her gaze to Eli.

~~~

Skye’s grin softened into something more genuine after Adlai’s admittance. “And I’m glad as well, to be here with you.” Alone with him, without worry of time or exhaustion. Though, now that she had cooled down not only from the mission but also from their time together, the fatigue slowly set in.

Her hand absentmindedly trailed over his chest, relishing the warmth he provided.

“I would say this was worth the wait,” she chuckled. Previous nights hadn’t lined up properly for anything like this, since they wanted to be able to truly enjoy one another for their first time together.

The hand that was on his chest trailed up to play with the strands of hair at the nape of his neck. Despite the progression in their relationship, they would still have to remain unknown to the public for a while longer. Hiding how they felt for one another when outside the home.

Skye didn’t like it, but she was used to hiding by now.

~~~

Thrawn hummed his agreement. Yes, he did hope to be free of them soon enough, but his gut instinct, in addition to his logic in deducing anything about the Jedi or the rebel group, told him that they would be sticking around for some time.

Hopefully he wouldn’t have to spend much time in their presence. Just delegate that task to someone else.

But for now, he would try and keep the topic on Eira, to learn more about her. For his task.

“Oh yes, from the gallery incident.” He recalled the Count being shot, and he appeared fine at the time, even if his armorweave didn’t hold up to its promise. “I trust he didn’t suffer any major injuries?” He only asked out of politeness.

Thrawn couldn’t really care.

But she easily continued to talk more of what she had been doing. “I would enjoy hearing this composition of yours one day.” Even if he still didn’t understand music, he could still try to enjoy something composed by Eira. Maybe one of her pieces would be different. “And it sounds like you may need a day of rest.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli had glanced over the menu before arriving, and so he at least had a better idea of what it was he wanted to eat. He let Cora take a few moments to glance down at the menu for something, before he’d make his own order, though.

“The smoked terrafin loin, please,” he said. It didn’t have much in the way of options, so he didn’t need to specify anything. It was just a fish served with bagels and cream cheese, with some fruits on the side. He figured that was light enough to start things out, too.

The rest would end up being fair food, so it was probably a good idea to eat light, anyways. He’d have regrets from gorging on anything at amusement park, but they’d be lessened by this meal.

“Got it,” the waitress nodded, “I’ll get those out to you here shortly!” And with that, she turned away from them to go get their order placed.

Eli came back to the subject of rides – kind of, “What kind of games do you actually like at the parks?” Eli knew they had shooting games, throwing games, tossing games. He’d played a few as a kid but his father told him soon enough how rigged they were, so he stopped wasting his credits on it.

~***~

Adlai wasn’t going to complain at all about her trailing hand, even if it did make him want to roll onto his side so he could wrap an arm around Skye and just pull her closer, rather than linger like this. It didn’t feel like it was nearly enough, but she looked comfortable, for now, so he didn’t give in to that thought.

And he did keep one arm under her, at least, and on her back.

“I would say so, too,” he was glad they hadn’t rushed it. It may not have been either of their first times, but it had been their first time together. He was glad they had made sure it wouldn’t be just a rushed quickie, or something like that.

Given, they would have those, of that he was certain, but their first time introducing each other to the sensual pleasures they had to offer, went exceedingly well. The unfortunate part was, of course, they couldn’t be public.

But that would change.

One day.

“I suppose now is a bad time to bring up a trip to Serenno?” He chuckled, given the implications of ‘meeting the parents’ in that, but his thoughts did move to dwell on the progression, and that was a part of it. Not to mention, “It might at least get you away from Shay, for a bit,” not that initial meeting, though. Not that initial revelation.

~***~

Eira shook her head; Adlai hadn’t suffered any major injuries, thankfully. She knew that Mitth’raw’nuruodo wasn’t that concerned about it, so she wouldn’t go on to talk about what he had suffered or use this as a way to move away from herself. She shouldn’t want to talk much about him anyways.

Their breakup was still, technically, fairly new.

Eira chuckled instead at his comment of wanting to hear the composition one day. “Maybe,” she said, “But what I really need is easier access to a full orchestra at all times,” Eira chuckled. Her move towards being an actress had meant she couldn’t pursue this as much, even though she enjoyed the music more. Musical directors didn’t get the same kind of fame, which was what was needed in this time.

Perhaps when the Empire was finished….

She added, “I’m not sure you’d enjoy it – of course, I’m not sure what kind of music you would enjoy.” It was one way to consider getting out of making sure he never heard that piece in particular. Besides also creating a second, new piece, and telling him that was the one she’d been speaking of.

Since meeting Cal, Cere, Ahsoka, and Kanan, and all the others, she’d heard new music in her head. New, familiar, music. She knew she’d have to unweave the tangle of sounds soon enough or she’d go mad. There were many more wind instruments for those. She needed to swing by the Academy again to borrow a few students, she wasn’t good at replicating those sounds herself and putting them in order.

She’d ask Savit but she’d rather go to him when she had the full piece composed. “I don’t suppose you’ve figured that out yet, have you?” A light tease as she wondered if Mitth’raw’nuruodo had done anything more to figure out such a thing.

 

[cleopat]

Eli asked her about the games, and Cora had to think for a second. “I think the shooting games. When I was young, my oldest brother told me of how the games are rigged, and then he proceeded to show me how to beat the games.” The faces of the vendors when they saw a little girl winning a shooting game had been hilarious.

“And I think the shooting games were always the most fun to try and win.” And now she was an Imperial officer with an excellent marksmanship score.

“But the throwing games are also fun.” And trying to beat the rigged games was the best part. “What about you? Do you have a favorite?” Cora could likewise see him decent at the shooting games, or really, any of them.

Thanks to its association with her childhood, Cora admittedly also like to play the games for the prizes to carry around like some stuffed trophy.

~~~

Skye chuckled at the change in subject. While it wasn’t the best thing to talk about right after coitus, she didn’t mind it either. “That actually may be smart - getting away and allowing Shay to cool down some.” Poor Eira had to stay on the planet.

“But you did mention to your parents that you would try and visit soon, didn’t you?” In a phone call he made to them, the night he and Eira ‘broke up.’ Her initial impression of his parents was that they wanted that relationship over much earlier, because they could sense something was off. If only they knew.

If they go to Serenno soon, they would still have to hide their relationship in front of his parents. Skye would have to remain on her best behavior. “When were you thinking of going?” If he mentioned going to get away from Shay, then she suspected that meant sometime in the next dew days.

Which she wouldn’t complain about. “And how long do you think we’ll be there?”

~~~

“I am quite surprised that someone of your popularity isn’t able to gain access to a full orchestra.” It was half a tease, and half not. Surely someone like her would be able to pull some strings to get that orchestra she wanted, even if for a day.

At least, that’s what Thrawn has observed of their society.

“The only way to tell if I would enjoy it or not, though, is to listen to it myself.” And he found that he wanted to, even if music didn’t speak to him like art did. Maybe he should make some effort to understand music, or at least listen to some different genres.

Perhaps Eli Vanto could help introduce him to some music.

“And no, I haven’t figured that out quite yet,” he chuckled. “I’m afraid that is something I will need some help in figuring out. Perhaps someone who can analyze the music for me, as I do with the visual arts.” And Thrawn imagined the very woman in front of him doing just that.

It would be a great way to see inside her mind, and figure her out some more.