Private 12 Deeds

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Feng Huang

"Oh Jedi Feng, I am going to like seeing you do so many things." She said it while walking and wanting to go and get a dress she was walking as she led the way through the stalls. Along the streets from the tower as the buildings were getting shorter but no less full. Shops, people, parties and celebration. There was the broad walk as vendors were lined along the sides of it. Some towards the sea while droid brought fresh fish to be prepared in front of customers. Ayumi was leading the way as there were boats and in the distance smaller islands. She looked at Feng though. "And I know you were doing your duty, I was just liking that you were planning to be so hands on and forceful."

She said it as she didn't let her speak for a moment and moved into a boat. The mechanic there as she had moved to get the boat for going to Mystique island. The exclusive dance club and She grinned presenting a datapad. "Senator, the races are prepared to begin. The odds are good." Ayumi gave a nod as she was holding a hand out for Feng to join her and she spoke. "Well, we will go get you that dress, the finest dress makers in the galaxies. They make all of my outfits." She said it with a smile on her face while she spoke. "TO Mystique island Padma." She said it and the mechanic gave a nod taking them towards the large flower shaped island.

"Mystique island is one of the first dance clubs here in Upcity, exclusive to the most beautiful, talents and interested women of Denon. The wives of board leaders, board leaders themselves, mistresses to officials, daughters, some sisters and we even for a brief moment had an Admiral before she moved off world to return to Corellia." The smile remained on her face though while they were going. The dock for it having two zeltrons as they opened the doors for Ayumi to see the gate. She was giving her a small place to walk with her as it went in to a large dance area. Lined with a crescent pool the had dozens of alcoves with tables in the water and around.

"We have dance platforms, private booths, moon pools, garden dining and dancing maybe even a few other things. And my own proclivities are, uh... well-known and, uh, often-sensationalized facts of feminine lore. What I'm wonderin' is Jedi Feng." She turned to look at Feng as she was walking and stopped touching some doors as they opened behind her into a larger room. "Do you trust that I know just what to give you?" She said it as going inside there were several women milling around and they were making dresses for a few as there were scans with Ayumi going forward. "This is Kerrigan." She said it as the woman was there and she spoke looking at Feng.

"Welcome jedi." She said it with a smile on her face and she clapped. "Come come stand here. Senator Pallopides has sent us all of the information." Ayumi waited a moment and she shrugged with a look at her while Kerrigan had a platform. "We only make the finest, the greatest and the most unique for a person. Forged to be what they need not just what they want." She was looking at Ayumi who found a place to stand off to the side as she spoke. "Just trust her, there is something special when I told her a few things and they know exactly what to make when they are doing this. She has made a few of the more special outfits that I have worn." Kerrrigan looked at her with a nod when she was taking out for a a gown.

"Look at it truly look at it. This isn't merely silk or synth-weave materia; you are standing before a miracle of hyper-industrial engineered weaving. The foundation of the gown is composed of a kyberite solari nanosheathing, a weave so dense and thin it feels like a second skin, yet possesses the structural integrity of a starship's hull. Every single thread has been pressurized and compressed, holding within its microscopic core the lifeblood of the galaxy: a cocktail of engine grease, fuel, and purified coaxium harvested from a thousand different worlds. These elements are suspended in countless slivers within the weave, giving the fabric that haunting, pearlescent glow that seems to shift as if it's breathing." SHe offered a smile.

"The silhouette is designed to command the room through sheer, understated power. Notice the high, architectural collar that transitions into those sweeping, geometric lines across the shoulders. That isn't just embroidery; those are the conduits for the nanosheath, draped like liquid gold and silver chains to frame your neckline. They draw the eye upward, ensuring that every person you encounter is forced to meet your gaze. The sleeves are elongated, tapering into sharp, precise points at the hands to elongate your reach, while the side panels are inset with a darker, matte contrast to narrow the waist and emphasize the statuesque fall of the skirt."

Kerrigan was holding it and presenting it to Feng to look. "But the real magic is in the movement. Because of the coaxium slivers trapped within the threading, the dress doesn't just catch the light it generates its own subtle beauty. When you walk, the fabric won't just fold; it will ripple like a nebula. It is a garment of absolute paradox: it looks as delicate as a whisper, yet it carries the literal energy of a fleet of starships. You aren't just wearing a dress, my dear; you are wearing the industrial might of the Core and the Outer Rim, distilled into a single, devastatingly elegant form." Kerrigan finished as Ayumi was standing there and looking at her. "I hope you enjoy it. all that talk of mechanics, engines got me thinking a dress composed of what is beautiful about engines... and those who work on them"

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng walked, listening to Ayumi with half an ear, even as she watched the… pure vibrancy of the markets they passed. People going about their business, shopping for not only things they needed but things they wanted to have simply because they could. It was not only a world of peace, but a world of flourishing nourishment for the soul. Feng was used to warzones, refugee camps, hospitals and temples. Pretty much in reverse order of standard to worse. Even a Jedi temple in its dedication to not being materialist often lacked a place for people to congegrate with the simple pleasure of buying when you weren't living day to day. There was something serene about it all. Feng wondered if she was being very Jedi like finding the serenity in materialism.

The thought made her flicker into a smile briefly.

An inner perhaps not conflict but certainly conundrum developed within herself as she was given a tour of clear luxury beginning with the introduction of an exclusive dance club. On a private island no less. Despite herself Feng felt a small foolish thrill at being included in something exclusive, clearly high class. Having gone from slums, to farm, to padawan her entire life, Feng had never had much in the way of luxury, she used to have to sneak out to junk yards to tinker with machines. Looking back she'd been glaringly obvious and Master Wu had clearly known. No doubt he just thought it a symptom of childhood rebellion he allowed her to have.

Now here she was getting a taste of the high life, and she had to admit she was a little disappointed in herself at how much she was enjoying it. Growing up with next to nothing she had always distained those who spent excessive luxury on what they didn't need on frivolous grandiose attractions. It had been easy to dismiss such behaviour as the exclusive taking of resources from the less fortunate. Feng's childhood view had been that if she ever got rich she'd simply give it all away. Now… now she was beginning to see the appeal.

Did that make me a bad person?

Feng was pulled along in Ayumi's wake, proceeded to be dressed as if she were a doll. It was disconcerting, but also kinda pleasant not to have to worry about dressing up to look pretty when experts were professionally designing your entire look.

Feng tried to follow along with the explanation of what the dress was made of with half an interested ear. She recognised certain words and phrasing, though translating them into 'this is dress material' seemed to create a block in her brain.

Who even thought of using Kyberite one of the rarest substances in the galaxy into a dress?

Feng just blinked, letting the fashion show continue without comment or objection. She wasn't sure she'd be able to even if she wanted to. She wondered what Master Wu would think of all this. She thought at best he'd smile and tell her to stop worrying and enjoy herself. Or perhaps he'd shake his head, be disappointed that she was being lured into a life of luxury, of greed.

Feng closed her eyes, decided to practice her ABC's. Acknowledge. I acknowledge the thought, I do not have to engage. Breathe. Feng took a deep breath in through her nose, out through her mouth. Choose. I choose to do something else. Like enjoy the fact that a beautiful woman wants to pamper and impress me.

Feng smiled at the thought and relaxed. Just because she was enjoying a girls day out did not mean she was compromising her values. In fact her core belief was that life should be enjoyed, new experiences discovered. So she was a little out of her comfort zone. The important point was to have fun with it. If someone came to her worried about having a pretty dress was hurting someone else she'd tell them they were being anxious.

Feng opened her eyes, and winked at Ayumi.

"It's perfect" Feng beamed.

"Now when do I get to see you in yours?" Feng asked with a wicked grin.

Ayumi Pallopides

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Feng Huang

"Oh." Ayumi said it as she was standing there and had a look of interest. "It is here, Kerrrigan had a special idea for me to be able to wear when I mentioned a friend." She said the last while she was walking and moved with her hands going behind her. For a moment when everything slipped away and she stood in the shadows with only a sliver of light over her eyes illuminating them. Practiced and precise while the darker parts were almost artificially darkened so the dressmakers working on her couldn't be seen. SHe stood there for a moment longer though. "Good thing I am skilled in the ways of commando." She said it with her smile showing in the shadows.

The light itself coming back as Kerrigan spoke. "One of the better, you two will be the talk of Denon." Ayumi looked at the woman who was getting the cocktail dress from a droid and slipping it into a pair of clips. Ayumi spinning as she revealed the outfit was formed like a double‑helix of her hair, woven into a living garment, shimmered with each movement in the light. The oils she wore to scent it worked into the strands responded to her calm demeanor and focus, shifting the color from deep dark honey to warm chestnut as she crossed the room. The helix began at the crown of her head, two thick strands spiraling around one another with the deliberate geometric phenomenon.

The spirals descended over her shoulders, crossing and uncrossing in a continuous, elegant rotation that framed her torso in dark, sculptural lines. Her skin light gold with a natural warmth absorbed the hues and returned them softened, diffused, as though she were lit from within. Her expression was serene, composed, but there was a quiet intensity in her gaze that watched Feng even while modeling. She moved with fluid, practiced grace as she climbed onto a little central platform. The pose was unmistakable when she was getting to turn around. Her body stretched vertically within the room and let her full height show.

One arm bent behind her head, elbow angled in a soft arc that framed her face. The other draped across her torso, fingers resting lightly against the spiraling bands of her hair‑garment. Her legs extended in a long, elegant line, ankles crossing with effortless poise. Her balaance with the repulsorr anklets allowing her to almost look like a religious icon rather then a simple senator. The helix of her hair traced her silhouette in dark, deliberate lines while showing plenty of the senators form. The contrast was stunning: her golden skin against the pale glow of the lights and darker shadows of the room, the dark spirals of her hair against the glow of her skin.

"So how do I look?"

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng watched the transformation entranced. She gulped audibly hoping that it couldn't be heard from across the room, once again she was blushing at the commando comment. It was difficult not to let her thoughts run wild with the suggestion of shadows silloheutted in the darkness. It was just the right amount of light and dark so that Feng could see Ayumi's expressions, but not see… anything else. Feng's overactive imagination was running wild with the possibilities within those shadows. She was aware that she was blushing furiously, yet strangely a part of her didn't care. She was too busy enjoying the show.

When Ayumi stepped out of the shadows to reveal her tightly woven helix hair ensemble, Feng's jaw dropped as if it could detach and hit the floor as if she were just loosely stitched together skeleton, her eyes bugged out as if trying to get out of their sockets. She managed to snap her jaw shut before her tongue lolled out of her mouth and she began panting like one of Connel Vanagor dogs.

It was an effort to moisten her mouth which had somehow gotten trapped between drooling and dry, she swallowed a couple times so she could speak properly, but only after she had already tried and accidentally started coughing.

"Uhm it looks" Feng struggled to find the words. "Good?"

She finished lamely.

You can do better than that!

"It looks amazing." Feng rushed to continue "I've never seen… I wouldn't even have thought to… you turned a hairstyle into an elegant dress, combining two aspects of fashion into one ensemble."

"I almost feel under-" Feng glanced at herself in the mirror self consciously for the first time, and for the second time was struck gobsmacked silence. She wondered who that was starring back at her. It was beautiful yet elegant, stylish yet cute. It neither revealed too much, nor was too stuffy and conservative, the elegant light chains wrapped around her arms and chests, suggested something a high priestess of an ancient religion might wear, while the dress itself expressed poise and decorum. A beautiful blend of white and gold.

Feng felt something on the edges of her senses and reached out with the force. It was sharper, clearer, easier to harness than it usually was. There was a defined… enhancement or perhaps enlightenment. Feng also felt calmer and more at peace than she had in… perhaps forever. A detached part of herself commented on how it wouldn't do to become dependent on such a dress for clarity and confidence, but it was a fleeting thought one which Feng felt no need or desire to engage with. She was able to stay in the present moment. To not fret. It felt as if her mind was at peace.

Feng turned to Ayumi with tears in her eyes.

"I feel… clean. Thank you."

Ayumi Pallopides

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Feng Huang

Ayumi looked at her and Feng seemed to first be in awe and then about to say something and then she was looking at herself in the mirror as the senator had a smile on her face. "I am glad you are enjoying both of them. There are a few extras weaved into there. To aid you in your duties should it be needed." She said it with a wider grin on her face as she walked off of the platform. Standing to look at Feng in the mirror and slowly moved herr hands up. "Now would you look at that, the mirror sees what I see." She said it while staying there but was more then glad. "You're standing here, all fierce and radiant, reminding me of a love I've been chasing through the stars forever. Tell me, jedi Feng, what's your next craving? Cause I swear, we've danced this dance before, you and me, in some past life among the stars."

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng smiled half shy half mischievous.

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that a noted orator is a words smith in her romantic life as well" Feng remarked wryly with a raised eyebrow.

The thought occurred to Feng that Ayumi might have played this game with prospective partners before her. Feng almost fell down a rabbit hole trying to decide if she cared or whether that made today any less special. She quickly came to the conclusion that a) no she didn't care, truly didn't Feng had no special claim on Ayumi's heart or whom she bestowed it on and b) whatever her interactions with other women had been, this interaction was unique, for it was the first one Feng had had.

Feng blushed, she tried to capture this moment with a mental technique she'd learned for recalling details whilst giving a report. It was the first time she'd ever utilised the skill for herself. Feng smiled it felt nice to be using her skills for something other than a mission. Something for herself.

In answer to what she was craving Feng smirked, blushed and cleared her throat pointedly not saying the first thing that came to mind. Instead she fell back upon a racing analogy.

"On this track you're in the drivers seat Ayumi. I'm just along for the ride."

Ayumi Pallopides

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Feng Huang

She gave a small nod of acknowledgement to that. "Well I do like having skills with my tongue. It is quite the benefit." She said it while standing there and moving around. "Plus there is the chance here to see you able to enjoy yourself. A bodyguard assigned to me you might be by the council or your master but that doesn't mean I can't make your time with me something to remember." She said it with a smile on her face to make it more interesting. Leading the way out of the room as the club showed the displays of the races. Dozens of club goers here and filing in as Ayumi spoke with a nod. "Perfect, there is a lot more coming but the moon gardens might not be glowing in the daylight but you have a view of the track." She was leading the way up to the gardens as the races started. The speeders going off when the first of the hardlight displayed cards showed up. The visible ones at least and there were cheers... excitement and the hardlight was visible from the island on the track. "Oh."

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng was getting so used to blushing not just around Ayumi, but because of Ayumi that she was growing to like it. Simply for the fact that it was Ayumi who was the one doing it. The flutter of her heart had ceased to be anxiety it had grown into something else, excitement. Still Feng had to struggle to accept the thought of Ayumi's skill with her tounge for a moment. Long enough to move on with a mental note to revisit the thought later. Perhaps in another conversation with Ayumi.

Distracted by the beginnings of the race, Feng's attention was drawn to the tracks. One of the speeders was completing a tight turn, and chose that moment to set their boosters risking a rimshot if they overshot the turn. It was an impressive display of skill.

"Oh" Feng echoed Ayumi's exclamation and without thinking grabbed Ayumi's hand and squeezed it gently in excitement.

"Who is that? Do we have stats on any of the racers?" Feng glanced at another patrons comm screen so a brief flash of a womans name. Jazmyn Nobaru.

"Jazmyn Nobaru!" Feng read "Where's she from? Do you know her? Can we meet her? That turn was sublime!"

Ayumi Pallopides

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Feng Huang

"Jazmyn hmm lets see." Ayumi said it as she was finding a place they could see and able to see the races. The information coming up for the racer on her slim silver datapad from Megera. "Lets see if she is in my little silver book." Her finger came out and she slide it along the datapad for a moment. "Sports, sub grouping for swoop racers." She was looking at it and found her. "Hmmm lovely, she is newer, raced on several circuits in the outer rim and core worlds. Decent schooling, but she does have a few arrests for intoxication and flying around. Fair but she mostly argued." She said it and waas looking at more of it. "We can meet her if you want. A perk of being a senator is they can be very accommodating."

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng turned her attention to Ayumi's slim silver datapad from one of her staff. Feng blanched as she realised she didn't know the persons name. Here she was enjoying the high life and she was already treated the staff as 'the help. Well, there was one way to fix that.

"Hi! I'm Feng!" Feng thrust out a hand for a handshake beaming with a wide grin. "Sorry I haven't introduced myself earlier, I've just been so caught up with everything. I didn't mean to intentionally ignore you. I'll be around Ayumi that is the Senator for awhile on and off. Mostly to show a Jedi presence on things. What's your name?"

Feng belatedly chided herself for not already studying up and reviewing information on all of Ayumi's regular staff and contacts. She'd have to remedy that.

"If you wouldn't mind a bit of business first. I'll need a dossier on all of your regular staff, contacts, family and visitors. Anyone who can get close to you on a regular basis, I should be at the very least familiar enough to recognise by face if not by name." Feng schooled her face into what she called mission mode to list her request.

"And yes meeting the racers would be amazing." Feng added after a thoughtful pause, with a wry smirk.

Ayumi Pallopides

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Feng Huang

There was a small look when Feng look at her and was asking for her contact list. "Oh well one moment." She slid a finger along the screen to pull it up and had a small look of amusement. She had it there and able to be presented for the woman though but pressed only a few buttons. "Here, a full list, there is not much but my goddaughters are very private about their schooling and I do try to not have them come around for senate business so if you could be careful when you are talking to them." She said it with a smile though and had a grin on her face that was only getting wider but she was sending a message for Megera and Cato to be able to arraign them to meet with the racers.

Megera – Personal Assistant
Melanie Sato – Chief of Staff
Rojuhr Pouihl – Head of Security
Dominique Vexx – Chancellor
Verity Stuyveris – Senator
Vespera Pallopides Kej – Sister
Lirien Voth – Former Vice Chancellor, oversees senate district
Seryn Voth – Former Diplomat, oversees Upcity
Kalia Voth – Godfaughter, attends new University district
Vai Kell – Senate Guard Captain
Vex Orin – Senate Guard Lieutenant
Cato – Oldest friend, assistant
Khel'eth Clan – Cato's sisters
Thrace Sloane – Denon Admial
Ghorza Xiss – Bodyguard
Tarish Bleu – Uptown Girl Floor boss
Zahira Pallopides – Biot Bodyguard, Killjoy
Kista Fel – Imperial Knight contact
Vletti'azan'uosus – Singer
Feng Huang – Jedi Protector
Elia – Bendu mom with benefits.
Miraga A'hett – Tusken-raised flirt.
Liora – Senator's aide.
Mira Sol – Guards my island.
Toren Vek – Zabrak covert ops.
Veyra Kade – Mandalorian who tried to kill me.
Lysara Vaeloryn – Nature witch. Married to Sylithia.
Sylithia Vaeloryn – Angry witchier wife of Lysara.
Elaris Vaeloryn – Goddaughter
Erica – Plant lady. Keeps us fed.
Lina – Architect. Hates my gardens.
Albedo – Musician. Hits high Notes
Chiani – Other architect.
Rhys – Security commander. Big. Blue. One arm.
Zara – Underground map lady.
Dr. Lyra Vancen – Genius architect.
Lady Cressida Montaire – Diplomat. Wife's boring.
Commander Kaelen Vex – Lab-grown Zeltron/Twi'lek hybrid super soldier.
Jyx & Nyxx – Lightwire Twin slicers.
Sabe of House Naberrie – Naboo artist
Kaela Renzi – Togruta archivist.
Anya – Echani ex-heiress. Runs my club.
Xera'nuruodo – Chiss survivor. Crashed into my ship.
Master Kira – Jedi. Korun. Guards the Vice Chancellor's family.
Nyssa – Nautolan. Built Denon's oceans
Zara – Falleen ex-crime lord.

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng nodded as she looked over the list. She took a moment to make sure she had everyone accounted for along with the brief description of how they related to Ayumi. There were several security personnel Feng needed to coordinate with, as well as some contacts that gave Feng concern.

"I'll be gentle, and discreet." Feng promised "I'll need to coordinate with Rojuhr Pouihl Ghorza Xiss, Zahira Pallopides , Mira Sol and Rhys."

Feng laid out her thoughts on the Head of Security, two bodyguards, island bodyguard and security commander. Trying not to focus on how she was with someone who had their own private island. It was such a sudden shift to what she had known. Maybe this is what the masters had wanted a way for Feng to get out of her shell and narrow experience? After all there had to be more to life than missions and temples.

"Should I be at all worried about the Mandalorian Veyra Kade or Ex Crime Boss Zara?" Feng asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Strictly speaking I'd like to be able to verify they're not a threat, before allowing them close access." Feng replied trying to maintain a professional standard and voice, she definitely wasn't doing her best not to look at the ways Ayumi's hair ensemble dress hugged her in just the right ways.

"Your Imperial Knight contact Kista Fel, Should I be concerned?" Feng enquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Commander Kaelen Vex? Is he a part of your security team?" Feng asked a follow up.

She'd have questions about all of them of course, but those were the ones that stood out.

Ayumi Pallopides

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Feng Huang

Ayumi looked at her and smiled. "Oh Veyna… no, shouldn't be… maybe a little, but she only tried to kill me twice. That's like some light flirting at times. And Zara well, she isn't in the game anymore, but yeah, you can talk with her. I believe she's on Hosnian Prime." She said it with a shrug of her shoulders, though more in the sense that she talked with them; she rarely visited. "The Fels have been friends of the Republics for various times. I wouldn't be concerned. She rarely talks with her own people and family. The latest ones didn't even contact her or know she was alive." She was looking at Feng with a small grin though while she posed a little more.

"As for Kaelen well, you can talk to her. She was in a lab on Kamino when I found her. Lovely girl, if you can imagine, and friendly to a fault. Barely raised her voice when the technicians tried to lock her in. Just asked if they wanted tea." She said it all casually while she was looking at Feng. "There are plenty who work security for me and a few others. I imagine the chancellor will have her own security, and a number of the others on the list that you might want to check in with or on will of course fully be there." Ayumi was watching but she spoke. "THe ones for security are fun, Ghorza might be a little thick but she is incredibly loyal just don't confuse her with overly complicated questions."

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng raised an eyebrow then shook her head with a wry grin at learning what Ayumi called 'light flirting'.

"If that's light flirting, what do you call what we've been doing this whole time?" Feng quipped back her cheeks going slightly pink at her boldness. "Should I perhaps turn from bodyguard to assassin? Would that suit you better?"

From the sounds of it at least one person she had been concerned about wasn't in the immediate vicinity, but still.

"I'd still appreciate a heads up should she attempt to visit, I understand she herself may not be a threat, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have enemies who may catch you in the peripherals of targeting her."

Feng frowned she had trouble believing any Imp no matter how progressive could be a benevolent person. Still she kept her opinion to herself for the moment. The most she could do was keep an eye on her should she ever come in close proximity, which Feng was determined to do anyway.

Trusting Ayumi's judgement on Kaelen seemed sound, not like she had much choice, but she trusted that a senator who lived the world of backstabbing politics and seen the erasure of her home, was a good judge of character. Besides if she really was that friendly, maybe all Feng would have to do was invite her to tea.

Filing away the information for how much security she'd be having to liaison with, Feng nodded.

"I'd prefer they all carry their I.D. with them while I'm on your detail. I hope it is not easy to forge. Too much security and people get lax assuming someone is safe rather than taking active measures to ensure their safety. That's how political assassinations work."

"I'll try not to upset Ghorza" Feng promised, she had no desire to upset anyone she just wanted to see her charge- see her Ayumi was safe.

Woah way too soon for Ayumi to be 'her Ayumi', pump the brakes kid.

Ayumi Pallopides

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Feng Huang

"Well I would call this a lovely date. I did bring you to a show, the races, I shared food and I kissed you." She said it casually though listing a few things off. Not as a serious moment... more fun before she went around the small garden checking on some things. her security teams would be able to comply though... she would be able to get them and some of the others would be glad. Ghorza might need a little help but what she lacked in brains she made up for in muscle and loyalty.. also she carried around one of those massive clone commando gatling cannons that spewed like a thousand bolts in ten seconds. "Ghorza will be nice and Kaelen is well she'll be good with you."

Ayumi said it while she was moving and found a nice place to stand there in the garden as the race continued and the match was going, the hardlight holograms of the idiots array showing for a moment. THe senator taking a moment though with the jedi there as she wondered. "But you have all of this information about me, you have the chance to interview who knows how many ex girlfriends now, countless ones to whom I have been involved with at different times. Even ones who have tried to kill me but obviously I am just that good I made an enemy into a lover... without getting injured.... but I do want to know about you aside from how easily it is to make those beautiful cheeks redder then a zeltron."

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng felt a little thrill of excitement at Ayumi confirming that this was a date. She told herself it was excitement and not fear that set her heart pounding, she wasn't going to let her anxiety turn this wonderful moment into something to fear. With that in mind Feng made a decision, she was done feeling anxious over nothing, she was going to enjoy this occasion for what it was a lovely time with a gorgeous woman, a gorgeous woman who was interested in her. Plus since Ayumi seemed to enjoy it so much, she was determined to be less self-conscious about her blushing like a Sith Pureblood.

Feng nodded satisfied for the moment that she'd done her duty, as needed for the security and safety of… her charge. Didn't that get confusing, how was she supposed to date the person she was protecting she was sure that was breaching some sort of rule or at the very least etiquette, though Feng supposed when you were a senator you could make or break just about most rules of etiquette that you wanted to.

"Oh… uhm.. well what would you like to know?" Feng asked hesitantly. It was only fair, and there wasn't anything for Feng to be ashamed of in her past, or so she told herself firmly. She just wasn't sure it would 'match' well with Ayumi's own glamorous upbringing.

"I was born in slums, moved to farms, raiders attacked my village. Master Wu saved me, raised me as best he could, brought me to the Jedi Order when I was fourteen so I'd have more exposure to the galaxy, be less isolated… that didn't exactly work as intended, but I'd still rather have the order than be alone. Master Wu is semi-retired, last I heard he was doing an outreach program for other isolated Jedi offering them resources and connections without attachments to the Jedi Order and High Republic. He still send me a wave occasionally, but he says… he says it's time for me to start exploring on my own. I think he thinks he was holding me back."

Feng smiled sadly.

"He wouldn't have joined the Jedi or the Republic without me, he'd prefer the solitary life of contemplation. I think… while he was here guiding me I'd have never have volunteered for the security of a senator, and I'm glad I did or I wouldn't have met an amazing woman, but I do miss him."

Feng blushed as she realised something.

"Stop me if I'm talking too much."

Ayumi Pallopides

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Feng Huang

SHe listened to her with rapt attention as Feng was giving the information about what had been her early life. All of it was both detailed and vague a good feat no planet of birth or origin... but she wasn't judging it on that. Her Master Wu sounded like quite the talent as Ayumi was thinking about it and came over to look at the girl with a nod. "Hmmm but there is one thing that you forgot." She said it while she was looking at her for a moment. "When did such a beautiful jedi get into racing. You were such a cute pilot during the N-1 races and beat my head of security as well as several others. I am glad I sponsored you for it."

 

[Feng Huang]

For the first time since meeting Ayumi, Feng's face drained of colour instead of flushing. She was tempted to brush it off, change the subject, instead she took a deep breath.

"From my brother. He was a street racer. When Master Wu took me on, I made sure to keep up the skills as best I could. It was a way to honour him. One day he fell in with some hoodlums and never came home, to this day I still don't know what happened to him."

Feng fell silent.

"Every racer has a rhythm you know, a pulse, a beat. You feel that and you fall in sync with it, and it's… pure."

Feng smiled.

"My brother called it the racer's soul, seemed to think it was a symbioses."

Feng smile flicked and faded as she lost in thought of her brother, she hadn't thought of him for a long time. Feng turned to Ayumi.

"Thank you for sponsoring me in the race. I'm sorry I didn't make a better showing of myself than I'd hoped. Truthfully I wasn't entirely sure who was sponsoring me, I put the call out and was just so excited to get in the race, I didn't pay attention. I should have been more aware than that."

Feng frowned hoping that she hadn't inadvertently been sponsored by anyone nefarious or with unethical business practices.

Ayumi Pallopides

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Feng Huang

She let the smile go for a small moment and remained there as Feng was being somber with a small nod. "I see thank you for that." She said it and didn't need to ask more questions. Feng's mechanical skills and love had a place that was important to her and that was more then enough. Her look was one of thanks. "The race was good, it gave the engineers here a good idea of what can be done and even being able to see such a diversity of skill allowed us to learn capabilities. Won or lose." She remained there with a smile reforming on her face. "But you should be prroud, you showed your talent, you then got to finish and be an accomplished jedi. Your master should be proud."

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng smile flickered, and she brushed a hair out of her face that had come undone.

"I'm glad you didn't feel like you were throwing your money away." Feng allowed. "I did my best, but that luck factor that appears in all races wasn't quite with me, could have been worse and your right I did finish. Not everybody in that race did."

"My master is always proud of me, he says so constantly." Feng acknowledged with a nostalgic smile. "I hope you get to meet him someday. I think it'll be good for him to meet an ethical politician for a change."

This was immediately followed by doubt. Had she just effectively invited her date on the first date to meet her parent? Feng didn't have much experience with dating, but all the holofilms said that was much too soon.

"I mean only if you want to, you don't have to, no pressure." Feng hurried stumbling to reassure Ayumi there was no obligation too.

Feng closed her eyes and breathed a deep breath reminding herself of her promise not to be so anxious.

Maybe I should stop worrying about what I should say and say what I feel?

"I just meant, Master Wu is somewhat of a solitary Jedi he rarely gets involved with Order business let alone Republic business. I think it'd be good for him to expand his circle to meet one he could learn to trust. He doesn't… deride politicians exactly, but he sorta gets this pursed lipped look on his face and refuses to comment, not that he'd say anything cruel or dismissing! I just think he could learn to thaw some of his views and appreciate your efforts to help people on a wider scale than maybe he ever could."

Feng gave a small shrug.

Ayumi Pallopides