Private A Work Party

[Blaire Sal-Soren]

It had been an exceedingly pleasant morning as far as mornings went. The sun rose for the first time in a number of months without Blaire being awake to greet it. She slept so far past the sun in fact, she nearly felt rested.

What's more is that for what was perhaps the first time in memory, her children, her precious, beautiful, perfect, miracle, children, all three of them slept long enough not only for Blaire to take a shower but also have not one but three sips of caf.

As fortunate as it was, it was still only three sips of Caf before she was balancing a baby and her mug as she tried to put at the minimum a layer of foundation on which was no easy task with a baby grabbing at the brush every chance he got which’s forced her to give up on the bronzer entirely. She was expecting company and they were due to arrive sooner than she was prepared for. She was lucky that it was only one baby that was up. Baryn of course it was. Ever since he was returned to her Baryn woke up earlier than his sisters. Blaire didn't mind at all. They had catching up to do.

Blaire was probably being silly rushing to put makeup on. Aiden was coming over and he would not care what she looked like. He was sweet that way and before long Keela would be here and she would watch the children and Blaire could finish getting ready then. Still, Blaire wanted to put some effort into her appearance if Aiden was coming by.

By the time Aiden arrived Keela would be there, the kids fed and comfortable, Blaire dressed and put together, and best of all breakfast.

| Outfit: xxx | Tag: Aiden Porte | Equipment: xxx |​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Blaire Sal-Soren


The air this morning was fresh, scented faintly with the blooms of exotic flowers that dotted the fields and gardens around Theed. You can hear the gentle splash of water as small fish leap in the rivers, and in the distance, the musical call of shaaks grazing in the grasslands. In the forest edges, dew layered the leaves. Near the grand waterfalls, the sound of cascading water blends with the quiet hum of the city coming to life — soft voices, distant bells, and the low whir of passing speeders.

It's the kind of morning that makes Naboo feel vibrant and alive. A place worth living and a place worth fighting for, for every fiber in each individual person being. It was long past Aiden Porte had discovered his knew found purpose and strove forward leading those that he could to hope and light. He was busier than he had ever been in his life. He had hardly been home, and now once more he was called up to serve the Republic once again. A slight op of sorts, and he would need some assistance in that regard.

Aiden hadn't disturbed Blaire since the Netherworld event, her child was returned to her. And it was only right that she have all the time in the world that she needed with them. Children were a mothers greatest blessing, and he knew that she was an amazing mother.

He believed it.

He was happy for the invitation, it just happened to coincide with his request for help. Granted he hadn't asked her of that yet, but in time he would put the request forward.

Aiden arrived this morning donned in his armor as he had much to do after this. But he would take and appreciate the time that he was able to spend with Blaire, and the little ones.

Flowers in hand of course.

 

[Blaire Sal-Soren]

The door buzzed announcing Aiden's arrival, Blaire practically skipped from her seat to open the door.

Twenty year old Blaire would be sick with embarrassment to see herself acting like a school girl with a crush. She just couldn't help herself. Something in the way Aiden looked at her, it made her terrified and incredibly safe all at once, and she couldn't remember any man making her feel that way, well, except maybe Jaa but he also made her feel like pulling her hair out and committing murder.

Blaire smoothed down the front of her outfit before letting Aiden, thankful that this time he wasn't surprising her and she'd had a chance to make self something close to acceptable.

The door opened with a woosh and there he stood. Taller than her, his dark hair tousled from his travel to her apartment. He brought flowers, again, and Blaire graciously and greedily took them from his hand lifted to her face and smiled at their sweet spicy scent.

She looked up at him over the bouquet smiling and reaching to pull him inside. Her face and her outstretched arm fell when she noticed his armor.

"Not planning to stay then?" She asked sharply, turning on her heel and marching back toward the dining table without so much as 'make yourself at home'. Arms swinging so hard she left a trail of petals behind her.

She did not know if he followed after her nor did she care. Clearly there was something more important to him today than spending time with her.

That's fine she thought very unconvincingly.

Blaire had a series of important men in her life. Daddy was hand to the queen, Achan was a senator in the GA, Brandyn is a Jedi, Aiden is too, she understood that meant certain things had to come second. She didn't mind coming second. So long as she came.

He could've rescheduled if something came up.

"If you've got better places to be, don't let us keep you." She huffed, sitting down back into her seat at the table. There was a full plate situated at the seat to her left, she'd had it made for him and now what he was going to eat and run? The rational part of her knew she should be happy with that but the part of her in charge now was anything but rational.

| Outfit: xxx | Tag: Aiden Porte | Equipment: xxx |​

 

[Aiden Porte]

"Not planning to stay then?"

"Of course I do." Aiden said with a smile as he looked at what she was looking at, and noticed it was his armor that she looked too. "Oh this is just a precaution, In case I'm attacked in the streets or something of that sort." He spoke with a small tease, perhaps he should've at least warned her before he showed up like this. She turned away and walked back towards the table where the breakfast was, and he showed a small somber look.

"Hey...." Aiden said with a reassuring smile, as he moved forward, taking a seat next to her. He looked down at the plate of food that looks incredibly amazing he hadn't enjoyed breakfast in a long time. So this was indeed a welcome sight, he had been on the move so much. He hadn't time to properly sit and enjoy a meal.

His hand reached for hers, giving it a small squeeze if she allowed him too. He even brought it to his lips and kissed her hand if that was acceptable as well.

"If you've got better places to be, don't let us keep you."

"There is no where else I want to be." Aiden said truthfully and easily enough with a small smile as he looked down towards the breakfast. "Unfortunately somewhere I have to be later this evening." He smiled at her. "Thank you for inviting me, I've missed you."

"This evening, is something I could use your help with."

Blaire Sal-Soren

 

[Blaire Sal-Soren]

She was having no part of his excuses.

None at all.

In case he was attacked in the streets

Really?

As if my penthouse was on Nal Hutta or something.

Blaire pouted as she played with her porridge, plucking a pinky purple plizberry, pondered popping it in her mouth, and let it fall back in her bowl with a plop.

Aiden, it turned out, did indeed follow the red and gold path of anger strewn petals. He sat down smiling as though she weren't cross with him.

She was now very cross with him.

Aiden took a break from admiring the plate in front of him to reach for her hand. She let him have it without a fight. She was still very cross. He pressed her hand to his lips lightly and the corners of her mouth flashed the tiniest hint of a grin.

"I’ve missed you too." She admitted.

She was still cross with him.

"My help?" She asked.

She was beaming.

| Outfit: xxx | Tag: Aiden Porte | Equipment: xxx |​

 

[Aiden Porte]

She was cross with him. He could see it in the way she toyed with her porridge like it was his head on the block.

Aiden sat anyway, smiled anyway, because what else could he do? He had walked through fire, through nights longer than he'd admit. With Blaire Sal-Soren he would rather face her anger than her silence.

The flicker of her smile nearly undid him. Force, he missed that.

She said she'd missed him too, and for a heartbeat he forgot to breathe. Cross or not, she'd said it.

Aiden couldn't help but laugh under his breath. The storm had passed faster than he'd earned, but that was Blaire. Fierce, sharp, impossible not to grow to care for. She was unique in many ways.

"Yes," he said quietly, eyes still fixed on hers. "Yours."

"I'm being invited to a formal event tonight on the planet of Arbra, there's a Noble house on the rise. Based on the Jedi's response one of the sons is a person of interest for criminal activity." Aiden reached for his holoprojector and set it on the table, activating it an image of an individual popped up. "I have never seen him before, I had thought to ask you, and see if you would be able to attend this event with me. We can find out if he has any play to cause the Republic or the Jedi harm."

 

[Blaire Sal-Soren]

Blaire's hand remained in Aiden's while he fumbled looking for his holoprojector. Absentmindedly she lightly traced circles softly on the back of his hand with the acrylic nail on her thumb.

For that brief second as she for the first time in far too long, sat comfortable with the person sitting with her, she wondered if this could be her everyday.

She would be happy if it were, she knew that much. It wouldn't be everyday she knew, Aiden was a Jedi Knight after all, but it could be most days. He would be here and he would hold her hand just like this, and look in her eyes that way he did that made her feel safe, and uncomfortable in an almost enjoyable way. He would care for her, protect her, treat her kindly. It would be more than she deserved and far more than she could return to him.

She would be happy, yes, but she may not be content.

Her thoughts turned unbidden to Jaa Ardan. There was no life at all she could have with him that would be either happy or content and yet, on those occasions Blaire chanced to imagine her future, that mop of dark curls, those blue eyes, and that stupid half smile were there almost as often as they weren't.

"I'm being invited to a formal event tonight on the planet of Arbra, there's a Noble house on the rise. Based on the Jedi's response one of the sons is a person of interest for criminal activity." Aiden reached for his holoprojector and set it on the table, activating it an image of an individual popped up. "I have never seen him before, I had thought to ask you, and see if you would be able to attend this event with me. We can find out if he has any play to cause the Republic or the Jedi harm."

"You're kidding?" She asked, studying the rotating blue hued face coming from the holoprojector. "That’s Graham Deras," she said, recognizing that sallow face and those lethal cheekbones. "He used to date one of the girls I used to dance with. His family is suspected of being criminals, you say?"

Why are the Jedi involved?

Blaire was happy to help Aiden but the idea that the Jedi would stick their nose in the business of the families that built Naboo and now prop up this republic was more than a passing concern to her.

"I'd love to attend this event with you Jedi Porte," Blaire said in her best, 'was just asked to prom' voice. "If you'll help me figure out what to wear."

| Outfit: xxx | Tag: Aiden Porte | Equipment: xxx |​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Her hand was soft in his, tracing idle patterns that nearly broke his composure. Aiden had faced down Sith, pirates, and politicians with steady calm, but the way Blaire's thumb skimmed circles on the back of his hand made it unreasonably hard to focus on the holoprojector. She thought he hadn't noticed. Of course he had. Every brush of her nail against his skin was a reminder that he'd been gone too long, a reminder that there was still a part of him that longed for ordinary warmth.

There was time when he imagined himself with her, truly with her. That constant companion, lover and best friend. But he knew she had been through much, she had a past and he didn't fault her or think any less of her for it. But he truly wondered if she could ever be at peace with Aiden, if they were to be together. He wondered, if she would accept them, and all they could be. He showed her a rare smile, as he looked down to his food for a few moments, then taking another bite.

When she recognized the face, his brows rose slightly. Graham Deras. So she knew him, or knew of him. That would make the investigation easier—or harder, depending on what they uncovered tonight. A few seconds had passed before he spoke and showed a smile.

Then she gave him that sing-song voice, her playful asked-to-prom tone, and his serious thoughts cracked apart under the weight of her grin

Aiden chuckled, warmth chasing away his edges. "I can definitely help with that." He squeezed her hand lightly, his thumb brushing her knuckles. "I think I'd like to see you choose something that will make the entire hall forget who they came to see. But then you already do that every time you step into a room, Blaire."

His smile softened. "As long as you're there, this will be easier."

Blaire Sal-Soren